Guide

China Travel Checklist: Your First 72 Hours in China (2026)

A practical arrival guide — what to do in your first 72 hours in China, from the airport onwards.

Published July 24, 2026

Your First 72 Hours in China — A Practical Arrival Guide (2026)

By Mars · Based in Shenzhen · Last verified: July 2026 · Device: iPhone 17, iOS 26.5.1

Planning your first trip to China can feel overwhelming — visa rules, internet restrictions, payment apps, transport cards. There’s a lot to sort out before you land. This guide walks you through everything you need to handle in your first 72 hours, so you can skip the panic and get straight to exploring.

It’s also the hub for this site’s core guides. Each section links to a full tutorial where you need more detail.

✅ The 3 most important things to do before you board:

Set up a mobile payment option before departure, and keep RMB cash plus a physical card as independent backups.
If you plan to use a VPN, research the current rules and install and test it before departure; access and performance are not guaranteed.
Buy an eSIM for your destination — activate on arrival, skip the SIM card queue

Download the First 72 Hours Offline Pack

Print this four-page PDF or save it to your phone before departure. It includes a bilingual hotel address card, arrival order, airport transport checks, payment and network backups, offline phone preparation, emergency numbers and a notes area.

Download the printable PDF

PDF · 4 A4 pages · Selectable text · Updated August 2026

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Before You Leave Home
Hour 0–6: Arriving at the Airport
Hour 6–24: Getting Into the City
Hour 24–72: Getting Settled
Quick Reference Checklist
FAQ

Before You Leave Home

Most of the hard work happens before you board. The steps below take 1–2 hours total and will save you significant stress on arrival day.

✅ Sort Your Internet Access

Some international services may be unavailable on mainland networks, which can affect navigation, communication and bookings. You have two things to sort out:

1. An eSIM or local SIM for data
An eSIM is the cleanest option — buy online before departure, activate when you land, no SIM swapping required. Local SIM cards are available at airport counters from China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom, but queues can be long on busy arrival days.

2. Offline and connection backups
Download maps, translation tools and offline language data, hotel details and bookings. If you consider a VPN or another access tool, check current reliability, provider terms and applicable laws; do not assume it will work.

The full pre-departure checklist — broken down by 30 days out, 7 days out, 24 hours before, and arrival day — is on a separate page.
First Trip to China Checklist: What to Do Before You Fly →

FAQ — First 72 Hours in China

Do I need a VPN in China?

Many Google and international social or communication services may be unavailable on ordinary mainland China connections. Prepare the services you need before departure and keep important addresses, bookings, and contacts available offline. If you choose to use a VPN, check current rules and your provider’s guidance; availability and performance can change and are not guaranteed.

Can I use Google Maps in China?

Do not rely on Google Maps as your only map in mainland China. It may be unavailable on ordinary local connections, and some place, route, or coordinate data may be incomplete or misaligned. Prepare Amap or Apple Maps where supported, save the Chinese name and address of your first destination, and keep an offline copy before departure.

Can foreigners use Alipay and WeChat Pay in China?

Yes. Alipay and Weixin Pay support eligible international cards without a Chinese bank account. Supported card networks and verification steps vary, so follow the current app prompts and keep another payment method.

Do I need a visa to visit China?

Visa-free eligibility, permitted stay and entry purpose depend on your passport and current policy. Verify directly with China’s National Immigration Administration or the responsible Chinese embassy or consulate before booking.

Do I need to register with the police when staying in China?

If you stay at a hotel, they register you automatically. If you stay with a friend or in a private rental (including Airbnb), you must register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. Failure to do so is a legal violation.

Is cash still useful in China?

Cash is declining but not useless. Mobile payments (Alipay and WeChat Pay) dominate in cities. Keep ¥300–500 RMB as a backup for small vendors, rural areas, or emergencies. Check ATM and card fees before confirming a withdrawal and keep a second payment method.

The Complete China Travel Toolkit

This guide is the starting point. Each topic below has a full dedicated tutorial:

Written by Mars, based in Shenzhen. Last verified: July 2026. All steps personally tested on iPhone 17, iOS 26.5.1. Airport transit times and fares correct as of July 2026 — verify before travel as routes and prices change.