Hi, I’m Peter.
I built StartChinaTravel to be the guide I wished I had before my first trip to China.
My Story
My first time in China, I couldn’t pay for a bottle of water. Nobody took cash. Google Maps didn’t work. My bank card was useless. I spent two hours in the airport just trying to connect to Wi-Fi.
That trip taught me something:China is one of the most incredible countries on Earth — but it has a steep digital learning curve that catches almost every foreign visitor off guard.
So I started writing. First for friends asking for travel advice, then for a growing community of first-time China visitors. StartChinaTravel is everything I’ve learned — organized, tested, and kept current so you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
What This Site Covers
Digital Survival
VPNs, eSIMs, Alipay, WeChat Pay — the tools you need on day one.
Visa & Entry
240-hour transit, 30-day visa-free, and full tourist visa walkthroughs.
Destinations
Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Guilin — practical city guides.
Culture & Tips
Social customs, food ordering, etiquette — avoid awkward moments.
How I Write
- Tested, not guessed Every VPN, eSIM, and app recommendation is something I’ve personally used in China.
- Updated constantly China’s policies change fast. I review every guide regularly and date-stamp updates.
- No fluff, no filler You’re planning a trip, not reading a novel. Every article gets to the point.
- Foreigner’s perspective Written for people who’ve never been to China — I explain things locals take for granted.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this site are affiliate links for products I genuinely use and recommend — like Surfshark VPN, Trip.com bookings, and AiraloeSIMs. If you purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is what keeps the site running and the content free. I never recommend a product just because it pays well — if it doesn’t work in China, it doesn’t make the list.
Get in Touch
Have a question about visiting China? Found outdated info on the site? Just want to say hi? I read every email.
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