a couple of men standing on top of a roof

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?

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.

🚆

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.

🎟️

Bookings & Tickets

Attractions, Forbidden City, hotel passport check-in, and advance reservations.

Read this if you booked hotels or attractions online.

🚑

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.

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 →

Payment

19. China Tax Refund 2026: Get 9% or 6% Back

Check whether a store and purchase qualify, compare standard vs instant refund, estimate the net refund, and avoid airport mistakes.

Overseas visitors planning tax-refundable shopping in mainland China

Read guide →

Payment

20. Shanghai Tax Refund 2026: Best Malls & Airport Counters

Find refund-friendly Shanghai shopping areas, citywide instant-refund counters, and PVG/SHA departure locations without searching thousands of stores.

Overseas visitors planning tax-refundable shopping in Shanghai

Read guide →

Payment

21. Beijing Tax Refund 2026: Where to Shop & Get an Instant Refund

Find Beijing shopping areas, centralized instant-refund points, smart refund options, and PEK/PKX departure guidance.

Overseas visitors planning tax-refundable shopping in Beijing

Read guide →

Payment

22. JD.com Tax Refund 2026: Shop Online & Get VAT Back

Find eligible JD.com products, prepare payment, deliver to your hotel, and complete the tourist tax-refund process.

Foreign visitors who want online tax-refundable shopping during a China trip

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 →

Payment

19. China Tax Refund 2026: Get 9% or 6% Back

Check whether a store and purchase qualify, compare standard vs instant refund, estimate the net refund, and avoid airport mistakes.

Overseas visitors planning tax-refundable shopping in mainland China

Read guide →

Payment

20. Shanghai Tax Refund 2026: Best Malls & Airport Counters

Find refund-friendly Shanghai shopping areas, citywide instant-refund counters, and PVG/SHA departure locations without searching thousands of stores.

Overseas visitors planning tax-refundable shopping in Shanghai

Read guide →

Payment

21. Beijing Tax Refund 2026: Where to Shop & Get an Instant Refund

Find Beijing shopping areas, centralized instant-refund points, smart refund options, and PEK/PKX departure guidance.

Overseas visitors planning tax-refundable shopping in Beijing

Read guide →

Payment

22. JD.com Tax Refund 2026: Shop Online & Get VAT Back

Find eligible JD.com products, prepare payment, deliver to your hotel, and complete the tourist tax-refund process.

Foreign visitors who want online tax-refundable shopping during a China trip

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.

Question 1 of 10
Payment

You just ordered your first meal. The cashier points to a QR code. What happens next?

This checks whether your daily payment setup can work in a normal low-help situation.

Tap an option to continue

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.

🚆

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.

🎟️

Bookings & Tickets

Attractions, Forbidden City, hotel passport check-in, and advance reservations.

Read this if you booked hotels or attractions online.

🚑

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.

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.

a couple of men standing on top of a roof

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?

Pick a question, or use the Quick Start paths below.

a couple of men standing on top of a roof

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?

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.

🚆

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.

🎟️

Bookings & Tickets

Attractions, Forbidden City, hotel passport check-in, and advance reservations.

Read this if you booked hotels or attractions online.

🚑

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.

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 →

Payment

19. China Tax Refund 2026: Get 9% or 6% Back

Check whether a store and purchase qualify, compare standard vs instant refund, estimate the net refund, and avoid airport mistakes.

Overseas visitors planning tax-refundable shopping in mainland China

Read guide →

Payment

20. Shanghai Tax Refund 2026: Best Malls & Airport Counters

Find refund-friendly Shanghai shopping areas, citywide instant-refund counters, and PVG/SHA departure locations without searching thousands of stores.

Overseas visitors planning tax-refundable shopping in Shanghai

Read guide →

Payment

21. Beijing Tax Refund 2026: Where to Shop & Get an Instant Refund

Find Beijing shopping areas, centralized instant-refund points, smart refund options, and PEK/PKX departure guidance.

Overseas visitors planning tax-refundable shopping in Beijing

Read guide →

Payment

22. JD.com Tax Refund 2026: Shop Online & Get VAT Back

Find eligible JD.com products, prepare payment, deliver to your hotel, and complete the tourist tax-refund process.

Foreign visitors who want online tax-refundable shopping during a China trip

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.

Question 1 of 10
Payment

You just ordered your first meal. The cashier points to a QR code. What happens next?

This checks whether your daily payment setup can work in a normal low-help situation.

Tap an option to continue

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.

a couple of men standing on top of a roof

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?

Pick a question, or use the Quick Start paths below.

a couple of men standing on top of a roof

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?

Pick a question, or use the Quick Start paths below.

Your practical guide to payments, connectivity, transport, bookings, and emergencies in China.

Specialized China Visit Support

  • Private trip preparation

  • Signature China experiences

  • Business & trade visits

© 2026 SinoSurvival. All rights reserved.

SinoSurvival provides general travel-preparation information. Requirements, app features, and service availability may change. Always verify time-sensitive details with the relevant official provider.

Specialized China Visit Support

  • Private trip preparation

  • Signature China experiences

  • Business & trade visits

© 2026 SinoSurvival. All rights reserved.

SinoSurvival provides general travel-preparation information. Requirements, app features, and service availability may change. Always verify time-sensitive details with the relevant official provider.

Your practical guide to payments, connectivity, transport, bookings, and emergencies in China.

Your practical guide to payments, connectivity, transport, bookings, and emergencies in China.

Specialized China Visit Support

  • Private trip preparation

  • Signature China experiences

  • Business & trade visits

© 2026 SinoSurvival. All rights reserved.

SinoSurvival provides general travel-preparation information. Requirements, app features, and service availability may change. Always verify time-sensitive details with the relevant official provider.