/
“Do I need a Chinese phone number before I travel to China?” It’s one of the most common questions asked by first-time visitors. Many travellers worry that without a Chinese (+86) mobile number, they won’t be able to use WeChat, order...
“Do I need a Chinese phone number before I travel to China?” It’s one of the most common questions asked by first-time visitors. Many travellers worry that without a Chinese (+86) mobile number, they won’t be able to use WeChat, order...
A First-Timer’s Guide to Paying in China with a Foreign Credit Card You have just arrived in China. You walk into a convenience store, place a bottle of water on the counter and reach for your wallet. The cashier does not...
An Honest First-Timer’s Guide to Independent Travel in China (2026) “Everyone told us China would be difficult.” No Google.No cash.Apps you’ve never heard of.A language you can’t read. It sounds intimidating. Yet after several independent trips across Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Shenzhen,...
Planning a Hong Kong to Macau day trip is easier than many first-time visitors imagine. The two cities are well connected, and you have two excellent transport options: the traditional TurboJET ferry across the Pearl River Delta, or the modern Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB) Shuttle Bus,...
First Time in Hong Kong? Here’s Exactly What We Did from Landing to Checking into Our Hotel Landing in Hong Kong foe the first time is exciting. It’s also the moment when most travellers feel a bit uncertain. After months of...
We Weren’t Looking for Dumplings on Our Chengdu Trip The funny part is… We weren’t on a food adventure. We were on a mission. Elaine was fourteen. She enjoyed travelling in China… …but she wasn’t ready for Sichuan chilli. So every...
“Want to understand Chinese food? Don’t start in a restaurant. Start in a market.” We Didn’t Expect a Morning Market to Become One of the Highlights of Chengdu When people think about Chengdu, they usually picture giant pandas, spicy hotpot and the...
Ask almost anyone planning their first trip to Chengdu (成都, Chéngdū) and you’ll hear the same list. See the giant pandas. Eat hotpot. Visit 宽窄巷子 (Kuānzhǎi Xiàngzi). Walk 春熙路 (Chūnxī Lù, Chunxi Road). Take a selfie with the famous panda climbing out of the IFS shopping mall....
“Sometimes the city that changes your understanding of a country isn’t the one you planned to visit most.” If you’ve been reading ChinaTravelBug, you’ll probably notice something. We write a lot about Beijing (北京, Běijīng). We write even more about Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān). Those...
One of China’s Best Museums for Understanding How Chinese Civilisation Was Built Looking for the Qin-Han Museum? Don’t Go to the Wrong Museum! Most international visitors planning a China travel itinerary to Xi’an (西安) know about the famous Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆) in the city centre. Very...
We’re a father and daughter exploring China through real journeys, curious questions and the people who know each place best.
ChinaTravelBUG.com helps curious travellers look beyond China’s famous sights—to understand the history, culture and everyday life behind the places they visit.
We share firsthand travel experiences, practical advice for planning a trip to China, and honest insights from licensed local guides.
Come with us—not just to see China, but to UNDERSTAND it.
Copyright © 2026 China Travel Bug
