Before you go to China
Get the essentials ready before departure. Start with entry requirements, then prepare your phone, payments and arrival plan.
8 guides
Entry requirements
China entry requirements: what to check before booking
Use official sources to establish which entry route applies to your passport and itinerary.
Internet & eSIMs
China eSIMs: choose a plan for your trip
Compare connection options, check your phone and prepare a working data connection before arrival.
Money & mobile payments
Mobile payments in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay and backups
Prepare a payment app and a fallback before you need to pay for your first journey.
Money & mobile payments
Alipay for foreign visitors
Prepare your account, check your card and understand what to do if setup does not complete.
Money & mobile payments
WeChat Pay for foreign visitors
Prepare your account, check your card and understand what to do if setup does not complete.
Essential apps
Essential apps for a China trip
Build a small, useful travel toolkit for navigation, payments, tickets and communication.
Packing & power
China packing checklist: documents, phone and power
Pack for your actual route, season and transport rather than a generic country-wide climate.
Arrival preparation
Your first day in China: an arrival checklist
Prepare the handoff from landing to your accommodation, including a late-arrival fallback.