13 tips for solo travel in China (from a self-proclaimed expert)

China has a very low crime rate, the public transport is great, and even though you’ll struggle to communicate with the locals, people will try their best to help you.

That being said, traveling by yourself in China can be challenging especially for a female. But if I can do it, so can you!

I hope my list of top tips for China solo travel helps you.

1. Expect a safe place

China is a safe country all around, with a low crime rate (even though there’s debate about the accuracy of the statistics).

But you’re even safer when you’re a tourist in China.

The Chinese government is very concerned about their public image on the world stage, so any criminals harming tourists are given hefty sentences. For most of them, it really isn’t worth the risk.

You should still take the same precautions when traveling in China that you would take anywhere else. But you’re at very low risk of physical attacks of all kinds.

In fact, while you’re there, you’ll probably feel safer than you did back home.

When I was in China, I was shocked at the fact that I could walk home at 3 am after a night out with friends!

There’s no way I could do the same in Australia, where I’m from.

2. Check if you need a visa

You may need to get a visa when you travel to China.

It depends on how long you’re staying, and most importantly what country you’re from. China has visa-free arrangements with many countries now.

Even if you can’t get visa-free travel (sorry, my American friends), if your trip is less than six days you could be eligible for what’s called Visa Free Transit.

You just need to be on the way to another country before heading home.

Check the Chinese visa page for more information about all of this.

3. Be prepared for culture shock

Unless you’ve traveled extensively in Asia, you’ll experience culture shock when you get to China. I know I did.

For the first few weeks (or months) I felt as if I were wandering around with my mouth wide open at just how different it was to my home.

Everything’s different in China, from the food to the sights, smells, and ways of doing things.

This can bring on feelings like disorientation, anxiety, irritability, and even fear and depression.

I had a good support network thanks to the school I was teaching at, but I know it can be particularly hard for solo travelers who don’t have anyone with them to discuss and debrief after a shock.

So, go easy on yourself. With a bit of time, you’ll find yourself adjusting to the way they do things in China.

Some travelers like to learn a lot about the country before they get there, so the culture shock isn’t as intense.

If that’s you, check out some of the best China blogs before you go, or even watch a China documentary on Netflix.

4. Don’t expect the locals to speak English

Traveling throughout China is very different to being a tourist in the major cities like Shanghai or Beijing.

Outside of the big cities and main tourist areas, you’ll find that the locals speak very little English, let alone other foreign languages.

This can be a huge barrier for any kind of traveler, but here are my tips to overcome it:

• Download a translation app on your phone (choose one like Pleco that doesn’t need internet access)
• Don’t be embarrassed to use body language to communicate (counting with your hands is helpful in places like markets)
• Always have your hotel/destination names on your phone in Chinese so you can get back to your base
• Also have any dietary restrictions written down in Chinese on your phone, though they don’t understand veganism in China.

If you need to speak to someone, I recommend approaching a young person rather than someone much older. Even if their oral English isn’t great, they will be a whiz with the phone translation!

5. Get a VPN

I have talked about this in other blogs, so I won’t bang on too much about it here.

Traveling alone in China can be isolating, and you need to stay connected with things going on at home (well, to a degree).

All the major foreign websites and apps are blocked in China, but luckily you can get a virtual private network (VPN) app before you leave your country to help you stay sane.

You can check this review for the VPNs that are currently working in China, or go to the one I recommend most:

There is an interesting report that Hostelworld recently published called State of Solo Travel Report 2024.

It highlights the top 14 apps that solo travelers like to use to stay in touch. Would you believe that 12 of the apps are actually blocked in China?

This is a great reminder to get that VPN!

6. Stay in hostels

As long as you’re reasonably careful, then hostels are a great choice for solo travelers.

They’re generally safe and will give you the chance to meet other travelers so you can have company when and if you want it.

Most hostels in China have dorms and private rooms. So, if you don’t mind sleeping in a room with lots of strangers, you can take a dorm room and travel really cheaply.

And if you need more privacy, you can have your own room and still enjoy access to the shared facilities for friend-making time.

You can also find some pretty good cheap hotels in China in places where there are no hostels or the hostels are booked out.

7. Beware of scammers

You’ll find scammers in almost every country, and sadly this includes China. As a solo traveler, you could be an easy target.

Most scammers set up shop in the popular tourist cities like Shanghai and Beijing, but I suggest being careful everywhere when you travel.

Here are some tips for staying safe from Chinese scammers:

• Beware of anyone who comes up to you and speaks good English (Chinese people are usually pretty shy)
• Don’t accompany a friendly stranger who invites you to drink tea, as they may leave you with a huge bill
• Use payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay but if you do use cash, check any change you get for counterfeit ¥50 or ¥100 bills
• Try to use proper bank ATMs
• Be careful and cautious when giving money to people begging (I would avoid it outright)
• Always ask the price of your meal/snack/drink before consuming them.

