80+ Essential Chinese Travel Phrases: Your Complete Survival Guide for China and Taiwan

You've booked your flights, packed your bags, and you're heading to China or Taiwan. But there's one thing that can make or break your trip: being able to communicate. Even a handful of Chinese phrases can transform your travel experience — from getting the real local price instead of the tourist markup, to finding that incredible hole-in-the-wall restaurant your guidebook missed.

This guide gives you 80+ travel phrases organized by the actual situations you'll face: arriving at the airport, catching a taxi, checking into your hotel, ordering food, asking for directions, and handling emergencies. Every phrase includes pinyin so you can pronounce it correctly even if you can't read characters yet. Print this guide, bookmark it on your phone, or use our Pinyin Converter to practice — and travel with confidence.

10 Survival Phrases Every Traveler Needs

If you only learn 10 phrases before your trip, make it these. They cover the situations you'll encounter multiple times every day.

Airport and Immigration

Your journey starts at the airport. These words and phrases help you navigate check-in, immigration, customs, and finding your way to ground transportation.

Chinese	Pinyin	English
机场	jīchǎng	airport
护照	hùzhào	passport
签证	qiānzhèng	visa
入境	rùjìng	entry/immigration
出口	chūkǒu	exit
行李	xínglǐ	luggage/baggage
行李转盘	xínglǐ zhuǎnpán	baggage carousel
海关	hǎiguān	customs
登机口	dēngjīkǒu	boarding gate
航班	hángbān	flight

Airport phrases:

• 请问…在哪里？(Qǐng wèn…zài nǎlǐ?) — Excuse me, where is…?
• 我的行李丢了。(Wǒ de xínglǐ diū le.) — My luggage is lost.
• 我来旅游的。(Wǒ lái lǚyóu de.) — I'm here for tourism.
• 我住在XX酒店。(Wǒ zhù zài XX jiǔdiàn.) — I'm staying at XX hotel.

Getting Around: Transportation

Moving around Chinese cities is easy once you know the vocabulary. Public transportation is excellent and affordable in major cities.

Chinese	Pinyin	English	China vs Taiwan
出租车 / 计程车	chūzūchē / jìchéngchē	taxi	China / Taiwan
地铁 / 捷运	dìtiě / jiéyùn	subway/metro	China / Taiwan
公交车 / 公车	gōngjiāochē / gōngchē	bus	China / Taiwan
火车	huǒchē	train	Same
高铁	gāotiě	high-speed rail	Same
飞机	fēijī	airplane	Same

Transportation phrases:

Taking a Taxi

Taxis remain one of the most convenient ways for travelers to get around, especially when you first arrive in a new city. In China, taxis are metered in most major cities, but some drivers in tourist areas may try to negotiate a flat rate that is higher than the meter price. Always insist on the meter by saying 请打表 (qǐng dǎbiǎo). If a driver refuses, find another taxi. In Taiwan, metered taxis are the legal standard and drivers are generally reliable.

Ride-hailing apps have transformed transportation in China. DiDi (滴滴, Dīdī) is the most popular service, functioning similarly to Uber. You can input your destination in Chinese characters, which eliminates pronunciation confusion. The app shows you the fare estimate, the driver's route, and car details. In Taiwan, you can use Uber or the local LINE Taxi service for the same convenience.

Useful taxi phrases:

• 请在这里停车。(Qǐng zài zhèlǐ tíng chē.) — Please stop here.
• 请开快一点。(Qǐng kāi kuài yīdiǎn.) — Please go a little faster.
• 请慢一点。(Qǐng màn yīdiǎn.) — Please slow down.
• 前面路口右转。(Qiánmiàn lùkǒu yòu zhuǎn.) — Turn right at the next intersection.
• 可以开发票吗？(Kěyǐ kāi fāpiào ma?) — Can I get a receipt?

Riding the Subway and Bus

Subway systems in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and many other Chinese cities are modern, clean, and well-signed in both Chinese and English. Buy tickets from automated machines that often have English-language options, or get a reloadable transit card. In Beijing it is called 一卡通 (yīkǎtōng), while Shanghai uses the 交通卡 (jiāotōng kǎ). In Taipei, the 悠游卡 (yōuyóu kǎ, EasyCard) works on the MRT, buses, and even at convenience stores.

