China Travel Guides
Get China-Ready Before You Land
Start with a specific question, then use the Readiness Check to see what else in your plan may need attention.
Popular first-trip questions
What are you trying to fix?
Can I pay without a Chinese bank account?
Will Visa or Mastercard work in China?
Do all hotels accept foreigners?
What if I get sick in China?
Pick a question, or use the Quick Start paths below.
QUICK START
Pick your biggest concern
Choose one path, then jump into the guides that match your trip risk.
💳
Payment & Apps
Alipay, WeChat Pay, Visa/Mastercard, eSIM, and essential apps.
Read this if you are not sure whether you can pay after landing.
START WITH
How to Pay in China Without a Chinese Bank Account
More payment guides →
Apps & Internet guides →
🚆
Transport
High-speed rail, 12306, Trip.com, stations, and first-day movement.
Read this if you plan to use trains or arrive late on your first day.
START WITH
How to Book China High-Speed Train Tickets as a Foreigner
More transport guides →
🎟️
Bookings & Tickets
Attractions, Forbidden City, hotel passport check-in, and advance reservations.
Read this if you booked hotels or attractions online.
START WITH
Do All Hotels in China Accept Foreigners?
More booking guides →
🚑
Emergency Backup
Start with medical help, then save passport backup and Chinese emergency phrases offline.
Read this if you want offline backup before something goes wrong.
START WITH
What If You Get Sick in China?
More emergency guides →
Prefer one organized guide instead of another open tab?
The China Arrival Handbook brings the essential setup, arrival steps and recovery guidance into one phone-readable PDF.
Solved one question? Check the rest of your arrival system.
The 2-minute Readiness Check shows which gaps remain across payment, connectivity, transport, bookings, and emergency backup.
Tip: save key setup steps offline before your flight.
ALL GUIDES
China Travel Setup Guides
Short, practical guides for the setup details that can make or break your first day in China.
FIRST-TIME VISITOR PATH
1
Payment
2
Internet & Apps
3
Transport
4
Bookings
5
Emergency Backup
FIRST-TIME VISITOR PATH
1
Payment
2
Internet & Apps
3
Transport
4
Bookings
5
Emergency Backup
Need the step-by-step version? The Handbook includes setup screenshots, checklists, and offline cards.
Filter by topic:
All
Payment
Apps & Internet
Transport
Bookings
Emergency
Payment
01. How to Pay in China Without a Chinese Bank Account
Alipay, WeChat Pay, foreign cards, cash, and backup payment options.
Best for: tourists unsure how they will pay after landing
Read guide →
Payment
02. Alipay vs WeChat Pay for Tourists
Compare setup, card linking, QR payments, and backup use.
Best for: choosing your main payment app
Read guide →
Payment
03. How to Set Up Alipay Before Arriving in China
Check Alipay login, card setup, SMS, QR payment actions, mobile data, and backup payment before departure.
Best for: travelers preparing Alipay before landing
Read guide →
Payment
04. Will Visa or Mastercard Work in China?
Learn when direct international-card payment may work, how app-linked cards differ, and what to do if a card is declined.
Best for: travelers planning to use foreign cards in China
Read guide →
Apps & Internet
05. China eSIM Guide: What to Check Before You Buy
Compare China travel eSIM, roaming, and physical SIM options, then check device support, activation, SMS, plan limits, and backup before buying.
Best for: choosing a China connection plan before departure
Read guide →
Apps & Internet
06. Essential Apps for China Travel: Download Before You Fly
Choose and prepare a China travel app stack for payment, maps, translation, rides, trains, bookings, and optional local services, with iPhone, Android, and offline backups.
Best for: building a first-day China app stack before departure
Read guide →
Transport
07. How to Book China High-Speed Train Tickets as a Foreigner
Book China high-speed rail with a foreign passport, from 12306 identity verification and ticket release to waitlist status, manual gates, and travel-day backup.
Best for: taking domestic mainland China trains
Read guide →
Transport
08. 12306 vs Trip.com: Which Is Better for Foreign Tourists?
Compare 12306 and Trip.com by passport setup, final cost, payment, ticket issuance, refunds, and post-booking support.
