Exploring China on Your Own: A Self-Guided Adventure

travel time: October & November 2024

Is it possible to explore China by yourself? – YES

Is it sometimes challenging to do so? – Definitely YES

Visit Beijing

In Beijing, we sometimes found it challenging to organize everything on our own. Not because it was impossible, but because visiting all the major sights required booking tickets in advance and carefully planning when to be where. If you prefer a more spontaneous approach, you have to accept that you might miss out on certain attractions due to sold-out tickets. The alternative is to book a tour, where all tickets are included, making the experience more hassle-free.

Forbidden City

Travel by train

Riding the train in China was incredibly easy. Upon arriving at the train station, we went through a quick luggage scan and passport control. If you have pre-booked your tickets, you can either collect a paper ticket at the station or simply use your passport, as that’s all you need. There is a strict check-in window during which you can access your designated platform before boarding the train. The bullet trains glide smoothly through the country, and the staff is very attentive, ensuring that passengers get off at the correct stations.

Bullet Train

SIM Card

For our individual travels, having a SIM card with an internet connection was essential. We relied on our phones so much throughout the day that by the third day of our trip, we had to buy a good power bank—otherwise, our phones wouldn’t last the whole day. The most important things we used them for were translation, navigation, and booking tickets. AND it is really helpful to get also a SIM card with a local telephone number, trust me!

The Language...

A reliable translation app is crucial for getting around in China. Although English is taught in schools, very few people felt confident speaking it with us and would communicate only in Chinese. We used an app called “Sogou Translate” which worked well most of the time but occasionally produced odd translations. When that happened, we simply tried rephrasing until we got a more accurate result.

For navigation, Google Maps wasn’t very reliable, so downloading an offline map wasn’t particularly useful. We were advised to use the app “Gaode” but since it was entirely in Chinese, it wasn’t always helpful for what we needed. After a few days, we discovered that Apple Maps was quite accurate for directions and even provided information on bus departures.

WeChat - the key for everything

Booking tickets online, especially via WeChat, is the standard method used almost everywhere. While most tourist attractions still have physical ticket counters, purchasing tickets on your phone is far more convenient. Not only does it save time, but it also helps overcome language barriers that can arise at some counters. Additionally, the app allows you to store your passport information, which is required for every ticket purchase, making the process even smoother. In many places, you’ll even find large signs and step-by-step instructions guiding visitors on how to buy tickets online before reaching the counter.

Getting around

For some tourist attractions, we hired a driver - not necessarily because we needed a guide, but because it was much more convenient and faster to have someone take us directly to our destination. This was especially useful for sites located far outside the city, such as those we visited around Datong and the rice fields near Guilin. Since foreigners are not allowed to rent a car in China, travelers must rely on public transportation, join an organized tour, or hire a private driver or guide for day trips.

Can you travel around China by yourself?

Overall, we would say that traveling independently in China is absolutely possible. It requires a certain level of preparation and some flexibility along the way. Depending on the restaurants and tourist attractions you visit, you may find people who speak English. If not, we encountered many friendly locals who were eager to help and took the time to communicate with us using translation apps. Traveling in China is certainly an adventure, but for us, it was an incredible experience.