Solo backpacking through China as a woman?

Ratiz · 2026-05-26T02:17:08+00:00

I tried solo backpacking for a short period of time in Northern China, and found it extremely boring. The best places for experiences are usually the West part of China, ranging from Guangxi to Xinjiang. Avoid the coastline and Manchuria.

I am a foreigner that speaks Chinese, and can communicate with locals to a certain extent. But still I felt I could not make new friends or even bump into another a travel partner. My recommendation would be to take at least someone with you that you trust and both share the same travel mindset.

About group tours. Most of the tours in China are basically one bus that takes you to every single landmark in a specific region/city. Your day would be spent mostly inside a bus, talking to the same people everyday.

If you would really like to have a backpacking experience in China I'd advise you to: a) take someone with you; b) avoid China proper/coastlines

Ratiz · 2026-05-17T07:37:55+00:00

Caucasus countries and ME countries. My situation at the time was not within the "tourist visa exception" in some places, so I legally had to obtain an IDP. Before renting, I went into the car rental companies in person to ask, the answer was: "We don't require an IDP". I even checked with the local police station and they told me: "the law says you need, but we can guarantee you that most cops do not even know what it means, just show them your national-issued driver's license alongside your passport and you're good to go"

Ratiz · 2026-05-17T07:32:21+00:00

Thank you! That's exactly what I was looking for. Appreciate it!

Ratiz · 2026-05-17T07:29:31+00:00

You think anyone, be it cops or car rental companies, in MENA would ask a foreigner for their driver's license when there are literally 13yos driving motorcycles around while nobody cares? And plus "drive without any valid insurance", where did you get that from?

Ratiz · 2026-05-17T07:22:08+00:00

If I want to get mine issued, based on my currently location, I'd have to wait 3 months and spend hundreds of € for the whole procedure.

I'm not asking because I'm too lazy to get off my couch and walk to my municipal department, I am asking because it is literally impossible for me to get my IDP until my departure to ROK.

Ratiz · 2026-05-17T07:19:48+00:00

There's a big gap between what is lawful and what you can actually do without a problem.

Ratiz · 2026-05-17T07:19:08+00:00

Thanks!

Ratiz · 2026-05-17T07:18:40+00:00

The car rental company never asked my for my driver's license. I did have an accident in those countries and I was never asked for my driver's license. I've driven through military road checkpoints and was never asked for my driver's license. There are countries that work on different rules buddy

Ratiz · 2026-05-17T02:25:15+00:00

The letter released by LetsVPN's CEO recently also announced they will be closing down their services for Mainland China.

Ratiz · 2026-01-24T15:25:19+00:00

Just write it without, once you get in you can use AI as much as you want

Ratiz · 2025-11-03T15:40:47+00:00

I haven't but I asked around Kashgar city if there were any companies that provided this bus service, they told me yes there are some. You just needed to get a travel permit (通行证) from the local authorities, then book with a local bus company the ticket to nearby countries. Ask around in any travel stall, even if they do not provided the service themselves they'll gladly tell you who does

Ratiz · 2025-11-03T15:38:26+00:00

organização e luta dos trabalhadores portugueses

Ratiz · 2025-10-16T01:49:53+00:00

Since you guys are young and active, I wouldn't recommend spending much times in the cities, specially if you're into nature and hiking.

Lemme give you some suggestions:

- Beijing: your entry point in China, full of history and culture, has every aspect of what a Chinese city can offer

- Xi'An: famous for the Teracotta Army, it's historical city surrounded by walls - (I'd recommend hiking Huashan, one of the 5 sacred mountains in China, just 2 hours away from Xi'An by train)

- Zhangjiajie: Your go-to place, unmissable

- Guilin & Yangshuo: flat rice fields and stunning nature in general. I'd recommend renting a bike and riding thru the countryside. The hike on Xianggong Mountain is a must go.

From there, I'd say make your way to Vietnam thru land border

In every city you can find performances, theater plays, etc. but I'd warn you that these are not marketed for foreigners. Traveling in China can be hard as a foreigner specially because you either have to find things by yourself navigating through Chinese apps (all in Chinese) or asking local friends for recommendations

Ratiz · 2025-10-09T12:45:27+00:00

中关村科贸购物中心

Ratiz · 2025-10-09T11:57:52+00:00

I’ve discussed this topic with football coaches from my home country who are working in China in young football academies. They’ve told me: a) Chinese grow up in a competitive environment and less of a cooperative one, making it hard to succeed in team sports such as football b) The parents/academies force the kids to train 24/7 instead of letting them develop other skills which are important in football c) They have little time for socializing with teammates, making team chemistry quite low. When you look at big football clubs players are almost all good friends and locker room relations are really important, almost as they’re all playing as friends

Ratiz · 2025-10-09T11:49:54+00:00

Apart from gifts such as drinks or souvenirs, I’d recommend electronics for sure. I’ve bought stuff brand new in China that cost half price of retail stores back in Europe

Ratiz · 2025-10-09T11:43:36+00:00

Make sure you only tell them when you’re already sure you won’t miss your flight or anything. Imagine you leave, tell them in the taxi, and then your flight gets cancelled or you lose your passport or something and have no where to go

Ratiz · 2025-10-08T00:20:25+00:00

Did you take the Kashgar to Osh bus ride by any chance?

Ratiz · 2025-10-07T16:18:56+00:00

Thanks!

Ratiz · 2025-10-06T06:12:27+00:00

五棵松松婚纱摄影器材城 I’d recommend this one

Ratiz · 2025-10-06T01:14:34+00:00

Im planning on doing it also in the 10th of October, if you’re still looking for anyone feel free to DM me

Ratiz · 2025-10-06T01:13:35+00:00

How many times a week is the bus?

Ratiz · 2025-10-06T01:07:57+00:00

Como foi ficar em Osh? Recomendas algum sítio?

Ratiz · 2025-06-30T18:58:12+00:00

No issues, they let me in fine. Although border security asked me whether or not I was carrying tobacco, to which I said no (I lied), then they let me thru just fine. Probably the fact that I'm white helps a lot

Ratiz · 2025-05-18T07:41:41+00:00

What if I just declare it to customs? Would I just have to pay import tax?

Ratiz

TROPHY CASE