Read this before you book the flight
Before You Go to China
The thing first-time visitors get wrong isn't safety β it's preparation. Here's what foreigners actually worry about, what really goes wrong on the ground, and the four things to set up before you land so China feels easy instead of stressful. Everything below is the stuff we wish every guest knew a week before arrival.
The big mismatch
Foreign travelers worry most about crime and politics β but those almost never cause trouble (real incident rates run around 2β8%). The headaches that actually happen are logistical: the internet firewall, payment apps, getting a taxi, and road/crossing safety. Do four things before you fly and almost all of it disappears.
What you fear vs what actually happens
We pulled together an analysis of 400+ posts from r/chinatravel, r/travelchina, r/solotravel and r/femaletravel (2021β2026), cross-checked with Chinese inbound-tourism industry reports (Ctrip Research, the Ministry-of-Culture-and-Tourism inbound convenience surveys). The pattern is consistent and a little counterintuitive: the fear and the risk point in different directions.
Top pre-trip worries (share of posts mentioning it)
-
Personal safety / crime38%
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Political / surveillance concerns31%
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"Political risk" / getting into trouble28%
These are the things people lie awake about before the trip. In practice, reported incident rates for all three sit around 2β8%. China is, by most measures, a very low-crime place to travel β including for solo women, who post frequently about feeling safer walking at night than they expected.
What actually goes wrong on the ground (share of posts reporting it)
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Traffic & road / crossing safety19%
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Scams / taxi & tea-house tricks14%
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Food / stomach issues11%
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Air quality (seasonal)9%
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Digital / VPN frustrations8%
Notice none of these are "crime" or "politics." They're everyday logistics β and every one of them is preventable with a little setup.
The catch the "safety" lists miss
The most-upvoted complaints on Reddit aren't in the safety tables at all β they're the things people didn't expect: Google Maps, Gmail and WhatsApp not working, not being able to pay without Alipay, and getting lost without a working map or translation. None of them are dangerous. All of them are fixable in an afternoon, before you fly. The rest of this page is exactly that afternoon, organized.
The 4 things that actually matter
Do these before you land
Forget the doom-scrolling about safety. If you sort these four out at home, China goes from "intimidating" to "surprisingly smooth." Each takes 10β30 minutes, and detailed step-by-steps are in the sections that follow.
Get a VPN β before you fly
Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and many news sites are blocked in mainland China (the "Great Firewall"). The day you arrive is the worst day to discover this. A VPN restores access to the services you rely on.
- Install and test it at home β many VPN sites are themselves blocked inside China, so you can't download them once you're there.
- For maps, use Apple Maps (works), Amap (ι«εΎ·ε°εΎ) or Baidu Maps β and download offline areas in Google Maps as a backup.
- Email still works via Outlook/Hotmail web, ProtonMail, or your company server; just don't depend on Gmail in-browser without the VPN.
Set up Alipay & WeChat Pay
China is close to cashless. Street food, temples, taxis, even some bathrooms take scan-to-pay. International visitors can now use Alipay and WeChat Pay by linking a foreign card (Visa / Mastercard / AmEx).
- Install Alipay and WeChat at home, link your international card, and run a tiny test payment.
- Carry a little cash (Β₯200β300) as backup β small shops or rural spots may prefer it, and you'll want it if a phone dies.
- Most places show a QR β open Alipay, tap "Scan," and you're done. No haggling, no change.
Use DiDi, not street taxis
DiDi is China's Uber. You book, pay and track the ride in-app β no cash, no language barrier, no "meter broken" arguments. Street taxis at airports are where the classic "black taxi" overcharge happens.
- Install DiDi (or use the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay) and add a payment method.
- Pin your destination, or show the driver the Chinese name (screenshot it) β few drivers read Latin script.
- Trains (12306 / Trip.com) and metros are cheap, safe and English-friendly for major lines.
Install a translator & ask locals
English signage is patchy outside five-star hotels, and attraction booking systems often ask for a passport number plus a Chinese phone number for the SMS code. A translator app closes most gaps β and Chinese strangers are famously eager to help.
- Get Google Translate (camera/scan mode) and Pleco (Chinese dictionary) β download the offline language pack.
