Safety & emergencies
The numbers first. Then a calm plan for the day you hope you will not need.
Emergency Numbers in China, and What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
110 police, 119 fire, 120 ambulance, 122 traffic — nationwide numbers published on official English municipal pages. How to get help, what to do with a lost passport, and why a Chinese address on your lock screen matters.
China · SafetyHospital Visits for Foreigners in China: What Actually Happens, and What to Bring
How a hospital visit works for a foreign visitor in China: 120 for emergencies, what to take, payment, and a cautious note on well-known Shenzhen hospitals. Not medical advice.
China essentials · SafetyWhat Happens If You Overstay in China: The Law, the Discretion, and Why You Should Not
Overstaying a visa, a 30-day visa-free stay, or a 240-hour transit is illegal residence under China's Exit and Entry Administration Law. Article 78, official discretion benchmarks, possible bans — general information, not legal advice.
China essentials · SafetyIs China Safe for Tourists in 2026? Ordinary Cities, Ordinary Precautions
Is China safe for tourists in 2026? In large cities such as Shenzhen, most visitors move around with ordinary precautions. We cite official travel advice, and we will not invent a crime rate.
Before you go
Visa-free rules, hotel registration, packing, and the weather — what to settle before you fly.
02Money & payments
Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash, fees, tipping and bargaining — how money actually moves.
03Connectivity & apps
eSIM, roaming, maps and translation — which apps work, and which usually do not.
04Getting around
Metro, DiDi, high-speed rail, airports and neighbourhoods — how to move, and where to base yourself.
05Eat
Cuisines, how to order, and eating with restrictions — dishes with their Chinese names, no paid rankings.
06See & do
Parks, museums, day trips and nightlife — honest looks, not brochure photography.
07Itineraries
First days, three-day plans, and side trips to Guangzhou, Macau or the coast.
08Budget
Approximate daily costs, in 2026 bands, to be tightened after we pay them ourselves.
09Honest tips & scams
Etiquette, the scams that actually happen, travelling solo or with children, and accessibility.