Buses are more challenging for travelers because routes are mostly signed in Chinese and announcements may be hard to follow. However, they reach destinations that subways cannot. If you take a bus, know your stop name in Chinese characters and watch the electronic display that shows upcoming stops. You can also ask the driver 到XX站请告诉我 (dào XX zhàn qǐng gàosu wǒ — please tell me when we reach XX station).

Trains and High-Speed Rail

China's high-speed rail network is one of the largest in the world, connecting major cities at speeds up to 350 km/h. Booking tickets requires a passport number, and you can purchase them at the station, through the official 12306 app, or via travel agencies. When buying at the station, say 我要买去XX的火车票 (wǒ yào mǎi qù XX de huǒchē piào — I want to buy a train ticket to XX). Taiwan also has a high-speed rail line running along the western coast from Taipei to Kaohsiung, making intercity travel fast and comfortable.

Hotel and Accommodation

From luxury hotels to budget hostels, these phrases cover everything from check-in to resolving room issues.

Chinese	Pinyin	English
我有预订	wǒ yǒu yùdìng	I have a reservation
入住 / 退房	rùzhù / tuìfáng	check in / check out
房间	fángjiān	room
单人间 / 双人间	dānrénjiān / shuāngrénjiān	single / double room
钥匙 / 房卡	yàoshi / fángkǎ	key / key card
早餐	zǎocān	breakfast
电梯	diàntī	elevator
前台	qiántái	front desk

Hotel phrases:

• WiFi密码是什么？(WiFi mìmǎ shì shénme?) — What's the WiFi password?
• 可以换一个房间吗？(Kěyǐ huàn yī gè fángjiān ma?) — Can I change rooms?
• 空调不工作了。(Kōngtiáo bù gōngzuò le.) — The AC isn't working.
• 热水不热。(Rè shuǐ bú rè.) — The hot water isn't hot.
• 可以寄存行李吗？(Kěyǐ jìcún xínglǐ ma?) — Can I store my luggage?

Handling Check-In and Check-Out

When you arrive at your hotel, approach the front desk and say 我要入住 (wǒ yào rùzhù — I'd like to check in). Have your passport and booking confirmation ready. Most hotels in China require a deposit, either as a cash payment or a hold on your credit card. At check-out, say 我要退房 (wǒ yào tuìfáng) and return your key card. If you need a late check-out, ask 可以晚一点退房吗？(kěyǐ wǎn yīdiǎn tuìfáng ma?). Many hotels offer this for free or a small fee if rooms are available.

For common room requests during your stay, these phrases are invaluable:

• 请打扫房间。(Qǐng dǎsǎo fángjiān.) — Please clean the room.
• 我需要多一条毛巾。(Wǒ xūyào duō yī tiáo máojīn.) — I need an extra towel.
• 请问有没有吹风机？(Qǐng wèn yǒu méiyǒu chuīfēngjī?) — Do you have a hair dryer?
• 隔壁太吵了。(Gébì tài chǎo le.) — The room next door is too noisy.
• 几点退房？(Jǐ diǎn tuìfáng?) — What time is check-out?
• 能帮我叫出租车吗？(Néng bāng wǒ jiào chūzūchē ma?) — Can you call a taxi for me?

Restaurants and Ordering Food

Food is a highlight of any trip to China or Taiwan. These phrases help you navigate everything from street food stalls to formal restaurants. For a complete food vocabulary guide, see our Chinese food vocabulary article.

Ordering Like a Local

Beyond the basics, knowing how to communicate your preferences makes dining far more enjoyable. Chinese cuisine varies enormously by region, and what is considered mildly spicy in Sichuan could be overwhelmingly hot for most visitors. When ordering, you can specify your spice tolerance: 微辣 (wēi là — mildly spicy), 中辣 (zhōng là — medium spicy), or 特辣 (tè là — extra spicy). If you cannot eat certain ingredients, say 我不能吃XX (wǒ bù néng chī XX — I cannot eat XX).

