Navigating China for the first time: A solo traveller’s honest experience

I’d been dancing around visiting China for a while. It had always been high on my list, one of those destinations that felt both magnetic and mildly intimidating. I wanted to go, but it never seemed straightforward, especially when it came to the visa process. After chatting to a few people who’d travelled there, I finally decided to bite the bullet.

For my first visit, I booked a group tour, mostly because I wasn’t sure what to expect and wasn’t entirely confident about navigating China solo. Now that I’ve been, I can say wholeheartedly that I’d go back solo in a heartbeat. I absolutely loved it. But I’m also incredibly glad that my first time was with a tour group, because China is a whole different world. It’s the first place I’ve genuinely felt lost in translation. Even my usual payment cards didn’t work, and I found myself relying on WeChat Pay and Alipay for everything, which was also quite confusing to navigate. But once I found my feet, I realised what an incredible, fascinating country it really is. China is beautiful, complex, chaotic, kind and deeply cultural. I’m so grateful to have experienced it. So let’s talk about my time there.

Visa and entry

This was the part I was most anxious about. The Chinese visa process can be a bit of a faff at the best of times, and I wasn’t in the UK when I needed to apply. I’d been told I could do it from Hong Kong, so I flew there and gave myself what I thought was more than enough time.

Naturally, the rules changed right before I arrived, and the whole process moved online. It was all fine until I realised I needed one small detail changed on my letter of invitation. Something that should have taken five minutes ended up taking so long that, by the time the tour company sent the corrected letter, it was too late for me to get my visa approved. Cue full-blown stress.

In the end, I managed to enter China on a 10-day transit visa. It worked, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a bit on edge the whole time, worried I’d misunderstand something or accidentally break a rule. It also meant I couldn’t return to Hong Kong afterwards, as that’s where I’d flown from. So instead, I had to fly to Bangkok and then back to Hong Kong to finish the tour. A bit of hassle, yes – but also a funny little adventure. And strangely, it didn’t even cost me any more money. The flights to Bangkok and back came to roughly the same price as the visa would have, so I didn’t waste a penny in the end. If anything, I got an unexpected mini-trip out of it. And honestly, I’ll never complain about a surprise stop in Bangkok.

For anyone considering it: the transit visa is definitely an option if you hold a British passport. Many nationalities can now enter China visa-free for 30 days, but the UK isn’t on that list yet. If you’re only planning to be there for a couple of days (or up to ten), the transit visa could work. Just make sure you understand the latest rules properly before you go. In the end, everything worked out fine for me. It’s also important to remember that visa conditions are always changing, so always make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

Opting for a group tour

Booking a group tour was absolutely the right call. It made the experience far less overwhelming and far more fun. There are fewer international tourists in China than in other popular destinations, and several people we met along the way who were travelling independently said they felt quite lonely. English isn’t widely spoken outside major tourist spots, so having a guide who spoke Mandarin made a huge difference. There were so many moments where I was beyond grateful to have someone who could translate, navigate huge train stations, order food, handle ticket machines, and generally steer us through situations that would’ve been confusing on my own.

For a first visit, being in a group made the whole trip much smoother. Group tours are often surprisingly cost-effective too. Everything is bundled into one price, so you don’t have to worry about budgeting for transport, tickets or logistics. I didn’t have to stress about getting from A to B, and things like booking the night train were all handled for us – something that would have been a lot trickier alone. It took away the admin and let me just enjoy being there. The tour company I went with was Intrepid. I had heard good things about this company, there were also a lot of people on the tour who had also been with them in other destinations. While the tour wasn’t bad, I have definitely been on better tours. Of course, I wasn’t too happy about their response with the visa information, but it also felt as though the China office wasn’t that responsive or organised either. So keep this in mind when booking. But as travel to China becomes more accessible, there are more tour companies starting tours there, so do your research and make sure you choose the right option for you.

Where I went

Beijing (Capital City)

Beijing was the perfect introduction to China. It’s big, busy, full of history and brilliant food. The food scene surprised me the most. Everything was so fresh, flavourful, and comforting. And the dumplings… I still think about the dumplings.

Top attractions in Beijing:

• Forbidden City
• Tiananmen Square
• Temple of Heaven
• Summer Palace
• Hutongs (historic alleyways)
• 798 Art District

Mutianyu Great Wall

This was one of the highlights of the whole trip. Mutianyu is a quieter, more scenic section, and the views were unreal. We took the cable car up and the best bit, the toboggan down. Honestly, one of the most fun things I’ve ever done.

Top attractions at Mutianyu:

• Cable car ride
• Mutianyu Great Wall walk
• Toboggan slide
• Watchtowers with panoramic views

Xi’an

Xi’an had a calmer, more historic vibe, a good vibe. I would love to go back to Xi’an and just chill there for a couple of weeks. Cycling along the ancient city walls was such a unique experience, and the Muslim Quarter was full of life, colour and incredible food. One of my favourite experiences was walking along the city walls. The Teracotta Warriors was also a highlight; I couldn’t get over how busy it was. Truly packed, but not in a stressful way. It was almost amusing how many people were there. And honestly, they’re worth every bit of hype. Seeing them in person is wild.

