Payments, internet, apps, visa, trains — everything to set up before China feels easy.
Do these at home, when your passport, card, app stores, and backup options are still easy to manage.
China now offers 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of 50 countries. This guide covers who qualifies, what the 240-hour transit policy allows, and what you need to know before arrival.
Read guideChina introduced a digital arrival card in November 2025 that you can complete online before you fly. The paper card is still accepted at the border, but filing online in advance is faster. Here is how to fill it in, which app to use, and who is exempt.
Read guideHow to choose a China eSIM, when to install it, and what backup plan foreign travelers should keep before landing.
Read guideA practical guide to mobile data, Wi-Fi, blocked services, and app preparation for foreign travelers visiting mainland China.
Read guideHow foreign travelers can set up Alipay before China, link an overseas card, complete verification, and avoid common payment failures.
Read guideWhen foreign tourists should set up WeChat Pay, how it differs from Alipay, and what to check before relying on it in China.
Read guideThe essential China travel apps to download before departure, covering payments, maps, transport, translation, bookings, and communication.
Read guideHow foreign travelers should book hotels in China, check foreign-guest acceptance, and avoid arrival-night check-in problems.
Read guideHow foreign travelers should book tickets for major China attractions, including passport requirements, official channels, and English-platform workarounds.
Read guideAirport, ride-hailing, and payment backup decisions for the first few hours on the ground.
How to choose between metro, airport express, taxi, Didi, and hotel transfers after landing in a Chinese city.
Read guideNot all hotels in China accept foreign guests. Here is how to find the ones that do, what the check-in process actually looks like, and what happens if you stay with friends.
Read guideHow foreign travelers can use Didi for taxis and ride-hailing in China, including payment setup, pickup points, and airport mistakes to avoid.
Read guideHow much cash foreign travelers should carry in China, when it still helps, and why mobile payment should remain the primary setup.
Read guideHigh-speed rail, big stations, metro systems, and map habits that make city-to-city travel much calmer.
How foreign travelers can buy China high-speed rail tickets, choose booking platforms, enter passport details, and avoid station-name mistakes.
Read guideBuying a ticket is only half the process. This guide covers everything that happens at the station: security, passport verification, waiting halls, ticket gates, and the timing that keeps travelers from missing trains.
Read guideGoogle Maps works in China but its data is significantly less accurate than domestic alternatives. This guide explains the map gap, how to use Amap as a foreigner, and how to get around Chinese cities without getting lost.
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