China travel essentials
Practical guides for a smoother first trip to China.
Prepare payments, apps, airport transfers, documents, and your first day with guidance that shows when it was last verified.
Core guide
China Arrival Checklist for First-Time Visitors
A practical first-day checklist for landing in China: payment test, mobile data, hotel address, Didi or taxi backup, cash, and a light arrival plan.
Last verified: 2026-07-05
Core guide
How to Pay in China as a Foreigner
A first-timer checklist for foreign visitors using Alipay, WeChat Pay, bank cards, cash backup, bank accounts, and e-CNY expectations in China.
Last verified: 2026-07-11
Core guide
Essential China Apps for First-Time Visitors
The core apps to download before traveling to China, organized by before you fly, airport, hotel, first restaurant, and first taxi moments.
Last verified: 2026-07-05
Core guide
China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Guide
A practical, non-legal checklist for planning a China 240-hour visa-free transit itinerary, including passport, onward ticket, and city-route questions.
Last verified: 2026-07-05
Core guide
China Taxi and Didi Guide for Visitors
How to reduce taxi confusion in China with Chinese destination cards, app preparation, and simple driver-facing phrases.
Last verified: 2026-07-01
Core guide
Passport Requirements for Traveling to China
A U.S. traveler checklist for China passport validity, blank pages, visa-free transit documents, passport stamps, and hotel check-in.
Last verified: 2026-07-05
Quick answers
Answers to common setup questions.
Can Foreigners Use Alipay in China?
Yes. Foreign visitors can generally register Alipay with an overseas phone number and link eligible international cards, but verification and merchant support can vary.
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Does WeChat Pay Accept Foreign Cards?
Usually yes. WeChat Pay can accept eligible international cards for visitor merchant payments, with issuer verification and feature limitations.
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Can I Use a Visa Card in China?
Yes, but not everywhere. Visa works at many larger or visitor-focused merchants and can often fund mobile wallets; keep QR payment and cash backups.
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Do I Need Cash in China?
Usually you should carry some RMB cash as a backup, even if Alipay or WeChat Pay will be your main payment method.
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Can Tourists Use Didi in China?
Yes. Foreign tourists can use Didi Greater China with many overseas phone numbers and international cards, or hail rides through Alipay or WeChat.
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Do I Need a Chinese Phone Number for Alipay?
Usually no. Official guidance says foreigners can register Alipay with a foreign or Chinese mobile number, though some services may still require a mainland number.
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Alipay vs WeChat Pay for Tourists
Both can work with eligible international cards. Alipay is often a practical first setup; WeChat Pay is a useful second route for merchants and in-app services.
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China eSIM vs Local SIM: Which Is Better?
A travel eSIM is usually fastest for data; a passport-registered local SIM is better when you need a mainland number, calls, SMS, or number-dependent services.
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