At restaurants in China, dishes are typically shared family-style at a round table. When dining with a group, one person usually orders for the table. A balanced order includes meat, vegetables, a soup, and a staple food like rice or noodles. You can say 来一个荤菜，一个素菜，一个汤 (lái yī gè hūncài, yī gè sùcài, yī gè tāng — one meat dish, one vegetable dish, one soup).

Additional restaurant phrases:

• 这道菜有没有花生？(Zhè dào cài yǒu méiyǒu huāshēng?) — Does this dish contain peanuts?
• 我不吃猪肉。(Wǒ bù chī zhūròu.) — I don't eat pork.
• 再来一碗米饭。(Zài lái yī wǎn mǐfàn.) — Another bowl of rice, please.
• 可以加水吗？(Kěyǐ jiā shuǐ ma?) — Can I have more water?
• 这是什么做的？(Zhè shì shénme zuò de?) — What is this made of?
• 好吃！(Hǎo chī!) — Delicious!
• 太咸了。(Tài xián le.) — Too salty.
• 可以用信用卡吗？(Kěyǐ yòng xìnyòngkǎ ma?) — Can I pay by credit card?

In China, mobile payment through WeChat Pay (微信支付) and Alipay (支付宝) is nearly universal. Many small vendors and restaurants do not accept cash or cards at all. As a foreign visitor, you may be able to set up Alipay with an international card, but always carry some cash as a backup. In Taiwan, cash is still widely used, though credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops.

Shopping and Bargaining

Shopping in markets is one of the most exciting parts of traveling in China. At tourist markets, night markets, and small shops, bargaining is expected and even considered part of the fun. Start by asking 多少钱 (duōshǎo qián — how much?) and then offer a lower price. A common strategy is to offer about half the asking price and negotiate from there. Say 太贵了 (tài guì le — too expensive) and suggest your price: XX块可以吗？(XX kuài kěyǐ ma? — Is XX yuan okay?).

Shopping phrases:

• 可以便宜一点吗？(Kěyǐ piányi yīdiǎn ma?) — Can you make it cheaper?
• 有没有别的颜色？(Yǒu méiyǒu bié de yánsè?) — Do you have other colors?
• 有大一号的吗？(Yǒu dà yī hào de ma?) — Do you have a bigger size?
• 我只是看看。(Wǒ zhǐ shì kànkan.) — I'm just looking.
• 可以试一下吗？(Kěyǐ shì yīxià ma?) — Can I try it on?
• 买两个便宜一点吧。(Mǎi liǎng gè piányi yīdiǎn ba.) — Give me a discount if I buy two.

Note that bargaining is appropriate at markets and small independent shops, but not at department stores, malls, or any store with fixed price tags. In Taiwan, night markets may allow some negotiation, but prices are generally more fixed than in mainland China.

Asking for Directions

Even with smartphone maps, knowing direction vocabulary is essential when asking locals for help or reading signs.

Chinese	Pinyin	English
左转	zuǒ zhuǎn	turn left
右转	yòu zhuǎn	turn right
直走	zhí zǒu	go straight
前面	qiánmiàn	in front / ahead
后面	hòumiàn	behind
旁边	pángbiān	next to
对面	duìmiàn	across / opposite
近 / 远	jìn / yuǎn	near / far
红绿灯	hónglǜdēng	traffic light
路口	lùkǒu	intersection

Direction phrases:

• 请问，XX怎么走？(Qǐng wèn, XX zěnme zǒu?) — Excuse me, how do I get to XX?
• 走路大概多长时间？(Zǒulù dàgài duō cháng shíjiān?) — About how long by walking?
• 可以帮我在地图上指一下吗？(Kěyǐ bāng wǒ zài dìtú shàng zhǐ yīxià ma?) — Can you point it out on a map?

Understanding Directions People Give You

When locals give you directions, they will often use landmarks rather than street names. Listen for words like 十字路口 (shízì lùkǒu — crossroads), 天桥 (tiānqiáo — overpass or pedestrian bridge), 地下通道 (dìxià tōngdào — underground passage), and 大楼 (dàlóu — building). A common response you might hear is 往前走，到红绿灯左转 (wǎng qián zǒu, dào hónglǜdēng zuǒ zhuǎn — go forward, turn left at the traffic light).

