China can feel surprisingly easy to travel once you have the right things set up.
The trains are fast, public transport is excellent, mobile payments are everywhere, and getting around major cities is generally straightforward.
The main adjustment for first-time visitors is that China has its own digital ecosystem.
Google Maps isn’t the best navigation tool. Visa and Mastercard aren’t accepted everywhere as physical cards. Many everyday services run through Alipay or WeChat. And some international websites and apps aren’t directly accessible on normal mainland Chinese internet connections.
None of this is particularly difficult, but it helps to prepare before you arrive.
Here are the things I would sort out before a first trip to China.
Before You Travel to China
You don’t need to spend weeks preparing for China, but there are a few things that are much easier to deal with before your flight.
Check Your Visa or Visa-Free Eligibility
China’s entry rules have become much easier for many international visitors, but the exact rules depend on your nationality and itinerary.
Some nationalities can currently enter China visa-free for short visits.
China also has a 240-hour visa-free transit policy for eligible travelers passing through China on the way to a third country or region.
These are different policies.
For example, a route such as:
United States → China → Japan
may qualify for visa-free transit if you meet the other requirements.
A simple return trip such as:
United States → China → United States
is not the same type of transit itinerary.
Visa and visa-free policies change, so check the current rules from China’s National Immigration Administration or the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for your country before booking.
Also check the passport-validity requirements that apply to your particular entry method rather than assuming one rule applies to everyone.
Install Your Important Apps Before You Leave
Don’t wait until your first evening in China to start setting up your phone.
Before departure, install:
- Alipay
- Amap
- Didi
- Trip.com
- China Railway 12306
- A translation app
- Your eSIM app, if using one
- Your VPN apps, if needed
Register your accounts and complete any identity verification while you’re still at home.
This is particularly important if an app needs an SMS code or email verification.
Make Sure You Can Receive Verification Codes
Keep access to the phone number and email address connected to your important accounts.
You may need them for:
- Alipay
- Banking apps
- VPN accounts
- Airline apps
- Hotel bookings
A little preparation here can save a lot of frustration after landing.
How to Pay in China
For everyday travel in China, the two payment apps that matter most are:
Alipay and WeChat Pay.
Mobile payment is deeply integrated into daily life.
You’ll see QR codes at restaurants, convenience stores, taxis, attractions, cafés and plenty of very small businesses.
For a foreign visitor, the most practical setup is:
Alipay + WeChat Pay + a little RMB cash
Set Up Alipay Before Your Trip
For many first-time visitors, Alipay is the easiest payment app to start with.
Before leaving home:
- Download Alipay.
- Register with your international phone number.
- Complete identity verification if requested.
- Add your supported international bank card.
- Make sure you can access the payment screen.
International cards such as Visa and Mastercard can be linked to supported Chinese mobile-payment services.
Once set up, Alipay is useful for far more than simply paying in shops.
Depending on the service and city, it can also help with:
- Ride-hailing
- Metro transport
- Mini apps
- Attraction services
- Food and travel services
Set Up WeChat Pay Too
I wouldn’t travel to China with Alipay alone.
Set up WeChat as well.
WeChat is used for messaging, customer service, restaurant mini programs, hotel communication and countless other everyday interactions.
After creating your WeChat account, set up WeChat Pay and add your international bank card.
Having both apps gives you a backup if one payment method fails.
Do You Still Need Cash?
Yes, but cash is better thought of as a backup, not your main payment method.
QR payments are extremely common, even at many small shops and street vendors.
Still, carrying a few hundred RMB can be useful if:
- Your phone battery dies
- Your card is declined
- Alipay or WeChat Pay stops working
- You lose mobile data
- A particular payment doesn’t go through
Chinese RMB cash remains legal tender.
Can You Just Use Visa or Mastercard?
Sometimes, but don’t depend on it.
International hotels, airports, larger shopping centers and some higher-end businesses may accept foreign cards directly.
Plenty of everyday restaurants, cafés and smaller businesses do not.
It’s much more useful to have your Visa or Mastercard linked to Alipay and WeChat Pay than to expect every merchant to have a terminal that accepts the physical card.
