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China Essentials for Visitors

The five things to sort out before visiting China: how to pay, how to get online, whether you need a visa, which apps to install, and a few tips to avoid pitfalls.

ForFirst-time visitors to China Last updatedJune 2026

Travel in China works quite differently from many countries: almost everyone uses mobile payments, the internet sits behind the "Great Firewall," and visa rules have eased a lot in the past two years. The five sections below are the essentials to sort out before you go, ordered by importance.

01 · Payment

Mobile payments

Almost everyone in China pays by QR code; cash is rare. The good news: foreign cards can now be linked directly.

Link a foreign card to Alipay / WeChatAlipay / WeChat Pay

As of 2026, both Alipay and WeChat Pay let you link an overseas Visa, Mastercard, JCB or Diners card without a Chinese bank account. Verify your identity with a photo of your passport — it usually takes about 10 minutes.

Limits & feesLimits & Fees

Roughly ¥5,000 per transaction and ¥50,000 per year. Single payments under ¥200 are usually fee-free; above that, about 3% applies. More than enough for everyday meals and shopping.

Where it worksWhere it works

Restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, taxis and attractions in big cities almost all accept QR payment. Install and link your card before you land, and carry a little cash (small notes) for emergencies.

02 · Connectivity

Internet & VPN

Google, Instagram, WhatsApp and others are blocked by default in China — prepare ahead.

What's blockedThe Great Firewall

The whole Google suite (Search/Maps/Gmail/YouTube), Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, Netflix, Spotify and more are inaccessible by default.

Easiest: a travel eSIMTravel eSIM

A travel eSIM routed through international networks lets you use Google, Maps and WhatsApp directly, no VPN needed, and activates with just an email. Be sure to buy and install it before you leave.

Local SIM + VPNLocal SIM + VPN

A local SIM is still behind the firewall and needs a VPN — but VPN websites are mostly blocked inside China, so you can't install one there. Set up your VPN before you land. For navigation, use Amap/Baidu (Chinese).

03 · Visa

Visas & visa-free entry

Rules have eased a lot recently — many people can enter visa-free, but always confirm with official sources.

30-day visa-free entry30-Day Visa-Free

Citizens of about 50 countries can stay visa-free for 30 days (the UK and Canada were added in February 2026; this includes most of the EU, Australia/NZ, South Korea, Brazil and others, with most policies valid through the end of 2026). Enter with your passport + return ticket + hotel booking — no application needed.

240-hour transit visa-free240-Hour Transit

Citizens of 55 countries transiting through China to a third country can stay visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) at 65 designated ports, with a booked onward ticket to the third country.

Always verifyAlways Verify

Visa-free countries, ports and permitted areas change often. Before booking, rely on the latest notices from the Chinese embassy/consulate near you or the National Immigration Administration.

04 · Apps

Must-have apps

Install these and you'll get around China with ease.

Alipay / WeChatAlipay / WeChat

Payments, ride-hailing, food ordering, tickets and translation — nearly everything in one.

Amap / Baidu MapsAmap / Baidu Maps

The top choice for navigation in China, with accurate real-time transit (Google Maps mostly doesn't work).

DiDiDiDi

Ride-hailing with English support and in-trip translation; you can also hail a car inside Alipay.

Trip.com

Trains, hotels and flights with a friendly English interface — great for overseas travelers.

Translation appTranslation

Download offline packs in advance; photo translation of menus is very handy.

DianpingDianping

Local restaurant and shop reviews — your go-to for finding good food.

05 · Good to Know

Practical tips

A few small things that make the trip smoother.

Carry your passportCarry your passport

You'll need it for hotel check-in, trains, some attractions and verified payments — keep it on you and save a photo backup too.

Water & powerWater & Power

Don't drink tap water — drink bottled or boiled. The voltage is 220V with mostly two-flat-pin or three-pin sockets, so bring an adapter.

Tipping & emergenciesTips & Emergency

Tipping is generally not expected. Emergency numbers: police 110 · ambulance 120 · fire 119.

Ready? Draw a sign

Sort these out, and leave the rest to a little luck.

Draw a travel sign See all destinations

This page is a free info module. Policies and products change quickly — before traveling, rely on the latest information from official channels. Last updated: June 2026.