Do You Need a VPN for China? Probably Not (2026)
Everyone tells you to buy a VPN before your China trip. We bought two — and needed neither. Here's what actually works, when you do need a VPN, and why this myth won't die.
Magda Sawyer
Posts by Magda Sawyer
Chengdu Travel Guide: Plan Your Trip to Sichuan's Capital (2026)
Everything you need to plan your trip to Chengdu — when to visit, where to stay, what to eat and practical tips from someone who keeps coming back.
Surfing in Hainan: Where to Learn on China's Surf Coast (2026)
Where to surf in Hainan, when to go, and how to learn as a beginner — including the resort with its own artificial wave where we took our first lesson.
Zhangjiajie with Kids: Is It Worth It? (2026)
An honest family take on the Avatar mountains, Glass Bridge and Tianmen with children — what they'll love and what's genuinely hard.
Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie: Best Areas & Hotels (2026)
Wulingyuan vs the city, plus the best hotels for the Avatar Mountains, Tianmen Mountain and families — top picks from a family that visited more than once.
Zhangjiajie Itinerary: How to Spend 4–5 Days (2026)
A tested 4–5 day Zhangjiajie plan — the Forest Park, Tianmen, the Glass Bridge and the old towns — built on what we got wrong the first time, then fixed.
Best Things to Do in Zhangjiajie: Top Attractions (2026)
The Avatar peaks, Tianmen's Heaven's Gate, the Glass Bridge, the caves and the shows — what's actually worth your days, from a family who's done most of it.
Plan your Hainan Trip: Travel Guide 2026
An honest guide to Hainan — when to go, how to get around, where to stay, what to do and what to skip — from a family that travelled the island.
Things to Do in Hainan, China (2026)
The best things to do in Hainan — beaches, surfing, rainforest, Li culture and Haikou nights — plus what's worth it and what to skip.
Xi'an Itinerary: How to Spend 2–4 Days in China's Ancient Capital (2026)
A realistic day-by-day plan for 2 to 4 days in Xi'an — what to do each morning, afternoon and evening, with timings, a budget, and tweaks for short trips and families.
Best Things to Do in Xi'an — Must-See Attractions and Local Favourites
Beyond the Terracotta Warriors: the classics, the parks, the shows and the street food that make Xi'an worth your days — with our honest take on what to skip
Xi'an Travel Guide (2026): Plan Your Trip to China's Ancient Capital
Everything you need to plan a trip to Xi'an — when to go, where to stay, and what's actually worth your time — from someone who's been twice