What About Alipay and WeChat Pay Fees?
Fees, limits and promotions for international cards can change.
Instead of relying on an old blog post quoting a fixed fee structure, check the amount and any service fee shown inside the payment app before confirming a larger transaction.
For most normal travel spending, the important thing is simply to have both apps set up before arrival.
Internet Access in China
Internet access is one of the main differences foreign visitors notice after arriving.
Services including Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube are not directly accessible on normal mainland Chinese internet connections.
You have several ways to stay connected.
Travel eSIM
A travel eSIM is one of the easiest options for a short trip.
You can buy and install it before departure, then activate it when you arrive.
Depending on how the provider routes its traffic, some international travel eSIMs can provide access to overseas services without using the internet in exactly the same way as a local Chinese SIM.
But don’t assume every China eSIM works identically.
Check:
- Mainland China coverage
- Data allowance
- Speed limits
- Hotspot support
- Network routing
- Whether it includes a phone number
Many travel eSIMs are data-only and do not give you a Chinese +86 phone number.
International Roaming
Your normal mobile carrier may also offer roaming in China.
It’s convenient because you keep your existing SIM and phone number.
The main downside is price.
Check roaming packages before departure rather than accidentally paying your carrier’s standard daily or per-megabyte rate.
Chinese SIM Card
Foreign visitors can buy Chinese SIM cards using a passport at service outlets operated by China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom.
A local SIM can be useful if you want:
- A Chinese phone number
- Local calls
- Domestic SMS messages
- Plenty of local mobile data
The tradeoff is that a normal local Chinese mobile connection is still subject to China’s regular internet restrictions.
VPN
If you need Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube or international work services, a VPN may be part of your setup.
The important thing is to install it before arriving in mainland China.
China VPN performance changes frequently, and some well-known international VPN brands don’t work consistently.
I also recommend having more than one option installed.
See my current testing here:
Best VPN for Travel to China in 2026
Essential Apps for China Travel
China becomes much easier once you have the right apps.
You don’t need twenty of them.
For a normal first trip, these are the ones that matter most.
Amap — Maps and Navigation
Amap, also known as Gaode Map, is one of the most useful apps you can install for China.
It now provides multilingual services, including English.
You can use it for:
- Walking directions
- Metro routes
- Bus routes
- Driving
- Cycling
- Finding restaurants
- Finding attractions
- Ride-hailing
- Checking travel times
For navigation inside mainland China, I would use Amap rather than relying on Google Maps.
Alipay — Payments and More
Alipay is useful enough that it belongs in almost every visitor’s setup.
Apart from payments, it contains mini apps and services that can help with transport and travel.
Set it up before departure and add your international card.
WeChat — Payments and Communication
WeChat is useful even if nobody you know at home uses it.
Hotels, businesses, tour operators and local contacts may communicate through WeChat.
Its mini programs are also widely used.
And, of course, WeChat Pay gives you a second major mobile-payment option.
Didi — Ride-Hailing
Didi is China’s main ride-hailing platform.
For visitors who don’t speak Chinese, it’s much easier than trying to explain an address verbally to a taxi driver.
Enter your destination in the app and the driver already knows where you’re going.
Didi services can also be accessed through some other Chinese apps.
Trip.com — Hotels, Flights and Trains
Trip.com is particularly convenient for foreign visitors because it has a familiar international interface.
You can use it for:
- Hotels
- Flights
- High-speed trains
- Attractions
- Airport transfers
For many first-time travelers, it’s easier to use than navigating several Chinese-only booking platforms.
China Railway 12306 — Train Tickets
12306 is the official China Railway booking platform.
Foreign travelers can register using a valid foreign passport and buy train tickets after completing the required identity verification.
Trip.com is often easier for beginners, while 12306 is worth having if you’re traveling extensively by train.
Translation Apps
Download a translation app and an offline Chinese language pack before leaving home.
Camera translation is particularly useful for:
- Menus
- Signs
- Instructions
- Product labels
Don’t worry about speaking perfect Chinese.
Translation apps plus a little patience will get you surprisingly far.
Dianping — Finding Restaurants
Dianping is extremely useful for finding restaurants, cafés and local businesses.
