First time in China: everything you need to know

Check whether you qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit: you need a passport valid 6+ months, a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, and one of 55 eligible nationalities (US, UK, Canada, Australia, most of Europe, and more).

One catch: the transit scheme only works if you enter and leave through one of the designated ports and stay within the eligible provinces/regions — it isn't a free pass to travel anywhere in China. Check that your arrival airport and route qualify before you rely on it.

Not eligible, or staying longer / making a round trip to the same country? Apply for a tourist (L) visa at your nearest Chinese visa center — it's straightforward. Rules change often, so confirm the latest for your nationality before you book.

Install your travel eSIM and test it before you reach the airport. Check your phone is eSIM-ready →

Turn on Wi-Fi Calling so you can call and text home over any internet connection, and keep your home SIM active alongside the eSIM (dual-SIM) so you still receive bank verification codes.

Download all your apps now (see the list below) — once you're in China, app stores and Google are hard to reach.

Light — a few days of maps & messaging: around 1GB covers 2–3 days of maps, WeChat/WhatsApp and light browsing.

Typical — one to two weeks: add social media, photos and the odd video and most travelers use about 1GB a day. A 5–10GB or unlimited plan is the comfortable pick.

Heavy — video, hotspot, video calls home: go unlimited so you're never rationing — streaming and tethering burn data fast.

Not sure? Unlimited is the no-stress choice for a first trip. See China plans →

At immigration, have your onward ticket and hotel address ready (both are needed for visa-free entry). You'll give fingerprints at a kiosk and fill in an arrival card.

To get downtown: the metro is cheap and signposted in English in big cities, or use DiDi (China's Uber — English input, pay in the app). Skip the unofficial taxi touts at the exit.

Paying: Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash (RMB) for small shops and street vendors. High-end hotels take Visa/Mastercard.

Maps: use Amap (it now has an English mode) or Baidu Maps — Google Maps is unreliable in China.

Language: Google Translate with the offline Chinese pack, plus camera mode for menus and signs. The gap is smaller than you fear — millions of first-timers get by on the app and camera every week.

Good to know: tipping isn't expected, tap water isn't for drinking (bottled and hot water are everywhere), and a few 'please / thank you' phrases go a long way.

Emergency numbers: 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire — all free to call, though an English-speaking operator isn't guaranteed, so keep your translator app handy.

Power: 220V, and sockets take plug types A (US flat pins) and I (Australian angled pins) — a universal travel adapter covers you.

Your eSIM's mobile data bypasses the Great Firewall — Google, WhatsApp and Instagram all work normally. One catch: hotel and public Wi-Fi still run through the firewall, so when you need a blocked app, turn Wi-Fi off and use your eSIM data.

Shopping around? See how our China eSIM prices compare to Holafly — the same unlimited data for 20–30% less.

New to eSIMs? Setup takes about a minute — here's how:

Keep your passport and any arrival / registration slip handy for departure.

Ask about a tax refund on big purchases at the airport before you check in.

Turn off the eSIM data line (or switch back to your home SIM) after you land home, so you don't roam by accident. Come back soon — next time, try Chengdu or Xi'an!