Before You Go

The essentials every foreign traveler needs before landing in China — payments, connectivity, apps, and entry.

Mobile Payments (Alipay & WeChat Pay)

•China is nearly cashless — Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted almost everywhere.
•Foreign visitors can link a Visa / Mastercard / Amex card to Alipay or WeChat Pay in the app (Payments → Add Card). No Chinese bank account needed.
•Set this up BEFORE you arrive if you can — you’ll need the app installed and your foreign phone verified.
•Keep some cash as a backup (¥500–1000). Small vendors and taxis sometimes only take cash.
•ATMs at major banks accept foreign cards; look for machines with Visa/Mastercard logos.

•Didi (China’s Uber) requires a Chinese phone number to sign up. Workarounds: use the Didi mini-program inside Alipay, or ask your hotel to book a ride.
•Taxis are plentiful in cities — always use the meter or the app, never agree to a fixed “tourist” price.
•Metro: buy single-journey tickets at the machine (cash/card) or scan a ride code in Alipay (Transport → Metro). Many cities now accept contactless Visa/Mastercard at the gates.
•High-speed rail (12306 app): buy tickets with your passport number; pick up paper tickets at the station if needed.

•Google Maps, Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and many Western sites are BLOCKED in mainland China.
•Buy an eSIM or travel SIM with a data plan BEFORE you go — this is the single most important prep step.
•Use Amap (高德) or Baidu Maps for navigation — they work offline-ish and are in English if your phone is set to English.
•A VPN installed before arrival lets you keep using Google/WhatsApp/Instagram.
•Hotels, cafés and airports offer free WiFi (usually needs a Chinese phone number to connect; ask the front desk).

•Bring your passport — it is your ID for hotels, trains, and attractions.
•Many countries now enjoy visa-free entry (15–30 days). Check the latest policy for your nationality before booking.
•Hotels register foreign guests with the police automatically — no action needed, but keep your registration slip.
•Carry your passport with you; it’s required at some tourist sites (e.g. Tiananmen Square).

•China is very safe for travelers — violent crime is extremely rare. Use normal street-smarts.
•Ignore touts offering “tea ceremonies”, “art students” or “cheap tours” — see each city’s Scam Guide.
•Drink bottled or boiled water; tap water is not potable.

Our dedicated payment guide covers Alipay and WeChat Pay setup for foreigners step by step, card by card.

A full guide to booking train tickets with a foreign passport — 12306 vs Trip.com, verification, stations and boarding.

Our honest eSIM vs SIM vs roaming comparison — real prices, which options reach Google, and the routing rule that settles every claim.