Alipay
Link a supported international card, complete any identity checks and test a small payment while you still have easy access to your bank.
BEFORE YOU GO
Prepare at home.
Land with less friction.
Check entry, insurance and health guidance, set up the apps you will use, and pack the practical details that are harder to solve after take-off.
Mainland China · Last reviewed 11 September 2026
EXPLORE BY TOPIC
The useful work to do before take-off.
10-MINUTE SETUP
Ready before take-off.
Six small preparations remove most of the friction from your first day. Your progress stays on this device.
0 / 6READY
MUST-HAVE APPS
Download before
you fly.
Scan a code with your phone camera, or tap it if you are already on mobile. Store availability depends on your account region, so install these before departure—especially on Android.
China Railway 12306
Use the official railway service for real-name tickets. Register with the passport you will carry, or use its English website if that is easier.
Messages, calls & payments
Stay in touch with guides, hotels and local contacts, and set up WeChat Pay before departure.
Scan or tap 
Scan or tap Food, restaurants & local services
Meituan
Find places and order delivery. Some screens and merchant content may still appear in Chinese.
Scan or tap 
Scan or tap Ride-hailing in Mainland China
DiDi
Choose DiDi China for its English interface, international phone-number login and international cards.
Scan or tap 
Scan or tap Maps, routes & live transport
AMap Global
Plan local routes and keep your hotel and destination names saved in Simplified Chinese.
Scan or tap 
Scan or tap Google Play is generally unavailable on standard Mainland China networks. Android travellers should download and sign in before arrival.
THE ESSENTIALS
Prepare the parts
that can change.
Entry, connectivity and health advice can be time-sensitive. Start with the short answer, then open the detail and current official source.
Recommended now2 minBEFORE YOU FLY
Entry & arrival
Entry permission is passport-, purpose-, route- and date-specific. Check the official rule when you book and again before departure.How to do it
- Visa or visa-free entryUse China’s National Immigration Administration or your nearest Chinese embassy. Visa-free transit has its own passport, port, onward-route and permitted-area conditions.
- Arrival cardChina’s official online arrival card is free. Paper and border facilities remain available; avoid third-party sites that ask for a fee.
- Accommodation registrationHotels register guests at check-in. For a private home or other non-hotel stay, you or your host must register locally within 24 hours.
If this does not work
Check current guidance · National Immigration Administration Hong Kong and Macao use separate immigration systems. Returning to Mainland China counts as a new entry.
Recommended now2 minEVERYDAY ESSENTIAL
Money & payments
China is mobile-first. Set up a wallet before departure, then carry RMB cash and a physical card as backups.How to do it
- Set up two walletsRegister Alipay and/or WeChat Pay with your international number, passport and supported card. Finish identity verification before you travel.
- Keep three ways to payUse a mobile wallet, a small amount of RMB in smaller notes, and a physical card from a second account or network.
- Expect exceptionsA foreign-linked card may not work with every merchant QR code or mini-program. International cards work best at major hotels and larger stores.
If this does not work
Check current guidance · China Government payment guide If a scan fails, try the other wallet, cash, a physical card or an ATM showing your card network.
Recommended now2 minSTAY CONNECTED
Phone, internet & apps
Choose your connection before departure and download the tools you need while your usual app store and logins are easy to reach.How to do it
- Roaming or travel eSIMUsually simplest on arrival. Access to your usual services depends on how the provider routes data, so confirm coverage and activation before paying.
- Local SIMUseful when a Chinese phone number is required. Buy from an official carrier outlet with your passport; mainland network restrictions apply.
- Install before you flyPrepare Alipay, WeChat, Meituan, AMap Global, DiDi, China Railway 12306 and offline Simplified Chinese translation. Many international services are unavailable on standard mainland networks.
If this does not work
Check current guidance · China Government visitor guide Screenshot tickets, QR codes, hotel details and activation instructions. Never depend on one app or one connection.
Recommended now2 minSMALL DETAILS, BIG DIFFERENCE
Power, time & insurance
Check your devices, plan in one national time zone and carry insurance details you can reach without a signal.How to do it
- PowerMainland China uses 220V at 50Hz and several socket shapes. Bring a universal adapter, then read each device label to see whether it also needs a voltage converter.
- TimeAll Mainland China schedules use China Standard Time (UTC+8), including rail and flights in the far west. Keep that setting visible when crossing regions.
- InsuranceChoose cover appropriate to your route, activities, health and possible medical evacuation. Save the policy, assistance number and claim steps offline.
If this does not work
Check current guidance · China Government visitor guide Carry one paper copy of your policy and key contacts separately from your phone, and ask your insurer what to do before paying for non-urgent treatment.
Recommended now2 minSTAY WELL
Health, safety & emergencies
Carry insurance details and essential medication, know the key phone numbers and contact your local support team early.How to do it
- Before travelAsk a travel-health professional about vaccines at least a month ahead. Pack medicine in original packaging with a prescription or doctor’s letter.
- Stay insuredChoose cover for treatment, evacuation and repatriation. Hospitals may ask for payment or a deposit before treatment.
- Stay street-smartWatch belongings in crowds, decline unsolicited tea-house or bar invitations, avoid restricted photography and remember that drug laws are extremely strict.
If this does not work
Check current guidance · UK foreign travel advice for China Call 110 for police, 119 for fire, 120 for an ambulance or 12367 for 24/7 immigration help. English cannot be assumed everywhere.
PACK SMART
The small things
that solve big problems.
Passport and entry evidenceInsurance and prescriptionsUnlocked phone and chargerUniversal power adapterRMB cash and two cardsComfortable walking shoesWeather layersTissues and hand sanitiser
DOMESTIC FLIGHT CHECK
Taking a flight inside China?
Tell us and we will show the current power-bank rule.
ACCESS IS PERSONAL
Tell us what support makes travel work for you.
Step-free access, lifts, bathrooms, seating and sensory conditions vary by venue. We confirm the route—not just the label.
Reviewed, not frozen in time. Entry rules, app services and transport requirements can change. Open the official source inside each card before departure.