- Show written Chinese (your hotel can message it to you) instead of speaking addresses aloud.
- Young people in cities often speak some English; at worst, someone will flag down a friend to help.
Pillar 1, in depth
Internet, VPN & staying connected
This is the single most common "I wish I'd known" moment for first-timers. Here's exactly what's blocked, what works, and how to set it up.
What's blocked (the Great Firewall)
Without a workaround, these do not open in mainland China:
Note: Apple services work (iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Maps, iCloud). Microsoft/Outlook webmail works. Booking.com, Airbnb, Trip.com, Agoda work. So do most bank apps. It's mainly the Google/Meta family plus a few platforms that are blocked.
Get a VPN β and test it at home
- 1Sign up for a commercial VPN that maintains servers optimized for China. Travel forums routinely discuss a handful of providers that still connect from inside the country β but performance changes, so install two as a backup.
- 2Download the apps and connect from your home Wi-Fi to confirm they actually work before you rely on them. VPN websites themselves are often blocked once you're in China, so you cannot sign up or download there.
- 3Learn the app's "obfuscated" or "stealth" protocol β it's designed to slip past the firewall. Turn it on.
- 4Save the VPN's non-Google support email (e.g. a ProtonMail address) so you can reach them if a server drops.
Reality check: the most-cited "culture shock" on Reddit is simply losing Google Maps. Ten minutes of prep removes it.
Maps that work without a VPN
- Apple Maps β fully functional in China, good for walking/driving.
- Amap (ι«εΎ·ε°εΎ) β the local gold standard; has an English mode and excellent transit/ride-hail links.
- Baidu Maps (ηΎεΊ¦ε°εΎ) β great for trains and business info; Chinese UI but pictographic.
- Google Maps offline β download Guangxi/Guilin areas at home; usable for basics with no connection.
How to get online
SIM, eSIM & mobile data
A VPN is useless without data. You have three realistic ways to get connected β and one is clearly easiest.
eSIM (easiest)
Buy a China eSIM from a provider like Airalo or Nomad before you leave, install the profile at home, and it activates the moment you land. No kiosk, no passport scan, no Chinese app. Best for short trips.
Local SIM at the airport
China Mobile / Unicom / Telecom have booths at Guilin Liangjiang Airport and major cities. Bring your passport (real-name registration is required). Cheap and fast, but the sign-up app is Chinese β have your translator ready.
Roaming
Your home carrier's international roaming works in China (data is usually allowed; Google services still won't). Convenient but pricey β fine as a backup, not your main plan.
Our recommendation
Set up an eSIM before you fly for instant data on arrival, and keep your home roaming as a fallback. Then layer a VPN on top for the Google/Meta apps you miss. That combo β eSIM + VPN β is what makes China feel "normal" the second you step off the plane.
Pillar 2, in depth
Paying for everything (without cash)
Alipay and WeChat Pay are how China runs. Here's how to set them up as a foreign visitor so you're never stuck.
Alipay β the one to set up first
- 1Install Alipay and choose the international/"Tour Pass" path β it lets you link a foreign Visa, Mastercard or AmEx directly (no Chinese bank account needed).
- 2Add your card, verify with 3-D Secure, and run a Β₯1 test payment at home to confirm it clears.
- 3To pay: open Alipay β tap "Scan" (ζ«δΈζ«) on the merchant QR, or tap "Pay" (δ»ι±) and let them scan you. That's it β no cash, no change.
- 4Bonus: the Alipay app bundles DiDi ride-hail, train tickets, and a translation tool β one app covers a lot.
WeChat Pay β the social one
WeChat is China's all-in-one chat app, and WeChat Pay rides inside it. Set it up the same way: link a foreign card in Me β Services β Wallet. You'll want it because some small shops, friend-referred services, and group payments are WeChat-only.
Keep both apps funded from the same card; between them they cover essentially every merchant in the country.
When the card declines β and what to do
- Occasionally a foreign card is declined on the first tap β try again, or switch to the other app. It's usually a transient bank check, not a block.
- Carry Β₯200β300 cash for the rare cash-only spot (rural stalls, a temple donation box, a dead phone).
