Five Things I Worried About Before Going to China—And How It Actually Turned Out

Written by GEEO staff member, Josh Barber

I can still picture my school poster board project from 6th grade detailing the history of Chinese dynasties. That project planted a seed, and I dreamed of standing on the Great Wall, seeing the silent army of Terracotta Warriors, and exploring a country that holds one-fifth of the world’s population and millennia of history.

So, when the opportunity arose to travel to China with GEEO, I was thrilled—a lifelong goal about to be achieved! Yet, even as a pretty seasoned traveler, I was intimidated.

Here’s a look at the five biggest concerns I had before the trip—and what I discovered along the way.

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1. China Visa Process

What I expected:

Having traveled to nearly 30 countries, I’d grown accustomed to the simplicity of visas obtained either online or upon arrival — but China’s L-visa application was a complete outlier. It must be obtained prior to arrival, and your passport must be physically submitted to your designated Chinese Embassy or Consulate.

This immediately created some confusion and anxiety. I started combing the web for people’s horror stories about how to get a Chinese visa. Since my designated consulate was hundreds of miles away in Washington, DC, I worried about needing to travel there myself, twice—once to submit and again to pick up the visa. The alternative, a third-party visa agency, brought up its own confusing questions: Which ones are legitimate and reliable? And how much would this convenience cost me?

What actually happened:

Instead of flying to DC, I used a third-party authorized agent, Oasis China Visa, which handled everything smoothly and returned my passport in two weeks. It cost about $375—more than the $160 in-person fee, but far cheaper than flying to DC.

There are several other well-known services available—CIBTvisas, VisaHQ, ItsEasy, and Sherpa, for example.

The in-person process at the consulate is actually very straightforward—no interview, just a drop-off and pickup a few days later. Had I lived closer, applying in person would have been the cheapest and easiest route.

What I’d tell future travelers:

• Read GEEO’s visa guidance carefully.
• Go in person if you can. This is the cheapest and simplest option ($160 visa fee). If you live far away, consider asking a reliable friend who lives near the consulate to go on your behalf.
• Use a third-party agent if necessary. If you have a travel companion, check out Sherpa (mentioned above), as they offer more affordable options for multiple travelers.

While the processing time is quick once the application is submitted, I recommend starting at least 1.5–2 months before your travel date to allow ample time for gathering documents and mailing things back and forth.

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2. Making Payments in a Mostly Cashless Society

What I expected:

While preparing for my trip, I read that China had become a largely cashless society, relying on apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay. My usual mobile payment methods, like Google Wallet and Apple Pay, wouldn’t work.

I imagined the potential complications of using these unfamiliar Chinese apps. How does Alipay work? Is WeChat Pay safe? What if they wouldn’t accept my U.S. credit cards? And what if I didn’t have an internet connection? Would I just be stranded? The thought of being unable to buy a bottle of water, a bus ticket, or a bowl of noodles was intimidating.

What actually happened:

Mobile payments were incredibly easy. I chose Alipay and had no trouble setting it up on my phone. I used it for virtually everything, from small street vendors to metro tickets in Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai.

While I personally had a smooth setup, one member of my group did struggle to get her app working. She ended up relying mainly on cash (easily obtained from ATMs) and occasionally her credit card, proving that you can still get by with these payment methods, even if they are less common.

My dependence on Alipay also meant I had to rely on an eSIM for cellular data throughout the trip. I purchased the Asialink eSIM from Airalo (get 10% off with code GEEO10), which meant I had internet access not just in China, but also during my stopovers in Taipei.

What I’d tell future travelers:

• Set up your preferred app before you leave. Having Alipay or WeChat Pay set up in advance makes landing in China much smoother. While the mobile payment apps are different, they are exceptionally convenient.
• Invest in reliable internet access. Use an eSIM. A dependable connection eliminates the biggest point of friction in a nearly cashless economy.
• If your app fails, cash and card are still accepted. It is far less common, and people might look at you funny, but you won’t be stranded.

