Checklist/5 min read
China First Visit Checklist for Foreigners
Prepare documents, payments, mobile data and a Chinese hotel address. Follow a step-by-step plan from before departure to your first day in China.
Updated 2026-09-30Read guide ↗
Practical guides for your first visit
China travel, one step at a time.
Pay, get connected and find your way. Clear English guides for the things you need to do in China.
First visit? Start here →English guides · Practical steps
Everyday essentials
What do you need to do?
Choose a task. Find your next step.
I need to pay
Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash, foreign cards and payment failures.
I need a taxi
Use Didi, show your destination and handle airport pickups.
I need the metro
Metro apps, QR codes, ticket machines and transfer tips.
I need food delivery
Order to hotels, translate menus and understand delivery calls.
I need maps
Amap, Baidu Maps, Google Maps limitations and Chinese addresses.
I need a hotel
Book hotels, check in with a passport and solve front-desk issues.
I need internet
eSIM, roaming, Chinese phone numbers and SMS verification.
I just landed in China
A first-day path for airport, payment, taxi, hotel and food.
A good place to begin
Make the essentials feel familiar.
Payments/4 min read
How to Pay in China as a Foreigner
A practical payment overview for foreign visitors in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay, bank cards, cash, limits, setup tips and backup options.
Updated 2026-09-13Read guide ↗
Apps/6 min read
How to Use DiDi in China: English Setup and Taxi Booking
Set up DiDi in English, check Grab alternatives, choose the right pickup point and handle driver messages and payments in China.
Updated 2026-09-13Read guide ↗
Your pre-trip checklist Check off the things you have ready
0 / 9 ready. Saved on this device only.
Know what to install
A small toolkit for your trip.
Get to know your destination
Popular cities & transport maps
Shanghai 上海
Keep Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station separate. Use the metro map to choose your hotel connection.
AlipayDidiAmapTrip.com
Map & transport guide →Beijing 北京
Choose the correct airport and railway station first. The metro is extensive, but a cross-city transfer can add a substantial journey.
AlipayWeChatDidiAmap
Map & transport guide →Chengdu 成都
Tianfu and Shuangliu are different airports. For the reviewed route to Chongqing, start by looking for Chengdu East station.
AlipayDidiAmapMeituan
Map & transport guide →Chongqing 重庆
Choose a specific railway station and allow for steep streets. A short distance on a map can involve stairs, slopes or different road levels.
AlipayDidiAmapWeChat
Map & transport guide →Guangzhou 广州
Use the English metro map for the city and choose Guangzhou South for the reviewed high-speed corridor to Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
AlipayDidiAmapTrip.com
Map & transport guide →Shenzhen 深圳
Distinguish Shenzhen North, Futian and the airport. Hong Kong trips need separate border and document planning.
AlipayDidiAmapWeChat
Map & transport guide →Useful steps. Sources you can check.
Independent guides with source review dates, clear limitations and a backup plan when a step fails.