Distances in China are measured in meters and kilometers. When someone says 大概五百米 (dàgài wǔbǎi mǐ), that means approximately 500 meters. You might also hear 两个路口 (liǎng gè lùkǒu — two intersections ahead) as a way of measuring distance by blocks. If you are truly lost, the most practical approach is to show your destination on your phone map and ask 请问这个地方怎么走？(qǐng wèn zhège dìfang zěnme zǒu? — excuse me, how do I get to this place?).

More direction phrases:

• 我迷路了。(Wǒ mílù le.) — I'm lost.
• 这条路对吗？(Zhè tiáo lù duì ma?) — Is this the right road?
• 最近的地铁站在哪里？(Zuìjìn de dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ?) — Where is the nearest subway station?
• 附近有超市吗？(Fùjìn yǒu chāoshì ma?) — Is there a supermarket nearby?
• 请问这个地址在哪里？(Qǐng wèn zhège dìzhǐ zài nǎlǐ?) — Where is this address?

Emergency and Health Phrases

You hope you'll never need these, but having them ready gives peace of mind. For more health vocabulary, see our body parts guide.

Health phrases for the pharmacy or clinic:

• 我头疼。(Wǒ tóu téng.) — I have a headache.
• 我拉肚子。(Wǒ lā dùzi.) — I have diarrhea.
• 我发烧了。(Wǒ fāshāo le.) — I have a fever.
• 我对XX过敏。(Wǒ duì XX guòmǐn.) — I'm allergic to XX.
• 附近有药店吗？(Fùjìn yǒu yàodiàn ma?) — Is there a pharmacy nearby?

Dealing with Lost Items and the Police

Losing your passport or wallet while abroad is stressful, but knowing the right phrases can speed up the resolution. If you need to file a police report, head to the nearest police station (派出所, pàichūsuǒ). For lost items, say 我丢了XX (wǒ diū le XX — I lost XX). Common items you might need to report include: 护照 (hùzhào — passport), 钱包 (qiánbāo — wallet), 手机 (shǒujī — phone), and 背包 (bēibāo — backpack).

Police and lost-item phrases:

• 我要报警。(Wǒ yào bàojǐng.) — I want to file a police report.
• 派出所在哪里？(Pàichūsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?) — Where is the police station?
• 我的护照丢了。(Wǒ de hùzhào diū le.) — I lost my passport.
• 我需要联系大使馆。(Wǒ xūyào liánxì dàshǐguǎn.) — I need to contact my embassy.
• 请帮我打电话。(Qǐng bāng wǒ dǎ diànhuà.) — Please help me make a phone call.
• 有人会说英文吗？(Yǒu rén huì shuō Yīngwén ma?) — Does anyone speak English?

In China, pharmacies (药店, yàodiàn) are found on nearly every major street and many common medications are available without a prescription. Pharmacists can often recommend treatments for minor ailments. For more serious medical issues, go to a hospital and head to the emergency department (急诊, jízhěn). Many large hospitals in major cities have international clinics (国际诊所, guójì zhěnsuǒ) with English-speaking staff, though wait times can be long.

Cultural Tips for Travelers

Language is only part of the picture. These cultural insights will make your interactions smoother and more enjoyable:

Tipping: Tipping is not customary in China or Taiwan. In fact, some restaurants may refuse tips or consider it awkward. Your 谢谢 (thank you) is sufficient.

Showing addresses: When taking a taxi, show the destination on your phone screen rather than trying to pronounce it. Say 请到这个地方 (please go to this place) and hold up your phone. Most drivers appreciate this approach.

Photography: Ask 可以拍照吗？(Kěyǐ pāizhào ma? — Can I take photos?) before photographing people, religious sites, or in some museums.

Receiving business cards: Accept with both hands, look at it briefly, and don't immediately put it in your pocket. This shows respect.

Chopstick etiquette: Never stick chopsticks upright in rice — it resembles funeral incense. Lay them across your bowl or on the chopstick rest instead.

Your travel vocabulary will grow quickly once you start using it in real situations. For more conversation skills, read our greetings guide and shopping phrases. Use the Pinyin Converter to practice pronunciation before your trip, and check our numbers guide to understand prices, addresses, and phone numbers with confidence.