Essential Toolkit
Everything you need to prepare for your China adventure. Get ready before you land with our comprehensive guides.
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Visa Guide
Get your travel authorization sorted
📄 Tourist Visa (L Visa)
Required for most Western travelers
Documents Needed:
- Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
- Completed visa application form
- Passport-style photo
- Proof of travel (flight & hotel bookings)
- Visa fee (~$140 for US citizens)
⏱️ 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Perfect for short visits! Available for transit through specific regions.
- •6 days in Shanghai/Jiangsu/Zhejiang
- •6 days in Beijing/Tianjin/Hebei
- •Must show proof of onward travel
- •Available to 53 nationalities
💡 Application Tips
- 1Apply 1-2 months before your trip
- 2Use CVASC (Chinese Visa Application Service Center)
- 3Processing takes 4-7 business days
- 4Single-entry visa valid for 3 months
SIM Card & eSIM
Stay connected from day one
Recommendation: Get eSIM Before You Travel
Activate before you land and have internet access the moment you arrive. No need to find a SIM kiosk or deal with language barriers at the airport.
📲 eSIM Providers
Most convenient - activate before you travel
🏪 Physical SIM Card
Buy at airport or in city
🛫 At the Airport (Easiest)
Look for kiosks after baggage claim. Staff speak English.
- •China Unicom: Best for travelers (good 4G, reasonable prices)
- •China Mobile: Widest coverage
- •Cost: ~¥100-200 ($15-30) for 7-30 days
💡 Pro Tips:
- Bring your passport for registration
- Test the SIM before leaving the counter
- Ask staff to help you set up VPN if needed
Payment Setup
Set up mobile payments before you arrive
⚠️ Critical: Set Up BEFORE You Travel
Alipay and WeChat Pay require linking your foreign credit card. Do this at home while you can still receive verification SMS codes from your bank.
🔵 Alipay (支付宝)
RecommendedMost widely accepted
- 1Download "Alipay" from App Store/Google Play
- 2Sign up with your phone number
- 3Go to "Me" → "Bank Cards" → "Add Card"
- 4Link Visa/Mastercard (may need passport)
- 5Enable "Tour Pass" for international payments
Transaction fee: ~3%
🟢 WeChat Pay (微信支付)
Alternative option
- 1Download "WeChat" app
- 2Sign up and verify phone number
- 3Go to "Me" → "Services" → "Wallet"
- 4Link foreign credit card
- 5Complete identity verification
Transaction fee: ~3%
💵 Cash & Cards Backup Plan
Credit Cards
- • Visa/Mastercard accepted at hotels
- • Many restaurants don't accept cards
- • Notify your bank of travel plans
💴Cash (RMB)
- • Bring $100-200 to exchange
- • Exchange at airport or banks
- • Small bills helpful for markets
ATMs
- • Bank of China ATMs reliable
- • Withdrawal fee: ~¥15-30
- • Check with your bank on fees
Essential Apps
Download these before you travel
📥 Download Before You Go
Some apps may not be available in your home country's app store. If that's the case, you can download them once you arrive in China (you'll have 72 hours on eSIM to set everything up).
Amap (高德地图)
Must-HaveGoogle Maps alternative for China. English interface available. Offline maps downloadable. Essential for navigation.
Didi (滴滴)
Must-HaveChinese Uber. English version available. Pay with cash or Alipay. Safer and more reliable than street taxis.
Pleco
Must-HaveBest Chinese-English dictionary. Camera translation for menus/signs. Offline mode available. Lifesaver for communication.
