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.
Getting Around (Didi & the Metro)
- •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.
Connectivity & Navigation
- •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).
Visa & Entry
- •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).
Essential Apps to Install
- •Alipay — payments + Didi mini-program + metro ride code.
- •WeChat Pay — the other payment giant.
- •Amap (高德) or Baidu Maps — navigation.
- •A translation app (e.g. Google Translate / Apple Translate) — menus and signs.
- •Trip.com / Ctrip — hotel and train booking in English.
Staying Safe
- •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.