Chinese Travel Phrases to Use on Your China Trip

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By tinafa

June 21, 2025

Chinese Travel Phrases to Use on Your China Trip

Are you thinking of taking a vacation to China or learning Mandarin? Learn these common Chinese words to facilitate and enhance your travel experience.

🧳 Plan your China trip with Trip.com: learn useful phrases, book hotels, and get your eSIM for easy travel!

Why Learn Basic Chinese Phrases?

multiple languages say "hello" - chinese phrases

Image from istockphoto

Benefit

Description

Example Phrase

Easy Navigation

Helps you find your way in unfamiliar places, like asking for directions or transport

"Where is the bathroom?"

Cultural Respect

Shows respect for local culture and opens doors to friendly interactions

Simple greetings like "Hello"

Richer Experiences

Makes daily activities like ordering food or shopping smoother and more enjoyable

"How much is this?"

Avoid Confusion

Reduces communication barriers in restaurants, transport, and hotels

"I don’t understand."

Build Friendships

Locals appreciate your effort, helping you connect and make friends

"Thank you."

Types of Practical Chinese Expressions for Tourists

thank you word cloud - chinese phrases 幅插畫檔、美工圖案、卡通及圖標

Image from istockphoto

A few basic Mandarin words will make your trip to China more enjoyable and run more smoothly. Whether you're ordering food, getting directions, or checking into a hotel, these essential phrases help you communicate more effectively and connect with others. These categorized travel phrases feature English translations and pronunciation, making them perfect for novice travelers or casual learners.

📘Quick Reference Table of Useful Chinese Travel Phrases

🗂

Category

🈶

Phrase in Chinese

💬

Pinyin

🌍

English Translation

💡

Trip.com Tip

📍 Getting Around

我要去地铁站。

Wǒ yào qù dìtiě zhàn.

I want to go to the subway station.

Use Trip.com eSIM to check real-time metro maps and directions.

这附近有公交车吗？

Zhè fùjìn yǒu gōngjiāo chē ma?

Is there a bus nearby?

Use GPS with eSIM to locate nearby bus stops quickly.

🍜 Eating Out

我吃素。

Wǒ chī sù.

I’m vegetarian.

Screenshot this if you’re eating at street stalls or food courts.

不要辣。

Bù yào là.

No spicy, please.

Useful when dining in Sichuan or Hunan regions!

🏨 Hotels & Booking

有空房吗？

Yǒu kòng fáng ma?

Do you have any available rooms?

Book in advance on Trip.com, then confirm upon arrival with this phrase.

我有预订。

Wǒ yǒu yùdìng.

I have a reservation.

Show your Trip.com booking number for faster check-in.

🛍 Shopping

可以便宜一点吗？

Kěyǐ piányí yīdiǎn ma?

Can it be cheaper?

A must-have phrase for street markets or night bazaars.

我只看看。

Wǒ zhǐ kànkan.

I’m just looking.

Stay polite but firm—especially useful in tourist-heavy shops.

Best Tools to Learn Chinese Phrases

🛠️

Tool

📄

What It Does

💡

Why It's Useful for Travelers

Trip.com Language Tips

Provides key Chinese phrases during hotel/flight bookings.

Learn phrases while booking; perfect for real-life travel situations.

Duolingo

A free, gamified app for learning Mandarin from scratch.

Great for beginners; short daily lessons make it easy to stay consistent.

Pleco Dictionary

Offline Chinese-English dictionary with pronunciation, handwriting & flashcards.

Excellent on-the-go tool when Wi-Fi or eSIM access is limited.

Google Translate

Translates text, voice, or images instantly; supports offline Chinese.

Ideal for menu reading, signage, and quick conversation help.

HelloChinese

Mandarin learning app focused on speaking & grammar, with voice recognition.

Tailored for travelers looking to improve pronunciation and confidence.

See All Hotels

Begin Your Mandarin Adventure with Trip.com—Detailed

Step 1: Schedule and Book Your Travel

From Beijing to Xi’an and beyond, use Trip.com to look for and reserve hotels, flights, and trains throughout China.

Cheap flight from Beijing to Xi'an

Step 2: Go to Phrase Guides in Chinese

  • To help you prepare for your trip. Trip.com offers helpful Mandarin phrase guides from within the app or website.
Your all-in-one travel app

Step 3: Get Your Travel eSIM 

  • Trip.com offers a local Chinese eSIM for purchase and activation, allowing dependable internet connection across China.
  • Translate menus, signs, and conversations in real time by using your eSIM connection and Trip.com's integrated language tools.
Get Your Travel eSIM 
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China Entry Requirements & Things to Prepare

  • 24/240 China Visa-Free Transit: US citizens can enjoy a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when traveling through 24 Chinese provinces, provided they hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region.
  • China Plug & Power: China plug uses Type A/C/F (220V). Bring a Type A/C adapter (US plugs sometimes work, but bring a universal adapter for safety).
  • Internet Access in China: You need a China VPN for Google/Ins/YT/X, etc. But you can also use a China eSIM with built-in access to overseas apps!

Getting Around & Top Destinations in China

Must-Have Apps in China

FAQs: Chinese Travel Phrases to Use on Your China Trip

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