Alipay / WeChat Pay
Mobile payment (see Payment section above)
Trip.com
Book trains, flights, hotels (English interface)
VPN
ExpressVPN or Astrill (if needed for Google/Instagram)
Google Translate
Download Chinese offline pack before you travel
Packing Checklist
Check off items as you pack
Documents
- Passport (6+ months valid)
- Chinese visa or printed visa approval
- Flight tickets (printed & digital)
- Hotel bookings (printed & digital)
- Travel insurance certificate
- Driver's license (if renting cars)
- Passport photos (spare)
Electronics
- Phone with unlocked SIM slot
- Power bank (10,000mAh+)
- China power adapter (Type A/C/I)
- USB charging cables
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Portable WiFi device (optional)
Health & Medication
- Prescription medications (original bottles)
- Cold/flu medicine
- Imodium (anti-diarrheal)
- Pain relievers (ibuprofen/acetaminophen)
- Band-aids & antiseptic
- Hand sanitizer
- Face masks (for poor air quality days)
Clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light layers (weather varies)
- Rain jacket/umbrella
- Modest attire for temples
- Swimwear (hotels have pools)
- Quick-dry underwear (laundry slow)
💡 Cultural Packing Tips
Do Bring:
- •Toilet paper (public toilets may not have)
- •Small gifts for hosts (souvenirs from home)
- •Business cards (if traveling for work)
Don't Bring:
- •Drones (restricted without permit)
- •Satellite phones (restricted)
Emergency Language Cards
Show these to locals when you need help
📱 Save for Offline Access
Take screenshots of these cards or print them out. You might not have internet when you need them!
请帮助我
Qǐng bāngzhù wǒ
Please help me
我要去火车站
Wǒ yào qù huǒchē zhàn
I want to go to the train station
请带我去机场
Qǐng dài wǒ qù jīchǎng
Please take me to the airport
我不会说中文
Wǒ bù huì shuō Zhōngwén
I don't speak Chinese
请给我看菜单
Qǐng gěi wǒ kàn càidān
Please show me the menu
这个多少钱
Zhège duōshǎo qián
How much is this?
请不要放肉
Qǐng bùyào fàng ròu
Please no meat (vegetarian)
不要太辣
Bùyào tài là
Not too spicy
Print these cards and carry them with you for emergencies
Real-World Scenarios
Quick guides for common situations
How to Order Food (Like a Local)
✨ The Secret: Point and Smile
Most restaurants have menus with photos. Just point at what looks good!
Step 1: Find Your Dish
- 1.Point at the photo and say "Zhège" (这个) - "this one"
- 2.Use fingers to show quantity (1, 2, 3...)
- 3.Smile and say "Xièxie" (谢谢) - "thank you"
Step 2: No Photos? No Problem!
- • Use Google Translate camera to translate the menu
- • Point at what other tables are eating
- • Ask for "mén cài" (门菜) - the house specialty
- • Feeling adventurous? Try "sui biàn" (随便) - "surprise me!"
Step 3: Pay the Bill
In China, you usually need to ask for the bill. Go to the counter or say "Mǎidān" (买单 - "check please").
Taking Taxis & Ride-Hailing
✨ Best Option: Use Didi App
The Chinese Uber with English interface. Safer and more reliable than street taxis.
Using Didi (Recommended)
- Open Didi app and set your destination
- Choose "Express" (cheapest option)
- Show driver pickup location on map
- Pay automatically through Alipay/WeChat
Street Taxis
- • Wave hand (red light on dashboard = available)
- • Have destination written in Chinese
- • Say: "Qù zhèlǐ" (去这里) - "go here" (show address)
- • Insist on meter: "Dǎ biǎo" (打表)
- • Pay cash or Alipay at end
Shopping & Making Payments
Mobile Payment (The QR Code Dance)
- Open Alipay or WeChat Pay
- Tap "Scan" (扫一扫)
- Scan merchant's QR code
- Enter amount and confirm
- Show confirmation screen
Bargaining at Markets
Where to Bargain:
Street markets, souvenir shops, night markets
Where NOT to Bargain:
Malls, supermarkets, restaurants, chain stores
- • Start at 50% of asking price
- • Be friendly and smile
- • Say: "Tài guì le" (太贵了) - "too expensive"
- • Walk away slowly - they may call you back
Ready to Start Planning?
Now that you're prepared, explore our detailed city guides or take our quiz to find your perfect destination.