Documents
- Passport valid for at least six months and with blank pages.
- Visa or visa-free/transit eligibility confirmed in writing.
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation.
- First hotel booking, address in Chinese, and onward ticket.
- Copies of passport, visa and insurance in cloud and paper.
Money and apps
- Install Alipay and/or WeChat, verify your identity, link a card.
- Carry a backup card and some cash in RMB.
- Download a translation app with offline Chinese.
- Download an offline map and save key addresses.
- Install DiDi or another ride-hailing app if available.
Health and packing
Bring prescription medicine in original packaging, a basic first-aid kit, power adapter, portable charger and any specific dietary items you cannot find locally. Check the weather for your first city; layers work better than one heavy coat.
Reality check
The things you forget are usually boring: a backup card, an offline address, medicine in hand luggage.
Local tip: Pack a small “first night” pouch with charger, adapter, toothbrush and one change of clothes.
Step by step
- Check passport validity and visa/visa-free eligibility.
- Buy insurance and save the policy offline.
- Book the first two nights and long-distance transport.
- Set up payments and a data plan.
- Save hotel addresses in Chinese and offline maps.
- Pack medicine, adapter and a small amount of cash.
Typical costs
| Item | Cost / note |
|---|---|
| Insurance | US$20–80 for a short trip |
| eSIM/SIM | US$10–30 |
| Airport transfer | US$5–40 |
| Emergency cash | US$100–300 equivalent |
Prices are indicative and change. Confirm with the official provider before paying.
Documents to prepare
- Passport/visa
- Insurance policy
- Hotel booking
- Onward ticket
- Prescription medicine list
Common mistakes
- No Chinese payment app and no cash.
- No offline map or Chinese address.
- Packing medicine in checked luggage.
- Assuming a foreign SIM will work everywhere.
If things go wrong
- If your card fails, switch to cash and call the bank; do not keep retrying.
- If your phone dies, use the hotel address card and ask staff to call a taxi.
FAQ
Do I need a local SIM?
A local SIM/eSIM gives you a Chinese number for deliveries, taxis and some registrations. Roaming works for short trips but can be expensive.
How much cash should I carry?
A few hundred RMB as backup is sensible; most payments are mobile.
Do I need a power adapter?
Yes, China uses 220V and Type A/I plugs; check your devices.
First 72 hours: the field guide
The first three days are mostly logistics: documents, a working phone, a bed and a registered address. Get those right and the rest of the trip becomes much easier.
Before you land
Keep one offline folder with your passport photo page, visa, insurance, first hotel address in Chinese and onward ticket. Put the hotel address on your lock screen or a paper card. If you take prescription medicine, keep it in hand luggage with the prescription; checked bags get delayed.
At the airport
Complete the arrival card before the queue. Use the foreign-passport lane unless a staff member directs you elsewhere. After baggage, choose the red customs channel if you have anything to declare: food, plants, large cash, restricted medicine or commercial samples. The green channel is only for nothing-to-declare.
The first evening
Buy or activate a data plan, test a small mobile payment, and confirm that the hotel has registered your passport. If you are staying privately, ask the host about police-station registration before you unpack. Save the local emergency numbers and your embassy contact.
Quick checks
- Passport, visa and hotel address offline
- Working data plan and one payment app
- Registration confirmed at hotel or police station
- Cash backup and a second card
- Embassy and 120/110 numbers saved
Printable checklist
Print this page or save it as a PDF. Tick each item before you go.
- Passport/visa
- Insurance policy
- Hotel booking
- Onward ticket
- Prescription medicine list
- Check passport validity and visa/visa-free eligibility.
- Buy insurance and save the policy offline.
- Book the first two nights and long-distance transport.
- Set up payments and a data plan.
- Save hotel addresses in Chinese and offline maps.
- Pack medicine, adapter and a small amount of cash.
This guide is a practical summary, not an official or legal document. Rules and prices change. Use the official links below, and confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
Last verified 2026-10-29. China Handbook is independent and not affiliated with any government. Information is provided for general guidance only.