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3. The Great Firewall and Staying Connected

What I expected:

This was perhaps my single greatest source of pre-trip anxiety: the Great Firewall. So many critical tools are blocked—Google, Gmail, Maps, Wikipedia, WhatsApp, Instagram—all inaccessible in China. How was I supposed to stay in touch, navigate, or even access basic information? Every function of my smartphone, which I rely on for travel, felt at risk of being cut off.

What actually happened:

I used an Airalo eSIM, which automatically bypassed the Great Firewall for my phone’s cellular data. When connected to public Wi-Fi, I sometimes needed to use a VPN (I used LetsVPN).

• Cellular Data: Excellent with Airalo. I could check emails and use all my usual apps without significant issue. Speeds were generally fast, although uploading Instagram posts took much longer than usual.
• Navigation: I quickly abandoned Google Maps—it’s not very helpful in China. Instead, I used AMap, which worked perfectly.
• Laptop: I was never able to get my Chromebook to connect and work properly, so I relied on my phone for all communication and browsing.

What I’d tell future travelers:

• An Airalo eSIM is essential. It automatically routes traffic over the Great Firewall. If you have stopovers in Asia, consider the Airalo Asialink plan so that you have coverage during your layovers in addition to Mainland China.
• Download AMap. It is the best navigation tool available. Install it before you leave.
• Download and set up multiple VPNs in advance. Even if you will be relying on an eSIM, you need a backup for when you are connected to Wi-Fi. Many VPNs offer free trials, so you can stagger them and have multiple options ready.

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4. Language Barriers

What I expected:

My Mandarin is nonexistent, and the thought of navigating a country with such a considerable language gap was daunting. I was nervous about the basics: ordering food at a restaurant, figuring out public transportation, or handling any kind of communication need.

What actually happened:

While English speakers are not common, my Google Translate app—working reliably with my eSIM—was an absolute lifesaver. For quick interactions, gestures and pointing worked perfectly fine. I did learn a few simple, common Chinese phrases, but for the most part, translation apps did the heavy lifting. I found that people were patient and willing to help despite the language difference, making simple interactions much less stressful than I had anticipated. Our tour leader was also there to help translate for us (except during free time).

What I’d tell future travelers:

• Translation apps are essential. Download both Google Translate and at least one backup (like Baidu Translate) to your phone before you arrive.
• Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases. Even simple greetings and polite thank-yous go a long way in showing respect.
• Patience and smiles work just as well. People are generally helpful, and you can get surprisingly far simply by pointing and gesturing.

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5. Cultural Differences and Social Etiquette

What I expected:

My biggest worry was unintentionally causing offense. Not knowing the nuances of Chinese culture, I was nervous about coming across as too direct or too informal. Would I commit some major social faux pas without even realizing it?

What actually happened:

There weren’t really any awkward moments, which was a huge relief. People were more casual and forgiving than I expected, and locals treated tourists with genuine curiosity and friendliness.

Three of the biggest cultural differences:

• Dining: Meals are family-style. Virtually every meal was shared by the group around a lazy Susan.
• Personal space: In crowded areas, the concept of personal space or forming a line is practically non-existent. People will stand very close or even push past you.
• Toilets: Public restrooms have squat toilets. (Hotels and trains typically have Western-style toilets.)

What I’d tell future travelers:

• Be a good observer. You will pick up more than you expect just by watching how locals interact, dine, and navigate crowds.
• Always carry tissues. Most public restrooms use squat toilets and do not provide toilet paper—you must carry your own for public use. (Hotels and trains typically have Western-style toilets.)
• Plan for odors. In major cities, strong environmental and body odors are not uncommon. If you have sensitivities, consider packing a few face masks.

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Final Thoughts

Stepping onto my flight to China, I was a bundle of nerves. Looking back, the irony is that all the things I was most worried about were solved either through a simple download (Alipay, AMap, Airalo) or through the kindness of people. The complexities I feared turned out to be minor logistical hurdles that were easily cleared.

If you’re reading this post because you’re planning a GEEO trip to China and feeling intimidated, rest easy. It is an incredible and welcoming country, and while some of the logistics may seem unfamiliar, they are entirely manageable. If you are interested in traveling to China but can’t join GEEO’s program, we can book travelers on G Adventures tours with a 5% discount.