China

Hong KongTravel Tips

Everything you need to know before you go.

Vibe
🏙️Skyline
🥟Dim Sum
⛴️Star Ferry
🚊Peak Tram
🪧Neon Signs
⛰️Mountain Trails

Peak Season

OCTOBER - DECEMBER

Best Experience
Feels LikeDry Season
Temperature1827°C

Local patterns vary by region.

Shoulder Season

JANUARY - FEBRUARY

Budget Friendly
Feels LikeWinter
Temperature1320°C

Local patterns vary by region.

Shoulder Season

MARCH - MAY

Budget Friendly
Feels LikeSpring
Temperature1728°C

Local patterns vary by region.

Off Season

JUNE - SEPTEMBER

Avoid
Feels LikeMonsoon
Temperature2633°C

Local patterns vary by region.

💬

Chat

WeChat

App
The absolute necessity for communication, payments, mini-programs, and daily life in China.
💵

Money

Alipay

App
Ubiquitous mobile payment and lifestyle app. Indispensable for all purchases.

WeChat Pay

App
Built into WeChat, essential for scanning QR codes to pay anywhere from malls to street vendors.
🛠️

Utility

Baidu Maps

App
The most accurate navigation app in China, required as international maps are blocked or inaccurate.

Baidu Translate

App
Essential translation tool with superior accuracy for Chinese to English translations.
🍕

Delivery

Meituan

App
Top app for food delivery, buying tickets, and finding local services.

Ele.me

App
Major food delivery alternative offering extensive restaurant choices.
🚕

Transport

DiDi

App
The dominant ride-hailing app, essential for navigating cities efficiently.

12306

App
Official railway app for booking high-speed and regular train tickets.
💳

Travel Cards

Local Metro Card

Card
Physical or digital transit cards used for local metro and buses.
🧾

THE DAILY TARGET

3 Premium Meals + Coffee$50.00
Daily Transport & Buffer$25.00
Activities & Entry Fees$20.00
Daily Spend Target$95.00
🪙

TIPPING GUIDE

Restaurants

Not expected and can be considered confusing.
0 — 0 %

Taxis

Not expected.
0 — 0 %

"When in doubt, rounding up to the nearest bill is always a safe strategy."

🚕

LOCAL TRANSPORT

🚇

MTR

Single Trip
$0.9 — 3.2
⛴️

Star Ferry

Single Trip
$0.3 — 0.5
🚖

Taxi (Urban)

Single Trip
$3.5 — 16
🛬

Airport Express

Single Trip
$11 — 13.5
🚐

Green Minibus

Single Trip
$0.5 — 2.5

"Public transit (BTS/MRT) is the fastest way to bypass gridlock."

🗣️

Talk Basics

EnglishPronunciation
Hello
Nǐ hǎo你好
Sorry / Excuse me
Duìbùqǐ对不起
Thank you
Xièxiè谢谢
💸

Pay & Buy

EnglishPronunciation
Discount?
Piányí yīdiǎn便宜一点
How much?
Duōshǎo qián?多少钱?
Bill please
Mǎidān买单
🍽️

Eat & Drink

EnglishPronunciation
Vegan
Wǒ bù chī rènhé dòngwù chǎnpǐn我不吃任何动物产品
Not spicy
Bù là不辣
Vegetarian
Wǒ chī sù我吃素
🛡️

Help & Safety

EnglishPronunciation
Help!
Jiùmìng!救命!
Hospital
Yīyuàn医院
Pharmacy
Yàodiàn药店

Polite Refusal

EnglishPronunciation
I have a ride
Wǒ yǐjīng jiào chē le我已经叫车了
No thanks
Bù yòngle, xièxiè不用了,谢谢
Stop here
Tíng zài zhèlǐ停在这里
🛠️

Utility

EnglishPronunciation
Water
Shuǐ
Toilet
Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?洗手间在哪里?
Where is...?
Zài nǎlǐ?在哪里?
Emergency Contacts
🚨
Police / Tourist110
🚑
Medical / Ambulance120