First Trip to China Checklist: What to Do Before You Fly (2026)

By Mars · Based in Shenzhen · Last verified: August 2026

This China travel checklist is designed for first-time visitors preparing for one of the most rewarding countries to explore — and one of the most demanding to prepare for. The internet works differently, payments work differently, and several things that are easy to set up at home become very difficult or impossible once you’re inside the country.

This checklist is built around one principle: do it before you board, not after you land. Work through it in order, starting 30 days out.

China Travel Checklist: Table of Contents

• 30 Days Before — Documents & Visas
• 14 Days Before — Apps & Payments
• 7 Days Before — Internet & Connectivity
• 48 Hours Before — Final Checks
• Day of Departure — At the Airport
• On Arrival — First 30 Minutes
• Printable Quick-Reference Checklist
• FAQ

30 Days Before — Documents & Visas

☐ Check Your Passport Validity

China requires your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay. Most airlines and immigration officers expect at least 6 months of validity beyond your departure date. Check now — passport renewals can take 4–6 weeks in many countries.

☐ Check Visa Requirements for Your Nationality

China has expanded visa-free access, but eligibility depends on your passport and itinerary. As of February 2026, nationals of 50 listed countries can use ordinary 30-day visa-free entry for eligible visits; US ordinary-passport holders are not on that list. Separately, eligible travelers — including US passport holders — may qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit when traveling onward to a third country or region through an eligible route. Check current official rules for your passport and exact itinerary before booking.

• Visa-free: Verify through your country’s Chinese embassy or official Chinese government sources
• Visa required: Apply at least 3–4 weeks before departure; processing times vary by country
• Visa-free transit: Check nationality, entry port, permitted area, onward ticket, and third-country or region requirements; it is different from ordinary visa-free entry

☐ Book Accommodation for Night 1

Have your first night’s accommodation confirmed before you fly. You may need the hotel’s address for immigration forms, transportation, or your arrival plans. Save the hotel name, telephone number, and address in Chinese.

Before booking, check the location, cancellation deadline, payment method, deposit terms, and passport check-in requirements. Read our complete guide to booking hotels in China as a foreigner.

☐ Get Travel Insurance

Not legally required, but strongly recommended. Medical costs in China can be high for uninsured foreigners. Make sure your policy covers:

• Medical treatment and hospitalisation
• Medical evacuation
• Trip cancellation and delays
• Theft and loss of belongings

☐ Notify Your Bank

Tell your bank you’re travelling to China. Some banks automatically block international transactions as a fraud precaution. A quick call or app notification prevents your card from being declined at the airport ATM on arrival.

14 Days Before — Apps & Payments

☐ Set Up Alipay

Alipay is widely used for everyday payments in China. Overseas visitors can register in the current Alipay app and may bind eligible international cards; supported card brands, identity checks, fees, and limits can vary.

• Download the current official Alipay app before departure
• Register with your mobile number and follow the identity-verification prompts shown
• Bind an eligible international card and complete any issuer verification
• Keep RMB cash or another payment method as a backup

📖 Full setup guide: How to Pay in China as a Foreigner — Alipay, WeChat Pay & Cards (2026)

☐ Set Up WeChat and WeChat Pay

WeChat is China’s all-in-one messaging, payments, and mini-programs platform. Even if you only use it for payments, it’s a critical backup to Alipay.

📖 Full setup guide: How to Pay in China as a Foreigner — Alipay, WeChat Pay & Cards (2026)

☐ Download All Essential Apps

Download and test the apps you rely on before departure. App availability, regional versions, sign-in requirements, and access to app stores can differ in mainland China.

📖 Full app list: Best Apps for China Travel — Complete 2026 Guide

☐ Order a Wise Card (Optional but Recommended)

A Wise card converts currency at the real mid-market rate with low, transparent fees. Use it at Chinese ATMs to withdraw RMB cash with significantly lower fees than a standard bank card. Order online — delivery takes 1–2 weeks in most countries.

7 Days Before — Internet & Connectivity

☐ Install and Test Your VPN

This is the single most important technical step. China blocks Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and most Western services. A VPN is how you access them.

Prepare before you board. Access to VPN websites and app stores may be restricted in mainland China. If you rely on a connectivity tool, install it, sign in, update it, and test it before departure; availability and reliability can change.

How to test properly:

• Connect to a VPN server
• Open Google — if it loads, the VPN is working
• Test on both Wi-Fi and mobile data
• Note your login credentials somewhere offline (not in Gmail — you won’t be able to access it without the VPN)

📖 Full connectivity guide: Internet Access in China for Tourists — eSIM, VPN & Roaming (2026)

☐ Buy Your eSIM

An eSIM is the cleanest way to get connected on arrival — no SIM card swapping, no airport counter queues. Buy online, receive by email, activate when you land.

• Check your phone supports eSIM (most phones from 2020 onwards do)
• Buy a plan that covers your destination cities and travel dates
• Save the activation QR code to your phone’s camera roll before you board

📖 Full connectivity guide: Internet Access in China for Tourists — eSIM, VPN & Roaming (2026)

☐ Book Train Tickets (If Travelling Between Cities)

China’s high-speed rail network is world-class. Popular routes — especially Beijing–Shanghai, Shanghai–Hangzhou, and Guangzhou–Shenzhen — sell out days or weeks in advance, particularly around public holidays.