- International cards also work at hotels, big malls and Western restaurants β but expect occasional "only Alipay" moments at smaller venues.
Pillar 3, in depth
Getting around: DiDi, trains & metro
China's transport is fast, cheap and safe β once you know which app to open.
DiDi β your default for point-to-point rides
- 1Install DiDi (or open the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay). The app has an English interface.
- 2Add a payment method (your Alipay/WeChat or a card).
- 3Set the destination by pinning the map or pasting the Chinese name. Show the driver the on-screen Chinese address β few read Latin script.
- 4Pay in-app, track in-app, rate in-app. No cash, no "meter broken," no arguing.
Trains & metro β the safe, cheap backbone
- High-speed rail (ζ‘ζε/ζ‘ζθ₯Ώ stations) is world-class β book on Trip.com (English, takes foreign cards) or the 12306 app. GuilinβYangshuo is ~30β45 min.
- Metro exists in larger cities; Guilin's is limited but growing. Stations often show English; use Alipay/WeChat or a transit QR to ride.
- Train tickets are real-name β you'll enter your passport number at booking and show the passport at gate.
Airports & the black-taxi trap
At Guilin Liangjiang Airport, follow the official taxi queue signs or open DiDi inside the terminal (airport Wi-Fi or your eSIM will be on by then). Politely ignore anyone who approaches you in the arrivals hall offering a "fixed price" ride β that's the classic overcharge setup. With DiDi pinned to your hotel's Chinese name, you walk past all of it.
Pillar 4, in depth
Language: the wall is real but low
You do not need to speak Chinese. You need three apps and one habit.
Google Translate
Use camera mode to read menus and signs live, and conversation mode for back-and-forth. Download the Chinese offline pack at home so it works without data.
Pleco
The best ChineseβEnglish dictionary. Draw a character or snap a photo; it breaks down meanings. Indispensable for food names and medicine labels.
WeChat / Baidu Translate
WeChat has a built-in translate for messages and moments; Baidu Translate handles voice well. Good backups if Google Translate is flaky on hotel Wi-Fi.
The one habit: show, don't say
Ask your hotel to message you the Chinese name of places. Show the screen to drivers, at check-in, at the pharmacy. Written Chinese beats spoken English every time.
Reality check: travelers consistently report it's easier than they feared. Young people in cities often speak some English; at worst, a stranger will flag down a friend to help. The language wall is a speed bump, not a wall.
The real #1 risk
Getting around safely
If anything is going to actually affect you, it's traffic β not crime. China's roads have different rules (and e-bikes follow almost none of them). A little awareness removes nearly all of it.
E-bikes come from nowhere
Silent electric scooters use sidewalks, wrong-way lanes and crosswalks β often at speed. The #1 surprise for visitors. Look both ways twice before stepping off a curb; treat every crossing like a bike path.
Right-turn-on-red & "zebra" crossings
Cars may turn right through a walk signal, and drivers don't always yield at painted crosswalks. Make eye contact with the driver, not just the light. When in doubt, cross with a local crowd.
Trains & metros are the safe bet
High-speed rail is world-class, cheap and on-time; big-city metro is clean and signs often include English. Use DiDi for the "last mile." This combination is both the safest and the least stressful way to move.
In the countryside (Yangshuo, Longji)
Rented e-bikes and tour vans share narrow lanes with farm traffic. Wear the helmet, stay right, and assume the oncoming car hasn't seen you. The karst roads are gorgeous but unforgiving β slow down at blind bends.
Scams β and the one rule that beats them
What you'll hear about (and how to dodge it)
Scam stories get repeated a lot, which makes them feel scarier than they are. They're also highly formulaic β which means they're easy to avoid.
"Tea ceremony" invite
A friendly local "practicing English" steers you to a tea house with a shocking bill. Politely decline and walk on; real friends don't lead with a sales pitch.
Black taxi / "no meter"
At airports, someone offers a ride at a "fixed" price that triples mid-trip. Use DiDi or the official taxi queue; agree on nothing verbal.
"Monk" blessing
Someone offers a bracelet or blessing, then demands payment. Genuine monks don't solicit tourists. A smile and a firm no is enough.
