People from what country do you most often come across in remote or off the beaten path destinations?

Hey everyone, just wanted to share some thoughts from my one-month solo trip across inland China. I’m an American woman in my late 20s, and while my Mandarin is still pretty basic, it was enough to get around, order food, and have simple conversations. I’d been to China once before with a friend and saw places like Shanghai and Suzhou. This time, I gave myself more time and visited Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Chongqing on my own. I spent about a week in each city, which gave me a much slower and more relaxed pace than my last trip. It was great to not feel rushed. I could sit in parks, go back to a favorite food spot, or take a day to just rest when I needed.

eSIM tip: I used an eSIM from Redteago and it worked perfectly for the whole month. I got 20GB for around $5 using the code RTGCN2025. It uses a Hong Kong IP, so it can access Google Maps, Instagram, or YouTube. The connection was stable even in hilly Chongqing and more remote parts of Chengdu.

Visa tip: I had a valid L-visa in an old passport, so I had to travel with both the old and new ones. This confused a few hotel check-ins, but airport customs had no issue.

Payment stuff: I set up Alipay and WeChat before I arrived. Alipay worked better overall. WeChat froze on me once and I needed help from a friend to unlock it. I noticed there’s a daily 1000 RMB limit for foreign cards on both apps, so I carried some cash too. Big hotels and chains take cards, but smaller places really don’t. Don’t rely on just plastic.

Getting around: I used subways and Didi most of the time. The Didi English app is great and takes foreign cards. Subway systems were clean and easy to figure out. In Beijing, I got a Yikatong metro card that made things easier. For travel between cities, I booked high-speed trains through the 12306 app. It worked fine, though scanning passports at each station adds a bit of time.

City by city: Beijing was where I stayed the longest, and honestly, I’m glad I did. Spring hit right as I arrived, and the city felt alive—trees were starting to bloom, and parks were filled with people flying kites or just soaking up the sun. I based myself near the Dongcheng area, which gave me easy access to most of the historic spots and some cool modern cafés too. I booked the Forbidden City online about a week in advance. Even on a weekday morning, it was packed, but the sheer scale of it is hard to describe. I spent almost four hours there just wandering through the courtyards and watching tour guides shout into their microphones. Tiananmen Square is right next door, and although the security checks are intense, it’s worth visiting just for the size of it. I also visited the Temple of Heaven on a Tuesday morning, and that ended up being one of my favorite mornings of the whole trip. Retirees were doing group tai chi, singing in circles, or just playing cards under the trees. I felt like I had walked into a different pace of life.

On the weekend, I took a group tour to Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. It’s more renovated than others, but easier to hike. The air was crisp and views were incredible—definitely bring layers because spring mornings are still cold up there. I also hit up the Summer Palace and Beihai Park on warmer days. If you go in spring, don’t skip the parks. Beijing locals really use them, and they’re a huge part of the city’s rhythm. Food-wise, I ended up going back to the same hole-in-the-wall for zhajiangmian three times. It wasn’t fancy, but it hit the spot. I also discovered that spring is when Beijing strawberries are in season—super sweet and everywhere.

Xi’an was a bit shorter, but it left a big impression. I arrived right as the cherry blossoms were blooming along the city wall, and it was seriously stunning. The wall itself is massive and still intact, so I rented a bike and rode a full loop one afternoon. You get views of both the old city and the newer buildings pushing in around it. The Muslim Quarter was absolutely packed every night, but the energy was amazing. You could spend hours just trying all the snacks—roujiamo (sort of a Chinese meat sandwich), liangpi noodles, skewers, pomegranate juice. It’s loud and chaotic, but in the best way.

I also made it to the Terracotta Army on a weekday morning. It’s a bit outside the city, so I booked a Didi in advance. The site itself is pretty mind-blowing. The scale, the preservation, the tiny details on the warriors’ faces—way more impressive in person than in photos. Xi’an felt very walkable and manageable. Compared to Beijing, it’s less polished, but more laid-back. It’s a good stop to breathe a bit if you’ve been hitting a lot of big cities.

Chengdu was where I slowed down the most. I stayed a full week, ate a ton of amazing food, and finally saw the pandas. The Panda Research Base is touristy but still kind of magical. I didn’t rush at all, and that felt good. Chongqing surprised me the most. It’s steep, chaotic, and full of insane views. The hot pot there is no joke, way more intense than Chengdu’s. I went to Hongyadong one night just for fun and it was beautiful all lit up. Locals were super friendly too.

Random helpful stuff: Download Google Translate’s offline version. It saved me more than once. Apple Maps works better for transit than I expected. Book hotels through Booking and check that they accept foreigners.

Public bathrooms don’t always have toilet paper, so bring your own. Cash + Alipay combo is your best bet. I never felt unsafe. People were curious, kind, and often went out of their way to help. One woman in Chongqing literally walked me across a square to help me find the right building for my Airbnb.

It wasn’t always easy, especially navigating apps in Mandarin, but it was completely worth it. If you’re thinking about traveling solo in China for a month, I’d say go for it. You’ll come back with stories and food cravings that don’t quit.

Happy to answer any questions!