The everyday stuff nobody warns you about in China
Not visas or apps — the small daily things. Whether you can drink the water, what the toilets are like, whether to tip, and the tiny day-bag kit that quietly prevents most awkward moments.
Don't drink the tap water — stick to bottled (it's cheap and everywhere). Public toilets are often squat-style and frequently have no paper, so carry tissues and hand sanitizer. Don't tip — it's simply not expected. Pack a small day-bag kit (below) and the rest sorts itself out.
01Tap water: don't drink it
Tap water in China isn't safe to drink straight from the tap, even though locals boil it for tea. Stick to bottled water, which is cheap and sold everywhere — convenience stores are on practically every corner. Hotels almost always provide free bottled water and an electric kettle, so you can boil water too. When in doubt, bottled.
02Toilets: be prepared, not surprised
This is the thing first-timers most wish they'd known. China has a mix of Western-style and squat toilets. Hotels (3-star and up) and upscale malls reliably have clean Western toilets with paper. But public facilities, older buildings, and scenic spots often have squat toilets — and frequently no toilet paper and no soap.
03Tipping: don't
Tipping is not customary in China and generally isn't expected — not in restaurants, not in taxis. You don't need to calculate percentages or leave anything behind. In a few high-end international hotels aimed at tourists it may appear, but as a default rule, no tip is the norm and nobody will think you're rude for not leaving one.
04Your day-bag survival kit
Small, cheap, and it prevents most of the little daily friction:
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Pocket tissues | Many toilets have no paper |
| Hand sanitizer | Soap is often missing too |
| Power bank | Your phone is your wallet, map and translator — a dead battery is the real risk |
| Bottled water | Don't drink the tap; refill from shops |
| A little cash (RMB) | Backup if your phone dies |
| Universal plug adapter | China uses a mix of socket types |
05Food and eating, briefly
Street food is generally fine if it's cooked hot in front of you — high heat does the work. Be more cautious with cold dishes or pre-cut fruit from street stalls. Note that meat is often served chopped with the bone in, and fish whole, so a little care eating is normal. If you have dietary restrictions, know that "vegetarian" and "vegan" aren't always understood — it helps to ask about specific ingredients, or keep a few snack bars as backup.