01 / Before booking
Check your entry permission.
Your passport nationality, purpose, stay length and route determine which rules apply. Check the Chinese embassy or consulate serving you and the National Immigration Administration before paying for non-refundable travel.
Visa-free entry and visa-free transit have different conditions. Under the 240-hour transit rules, eligible travelers need a qualifying onward journey to a third country or region and must follow the permitted ports and stay areas. A simple return trip is not the same itinerary. Do not assume a route in this guide qualifies.
Check passport validity, any required visa, arrival documentation and your allowed departure date for your own circumstances.
02 / Money
Set up payments, with a backup.
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and follow the current identity and international-card prompts. Confirm your bank can authorize payments abroad and that you can receive verification messages.
Carry a physical card and some RMB cash too. International cards are not accepted by every merchant; app fees, limits and supported cards vary. See the official payment guide for overseas visitors.
03 / Your phone
Arrange data before landing.
Compare your carrier’s roaming with a local SIM or compatible travel data plan. Ask the provider about device support, coverage, activation and whether calls or SMS are included. A data-only plan may not receive verification codes.
Some familiar websites and apps may be unavailable on mainland networks, as described in the UK travel advice on internet access. Download a translation pack, useful maps and booking confirmations before departure. Save your hotel’s Chinese name, address and phone number offline.
For a local SIM, bring your passport to an operator’s service office. The official practical guide covers SIM registration and mobile services.
04 / Getting around
Book the right station and the right name.
China Railway 12306 has an English website and supports passport bookings. Complete identity verification, use the passenger’s document details exactly, and carry the same original passport for the journey.
Read the full station or airport name. “North,” “South,” “East” and “West” can mean a different part of the city. Allow time for transfers, security and finding the boarding gate; check the operator’s check-in deadline.
For a taxi or ride-hailing pickup, use the official queue or the app’s specified pickup point. Keep the destination in Chinese and confirm the vehicle details.
05 / Your first night
Confirm your hotel and registration.
Check the exact property address, check-in time, cancellation conditions and how it handles your travel documents before booking. Keep the confirmation available offline and bring your passport to reception.
Hotels handle accommodation registration. If you stay in a private home or elsewhere outside a hotel, you or your host must arrange registration with local police within 24 hours of arrival. Ask the local authority or host which registration channel applies. See the official residence-registration guidance.
06 / The days out
Reserve your must-see sights.
Check each attraction’s official booking page for release dates, opening days, time slots and passport requirements. A booking for one attraction may not cover a neighboring square, park, cable car or museum branch.
Put one essential sight at the center of each day and keep alternatives nearby. Carry the original ID used to book. Our destination guides highlight the details to check.
07 / Small things that help
Prepare for everyday moments.
Bring a plug adapter and check your charger’s voltage range. Pack comfortable walking shoes, a refillable bottle and clothing suited to each destination. Check airline rules before packing batteries or liquids.
Keep dietary needs and allergies written in Chinese, including ingredients in sauces and stock. Ask before photographing people, follow signs in religious spaces and keep voices low in quiet areas. Start with a simple hello and thank you.
Save your insurer’s assistance number and consulate details. In mainland China, call 110 for police, 119 for fire, and 120 for an ambulance. These numbers are listed in the official emergency guide.