Even if you don’t read Chinese, the photos, ratings, location information and price ranges can help.
For food-focused travelers, it’s worth experimenting with once you arrive.
Getting Around China
China has one of the easiest long-distance transport systems to use once you understand how the ticketing works.
High-Speed Trains
For travel between major cities, high-speed rail is often the best option.
Routes such as:
- Beijing → Xi’an
- Shanghai → Hangzhou
- Shanghai → Suzhou
- Chengdu → Chongqing
are particularly easy by train.
Foreign travelers can buy tickets through 12306 or platforms such as Trip.com.
Bring the Passport You Used to Book
Train tickets are linked to your identification document.
Bring the original passport used for the reservation.
Foreign travelers can use automatic or manual ticket-check gates depending on the station and whether the passport can be read successfully.
If the automatic gate doesn’t recognize your passport, simply use the staffed lane.
You don’t normally need to collect a paper ticket.
Arrive Early for Your First Train
Chinese railway stations can be huge.
For your first high-speed train, arriving around 30–45 minutes before departure is a sensible buffer.
You’ll need time for:
- Security
- Finding the correct waiting area
- Passport checks if required
- Getting to the boarding gate
Once you understand the system, it becomes very straightforward.
Metro Systems
Major Chinese cities have excellent metro networks.
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing and Xi’an are all much easier to explore by metro than by car during busy periods.
Depending on the city, you may be able to use:
- A transport QR code in Alipay
- A transport QR code in WeChat
- A physical metro ticket
- Other supported payment options
If the QR-code setup feels complicated, buying a normal single-journey ticket at the station is perfectly fine.
Didi and Taxis
Didi is usually the easiest option when the metro doesn’t take you close enough.
It’s particularly useful when traveling with luggage.
Using an app also avoids having to pronounce Chinese hotel or attraction names correctly.
Domestic Flights
China is enormous.
For longer distances, flying may make more sense than taking a train.
For example, a route between Shanghai and far western China may be much more practical by air.
For shorter journeys between neighboring major cities, high-speed rail is often more convenient once you include airport travel and security time.
Hotels in China
Booking accommodation in China is generally straightforward.
You can use platforms such as Trip.com as you would in other countries.
You may still see old travel advice claiming that only certain hotels are “allowed” to accept foreigners.
That is outdated as a general rule.
However, smaller properties may have less experience handling foreign passports, so booking through a large platform can still make check-in simpler.
Hotel Registration
When you stay at a hotel, the hotel handles the required accommodation registration using your passport information.
You normally don’t need to visit a police station yourself.
Staying With Friends or in Non-Hotel Accommodation
This is different.
If you stay somewhere other than a hotel, such as a friend’s home or certain private accommodation, accommodation registration is still required.
The standard requirement is to complete it within 24 hours after arrival at the accommodation.
The procedure can vary by location, and online registration services are being introduced in parts of China.
If you’re staying outside a normal hotel, check the current local procedure.
Food and Ordering Without Chinese
Eating in China without speaking Chinese is easier than many first-time visitors expect.
Restaurants often have:
- Picture menus
- QR-code menus
- WeChat mini-program menus
- Display dishes
- Staff who can help through a translation app
A camera-translation app is useful when the menu is Chinese-only.
If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, prepare the relevant Chinese text on your phone before your trip.
Don’t rely on trying to explain a serious allergy from scratch in a busy restaurant.
Toilets in China
You’ll encounter both squat toilets and Western-style seated toilets.
Seated toilets are generally easier to find in places such as:
- Airports
- Shopping malls
- Newer railway stations
- International hotels
- Higher-end restaurants
Squat toilets are still common in public facilities and some tourist areas.
Carry Tissues
It’s a good idea to keep a small pack of tissues with you.
Toilet-paper availability varies, particularly in older or more basic public toilets.
Hand sanitizer is useful too.
This is one of those small things that takes almost no space in your bag and occasionally becomes very valuable.
Can You Drink Tap Water in China?
For travelers, the simplest rule is:
Don’t drink tap water directly.
Drink:
- Bottled water
- Properly filtered water
- Boiled water
Hotels commonly provide bottled water or a kettle.