Best for: choosing how to book domestic mainland China train tickets
Read guide →
Bookings
09. China Attractions You Must Book in Advance
Check which China attractions need advance reservation and how to verify the passport record, admission status, time slot, entrance, and fallback.
Best for: building an itinerary around high-priority mainland China attractions
Read guide →
Bookings
10. How to Book Forbidden City Tickets as a Foreigner
Book through the official Palace Museum portal, match the passport record, confirm the reservation result, and prepare for Meridian Gate entry.
Best for: planning a Palace Museum visit in Beijing
Read guide →
Bookings
11. Do All Hotels in China Accept Foreigners?
Understand China’s hotel policy, passport registration, non-hotel stays, after-midnight booking, deposits, and what to do if check-in is refused.
Best for: booking their first hotel night in mainland China
Read guide →
Emergency
12. What If You Get Sick in China? A Foreigner’s Emergency Plan
Prepare for calling 120, choosing a hospital route, communicating essential information, paying for care, using insurance, and keeping claim records.
Best for: preparing for illness, injury, or an unexpected hospital visit in mainland China
Read guide →
Emergency
13. What to Do If You Lose Your Passport in China
Obtain the correct loss certificate, replace the passport or travel document, complete China-side formalities, and update the trip safely.
Best for: preparing for or responding to the loss or theft of an ordinary passport in mainland China
Read guide →
Emergency
14. Essential Chinese Emergency Phrases for Foreign Visitors
Save mainland China emergency numbers, Chinese help phrases, exact-location wording, and offline backup that still works without data or the main phone.
Best for: preparing a fast, offline emergency communication backup for mainland China
Read guide →
Bookings
15. China Visa-Free Entry vs 240-hour Transit
Compare mainland China’s ordinary visa-free rules and 240-hour transit by passport, date, purpose, A / B route, ticket, port, stay area, and on-site review.
Best for: deciding how to enter mainland China before buying non-refundable tickets
Read guide →
Apps & Internet
16. Will Google, WhatsApp and Gmail Work in China?
See how Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Google Maps, roaming, and travel eSIM routes behave in mainland China, then prepare local apps, SMS, and offline backups.
Best for: relying on Google services or WhatsApp and need a working first-day backup
Read guide →
Transport
17. How to Use DiDi in China as a Foreigner
Prepare the correct DiDi China app, foreign phone number, payment, destination, pickup point, vehicle checks, driver messages, order support, and taxi backup.
Best for: planning to use DiDi in mainland China
Read guide →
Transport
18. Can You Bring a Power Bank on Flights in China?
Check the flight segment, CCC mark, recalled model or batch, watt-hours, quantity, cabin packing, onboard-use rules, and security backup.
Best for: carrying a power bank on a mainland China flight or domestic connection
Read guide →
Filter by topic:
All
Payment
Apps & Internet
Transport
Bookings
Emergency
Payment
01. How to Pay in China Without a Chinese Bank Account
Alipay, WeChat Pay, foreign cards, cash, and backup payment options.
Best for: tourists unsure how they will pay after landing
Read guide →
Payment
02. Alipay vs WeChat Pay for Tourists
Compare setup, card linking, QR payments, and backup use.
Best for: choosing your main payment app
Read guide →
Payment
03. How to Set Up Alipay Before Arriving in China
Check Alipay login, card setup, SMS, QR payment actions, mobile data, and backup payment before departure.
Best for: travelers preparing Alipay before landing
Read guide →
Payment
04. Will Visa or Mastercard Work in China?
Learn when direct international-card payment may work, how app-linked cards differ, and what to do if a card is declined.
Best for: travelers planning to use foreign cards in China
Read guide →
Apps & Internet
05. China eSIM Guide: What to Check Before You Buy
Compare China travel eSIM, roaming, and physical SIM options, then check device support, activation, SMS, plan limits, and backup before buying.
Best for: choosing a China connection plan before departure
Read guide →
Apps & Internet
06. Essential Apps for China Travel: Download Before You Fly
Choose and prepare a China travel app stack for payment, maps, translation, rides, trains, bookings, and optional local services, with iPhone, Android, and offline backups.
