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China Travel Starter Kit

A practical first-trip checklist for foreign visitors preparing for China before departure, after landing, and during the first 72 hours.

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First trip checklist

Work through this in travel order

Before you fly

Prepare the systems you will rely on

Set up payment, apps, network access, and basic travel documents before departure.

  • Install Alipay, WeChat, Didi, a map app, and a translation app.
  • Try linking an international card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before departure.
  • Decide whether you need an eSIM, roaming plan, or local SIM card.
  • Save your hotel address in English and Chinese.
  • Check visa, visa-free, or transit rules against official sources.

After landing

Get connected, paid up, and to your hotel

The first few hours are about reducing friction, not doing too much sightseeing.

  • Confirm your phone has working data before leaving the airport.
  • Keep a payment backup ready, including a bank card and some cash if possible.
  • Use official airport transport, metro, taxi, or Didi to reach the city.
  • Keep your passport accessible for hotel check-in and ticket pickup.
  • Avoid overloading the first day with long transfers or complicated reservations.

First 72 hours

Learn the normal travel rhythm

Once the basics work, focus on transport, food, shopping, and city movement.

  • Take one simple metro or taxi trip before planning a complex route.
  • Learn how train stations handle security checks, gates, and ID verification.
  • Use translation screenshots for menus, addresses, and allergy notes.
  • Test one backup option for payment, maps, and communication.
  • Keep the next destination and hotel address saved offline.

Essential guides

Read these before choosing city details

Payments in China

Alipay, WeChat Pay, bank cards, cash, and backup plans.

Open guide

China Travel Apps

Didi, maps, translation, food delivery, and train booking apps.

Open guide

Visa-Free & Transit

Simple transit guidance with official-source verification reminders.

Open guide

High-Speed Rail

Train tickets, stations, boarding, and intercity movement.

Open guide

Common mistakes

Avoid these first-time problems

  • Arriving with only one payment method.
  • Assuming every foreign app works the same way in China.
  • Planning a tight first day after a long flight.
  • Forgetting that passports are often needed for hotels and train travel.
  • Treating visa-free or transit rules as guaranteed without checking official sources.