You can read more about the most common scams in China here.

8. Be careful what you buy

If you’re from most Western countries, then you can be reasonably certain that the items in the shops are authentic.

However, China is famous for its knockoffs, and these can appear in some unexpected places.

For example, a lot of the stuff at Huaqiangbei Electronics Market in Shenzhen is fake. If the price is too good to be true, then it probably is!

You can check out the China travel tips page for more helpful info like this.

9. Be prepared for the toilets

If you’re only traveling in the major tourist areas on a tour, then you probably won’t have major problems with the toilets.

But if you’re traveling independently or outside of the tourist areas then things will be different.

Most of the toilets you find in China will be squat toilets, which means you will have to get used to them pretty fast.

You should also carry toilet paper with you at all times, because most toilets won’t have any. And remember that the used toilet paper goes in the trash can, not in the toilet.

10. Learn to haggle

One of the bad things about traveling alone is the fact that you have to do everything yourself. And that applies to haggling too.

Haggling is common in China outside of chain stores and supermarkets, so be prepared to argue the price you want.

And don’t worry if you don’t speak the language, the shopkeeper will quickly pull out a calculator (or use their phone) that you can use to exchange prices.

Money talks in China.

I also recommend getting familiar with counting money in Chinese so you’re not short-changed. I was in China long term, so I don’t blame you if can’t be bothered for a short trip!

Better yet, try to stick to the Chinese payment apps as much as you can.

11. Wear sturdy shoes

When you get to China, you’ll see lots of young women wandering around in very high heels. Don’t try this yourself unless you’re as sure-footed as an acrobat in heels.

China’s roads, pavements, and everything else are often uneven, covered with rocks and other debris, or made of a slippery type of rock or tile. So, try to avoid shoes that are hard to walk in.

I remember taking a big fall in the middle of a street in Shanghai, where roadwork was going on in the middle of a busy intersection. I went straight down on my hands and knees, ripping up my hands and my nice jeans.

Not to mention, there were plenty of locals around, all of them staring curiously at the scene. Try to avoid doing that yourself if you can!

Mike’s guide on what to pack for China covers shoes as well as every other item you’ll need in your suitcase or backpack.

12. Stay on the path

As I mentioned above, China is a safe place to travel as a solo traveler, much safer than other parts of the world.

However, it’s still important that you stay on the beaten path unless you’re super-adventurous, fluent in Mandarin or not very risk averse.

Some parts of China, most notably the western and remote regions, are so isolated that you might have trouble getting into and out of them.

For example, you need a special permit to visit Tibet and even then you have to be in a tour group.

Venturing off on your own in a place like this could get you into a lot of trouble. Plus, you don’t want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere in such a huge country, with no one around who speaks English and not a single embassy in sight.

So, stick to the beaten path, at least for your first trip to China.

And why would you want to stray from it anyway when the beaten path is so exciting, filled with beautiful nature spots, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and delicious dumplings?

13. Ask for help

This may surprise you a little, but the locals will be incredibly helpful when you’re in China despite their shyness. That’s been my experience, anyway.

They won’t usually come up to you and ask if you need help, which is where the surprise comes in, but if you ask them for help then they’ll often be extremely generous and friendly.

They’ll work hard to understand what you need, help you read your maps, and giggle as they practice their English on you.

In fact, some of the most heartwarming interactions you’ll have while you’re in China will probably be when you ask the locals for help.

Just remember that tipping is not customary in China. So, please don’t pull out your wallet when you do receive help – this includes hotel staff.

Are you ready for solo travel in China?

Traveling solo in China can be an amazingly rewarding experience.

It will test you, teach you, frustrate you, and enthrall you, and you’ll return home a different person than you were when you left.

Just make sure you keep my tips in mind when you’re planning a trip to China, and traveling across the country.

And, for access to all your favorite websites and apps, don’t forget you need a China VPN. Here’s the one I recommend most:

Just make sure you download it before you arrive.

Want to keep reading? Then check out my article, “Is China safe?” for more helpful advice about traveling around this crazy and fun country.

Main image credit: Connect Images – Curated on Shutterstock.

FAQ about solo travel in China

Is China good for solo travelers?

It is, but you’ll struggle with communication as the locals aren’t confident with English. Make sure you have a translation app ready on your phone!

Where is the best place to solo travel in China?

The biggest cities including Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen are the easiest as they’re more used to foreigners, have easy-to-follow subway systems, and have better tourist infrastructure.

What is solo female travel in China like?

As a woman, I recommend solo travel in China because of one main reason alone – safety.