China Travel Checklist
Review the practical essentials before departure, after arrival, and before major travel days in China.
Quick answer
Before departure
Set up the essentials before you fly. These are the items that make the biggest difference during your first days in China.
Payments
Prepare at least one mobile payment method and one backup payment option.
- Link your bank card to Alipay or WeChat Pay.
- Test your payment setup before departure if possible.
- Bring at least one backup payment method.
- Do not rely only on cash or foreign bank cards.
Mobile data & internet
Choose how you will stay connected before relying on maps, QR codes, or payment apps.
- Choose between roaming, eSIM, or a local SIM card.
- Check whether your roaming plan or eSIM works in China.
- Make sure you can receive SMS verification codes if needed.
- Prepare access to maps, translation, payment, and messaging tools.
Useful apps
Install important apps before arrival, especially if app stores or verification steps are harder later.
- Install payment, map, translation, ride-hailing, and booking apps.
- Save login details and check SMS verification before departure.
- Download offline maps or screenshots for important addresses.
- Keep enough phone storage and bring a charger or power bank.
Documents and bookings
Keep your passport details and booking confirmations easy to access.
- Keep your passport, visa, and booking confirmations easy to access.
- Check hotel booking details and check-in rules.
- Save important addresses in Chinese and English.
- Save reservation numbers and QR codes offline.
After you arrive
Start with a few quick checks to confirm that the basics are working before you begin sightseeing.
Check your phone setup
Confirm mobile data, maps, and messaging tools before leaving the airport or hotel.
- Confirm that mobile data is working properly.
- Check that maps and translation tools can open normally.
- Save your hotel name and address in Chinese.
- Take screenshots of key addresses and booking confirmations.
Test payment apps
Make a small payment early so you know your payment setup works.
- Test Alipay or WeChat Pay with a small purchase.
- Confirm that QR-code payment works.
- Keep your backup card or cash available.
- Check whether your card issuer blocks overseas transactions.
Get familiar with local transport
Try one simple metro, taxi, or DiDi route before a busy travel day.
- Check the nearest metro station to your hotel.
- Save your hotel address for taxi or DiDi rides.
- Learn the basic difference between metro, taxi, DiDi, train, and flight routes.
- Leave extra time for station entrances, security checks, and transfers.
Before moving between cities
City-to-city travel in China is usually efficient, but stations, airports, and boarding steps can take time.
High-speed rail days
Prepare your passport, station name, train time, and boarding information before leaving the hotel.
- Check the exact departure station, not only the city name.
- Keep your passport ready for ticket and identity checks.
- Arrive early enough for security and boarding gates.
- Save train number, departure time, and station name in Chinese.
Domestic flight days
Domestic airports can be large, and security rules may affect your luggage.
- Check airport terminal and departure time before leaving.
- Keep batteries and power banks in carry-on luggage.
- Leave enough time for airport security and bag drop.
- Save airline confirmation and passport details offline.
Hotel transfer days
Changing cities usually also means luggage, transport, and check-in timing.
- Check hotel check-in time and luggage storage options.
- Save the next hotel address in Chinese.
- Plan how to get from the station or airport to the hotel.
- Avoid scheduling too many attractions on transfer days.
Before visiting attractions
Many famous attractions use real-name booking, time slots, QR codes, or passport checks.
Ticket and entry check
Prepare the right booking information before you arrive at the entrance.
- Check whether the attraction requires advance booking.
- Confirm opening day and time slot.
- Use your passport name exactly when booking.
- Save your ticket QR code or confirmation offline.
On-the-day preparation
Small details can make attraction days much smoother.
- Bring your passport if the attraction requires identity checks.
- Check walking distance, weather, and expected crowds.
- Bring water, tissues, and a charged phone.
- Leave time for queues, security checks, and large scenic areas.
Emergency backup
Prepare simple backup information so you can solve problems faster if something goes wrong.
Important numbers and contacts
Keep emergency numbers and local support information easy to find.
- Save 120 for ambulance, 110 for police, and 119 for fire.
- Save your hotel phone number and address.
- Save emergency contacts offline.
- Keep travel insurance details and emergency assistance numbers available.
Offline backup
Do not depend on internet access for every important detail.
- Save screenshots of hotel addresses, tickets, train details, and flight details.
- Keep a digital copy of your passport in secure storage.
- Write down key addresses in Chinese if needed.
- Carry a backup payment method and a power bank.