China had long held a place on our bucket list, but the country’s complicated and expensive visa process kept pushing the trip further down the road. Eventually, we decided it was time to stop waiting — and hiring a visa consolidator turned out to be one of the best decisions we made.
The process still took several weeks once our documents were submitted, but having someone handle the consulate visit for us (rather than making the trip ourselves to San Francisco) made the extra expense completely worthwhile.
We explored Beijing, Xi’an, and several other popular tourist destinations, and while I’ll share more details about each city separately, here are some of our biggest impressions from traveling through China.
First Impressions: Remarkably Efficient
One of the first things that struck us after landing was just how incredibly efficient everything was.
Airport lines moved quickly, taxis often arrived within a minute of being requested, trains boarded seamlessly and departed exactly on schedule. Everywhere we went felt exceptionally clean, modern, and extremely well organized.
Even more impressive was how friendly and helpful people were. Although many locals spoke little English, people consistently went out of their way to assist us. I especially appreciated how often strangers instinctively reached out to help Scott as he stepped off curbs or navigated stairs.
Because English is not widely spoken, we were especially glad we chose private touring. Our guide spoke excellent English and quickly became one of the highlights of the trip.
Safe and Comfortable Travel
Throughout our travels in China, we felt extraordinarily safe.
The streets were well lit, public areas were busy at all hours, and there was never a moment where we felt uncomfortable. One unexpected aspect of traveling in China that I particularly appreciated was the complete absence of aggressive street vendors.
Unlike many destinations, there was very little pressure to buy tours, souvenirs, or other products. It made exploring local markets and neighborhoods far more relaxing and enjoyable.
Highlights of Beijing and Xi’an
In Beijing, some of our favorite experiences included wandering through local markets and exploring the historic old city. Riding through the traditional neighborhoods by rickshaw was especially memorable.
In Xi’an, seeing the world-famous Terracotta Army was every bit as impressive as we had imagined, and a private tea ceremony gave us wonderful insight into Chinese traditions and hospitality.
Staying Connected
Travelers should know that internet access works differently in China.
If you connect using local Wi-Fi or a Chinese SIM card, many familiar apps will not function normally. To work around this, travelers should consider installing a VPN or using an eSIM before arrival.
We kept our regular T-Mobile service and relied heavily on WhatsApp, which worked well for us.
Cashless China
China has moved almost entirely toward app-based payments.
Most transactions are handled through WeChat or Alipay, so it’s wise to set up accounts and connect your credit cards before leaving home.
Once set up, payments are incredibly fast and simple using QR codes. The only challenge? Keeping your phone charged. We always travel with a portable phone charger and that has been very helpful for all our trips, especially when we are away from the hotel all day and evening.
High-Speed Rail: The Best Way to Travel
China’s high-speed rail system was one of the biggest surprises of the trip.
The network is extensive, affordable, exceptionally efficient, and in many ways reminded us of Japan.
Train stations were enormous but remarkably clean and easy to navigate. The trains themselves were extremely comfortable, offering charging ports, tray tables, food service, and spacious seating.
Even second-class tickets felt premium by most international standards.
China exceeded our expectations in almost every way. Between the efficiency, safety, modern infrastructure, and incredibly welcoming people, it proved to be one of the most fascinating and surprisingly easy destinations we have visited.