Best for: building a first-day China app stack before departure
Read guide →
Transport
07. How to Book China High-Speed Train Tickets as a Foreigner
Book China high-speed rail with a foreign passport, from 12306 identity verification and ticket release to waitlist status, manual gates, and travel-day backup.
Best for: taking domestic mainland China trains
Read guide →
Transport
08. 12306 vs Trip.com: Which Is Better for Foreign Tourists?
Compare 12306 and Trip.com by passport setup, final cost, payment, ticket issuance, refunds, and post-booking support.
Best for: choosing how to book domestic mainland China train tickets
Read guide →
Bookings
09. China Attractions You Must Book in Advance
Check which China attractions need advance reservation and how to verify the passport record, admission status, time slot, entrance, and fallback.
Best for: building an itinerary around high-priority mainland China attractions
Read guide →
Bookings
10. How to Book Forbidden City Tickets as a Foreigner
Book through the official Palace Museum portal, match the passport record, confirm the reservation result, and prepare for Meridian Gate entry.
Best for: planning a Palace Museum visit in Beijing
Read guide →
Bookings
11. Do All Hotels in China Accept Foreigners?
Understand China’s hotel policy, passport registration, non-hotel stays, after-midnight booking, deposits, and what to do if check-in is refused.
Best for: booking their first hotel night in mainland China
Read guide →
Emergency
12. What If You Get Sick in China? A Foreigner’s Emergency Plan
Prepare for calling 120, choosing a hospital route, communicating essential information, paying for care, using insurance, and keeping claim records.
Best for: preparing for illness, injury, or an unexpected hospital visit in mainland China
Read guide →
Emergency
13. What to Do If You Lose Your Passport in China
Obtain the correct loss certificate, replace the passport or travel document, complete China-side formalities, and update the trip safely.
Best for: preparing for or responding to the loss or theft of an ordinary passport in mainland China
Read guide →
Emergency
14. Essential Chinese Emergency Phrases for Foreign Visitors
Save mainland China emergency numbers, Chinese help phrases, exact-location wording, and offline backup that still works without data or the main phone.
Best for: preparing a fast, offline emergency communication backup for mainland China
Read guide →
Bookings
15. China Visa-Free Entry vs 240-hour Transit
Compare mainland China’s ordinary visa-free rules and 240-hour transit by passport, date, purpose, A / B route, ticket, port, stay area, and on-site review.
Best for: deciding how to enter mainland China before buying non-refundable tickets
Read guide →
Apps & Internet
16. Will Google, WhatsApp and Gmail Work in China?
See how Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Google Maps, roaming, and travel eSIM routes behave in mainland China, then prepare local apps, SMS, and offline backups.
Best for: relying on Google services or WhatsApp and need a working first-day backup
Read guide →
Transport
17. How to Use DiDi in China as a Foreigner
Prepare the correct DiDi China app, foreign phone number, payment, destination, pickup point, vehicle checks, driver messages, order support, and taxi backup.
Best for: planning to use DiDi in mainland China
Read guide →
Transport
18. Can You Bring a Power Bank on Flights in China?
Check the flight segment, CCC mark, recalled model or batch, watt-hours, quantity, cabin packing, onboard-use rules, and security backup.
Best for: carrying a power bank on a mainland China flight or domestic connection
Read guide →
NOT SURE WHAT TO READ FIRST?
Take the 2-Minute China Readiness Check
Get your top setup gaps before you spend time reading every guide.
WANT THE SETUP VERSION?
The guides show what to check. The Handbook shows exactly how to set it up.
The guides show what to check. The Handbook shows exactly how to set it up.
The guides show what to check. The Handbook shows exactly how to set it up.
Turn the guides into a practical pre-flight setup system: payment setup, app checks, transport backup, booking reminders, offline cards, and first-day emergency plans.
Turn the guides into a practical pre-flight setup system: payment setup, app checks, transport backup, booking reminders, offline cards, and first-day emergency plans.
Turn the guides into a practical pre-flight setup system: payment setup, app checks, transport backup, booking reminders, offline cards, and first-day emergency plans.