Menu / photo swap
A "cheap" set menu quietly becomes premium when the bill arrives, or a "free photo" costs later. Scan the restaurant's own QR menu and confirm prices.
Green flags (you're fine)
- A uniformed attendant at a marked taxi rank.
- A QR menu you scan yourself, with prices shown.
- A stranger offering directions, not a purchase.
- Prices on the wall or on a menu in English/Chinese.
The one rule that neutralizes almost all of it
DiDi + Alipay + scan-the-QR-menu. Book rides in-app, pay by scan, and order by the restaurant's own code. With no cash changing hands and no street negotiation, the classic tourist traps simply have nothing to grab onto.
Money & costs
Cash, cards, ATMs & what things cost
A quick financial orientation so nothing surprises you at the register.
Getting cash
ATMs at Bank of China / ICBC accept foreign cards (Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus). Withdraw Β₯200β300 on arrival for rural stops. UnionPay is the local network; your chip card usually works at bank ATMs even when a shop declines it.
Tipping & bargaining
No tipping culture β restaurants and taxis don't expect it. Bargaining happens only at markets and with unofficial drivers; scan-to-pay prices at malls and chain eateries are fixed.
Rough price cues (2026)
- β’ Street noodles / rice bowl: Β₯15β30
- β’ Restaurant dinner: Β₯60β120 per person
- β’ DiDi across town: Β₯15β40
- β’ Li River cruise (GuilinβYangshuo): from ~Β₯210
- β’ High-speed rail GuilinβYangshuo: ~Β₯25β40
Tax refund for tourists
On purchases over a threshold at participating stores, ask for a Tax Refund form and claim at the airport departure counter. Keep receipts; not every shop participates, so look for the "Tax Free" sign.
Food, air & everyday comfort
Your stomach will adjust
Most "food poisoning" reports are just travel tummy from new spices and oils β not bad food. Ease in, drink bottled water, and keep a pharmacy staple (like loperamide) handy. True food poisoning is rare (<5% of reports). Eat where locals queue.
Air quality is seasonal
Guilin's air is generally good thanks to its hills and rain, but winter haze happens. Check the AQI app on sensitive days, and if you're prone to asthma, bring your inhaler. It's a comfort issue, not a danger.
Toilets & tap water
Public toilets are often squat style and may lack paper β carry tissues. Don't drink tap water; bottled and boiled water are everywhere, including free refills at most hotels.
Health & medication
A small kit, and where to get help
China is not a health-risk destination for most travelers. A little kit and a known pharmacy covers 99% of cases.
Pack this
- β’ Anti-diarrheal (loperamide) + rehydration salts
- β’ Any prescription meds in original packaging + a copy of the script
- β’ Motion-sickness tablets (karst roads, boats)
- β’ Sunscreen, insect repellent (summer)
- β’ Hand sanitizer + tissues/toilet paper
- β’ Basic first-aid (plasters, antiseptic)
Getting medicine in Guilin
Pharmacies (θ―εΊ) are everywhere and staff can often point you to the right box β show them the symptom in Translate. For anything serious, Guilin People's Hospital (ζ‘ζεΈδΊΊζ°ε»ι’) and the Guilin Medical University Affiliated Hospital have English-capable departments. Travel insurance that covers evacuation is wise but rarely needed.
Visa & documents
Entry, passport & registration
The paperwork is simpler than it used to be. Confirm the latest rules with the Chinese embassy site before you fly β they change.
Visa-free transit (the big win)
Many nationalities can now enter visa-free for short stays, and China has progressively extended its transit-without-visa window (often cited at 240 hours / 10 days for eligible passports transiting through a qualifying city). Rules by nationality change, so verify on the official embassy/consulate page. A standard tourist visa (L) remains the safe default if you're unsure.
Passport & registration
- Carry your passport (or a clear photo + hotel business card) β you'll show it for trains, some attractions, and hotel check-in.
- Hotels register foreign guests with the police automatically β just hand over your passport at check-in. If you stay at a private homestay that can't, confirm registration is handled.
- Save a photo of your passport to cloud/email as backup.
