Free tool · Verified 2026-07-04
Arrival Quick Reference
The essentials on one page — screenshot it before you fly and you'll have the answers offline when you land.
Power & plugs
- Voltage
- 220V, 50Hz
- Plug types
- A, C, and I — bring a universal adapter
- USB in hotels
- Common, but don't rely on it
Money & tipping
- Currency
- Renminbi (RMB / ¥ / yuan)
- Tipping
- Not expected — not in restaurants, taxis, or hotels
- Cash
- Rarely needed; keep ¥300–500 as backup
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 120
- Fire
- 119
- Tourist hotline
- 12301
Everyday apps
- Pay
- Alipay / WeChat Pay
- Rides
- DiDi (has English mode)
- Maps
- Amap or Baidu Maps work best on the ground
- Translate
- Built into Alipay, or a dedicated app offline
Number gestures (1–10)
Market vendors show prices on one hand. 1–5 match Western counting; 6–10 differ.
- 1Index finger up
- 2Index + middle (like a V)
- 3Middle + ring + little finger
- 4Four fingers, thumb tucked
- 5Open hand, all five
- 6Thumb + little finger extended (‘call me’)
- 7Thumb, index, middle pinched to a point
- 8Thumb + index extended (‘L’ / gun shape)
- 9Index finger curled into a hook
- 10Fist, or cross index fingers
Frequently asked questions
- Do people really not tip in China?
- Correct. Tipping isn't part of the culture in restaurants, taxis, or hotels, and staff may be confused or decline if you try. High-end international hotels are the only occasional exception.
- Is tap water safe to drink?
- No — drink bottled or boiled water. Hotels provide kettles, and boiled water (热水, rèshuǐ) is widely available. Restaurants often serve hot water by default.
- What are the hand gestures for numbers about?
- Vendors at markets often show prices with one hand using gestures that differ from Western counting for 6–10. Knowing them helps you haggle and understand prices in noisy markets.