• Book as early as tickets open (usually 15–30 days in advance)
• Use Trip.com or 12306.cn for international card payments
• Save your ticket confirmation with the booking reference number

📖 Full booking guide: How to Book China Train Tickets as a Foreigner (2026)

48 Hours Before — Final Checks

☐ Confirm All Apps Are Installed and Logged In

Open each app and confirm you’re logged in. Don’t just check the icon exists — actually open it:

• ✅ Alipay — open the current app and confirm your eligible card is linked
• ✅ WeChat — send a test message to confirm account is active
• ✅ VPN — connect and load Google to confirm it’s working
• ✅ DiDi — open and confirm payment method is linked
• ✅ Baidu Maps — search your destination hotel to confirm it loads

☐ Download Offline Maps

Download offline maps for your destination cities in both Baidu Maps and Apple Maps. If your data connection drops or your eSIM has a slow start, offline maps will still work.

☐ Save Key Information Offline

Save these to your phone’s Notes app or a screenshot — accessible without internet:

• Hotel name and address in Chinese characters (for taxi drivers)
• Hotel phone number
• Your flight details and booking reference
• Your VPN login credentials
• Emergency contacts
• Your travel insurance policy number and emergency hotline

☐ Prepare an RMB Cash Backup

RMB cash is an officially supported payment method. Bring a small amount if practical, or confirm that you can exchange currency or withdraw RMB at an ATM displaying your card network. Do not rely on a single card, app, ATM, or exchange counter.

☐ Check Your Flight and Arrival Terminal

Beijing (PEK vs PKX), Shanghai (PVG vs SHA), and Guangzhou (CAN) each have multiple airports. Confirm which airport and terminal you’re arriving at, and check which metro line serves it.

Day of Departure — At the Airport

☐ Charge All Devices

Charge your phone to 100% before you board. Long-haul flights drain batteries, and you’ll want full charge on arrival to activate your eSIM and navigate the airport.

☐ Confirm Your Connectivity Tools Are Ready

Before boarding, confirm that any connectivity tool you rely on is installed, updated, and signed in. Save the provider’s support details and your login information somewhere you can access offline.

☐ Prepare Your eSIM Installation Details

When the provider permits it, install the eSIM before departure without activating the travel plan. Otherwise keep the QR code on another device or on paper so your phone can scan it, and save the provider’s manual installation details offline.

☐ Have Your Documents Ready

• Passport (physical)
• Visa (if required — physical or digital depending on type)
• Return or onward ticket (screenshot or PDF)
• Hotel address for night 1 (in Chinese characters)
• Travel insurance documents

On Arrival — First 30 Minutes

☐ Activate Your eSIM

If the eSIM is already installed, follow the provider’s instructions to select the line, enable any required data roaming, and activate the plan at the correct time. Setup time and activation steps vary by provider and device.

☐ Connect Your VPN

Open your VPN app and connect. Test by loading Google. If it loads, you’re connected and can access all your usual apps.

☐ Message Someone at Home

Send a quick message to let someone know you’ve landed safely. WhatsApp works once your VPN is connected.

☐ Head to Immigration

Have your passport and arrival card ready. Some airports have gone paperless — follow staff instructions. Queue times at major hubs can be 30–60 minutes during peak periods.

☐ Withdraw RMB Cash at Airport ATM

Get ¥300–500 RMB (around USD 40–70) from an airport ATM. Use your Wise card if you have one to minimise fees. This cash covers you for the first day if any payment app has issues.

📖 Once you’re through the airport, follow the step-by-step arrival plan: Your First 72 Hours in China — A Practical Arrival Guide (2026) →

Printable Quick-Reference Checklist

Use this printable China travel checklist as a final pre-departure review.

FAQ — First Trip to China Checklist

How far in advance should I prepare for a trip to China?

Use this China travel checklist at least 30 days before departure if you need a visa. If you’re visa-free, 2 weeks is enough for most preparation. The critical items — VPN, Alipay, eSIM — can be done in a single afternoon but should not be left until the day before you fly.

Do I need to set up Alipay before I arrive in China?

Yes. Alipay setup is much easier outside China because you have unrestricted internet access. Inside China, the verification process can be slower and some steps require access to services that are blocked. Set it up at home and do a test transaction before you fly.

Can I buy a VPN after I arrive in China?

Access to VPN websites and app stores may be restricted in mainland China, so later installation cannot be relied on. If you use a connectivity tool, install it, sign in, update it, and test it before departure. Availability, legality, and reliability can change, so check current rules and provider guidance.

What documents do I need to enter China?

You need a valid passport (at least 6 months validity recommended), a return or onward ticket, and either a valid visa or confirmation that your nationality qualifies for visa-free entry. Some nationalities also need to show proof of accommodation for the first night.

Is it safe to use public Wi-Fi in China?

Public Wi-Fi in China is widely available but not recommended for sensitive tasks without a VPN. Many networks require a Chinese phone number to connect. An eSIM with a data plan is more reliable and more secure than relying on public Wi-Fi.

Do I need travel insurance for China?

Travel insurance is not legally required for most nationalities visiting China, but it is strongly recommended. Medical costs in China can be high for foreigners without insurance, and hospital staff outside major cities may not speak English. Make sure your policy covers medical evacuation.

Official Sources

• Chinese Embassy: Frequently Asked Questions on Visa-Free Entry into China (updated February 2026)
• Chinese Consulate-General: 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
• State Council: Payment Service Guide for Overseas Visitors to China

Related Guides

• 🕐 Your First 72 Hours in China — A Practical Arrival Guide (2026)
• 🌐 Internet Access in China for Tourists — eSIM, VPN & Roaming (2026)
• 💳 How to Pay in China as a Foreigner — Alipay, WeChat Pay & Cards (2026)
• 🚄 How to Book China Train Tickets as a Foreigner (2026)
• 📱 Best Apps for China Travel — Complete 2026 Guide

Written by Mars, based in Shenzhen. Last verified: August 2026. Entry policies, payment-app requirements, network access, and provider instructions can change; verify time-sensitive details with official sources before travel.