Etiquette & culture
Small gestures that go far
None of this is required β Chinese people are forgiving of visitors β but a few habits make everything warmer.
Learn two phrases
δ½ ε₯½ (nΗ hΗo) = hello. θ°’θ°’ (xiΓ¨xie) = thank you. Said with a smile, they open doors. A little effort is genuinely appreciated.
Photos & people
Rural elders and some sites (especially near military areas) may not want photos β a quick gesture asking permission avoids awkwardness. At famous viewpoints, everyone's snapping; that's fine.
Paying the bill
The "who pays" dance is real and friendly β at group meals friends often compete to pay. Just scan-pay your share if asked, or let your host treat you. No stress.
Queues & volume
Markets and stations get crowded and loud β it's energy, not aggression. Join the queue, show your code, and you'll move through fine.
Guilin & Yangshuo specifics
Before-you-go tips for this region
The general prep above covers China. A few things are specific to traveling around Guilin, Yangshuo and the Longji terraces.
Li River cruise needs your passport
Cruise and train tickets are real-name: you'll enter your passport number at booking. Have it (and a photo of it) ready. Book the GuilinβYangshuo cruise a few days ahead in peak season.
Longji terraces = card + cash
Village guesthouses and tiny stalls up in Longji may be cash-first. Pull out Β₯200β300 in Yangshuo or Guilin city before heading up the mountain.
Renting e-bikes in Yangshuo
The countryside is best on two wheels β but that's exactly where the silent e-bike traffic rule applies. Wear the helmet, stay right, and never assume a car sees you.
Best months & language
AprilβMay and SeptemberβOctober are ideal (green terraces, fewer crowds). English drops off in smaller towns β your translator app and the Chinese name from your hotel do the heavy lifting.
Weather & what to pack
Spring/autumn: light layers + a rain shell (the Li River is misty). Summer: hot, humid, monsoon showers β breathable clothes, repellent, sunscreen. Winter: cool, occasionally hazy β a warm jacket. Comfortable walking shoes year-round.
Money in Guilin
Guilin city and Yangshuo West Street are card/Alipay friendly. Airport and station ATMs take foreign cards. Get your cash in the city; don't count on ATMs in Longji village.
Just in case
Emergencies & useful numbers
Crime is rare and most trips are incident-free β but knowing these makes any hiccup trivial.
110
Police
120
Ambulance
119
Fire
- Lost passport: contact your embassy/consulate in China (Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou) and the local police station for a loss report β you'll need it to exit.
- DiDi "share trip" sends your live route to a contact β use it at night or in unfamiliar areas.
- Save offline maps of Guilin/Yangshuo before you go, so you're never truly lost even if data drops.
- Hotel front desks almost always have someone who can call for you and translate β your first stop if something's wrong.
Your pre-flight & arrival checklist
Before you close the laptop
Before you fly (at home)
- 1Install a VPN and test it connects from your home network.
- 2Set up an eSIM (or confirm roaming) so you have data on landing.
- 3Install Alipay + WeChat Pay, link your card, run one test payment each.
- 4Install DiDi, Google Translate (offline pack) + Pleco.
- 5Download offline maps (Google areas + Amap/Baidu as backup).
- 6Photo your passport; email it to yourself; check visa rules.
On arrival (first day)
- 7Turn on eSIM/VPN; confirm maps and WhatsApp work.
- 8Withdraw Β₯200β300 cash at an airport/bank ATM.
- 9Save your hotel's name in Chinese to show drivers and at the desk.
- 10Set up DiDi with your hotel pinned as the first destination.
- 11Do a tiny Alipay test payment at a convenience store.
- 12Message your hotel the Chinese names of places you'll visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is China safe for foreign tourists?+
Yes. Violent crime against tourists is rare, and the things travelers worry about most β politics, surveillance, "getting into trouble" β almost never cause real problems (reported incident rates sit around 2β8%). The everyday risks are logistical: traffic, payment apps, and connectivity, all covered above. Solo women in particular post that they feel safer walking at night than expected.
