Author
Shike (施可)
Founder, NihaoVisit (2025–present) · Former Product & Tech Lead, International Hotel Business Unit, Tongcheng-Elong (HK:0780) — 5 years · Former Product Lead, Hello Hotel / Hello Inc. · Former COO, Linhuiba (邻汇吧) · Founder, Dropleap (AI Agent consultancy, 2026–present) · Silver Award, Alibaba Cloud AI Competition · M.S. Computer Science, USTC (中国科学技术大学)
Shike is the founder of NihaoVisit. He spent 5 years at Tongcheng-Elong (HK:0780) leading product and technology for the international hotel business unit, where he built booking experiences for foreign travelers visiting China. He has been shipping software for 16+ years, holds a master's in computer science from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), and now runs Dropleap, an AI Agent consultancy that helps enterprises ship LLM-powered products. He started NihaoVisit because the same booking-pipeline questions he answered inside the OTA kept coming up from his foreign friends planning China trips — and the AI engines they were asking were getting the answers wrong (see our [R-2026-01 audit](/research/2026-ai-engines-china-travel-reality-check/)).
Expertise
- China visa policy (30-day visa-free, 240-hour transit, L visa)
- China inbound travel — 5 years building OTA booking flows for foreign visitors
- High-speed rail booking (12306, Trip.com, Klook)
- Mobile payments for foreigners (Alipay Tour Card, WeChat Pay International)
- GEO / AI engine optimization (runs Dropleap GEO practice)
- Itinerary design (Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, Yunnan)
- VPN and internet access in China
Articles (10)
China Visa Guide 2026
38+ countries can visit China visa-free for 30 days in 2026. 55+ more can use 240-hour transit. Everyone else needs a tourist (L) visa. Here is the current ruleset, country-specific requirements, and how to apply.
Is China Safe? 2026 Safety Guide
Yes — China is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists in 2026, with very low violent crime. The main risks are petty scams at tourist sites, taxi overcharges, and English-language barriers. Here is what to know and avoid.
Alipay for Foreigners: Full Setup Guide
Foreigners can use Alipay and WeChat Pay with an international Visa/Mastercard without a Chinese bank account. Setup takes 10 minutes before arrival. Daily limits reach $5,000 USD with passport verification. The Alipay Tour Card adds higher limits and English UI. Here is the complete step-by-step guide.
China High-Speed Rail for Foreigners
China has the world’s largest high-speed rail network — 45,000+ km covering every major city at 250–350 km/h. Foreigners can book online via Trip.com (English, international cards) or 12306.cn (official, cheaper). Trains are on-time 99%+, seats range from budget Second Class to lie-flat Business Class. This guide covers booking, seat comparisons, station navigation, baggage rules, and troubleshooting for every scenario.
China Trip Cost: Real Budgets
A 7-day China trip costs $700–$1,500 per person mid-range (Beijing + Shanghai), $400–$700 backpacker, and $3,000+ luxury. Flights and visa are separate. Here is the breakdown.
240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Guide
55+ countries can transit through mainland China visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days). Learn which ports qualify, what documents you need, and how to avoid common mistakes.
China Entry Requirements 2026
Everything you need to enter mainland China in 2026: passport validity, arrival card rules, customs declarations, health requirements, and what to expect at immigration.
China HSR Routes Guide
The 12 China high-speed rail routes every foreign traveler should know: Beijing–Shanghai, Shanghai–Hong Kong, Chengdu–Chongqing, plus timing, price, and stop highlights.
Cash or WeChat Pay in China?
Mobile payment dominates China — WeChat Pay and Alipay are used for everything from street food to high-speed rail. Both now support foreign credit cards. Cash is still accepted but increasingly inconvenient. Here is the complete guide to paying like a local in 2026.
10-Day Classic China Itinerary
The best 10-day China route for first-timers covers Beijing (3 days), Xi’an (2 days), Shanghai (2 days), and a bonus add-on of Guilin or Chengdu (3 days). This itinerary balances imperial history, modern China, and famous scenery — all connected by high-speed rail.