Travel China With Someone Who Has Done It Before
Cathaybound is built for people planning their first trip to China. Every guide is written against real data — published rail timetables, current fare tables, and the version of the rules that is actually enforced at the border. When something changes, we change the page.
The details people get wrong
Visas, bank cards, SIMs, station procedures — checked against what actually happens at the counter.
Paying In China: What Actually Works At The Counter
Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card, plus the handful of places where you’ll still need cash.
The 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Rule, Explained Plainly
Ten days, no visa — but only if you arrive from one country and leave for a third.
Getting Online In China: SIM, eSIM, And Which One To Choose
A local SIM is cheapest; a travel eSIM is fastest to set up. Bring your passport either way.
Plug Types In China: The One Thing Every Visitor Gets Slightly Wrong
Most laptops charge fine. It is the voltage that kills things, not the plug shape.
First Time In China: What Surprises Almost Everybody
Everything that feels like a barrier turns out to be a five-minute problem, once you know it is coming.