Will Google Maps, Gmail and WhatsApp work in China?+
Not without a VPN. Google services, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and many news sites are blocked by the Great Firewall. Install and test a VPN before you fly. For navigation, Apple Maps works, and Amap (ι«εΎ·ε°εΎ) or Baidu Maps are the local standard β download offline Google Maps areas as a backup.
Do I need a VPN, or can I just use roaming?+
Roaming gives you data, but it does not unblock Google/Meta services β those are filtered at the network level, not by your carrier. You need a VPN on top of your data (eSIM, local SIM, or roaming) to reach Gmail, WhatsApp, Google Maps and the like.
Can I use my credit card, or do I need cash?+
You can pay almost everywhere with Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign Visa/Mastercard/AmEx β that's the main method. International cards work at hotels and big malls but are hit-or-miss at smaller spots. Carry Β₯200β300 cash for rural areas like Longji and for backup.
How do I avoid taxi scams at the airport?+
Use DiDi (or the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay) instead of hailing a street car. Book in-app, pay in-app, and show the driver your destination's Chinese name. Use the official taxi queue if you must take a cab, and never agree to a "fixed price" quoted verbally.
Do I need to speak Chinese?+
No. A translator app (Google Translate camera mode + Pleco) handles menus and signs, and showing written Chinese from your hotel gets you through taxis and check-ins. Young people in cities often speak some English, and strangers are generally happy to help β it's easier than most people expect.
What about food β will it make me sick?+
Most stomach issues are just adjustment to new oils and spices, not unsafe food. Ease in, drink bottled/boiled water, and keep a basic remedy handy. Genuine food poisoning is uncommon (under 5% of traveler reports). Eat where locals queue β it's both safer and better.
Is the air quality bad in Guilin?+
Guilin's air is generally good β the karst hills and frequent rain keep it cleaner than the big northern cities, though winter haze happens occasionally. Check an AQI app on sensitive days; bring an inhaler if you have asthma. It's a comfort note, not a safety concern.
Do I need a visa, or can I visit visa-free?+
It depends on your passport. China has expanded visa-free entry and transit-without-visa windows for many nationalities (transit stays are often 240 hours via a qualifying city). Rules change, so confirm on the official embassy/consulate site before booking. A tourist (L) visa is the safe default if you're unsure.
What's the best way to get mobile data?+
Buy a China eSIM (Airalo, Nomad, etc.) before you leave and it activates on landing β no kiosk or passport scan. Alternatively, get a local SIM (China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom) at the airport with your passport, or use home roaming as a backup. Pair data with a VPN for full internet.
How do trains and the Li River cruise work?+
Book high-speed rail on Trip.com (English, foreign cards) or 12306; both use real-name booking with your passport. The Li River cruise (GuilinβYangshuo) also needs your passport number β book a few days ahead in peak season. Keep the passport with you for gate checks.
Is it safe to drink the water / use the toilets?+
Don't drink tap water β bottled and boiled water are everywhere, including free hotel refills. Public toilets are often squat style and may lack paper, so carry tissues. None of this is a safety issue; it's just a habit adjustment.
What should I pack for Guilin?+
Comfortable walking shoes year-round. Spring/autumn: light layers plus a rain shell (the Li River is misty). Summer: hot and humid with monsoon showers β breathable clothes, insect repellent, sunscreen. Winter: cool, occasionally hazy β a warm jacket. Add a small medical kit and tissues.
Who do I call in an emergency?+
Police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119 β all free from any phone. For a lost passport, contact your embassy/consulate and the local police for a loss report. Your hotel front desk can usually call and translate for you. DiDi's "share trip" sends your live route to a contact.
Anything special for the Li River cruise or Longji?+
Yes β both use real-name booking, so have your passport number ready (save a photo). Book the GuilinβYangshuo Li River cruise a few days early in peak season. For Longji, pull out some cash in the city first, since village stalls are often cash-first.
Now plan the fun part
Planning
Plan Like a Local
Itineraries, the Li River cruise, best time to visit β your next stop after the prep.
Itinerary
3, 4 or 5 Days in Guilin
A day-by-day plan that fits the transport and skips the zig-zag.
Li River
Li River Cruise Guide
Routes, 2026 ticket tiers, best seat strategy, and how to book.