Traveller in China exploring street scenes
Travel track · Conversational Mandarin

Speak Chinese
on your next trip.

Practical, conversational Mandarin for travelers. Navigate cities, order food, bargain at markets, and make real connections all in Chinese. Start with our free Travel Chinese phrase sheet.

Book a first lesson See what you'll learn
🗺️
Real travel situations
Every lesson is built around situations you'll actually face transport, food, hotels, shopping, getting lost, emergencies.
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Conversation from lesson one
No grammar tables before you can speak. You'll be holding simple conversations in your very first lesson.
🧭
Culture built in
Language and culture go together. You'll learn not just what to say, but how to say it and what it means to the people you meet.
What you'll learn

Every situation.
Ready to use.

The Travel Chinese track is built around the moments that matter most on a trip. Here's what we cover.

🚇
Getting around
交通 · Jiāotōng
Metro, taxis, DiDi, buses and high-speed trains. Give directions, buy tickets, and never get stranded.
去哪儿？ Qù nǎr? Where are you going?
在这里停。 Zài zhèlǐ tíng. Stop here.
怎么去…？ Zěnme qù…? How do I get to…?
🍜
Ordering food
点菜 · Diǎn cài
Read menus, order confidently, handle allergies, and ask for the bill without pointing at pictures.
我要这个。 Wǒ yào zhège. I'll have this.
不辣，谢谢。 Bù là, xièxiè. Not spicy, please.
买单！ Mǎidān! The bill, please!
🏨
Hotels & check-in
住宿 · Zhùsù
Check in, ask for things you need, report a problem, and check out all in Chinese.
我有预订。 Wǒ yǒu yùdìng. I have a reservation.
可以换房间吗？ Kěyǐ huàn fángjiān ma? Can I change rooms?
Wifi 密码是什么？ Wǒ yào mìmǎ. What's the WiFi password?
🛍️
Shopping & markets
购物 · Gòuwù
Ask prices, bargain confidently, and walk away with a deal or politely decline.
多少钱？ Duōshǎo qián? How much?
太贵了！ Tài guì le! Too expensive!
能便宜点吗？ Néng piányí diǎn ma? Can you lower the price?
🏛️
Sights & tourism
旅游 · Lǚyóu
Buy tickets, ask about opening times, take photos with locals, and understand what you're seeing.
几点开门？ Jǐ diǎn kāimén? What time does it open?
可以拍照吗？ Kěyǐ pāizhào ma? Can I take a photo?
这是什么？ Zhè shì shénme? What is this?
🚑
Emergencies & help
紧急情况 · Jǐnjí qíngkuàng
Lost, sick, or stuck? The phrases that matter most when things don't go to plan.
我迷路了。 Wǒ mí lù le. I'm lost.
我需要帮助。 Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù. I need help.
请叫救护车。 Qǐng jiào jiùhùchē. Please call an ambulance.
Phrase library

Phrases that actually work

We focus on what you'll really use not textbook sentences you'd never say.