Hot drinking water is also widely available at railway stations and other public facilities.
Do You Tip in China?
Generally, no.
China does not have the same tipping culture as the United States.
You normally don’t need to tip:
- Restaurant staff
- Taxi drivers
- Didi drivers
- Hotel staff
There are exceptions in parts of the tourism industry, especially private guides or services aimed specifically at international visitors, but tipping is not expected in normal daily transactions.
Keep Your Passport Accessible
Your passport is more important during a China trip than it may be in some other countries.
You may need the original document for:
- Hotels
- High-speed trains
- Domestic flights
- Certain ticketed attractions
- SIM-card registration
Keep it secure, but don’t leave it somewhere inaccessible on a day when you know you’ll need it.
A photo or photocopy is useful as a backup, but it doesn’t necessarily replace the original when official identification is required.
Emergency Numbers in China
Save these before your trip:
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 110 |
| Fire | 119 |
| Ambulance / First Aid | 120 |
| Immigration Information | 12367 |
12367 is the National Immigration Administration service hotline and is useful for questions involving entry, visas, stay and immigration procedures.
It is not a substitute for the emergency numbers above.
If your passport is lost, report the loss to the local police and contact your country’s embassy or consulate for assistance.
A Few Everyday Things That Surprise First-Time Visitors
Your Phone Becomes Your Wallet
Your phone is used for almost everything:
- Payments
- Maps
- Taxis
- Translation
- Tickets
- Restaurant menus
- Communication
Carry a power bank if you’ll be out all day.
Check airline and rail rules before traveling with one, especially product-label and capacity requirements.
English Varies a Lot
You’ll find plenty of English signage in major airports, train stations and tourist attractions.
Spoken English is much less predictable.
This isn’t normally a major problem if you have Amap and a translation app.
Don’t Expect Google Maps to Be Your Main Map
Download Amap before departure.
This one change alone makes getting around China considerably easier.
Smoking Is Still More Visible Than in Some Countries
Smoking restrictions apply in many indoor public places and on public transport, but actual smoking culture can vary between cities and venues.
High-speed trains are strictly non-smoking.
China Is Very Mobile-First
Don’t be surprised if a restaurant expects you to scan a QR code rather than receive a paper menu.
The same idea applies to tickets, transportation, shopping and many services.
Once Alipay and WeChat are working, this usually becomes convenient rather than difficult.
Best Cities for a First Trip to China
China is too large to try to see everything on one trip.
For a first visit, these are some of the easiest places around which to build an itinerary.
Beijing
Best for the Great Wall, Forbidden City and imperial history.
For a first trip, Beijing is difficult to skip.
The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Great Wall can easily fill three or four days.
One thing to know: some major Beijing attractions require advance booking, so don’t leave everything until you arrive.
Shanghai
Best for a first look at modern urban China.
Walk along the Bund, explore the former French Concession, visit Yu Garden and see the city skyline after dark.
Shanghai is also a useful base for easy side trips to Suzhou and Hangzhou.
Xi’an
Best for ancient history and the Terracotta Warriors.
The Terracotta Army is the obvious reason to visit, but the old City Wall and the city’s food scene make Xi’an worth more than a quick stop.
It’s easy to reach by high-speed train from Beijing.
Chengdu
Best for pandas, Sichuan food and a slower pace.
The giant pandas get most of the attention, but Chengdu is also a good place to experience tea houses, Sichuan cuisine and a more relaxed urban atmosphere.
Give it time rather than treating it only as a panda stop.
Chongqing
Best for dramatic city views and hotpot.
Chongqing is built across steep hills around the Yangtze and Jialing rivers.
Its layered roads, bridges, monorail, night views and dense high-rise neighborhoods make it feel very different from Beijing or Shanghai.
It’s also only a short high-speed train ride from Chengdu.
Guilin and Yangshuo
Best for classic karst scenery.
The landscape around Guilin and especially Yangshuo is one of the most recognizable rural views in China.
This is a good choice if your itinerary has become too city-heavy.
Zhangjiajie
Best for dramatic mountain scenery.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is known for its towering sandstone pillars.
