Solo Travel in China: Cities, Safety & Practical Advice
From ancient wonders like the Great Wall and Terracotta Army to the ultramodern skylines of Shanghai and Shenzhen, China is a captivating blend of tradition and innovation. Its dynamic cities, breathtaking landscapes, and centuries-old traditions make it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking adventure, history, and cultural immersion.
China requires more advance preparation than any other destination in this network, and rewards it in proportion. The Great Wall at dawn with no other visitors visible, a bowl of hand-pulled noodles in Xi’an for the equivalent of a pound, the specific silence of the Forbidden City’s inner courtyards before the tour groups arrive, these experiences exist and are accessible to independent travellers who arrive knowing what to expect from the logistics.
The preparation requirement is specific: the Great Firewall blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Gmail and most Western apps. A VPN must be downloaded and configured before you enter China, it cannot be reliably downloaded inside the country. Payment is primarily via WeChat Pay and Alipay, which now have limited options for foreign-issued bank cards (the situation has improved since 2023). And the visa process takes 1–3 weeks and requires applying to your local Chinese embassy or consulate in advance.
China introduced a visa-free policy in 2023–2024 for citizens of several countries (including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and others) for stays up to 15 days. This is subject to change and varies by nationality, check the current policy at your nearest Chinese embassy before planning your trip. For nationalities not covered, a tourist visa (L visa) requires advance application with passport, itinerary, accommodation bookings and supporting documents.
China travel facts
Annual Visitors: China attracts over 65 million international tourists annually, making it one of the most visited countries in the world (pre-pandemic).
Domestic Tourism: China’s domestic tourism market is massive, with over 3.25 billion trips taken annually by Chinese citizens.
Tourism Revenue: China generates over $880 billion annually from tourism, contributing significantly to its economy.
Top Visitor Origins: Most international tourists come from South Korea, Japan, the United States, Russia, and Thailand.
The Digital Preparation
Download before entering China: a reliable VPN (ExpressVPN and Astrill have the best China track records — free VPNs rarely work reliably), Google Maps offline maps for your destinations, and any accommodation confirmation emails. Download offline translation (Google Translate offline Chinese pack) for navigating menus and signs. Set up WeChat and Alipay with your foreign card if possible — the foreign card linking process has been simplified but still requires some advance setup.
Cities Worth Visiting
Beijing for the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the 798 Art District and the best access to the Great Wall (Mutianyu section is the best-preserved and least crowded of the easily accessible sections). Shanghai for the Bund, the French Concession neighbourhood, and the most cosmopolitan version of modern China. Xi’an for the Terracotta Army (genuinely extraordinary) and one of China’s best intact city walls. Chengdu for giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base and Sichuan cuisine at its source.
Safety in China
China is physically very safe for tourists, violent crime affecting visitors is extremely rare. The safety considerations are political and digital rather than physical: avoid political discussions, be aware that communications may be monitored, and carry your passport at all times (registered in accommodation). The country’s surveillance infrastructure is extensive and visible, cameras are ubiquitous in cities. This is the context in which solo travel in China occurs, and most visitors find it feels safer than expected at street level regardless.
Written by Vamika Sharma, solo travel writer at gotravelyourself.com. Vamika covers Southeast and East Asia and has travelled solo across the region for 8 years.