请到北京饭店。
Qǐng dào Běijīng Fàndiàn.
Please take me to the Beijing Hotel.
前面左转。
Qiánmiàn zuǒ zhuǎn.
Turn left ahead.
一张去上海的票。
Yī zhāng qù Shànghǎi de piào.
One ticket to Shanghai.
地铁站在哪儿？
Dìtiě zhàn zài nǎr?
Where is the metro station?
我坐过站了。
Wǒ zuò guò zhàn le.
I missed my stop.
有什么推荐的？
Yǒu shénme tuījiàn de?
What do you recommend?
我对花生过敏。
Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn.
I'm allergic to peanuts.
再来一碗！
Zài lái yī wǎn!
Another bowl, please!
这个怎么吃？
Zhège zěnme chī?
How do you eat this?
非常好吃！
Fēicháng hǎochī!
This is absolutely delicious!
你好！我是荷兰人。
Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ shì Hélánrén.
Hello! I'm Dutch.
我在学中文。
Wǒ zài xué Zhōngwén.
I'm learning Chinese.
请说慢一点。
Qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn.
Please speak more slowly.
我听不懂。
Wǒ tīng bu dǒng.
I don't understand.
可以合个影吗？
Kěyǐ hé gè yǐng ma?
Can we take a photo together?
我的护照丢了。
Wǒ de hùzhào diū le.
I've lost my passport.
最近的医院在哪里？
Zuìjìn de yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the nearest hospital?
请帮我报警。
Qǐng bāng wǒ bàojǐng.
Please help me call the police.
我头疼。
Wǒ tóuténg.
I have a headache.
有人会说英语吗？
Yǒu rén huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?
Does anyone speak English?
📍 Sample conversation
At a Beijing street food stall, ordering 煎饼 (jiānbing savoury crepe)
你好，要什么？
Nǐ hǎo, yào shénme? Hello, what would you like?
一个煎饼，不要香菜。
Yī gè jiānbing, bù yào xiāngcài. One jiānbing, no coriander.
加鸡蛋吗？
Jiā jīdàn ma? Add an egg?
加两个。多少钱？
Jiā liǎng gè. Duōshǎo qián? Two eggs. How much?
十二块。扫码就行。
Shí'èr kuài. Sǎo mǎ jiù xíng. 12 yuan. Just scan the code.
好的，谢谢！非常好吃！
Hǎo de, xièxiè! Fēicháng hǎochī! Great, thanks! It's delicious!
🎓 What you practiced here: ordering with a negative (不要), quantities (两个), asking prices, and a compliment. All covered in the first three lessons of the Travel track.
Hangzhou West Lake
Hangzhou
Forbidden City
Beijing
Shanghai Yuyuan
Shanghai
Chongqing skyline
Chongqing
How it works

Trip-ready in
12 to 16 weeks.

A focused program built around your travel date and the places you're visiting.

1
Tell us about your trip
Where are you going, when, and what matters most? Your tutor builds the program around your actual itinerary.
2
Start speaking from lesson one
No lengthy grammar introductions. You'll be constructing real sentences in your very first session.
3
Practice real situations
Role-play the situations you'll face taxi conversations, restaurant orders, getting lost, asking for help.
4
Arrive confident
Travel with a library of phrases you've actually used in conversation not just read in a book.
Travel Chinese lesson details
Designed around your trip
Format1-on-1 via Zoom
Duration60 or 90 minutes
LevelComplete beginner welcome
Program length12–16 weeks typical
FocusConversation & real use
Phrase sheetsIncluded
Cultural notesIncluded
First lessonAvailable
Book your first lesson →
Popular destinations

Where are you going?

We tailor the language to your destination whether it's the hutongs of Beijing or the night markets of Chengdu.

Beijing
北京
Běijīng
Shanghai
上海
Shànghǎi
Dalian
大连
Dàlián
Chengdu
成都
Chéngdū
Student stories

What travel students say

★★★★★
"I had eight lessons before my trip to China. I ordered every meal in Chinese, negotiated at the Pearl Market, and had a real conversation with my taxi driver in Shanghai. I was amazed at what was possible."
AT
Aisha T.
Travel Chinese United Kingdom
★★★★★
"My teacher knew exactly what I needed for Beijing. We practiced the hutong restaurants, the metro, and even the phrases for visiting temples. I felt prepared for everything."
JP
Jonas P.
Travel Chinese Germany
★★★★★
"I'd tried apps and phrase books before. They didn't prepare me for real Chinese people speaking at normal speed. The 1-on-1 lessons did. The difference was enormous."
MV
Marie V.
Travel Chinese France
From the blog

Travel Chinese guides

Mandarin for Travel
Paying in China: WeChat Pay, Alipay & What You Need to Know
Read article →
Culture & Life
The Apps Everyone Uses in China: WeChat, Alipay, DiDi and More
Read article →
Mandarin for Travel
How to Order Food in China: Phrases, Characters & Reality
Read article →

Ready to speak Chinese
on your trip?

Book a first lesson. We'll talk about your trip, your level, and build a program that gets you ready.

Book a first lesson Ask a question