It’s spectacular, but requires more planning than a normal city stop because accommodation location, park entrances and transport all matter.
A Good First-Time China Route
If you have around two weeks, don’t try to visit ten places.
A route like this is much easier:
Beijing → Xi’an → Chengdu or Chongqing → Shanghai
This gives you:
- Imperial history
- The Great Wall
- High-speed rail
- Ancient China
- Sichuan food
- Modern megacities
If nature is more important to you, replace one city with Zhangjiajie or Guilin/Yangshuo.
China rewards slower travel.
Four well-chosen destinations are usually better than eight cities where you spend half the trip checking into hotels.
First-Time China Checklist
Before leaving home, make sure you have:
- Checked your visa or visa-free eligibility
- Checked your passport requirements
- Installed Alipay
- Added your international card to Alipay
- Installed WeChat
- Set up WeChat Pay
- Installed Amap
- Installed Didi
- Installed Trip.com and/or 12306
- Downloaded a translation app
- Installed your eSIM if using one
- Installed and tested your VPNs if needed
- Confirmed access to your email and phone number
- Downloaded offline entertainment
- Saved hotel names and addresses
- Saved emergency numbers
- Packed a small amount of RMB cash
- Packed tissues
- Packed a suitable power bank
FAQ
Is China Difficult for First-Time Tourists?
Not particularly, once your phone is set up.
The main learning curve is mobile payments, Chinese apps and internet access.
Transportation between major cities is generally excellent.
Should I Set Up Alipay or WeChat Pay?
Set up both.
Alipay is a good starting point for payments, while WeChat is also extremely useful for communication and mini programs.
Having both gives you a backup.
Do I Need Cash in China?
It’s worth carrying some RMB as a backup, but most daily payments in major cities are handled through Alipay or WeChat Pay.
Can I Use Visa or Mastercard in China?
International cards are accepted directly at some hotels, airports, shopping centers and larger businesses.
For daily travel, it’s much more useful to link your supported foreign card to Alipay and WeChat Pay.
Does Google Maps Work in China?
Google services are not directly accessible on a normal mainland Chinese internet connection.
For navigation, Amap is a much better choice inside China and now offers multilingual services including English.
Do I Need a VPN in China?
If you need services such as Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube on a normal mainland Chinese internet connection, you’ll need to prepare an appropriate internet-access solution.
If you’re planning to use a VPN, install it before arriving.
See:
Should I Buy an eSIM or a Chinese SIM?
It depends on your priorities.
A travel eSIM is usually easier for a short trip and can be set up before arrival.
A Chinese SIM gives you a local phone number and can be useful for longer stays.
Some travelers use both.
Can Foreigners Stay in Any Hotel in China?
Old advice about hotels needing special permission to accept foreigners is no longer a good general rule.
Hotels handle accommodation registration for foreign guests at check-in.
Smaller properties may simply be less experienced with foreign passports, so booking through a major platform can make things easier.
Do Foreigners Need to Use a Manual Gate at Chinese Train Stations?
Not always.
Foreign travelers can use their original passport to enter through automatic or manual ticket gates.
If the automatic gate doesn’t recognize your passport, use the staffed lane.
Is English Widely Spoken in China?
It varies.
Major airports, railway stations and tourist attractions generally have useful English signage.
You should not assume restaurant staff, taxi drivers or people in smaller cities will speak English.
Amap and a translation app solve most practical problems.
Is China Safe for Tourists?
China’s major tourist destinations are generally easy to travel around, but normal travel precautions still apply.
Protect your passport and phone, use official transport services where possible, and call 110 for police assistance in an emergency.
Final Thoughts
A first trip to China can look complicated when you’re researching it from abroad.
There are different apps, different payment habits, different maps and a different internet environment.
But most of the preparation comes down to a handful of things:
Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay.
Download Amap.
Sort out your internet access before your flight.
Keep your passport accessible when you need it.
Use high-speed trains between nearby major cities.
Once those basics are handled, traveling around China is much easier than it first appears.
And don’t try to see the whole country in one trip.
Pick a few places, leave some room in the itinerary, and spend more time actually exploring them.