China Arrival Handbook
China Arrival Handbook
Best used before you fly. Save it offline before your trip.
01 Payment Setup
01 Payment Setup
Alipay, WeChat Pay, card backup, and SMS checks.
02 First-Day Transport
02 First-Day Transport
Airport route, Chinese address, ride-hailing backup.
03 Booking Checks
03 Booking Checks
Hotel passport check-in, train, attraction reminders.
04 Emergency Cards
04 Emergency Cards
Medical, passport, translation, and offline help cards.
The 2-Minute China Readiness Check
Answer 10 practical questions about payment, mobile access, transport, bookings and emergency backup. You’ll receive a readiness score, your top gaps and the China Arrival Readiness Checklist.
How will you pay after landing?
Choose the option closest to your current setup.
FAQ
Quick questions
▶
Which guide should I read first?
If this is your first trip to China, start with payment, Alipay setup, eSIM, and essential apps. If you are unsure, take the China Readiness Check to see your biggest gaps.
▶
Do I need Alipay, WeChat Pay, or both?
Many visitors start with Alipay because it is often easier to set up for tourist payments. WeChat Pay can still be useful as a backup.
▶
Is the Handbook required?
No. The free guides help you understand what to check. The Kit is for travelers who want setup steps, screenshots, checklists, offline cards, and backup plans organized in one place.
QUICK START
Pick your biggest concern
Choose one path, then jump into the guides that match your trip risk.
💳
Payment & Apps
Alipay, WeChat Pay, Visa/Mastercard, eSIM, and essential apps.
Read this if you are not sure whether you can pay after landing.
START WITH
How to Pay in China Without a Chinese Bank Account
More payment guides →
Apps & Internet guides →
🚆
Transport
High-speed rail, 12306, Trip.com, stations, and first-day movement.
Read this if you plan to use trains or arrive late on your first day.
START WITH
How to Book China High-Speed Train Tickets as a Foreigner
More transport guides →
🎟️
Bookings & Tickets
Attractions, Forbidden City, hotel passport check-in, and advance reservations.
Read this if you booked hotels or attractions online.
START WITH
Do All Hotels in China Accept Foreigners?
More booking guides →
🚑
Emergency Backup
Start with medical help, then save passport backup and Chinese emergency phrases offline.
Read this if you want offline backup before something goes wrong.
START WITH
What If You Get Sick in China?
More emergency guides →
Prefer one organized guide instead of another open tab?
The China Arrival Handbook brings the essential setup, arrival steps and recovery guidance into one phone-readable PDF.
Solved one question? Check the rest of your arrival system.
The 2-minute Readiness Check shows which gaps remain across payment, connectivity, transport, bookings, and emergency backup.
Tip: save key setup steps offline before your flight.
NOT SURE WHAT TO READ FIRST?
Take the 2-Minute China Readiness Check
Get your top setup gaps before you spend time reading every guide.
FAQ
Quick questions
▶
Which guide should I read first?
If this is your first trip to China, start with payment, Alipay setup, eSIM, and essential apps. If you are unsure, take the China Readiness Check to see your biggest gaps.
▶
Do I need Alipay, WeChat Pay, or both?
Many visitors start with Alipay because it is often easier to set up for tourist payments. WeChat Pay can still be useful as a backup.
▶
Is the Handbook required?
No. The free guides help you understand what to check. The Kit is for travelers who want setup steps, screenshots, checklists, offline cards, and backup plans organized in one place.
China Travel Guides
Get China-Ready Before You Land
Start with a specific question, then use the Readiness Check to see what else in your plan may need attention.
Popular first-trip questions
What are you trying to fix?
Can I pay without a Chinese bank account?
Will Visa or Mastercard work in China?
Do all hotels accept foreigners?
What if I get sick in China?
Pick a question, or use the Quick Start paths below.
China Travel Guides
Get China-Ready Before You Land
Start with a specific question, then use the Readiness Check to see what else in your plan may need attention.
Popular first-trip questions
What are you trying to fix?
Can I pay without a Chinese bank account?
Will Visa or Mastercard work in China?
