Being vegetarians, food planning for you is going to be one of the most challenging parts of your trip to China. Unlike some other destinations, vegetarian options here are not always easily accessible, especially once you move beyond major cities into national parks, remote regions, or the countryside.
To avoid any uncertainty, I planned and carried a substantial amount of food with me. This included:
- Homemade instant poha for quick and reliable breakfasts
- Roasted dry fruits for energy during long walks and hikes
- Ready-to-eat meals (from Rajshree)
- Peanut butter from The Whole Truth Foods (since bread is almost always available anywhere in the world)
- Bhujia, dark chocolate, homemade protein bars, and green tea sachets
It’s not that vegetarian food or Indian restaurants don’t exist in China, they absolutely do. But they are largely concentrated in bigger cities and can be relatively expensive. In places like national parks or remote areas, finding vegetarian food becomes significantly more challenging, which is where carrying your own meals becomes essential.
This is how I structured my meals during the trip:
- Breakfast: Instant poha, which I could easily prepare at my hostel or hotel
- Snacks throughout the day: Protein bars, bhujia, and roasted dry fruits, easy to carry and high in energy
- Lunch: Ready-to-eat meals that I carried in a steel container along with a spoon
One of the most convenient aspects of traveling in China is the easy availability of hot water. Since instant noodles are a staple, you’ll find hot water dispensers almost everywhere from hotels to public areas. I used this to my advantage by simply emptying my ready-to-eat meal into my container, adding hot water, closing the lid, and letting it sit for a few minutes. My meal would be ready without any hassle.
Even though I rarely ate outside, I never felt hungry or restricted because I always had my food planned, packed, and accessible.
China Travel FAQs
Do Indians need a visa for China?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a tourist (L) visa before travel; there is no visa on arrival. You fill in the online form and submit your passport and documents at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre that covers your state. Expect to show your itinerary, bookings and bank statements. My first application was rejected without a reason and approved when I reapplied with complete documents and an invitation letter, so don’t panic if that happens. Fees and timelines change, so check the visa centre’s website first. Read my full visa story →
How do you pay in China? Do foreign cards work?
Almost everything runs on QR payments through Alipay and WeChat Pay, from street vendors to big stores. Both apps let you link an international Visa or Mastercard; I used a forex card. Set them up and verify your passport before you fly. Small payments are usually free, and a fee of about 3% typically applies above ¥200. Keep a little cash in yuan as backup. See the apps to set up before you go →
Do I need a VPN in China? Will WhatsApp, Instagram and Google work?
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube are blocked on local Chinese networks. The easiest fix is a travel eSIM that routes your data outside China, so they work without a separate VPN. I used a 30-day Trip.com eSIM with 1 GB a day for about ₹1,300. It handled maps, bookings and messaging well but was slow for Instagram. If you plan to use a VPN app instead, install it before you arrive, and know that China officially permits only government-approved VPNs. More in my China SIM card guide →
Is vegetarian food hard to find in China?
Outside the big cities, yes. Vegetarian and Indian restaurants exist in major cities but are pricey, and options thin out in national parks and the countryside. I carried instant poha, ready-to-eat meals, peanut butter, dry fruits and protein bars, and used the hot water dispensers you find almost everywhere. I rarely ate out and never went hungry.
Which apps should I download before going to China?
AMap for navigation, DiDi for cabs, Trip.com for trains and stays, Alipay and WeChat for payments, and Google Translate with the Chinese pack downloaded for offline use. Full list with setup tips →
