What Practical Challenges Do Foreign Tourists Face in China? Squat Toilets, Digital Payments, and Culture Shock
Most China travel content focuses on the positives. This article does the opposite — it covers the real difficulties you will face as a foreign visitor, so you arrive prepared instead of shocked.
Foreign tourists in China encounter several genuine challenges: squat toilets that require physical strength many adults lack, a digital payment system that is hard to set up without a Chinese bank account, widespread smoking in public, occasional spitting and queue-jumping, and being stared at in smaller towns. None of these are trip-ruining, but knowing about them in advance makes the difference between a frustrated traveler and a prepared one.
Squat Toilets: The Physical Challenge Nobody Warns You About
Squat toilets (also called Asian toilets) are the standard in most public restrooms across China — highway rest stops, public parks, train stations, and local restaurants. For many Western adults who have never practiced the Asian squat, the experience can feel like an extreme sport.
The difficulty is real, even for physically fit travelers. Maintaining balance while squatting over a porcelain fixture takes practice that most Westerners simply do not have. The source material describes it as “survival training.”
How to prepare:
- International hotels, airports, and high-end shopping malls almost always have Western-style seated toilets
- Carry your own toilet paper and wet wipes — public restrooms often do not provide them
- Practice the Asian squat at home before your trip if you are concerned
- Use the restroom at an international hotel before heading out for the day
Digital Payment: The Setup Barrier for Foreign Tourists
China runs on Alipay and WeChat Pay. Credit cards are accepted at international hotels and some large stores, but most everyday purchases — street food, taxi rides, small shops — expect QR code payments.
The problem is that setting up these apps as a foreigner is harder than it should be. Registration requires real-name verification, a Chinese bank card for full functionality, and SMS codes that can fail with foreign phone numbers. Even tech-savvy travelers can spend hours trying to get a payment app working.
Recent improvements since 2024-2025 have made it easier for short-term visitors, but the barrier remains real. The key detail is that not all QR codes work across both apps — Alipay and WeChat Pay are separate systems, and you may need both.
How to prepare:
- Set up Alipay before you arrive: link a foreign credit card through the Alipay Tour Pass feature
- Bring cash as a backup — some small vendors cannot make change, but cash still works
- Keep small denominations handy (20 yuan and below) for street vendors and taxi drivers
- Download both Alipay and WeChat Pay before departure, even if you cannot fully activate them
Cash Still Matters in Certain Situations
Despite the dominance of digital payments, cash is still useful in specific scenarios. Small street vendors, traditional market stalls, and some taxi drivers prefer or only accept cash. Having a stack of small bills can save you when digital payment setup fails or runs into a technical glitch.
Carry about 500-1000 yuan in small notes as an emergency fund. Keep it separate from your main wallet so you can access it quickly without pulling out all your money.
Smoking, Spitting, and Queue-Jumping
These behaviors have decreased significantly over the past decade, but they have not disappeared. Smoking is still common in taxis, at restaurant entrances, and around children in some areas. Spitting in public and queue-jumping (cha dui) are less frequent than before but still noticeable, especially to long-term residents.
Beijing and Shanghai have stricter smoking bans than smaller cities. Short-term tourists may not encounter these issues at all, while longer visits and travel to smaller towns increase the chances.
How to handle it:
- A polite cough or clearing your throat when someone cuts in line often works
- Step away from crowded restaurant entrances where smokers gather
- Carry a mask if you are sensitive to smoke
- Remember these behaviors are declining — do not let isolated incidents color your entire trip
Being Watched and Photographed
In smaller cities and less touristy areas, you will be stared at and your picture may be taken without permission. This can feel uncomfortable, especially for Western travelers who value personal space and privacy.
The behavior comes from genuine curiosity, not hostility. In towns where foreign visitors are rare, locals simply want to look at something unfamiliar. The best response is a polite smile, a nod, and continuing on your way. If someone asks for a photo, a brief smile and nod is usually enough.
In tier-1 cities like Shanghai and Beijing, this happens far less because foreign visitors are a common sight.
Overcoming Language Barriers with Phone Apps
One of the most practical tools for navigating China is camera translation on your phone. Apps like Google Translate (with a VPN), Baidu Translate, or Microsoft Translator can scan Chinese text on signs, menus, and labels and display an English overlay in real time.
This feature alone turns an illegible Chinese menu into something you can actually order from. Make sure to set up your translation apps and VPN before you arrive in China, as Google services are blocked inside the country.
Common Mistakes Travelers Make
- Not setting up payment before arrival: Trying to register Alipay or WeChat Pay from inside China with a foreign phone number can be frustrating. Do it before departure.
- Not bringing cash: Even if you plan to use digital payments, carry cash as backup. Not all vendors can make change for large bills.
- Skipping the VPN: Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and many other services are blocked. Set up a reliable VPN before you arrive.
- Assuming all toilets are Western-style: They are not. Prepare mentally and carry supplies.
- Reacting visibly to staring: A calm smile is the best response. Staring back with frustration usually makes the situation more awkward.
Summary
The practical challenges of traveling in China are real but manageable. Squat toilets require preparation, digital payment setup needs advance planning, and being stared at in smaller towns takes getting used to. None of these are dealbreakers. Every experienced China traveler will tell you the same thing: the difficulties are far outweighed by the experience, but arriving prepared makes all the difference.
Final words
More reading and next steps
That is the main thread of the article. Keep the links below handy, and use the related posts to continue exploring the same topic from a different angle.
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