Do all hotels accept foreigners?
What if I get sick in China?
Pick a question, or use the Quick Start paths below.
QUICK START
Pick your biggest concern
Choose one path, then jump into the guides that match your trip risk.
💳
Payment & Apps
Alipay, WeChat Pay, Visa/Mastercard, eSIM, and essential apps.
Read this if you are not sure whether you can pay after landing.
START WITH
How to Pay in China Without a Chinese Bank Account
More payment guides →
Apps & Internet guides →
🚆
Transport
High-speed rail, 12306, Trip.com, stations, and first-day movement.
Read this if you plan to use trains or arrive late on your first day.
START WITH
How to Book China High-Speed Train Tickets as a Foreigner
More transport guides →
🎟️
Bookings & Tickets
Attractions, Forbidden City, hotel passport check-in, and advance reservations.
Read this if you booked hotels or attractions online.
START WITH
Do All Hotels in China Accept Foreigners?
More booking guides →
🚑
Emergency Backup
Start with medical help, then save passport backup and Chinese emergency phrases offline.
Read this if you want offline backup before something goes wrong.
START WITH
What If You Get Sick in China?
More emergency guides →
Prefer one organized guide instead of another open tab?
The China Arrival Handbook brings the essential setup, arrival steps and recovery guidance into one phone-readable PDF.
Solved one question? Check the rest of your arrival system.
The 2-minute Readiness Check shows which gaps remain across payment, connectivity, transport, bookings, and emergency backup.
Tip: save key setup steps offline before your flight.
ALL GUIDES
China Travel Setup Guides
Short, practical guides for the setup details that can make or break your first day in China.
FIRST-TIME VISITOR PATH
1
Payment
2
Internet & Apps
3
Transport
4
Bookings
5
Emergency Backup
Need the step-by-step version?
The Handbook includes setup screenshots, checklists, and offline cards.
Filter by topic:
All
Payment
Apps & Internet
Transport
Bookings
Emergency
Payment
01. How to Pay in China Without a Chinese Bank Account
Alipay, WeChat Pay, foreign cards, cash, and backup payment options.
Best for: tourists unsure how they will pay after landing
Read guide →
Payment
02. Alipay vs WeChat Pay for Tourists
Compare setup, card linking, QR payments, and backup use.
Best for: choosing your main payment app
Read guide →
Payment
03. How to Set Up Alipay Before Arriving in China
Check Alipay login, card setup, SMS, QR payment actions, mobile data, and backup payment before departure.
Best for: travelers preparing Alipay before landing
Read guide →
Payment
04. Will Visa or Mastercard Work in China?
Learn when direct international-card payment may work, how app-linked cards differ, and what to do if a card is declined.
Best for: travelers planning to use foreign cards in China
Read guide →
Apps & Internet
05. China eSIM Guide: What to Check Before You Buy
Compare China travel eSIM, roaming, and physical SIM options, then check device support, activation, SMS, plan limits, and backup before buying.
Best for: choosing a China connection plan before departure
Read guide →
Apps & Internet
06. Essential Apps for China Travel: Download Before You Fly
Choose and prepare a China travel app stack for payment, maps, translation, rides, trains, bookings, and optional local services, with iPhone, Android, and offline backups.
Best for: building a first-day China app stack before departure
Read guide →
Transport
07. How to Book China High-Speed Train Tickets as a Foreigner
Book China high-speed rail with a foreign passport, from 12306 identity verification and ticket release to waitlist status, manual gates, and travel-day backup.
Best for: taking domestic mainland China trains
Read guide →
Transport
08. 12306 vs Trip.com: Which Is Better for Foreign Tourists?
Compare 12306 and Trip.com by passport setup, final cost, payment, ticket issuance, refunds, and post-booking support.
Best for: choosing how to book domestic mainland China train tickets
Read guide →
Bookings
09. China Attractions You Must Book in Advance
Check which China attractions need advance reservation and how to verify the passport record, admission status, time slot, entrance, and fallback.
Best for: building an itinerary around high-priority mainland China attractions
Read guide →
Bookings
10. How to Book Forbidden City Tickets as a Foreigner
Book through the official Palace Museum portal, match the passport record, confirm the reservation result, and prepare for Meridian Gate entry.
