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Pre-departure check

China travelChecklist

The most common problems for first-time visitors to China involve entry, internet, payments, maps, and transport. Prepare in this order and you'll be ready to move the moment you land.

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Trip timeline

One spine, five phases.

  1. Phase 1Before bookingVisa-free check, dates, passport validity
  2. Phase 27 days beforeeSIM, payments, apps, hotel address
  3. Phase 324 hours beforeScreenshots, offline maps, backup VPN
  4. Phase 4ArrivalImmigration, route choice, eSIM data on
  5. Phase 5First 72 hoursLive payment test, transit pass, fallbacks

Category view — same items, grouped by topic

Entry documents

  • Check passport validity (6+ months)
  • Confirm visa-free eligibility and purpose of visit
  • Save return ticket or onward ticket offline
  • Save hotel booking confirmation offline

Internet

  • Buy a China-compatible eSIM before departure
  • Save QR code and setup instructions offline
  • Install and test a VPN before you leave if needed
  • Verify access to WhatsApp, Gmail, and map apps

Payments

  • Install Alipay and link a foreign card
  • Set up WeChat Pay as a backup
  • Carry some RMB cash for emergencies
  • Unblock international payments on your card

Getting around

  • Install Baidu Maps or Amap
  • Check Didi or Alipay taxi feature
  • Prepare train bookings via 12306 or Trip.com
  • Save your hotel address in Chinese

How we compare providers

  • We list eSIM providers that publicly advertise a China-mainland plan and either route through international gateways or document VPN-like behavior.
  • Prices, data caps and validity copy come from the provider's own product page. We mark every record with a "last checked" date and re-verify before each report cycle.
  • We never claim that a provider definitely bypasses China's firewall. We describe what the provider documents and what travelers consistently report. Travelers should still install a backup VPN before leaving home.
  • Affiliate status is disclosed on every commercial link. We do not change provider ordering for higher commission. Provider ranking is based on price, transparency, hotspot support and traveler feedback.

Sources

Last updated: