Prepare one page that shows each hotel’s name and address in Chinese and English, the phone number, the nearest metro stop and your next destination. Print it, and give every traveller a copy.
If you do not speak Mandarin, or you are travelling with parents who find a new city tiring, this page is the calmest tool in your bag.
What goes on the sheet?
Build a simple block for each hotel, in this order:
- Hotel name in Chinese and English.
- Full address in Chinese, with the district and street.
- Hotel phone number, with the country code.
- The nearest metro stop or rail station name in Chinese.
- Your booking name and check-in and check-out dates.
- The next stop, written in Chinese.
Add one line at the bottom for the whole trip: your full name and a family contact in Malaysia. Leave your passport number off the page.
How do you check the Chinese?
Copy the Chinese address from your booking confirmation or from the hotel’s message to you. If it is missing, ask the hotel to send it before you fly. Do not retype from memory, because a single wrong character can send a driver to another street.
Hotels copy the passport for registration, so carry the original at check-in[1]. Add a line on the sheet reminding you to have it ready.
What about emergencies?
China has no single 911-style emergency number, and operators mostly speak Mandarin[2]. Police are on 110[3] and ambulance on 120[4].
Write both on the sheet, with your hotel’s phone number, so a helper can call on your behalf. Our guide to emergency numbers and health phrases adds simple phrases.
Which maps and apps should back it up?
Apple Maps remains functional in mainland China even though Google Maps is disrupted[5]. Amap (Gaode) added English language support in 2025, with ride-hailing in its English version in 360 or more cities[6]. Verify in the app, because dates and features differ between sources.
Pin each hotel before you fly, save an offline copy and read maps in China. Add an offline translator from our translation apps guide.
How do you use it on the road?
Show the page to a taxi driver instead of speaking, or hand it to a station helper. Learn to read taxi tips in taxis and Didi in China. If you speak Malaysian Mandarin, see the phrase guide for usage that differs on the mainland.
Keep a copy in your hand luggage and one in your coat pocket. More preparation lives in the prep topic hub.