Best for: planning a Palace Museum visit in Beijing
Read guide →
Bookings
11. Do All Hotels in China Accept Foreigners?
Understand China’s hotel policy, passport registration, non-hotel stays, after-midnight booking, deposits, and what to do if check-in is refused.
Best for: booking their first hotel night in mainland China
Read guide →
Emergency
12. What If You Get Sick in China? A Foreigner’s Emergency Plan
Prepare for calling 120, choosing a hospital route, communicating essential information, paying for care, using insurance, and keeping claim records.
Best for: preparing for illness, injury, or an unexpected hospital visit in mainland China
Read guide →
Emergency
13. What to Do If You Lose Your Passport in China
Obtain the correct loss certificate, replace the passport or travel document, complete China-side formalities, and update the trip safely.
Best for: preparing for or responding to the loss or theft of an ordinary passport in mainland China
Read guide →
Emergency
14. Essential Chinese Emergency Phrases for Foreign Visitors
Save mainland China emergency numbers, Chinese help phrases, exact-location wording, and offline backup that still works without data or the main phone.
Best for: preparing a fast, offline emergency communication backup for mainland China
Read guide →
Bookings
15. China Visa-Free Entry vs 240-hour Transit
Compare mainland China’s ordinary visa-free rules and 240-hour transit by passport, date, purpose, A / B route, ticket, port, stay area, and on-site review.
Best for: deciding how to enter mainland China before buying non-refundable tickets
Read guide →
Apps & Internet
16. Will Google, WhatsApp and Gmail Work in China?
See how Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Google Maps, roaming, and travel eSIM routes behave in mainland China, then prepare local apps, SMS, and offline backups.
Best for: relying on Google services or WhatsApp and need a working first-day backup
Read guide →
Transport
17. How to Use DiDi in China as a Foreigner
Prepare the correct DiDi China app, foreign phone number, payment, destination, pickup point, vehicle checks, driver messages, order support, and taxi backup.
Best for: planning to use DiDi in mainland China
Read guide →
Transport
18. Can You Bring a Power Bank on Flights in China?
Check the flight segment, CCC mark, recalled model or batch, watt-hours, quantity, cabin packing, onboard-use rules, and security backup.
Best for: carrying a power bank on a mainland China flight or domestic connection
Read guide →
NOT SURE WHAT TO READ FIRST?
Take the 2-Minute China Readiness Check
Get your top setup gaps before you spend time reading every guide.
The 2-Minute China Readiness Check
Answer 10 practical questions about payment, mobile access, transport, bookings and emergency backup. You’ll receive a readiness score, your top gaps and the China Arrival Readiness Checklist.
How will you pay after landing?
Choose the option closest to your current setup.
FAQ
Quick questions
▶
Which guide should I read first?
If this is your first trip to China, start with payment, Alipay setup, eSIM, and essential apps. If you are unsure, take the China Readiness Check to see your biggest gaps.
▶
Do I need Alipay, WeChat Pay, or both?
Many visitors start with Alipay because it is often easier to set up for tourist payments. WeChat Pay can still be useful as a backup.
▶
Is the Handbook required?
No. The free guides help you understand what to check. The Kit is for travelers who want setup steps, screenshots, checklists, offline cards, and backup plans organized in one place.
China Travel Guides
Get China-Ready Before You Land
Start with a specific question, then use the Readiness Check to see what else in your plan may need attention.
Popular first-trip questions
What are you trying to fix?
Can I pay without a Chinese bank account?
Will Visa or Mastercard work in China?
Do all hotels accept foreigners?
What if I get sick in China?
Pick a question, or use the Quick Start paths below.
China Travel Guides
Get China-Ready Before You Land
Start with a specific question, then use the Readiness Check to see what else in your plan may need attention.
Popular first-trip questions
What are you trying to fix?
Can I pay without a Chinese bank account?
Will Visa or Mastercard work in China?
Do all hotels accept foreigners?
What if I get sick in China?
Pick a question, or use the Quick Start paths below.