A calmer way to plan your trip to China
I'm Magnus. When I planned my own China trips, most of what I found online was outdated, too polished, or no help once I was actually there. So I'm building the site I wished I'd had: honest guides from places I've been, tools for the annoying parts, and itineraries built around real train times.
Free guides and tools. The planner is there if you want the whole trip done for you.
Start here
Four things make or break a China trip: the visa, payments, trains, and the Great Firewall. You can sort all four in an afternoon.
Do you even need a visa?
For 40+ nationalities the answer is now no — 30 days visa-free through 2026. The rules in plain language.
Make your card work in China
China runs on QR payments, and Alipay takes your normal Visa or Mastercard. Set it up at home, not on airport wifi.
Book trains without the drama
High-speed rail is the best way between cities. Which app to use, when tickets release, and what holidays do to availability.
Will your apps work over there?
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Netflix… some work, some don't, some need a plan B. Check any app in ten seconds.
Cities I can actually help you with
Each one has a full guide and activity reviews from my own visits — what to book ahead, what to skip, and how to group your days.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a relaxed coastal city in southeast China, known for its clean streets, mild climate, and slower pace compared to many large Chinese cities.
Beijing
Beijing is China’s capital, where ancient sites like the Forbidden City sit alongside modern skyscrapers. Compared to other Chinese cities, it has a very special atmosphere that feels more historical, political, and serious.
Xi'an
Xi’an is one of China’s oldest cities, famous for its ancient city wall and deep imperial history. It feels grounded and lived-in, where everyday life sits right next to sites that are over 2,000 years old.
Chengdu
Chengdu is a relaxed, food-obsessed city in southwest China, famous for spicy Sichuan cuisine and its slow pace of life. It is also the best place to see giant pandas up close and experience tea houses, parks, and everyday local life.
What you'll actually find here
Not another list of "top 10 hidden gems". Three things, done properly.
Itineraries that respect the train schedule
China is enormous, and most trip plans fail at the station, not on the map. The planner builds your days around real departures and transfer times, so the plan you leave with is one you can actually execute.
How that worksGuides that tell you when to skip
Some famous sights deserve a full day. Some deserve twenty minutes from the square outside, and my guides say so — with real prices and the booking quirks that catch people out.
See what I meanFree tools for the boring parts
A budget calculator with realistic daily costs for food, hotels and trains, and an app checker for life behind the Great Firewall. No signup, no spam.
"This site started as my own messy planning notes. Now it's me writing down what actually worked — one honest guide at a time."
More about meFresh from the blog
New guides as I write them. No schedule, no filler.
China is visa-free for 40+ countries in 2026. Here is how it actually works
China waives visas for 40+ countries through December 2026: 30 days for tourism with an ordinary passport. Who qualifies, the fine print, and the 240-hour transit option.
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