The Understory
The Living Guide
Not a blog post. A maintained reference. Practical information about China's logistics — verified, dated, and updated as things change.
Live
Payment Guide
WeChat Pay, Alipay, cash, and credit cards — everything a Western traveler needs to know about paying in China.
Verified July 2026
Coming soon
Visa Reality
Current visa-free agreements by nationality, e-visa options, and the evolving entry policy landscape.
Coming soon
High-Speed Rail
How to book tickets, navigate stations, and make the most of China's extraordinary rail network.
Coming soon
Essential Apps
The apps that make daily life in China navigable — ranked by difficulty to set up and usefulness in-country.