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Mars

Mars is a Shenzhen-based writer with over two decades of firsthand experience living in mainland China and traveling regularly to Hong Kong. He specializes in practical travel prep for China — including eSIMs, VPNs, mobile payments, and cross-border logistics between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Best Things to Do in Shenzhen for First-Time Visitors

September 22, 2026 by Mars
Shenzhen Futian skyline and Civic Center viewed from Lianhua Hill

Plan a first Shenzhen sightseeing trip by area, with practical attraction choices, metro guidance, reservation checks and realistic one- to three-day itineraries.

Categories City Guides Leave a comment

What to Eat in Shenzhen: A First-Time Visitor’s Food Guide

September 22, 2026 by Mars
Cantonese dim sum, roast meat, congee and vegetables shared at a Shenzhen table

A practical first-time guide to Shenzhen food, dining areas, ordering, payments, dietary needs and safer restaurant choices.

Categories City Guides Leave a comment

How to Book Attraction Tickets in China as a Foreigner (2026)

September 16, 2026September 14, 2026 by Mars
Traveler comparing passport details with an attraction booking plan on a phone

Learn how to use official attraction channels, enter passport details correctly, save confirmations offline, and find a documented fallback when a website or mini-program is unusable.

Categories Transport & Booking Tags china travel Leave a comment

China Tourist Visa Guide for First-Time Visitors (2026)

September 16, 2026September 8, 2026 by Mars
Traveler preparing passport and itinerary documents for a China tourist visa application

Learn how to find the correct China tourist visa office, follow its local document rules, complete online review and submission, and prepare for final entry inspection.

Categories Before You Go Tags first time china Leave a comment

Best Translation Apps for China Travel (2026)

September 8, 2026 by Mars
Traveler using a phone to understand Chinese metro signs and a menu in China

Compare Apple Translate, Google Translate, Microsoft Translator and Pleco for a China trip, with offline setup, camera translation and practical fallbacks.

Categories Internet & Apps Tags china travel Leave a comment

How to Use the Metro in China as a Foreigner (2026)

September 22, 2026September 8, 2026 by Mars
Foreign visitor tapping a contactless bank card at a metro gate in China

A practical guide to metro tickets, transit cards, QR codes and eligible contactless bank cards in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Categories Transport & Booking Tags china travel Leave a comment

Shenzhen to Hong Kong: Train, Metro, Bus and Ferry Guide (2026)

September 22, 2026September 3, 2026 by Mars
Decision guide comparing rail, pedestrian border, coach and ferry routes from Shenzhen to Hong Kong

Plan a Shenzhen-to-Hong Kong trip by comparing border crossings, rail links, travel time, tickets, and arrival-area connections.

Categories HK & Shenzhen Tags Hong Kong to Shenzhen Leave a comment

Shenzhen for First-Time Visitors: Practical 2026 Guide

September 22, 2026August 28, 2026 by Mars
Bay Glory Ferris wheel seen across the water from Qianhai Stone Park in Shenzhen

A first-time visitor guide to Shenzhen covering arrival, transport, payments, connectivity, neighborhoods, and practical planning.

Categories City Guides Leave a comment

China Packing List for First-Time Visitors (2026)

September 18, 2026August 25, 2026 by Mars
Carry-on essentials for a first trip to China

A practical China packing list for documents, payments, connectivity, weather, medicines, and items worth preparing before departure.

Categories Before You Go Tags china travel, first time china Leave a comment

China Visa-Free Entry for Tourists: 30-Day Rules and Checklist

September 18, 2026August 25, 2026 by Mars
Passport and boarding pass prepared for a trip to China

Understand China visa-free entry rules, transit options, eligibility checks, and the documents to confirm before your trip.

Categories Before You Go Tags first time china, visa-free China Leave a comment
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Recent Posts

  • Best Things to Do in Shenzhen for First-Time Visitors
  • What to Eat in Shenzhen: A First-Time Visitor’s Food Guide
  • How to Book Attraction Tickets in China as a Foreigner (2026)
  • China Tourist Visa Guide for First-Time Visitors (2026)
  • Best Translation Apps for China Travel (2026)

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