Top attractions in Xi’an:

• Terracotta Warriors
• Ancient City Wall
• Muslim Quarter
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Drum & Bell Towers

Chengdu

The pandas! Chengdu had a laid-back, cosy atmosphere. Lots of tea houses, chilled parks, and the incredible Sichuan Opera. One of the quirkiest experiences was visiting People’s Park, where locals post dating letters on trees in hopes of finding a partner. This is a tradition that’s both charming and a little amusing. You can see families and friends strolling around, playing games, dancing or just enjoying the relaxed vibe. It’s the perfect place to soak up everyday life in Chengdu while sipping tea and watching the world go by.

Top attractions in Chengdu:

• Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
• Wide & Narrow Alleys
• People’s Park
• Sichuan Opera (Face Changing)
• Chunxi Road

Yangshuo

Yangshuo was stunning, easily the most scenic stop of the trip. The karst mountains rising dramatically from the countryside, the peaceful Li River winding through villages, and the quiet backroads perfect for cycling… it all felt like stepping into a painting. The town itself has a relaxed, almost magical vibe in the evenings, with lantern-lit streets and riverside cafes. The food was another highlight, traditional dishes like beer fish, freshly caught from the river and handmade noodles, dumplings and local pancakes. Simple, fresh, and full of flavour, the meals here really showcased the unique culinary style of Guangxi province. I was also lucky enough to experience the nightlife here. This was an interesting experience, but one I very much enjoyed.

Top attractions in Yangshuo:

• Li River cruise or bamboo rafting
• West Street
• Moon Hill
• Cycling through the countryside
• Impression Sanjie Liu show

Hong Kong

Ending in Hong Kong was perfect. I honestly can’t get over how similar it is to London, but with tropical weather and skyline views that absolutely steal the show. I ended up spending a lot of time in Hong Kong due to waiting for a visa. So I would like to write a separate and more detailed blog post for visiting and working remotely in Hong Kong.

Top attractions in Hong Kong:

• Victoria Peak
• Star Ferry
• Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
• Mong Kok markets
• Ngong Ping & Big Buddha
• Central & SoHo

Other popular places I want to visit next

China is huge, diverse and full of places I still want to explore. Here are a few at the top of my list:

Shanghai

• Known for: Futuristic skyline, The Bund, French Concession.
• Why I want to go: A perfect mix of old and new and I want to ride the maglev train.

Chongqing

• Known for: Mountain city views, neon lights, hotpot.
• Why I want to go: The city looks like a sci-fi movie, and I need to try hotpot where it originated.

Hainan

• Known for: Beaches, warm weather, tropical landscapes.
• Why I want to go: China’s “Hawaii”, ideal for a relaxing island break.

Zhangjiajie (Avatar Mountains)

• Known for: Pillar-like mountains, glass bridge and national parks.
• Why I want to go: One of the world’s most surreal landscapes.

Harbin

• Known for: Ice & Snow Festival, Russian influence.
• Why I want to go: Frozen palaces and winter wonderland vibes.

Suzhou

• Known for: Classical gardens, canals, and silk culture.
• Why I want to go: Peaceful, beautiful and full of history.

Is China good for solo travellers?

Yes, but I’d recommend it for more experienced solo travellers. I don’t think it should be your first-ever trip abroad, just because the language barrier and the cultural differences can feel overwhelming if you’re not used to navigating unfamiliar systems. But if you’ve travelled a bit already, China is absolutely doable solo. It’s safe, fascinating and full of helpful locals.

Chinese etiquette, rules and things to know

A few things I learned along the way:

• Mobile payments are king, cash is rare and bank cards often don’t work.
• Queuing can be… flexible. Be confident and stand your ground.
• Always carry your passport – you’ll need it for trains, attractions and sometimes even hotels.
• Don’t expect much English outside tourist hubs.
• Trains are incredibly efficient but can be confusing the first time you use them.
• It’s not difficult, just different and part of the adventure.

Chinese food I tried

The food in China was one of the absolute highlights. I ate everything I possibly could: dumplings, hotpot, bao buns, sizzling skewers, night-market snacks, pancakes and enough noodles to last me a lifetime. But the unexpected hero of the trip? Biang biang noodles. Thick, hand-pulled, chewy ribbons of noodles drenched in chilli, garlic, vinegar and spices. I swear I fell in love on the spot. They’ve officially become one of my favourite foods of all time. If you visit China, make it your mission to try them, they’re unforgettable. Chinese cuisine in China is completely different from the takeaway versions we get at home. It’s regional, varied, bold and endlessly delicious.

Would I go back? Absolutely.

China surprised me in every way. It challenged me, fascinated me, confused me occasionally, and completely won me over. I’m so glad I finally took the leap, even with the visa stress and the occasional lost-in-translation moment. It’s a destination that stays with you, not just because of the iconic sights, but because of the culture, the food and the kindness of the people. I know for sure I’ll be going back. And next time? I think I’m ready to do it solo.