Last checked: July 2026
Imagine this: it is 11 p.m., you just landed in Shanghai, your maps do not load, your card is declined at the taxi stand, the driver does not speak English, and your hotel address is only written in English.
This is where many first-time travelers in China get stuck.
Not because China is impossible to travel in, but because they prepared the wrong things before getting on the plane.
I’m Mr. Panda, your local friend in Guangzhou, China. Here are the five things I would tell every friend to prepare before flying to China.
Quick Answer: What Should You Prepare Before Traveling to China?
Before your China trip, prepare these five things:
- Your entry route: visa-free entry, visa-free transit, or regular visa.
- Your internet plan and backup connection.
- Your payment setup: Alipay, WeChat Pay, card, and cash backup.
- Your hotel information in Chinese.
- Your day-one toolkit: maps, translation, transport, and screenshots.
If you prepare these before takeoff, your first day in China will feel much easier.
1. Confirm Your Entry Route First
Before booking everything else, confirm how you can enter China.
In 2026, many travelers enter China through one of three main routes:
- 30-day visa-free entry for eligible passports
- 240-hour visa-free transit for eligible routes
- Regular tourist visa
The correct route depends on your passport, your travel purpose, your city, and your full itinerary.
30-Day Visa-Free Entry
Some ordinary passport holders can enter China visa-free for short visits such as tourism, business, family visits, exchange, or transit. Eligible countries and validity dates can change, so always check the official Chinese embassy or immigration information for your passport before traveling.
240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
The 240-hour visa-free transit policy is different from normal visa-free entry.
It usually applies when you are transiting through China to a third country or region. For example, flying from Country A to China and then onward to Country B may qualify if your passport, port, and route meet the rules.
Do not assume that a round trip back to the same country qualifies. Check the full route carefully.
Regular Tourist Visa
Some travelers still need a regular tourist visa. If this applies to you, prepare early. Do not wait until the last week.
Entry Checklist
Before your flight, prepare:
- Passport with enough validity
- Visa or visa-free eligibility confirmation
- Hotel booking
- Return or onward ticket
- Entry card or arrival information if required
- Screenshots or printed backups
Entry rules move fast. Always verify with the official source for your passport country.
2. Set Up Your Internet Before Takeoff
If your phone does not work when you leave the airport, your whole plan can break at once.
Your map, translation app, payment apps, taxi plan, hotel contact, and family messages all depend on internet access.
Prepare one main option before flying:
- Travel eSIM
- International roaming
- Local China SIM card after arrival
For many short-term visitors, a travel eSIM is the easiest start. But you should still prepare backup screenshots in case your connection fails.
Do Not Rely Only on Airport Wi-Fi
Airport Wi-Fi may require verification, may be unstable, or may not work when you need it. Install and prepare your internet plan before your flight whenever possible.
3. Prepare Alipay and WeChat Pay
China is very mobile-payment-friendly. Many daily payments are made through QR codes.
But installing Alipay or WeChat is not the same as being ready to pay.
Before you fly, you should:
- Download Alipay
- Download WeChat
- Register your account
- Add passport information if required
- Link your foreign bank card
- Test whether payment setup appears ready
- Keep one backup payment method
For most first-time visitors, I recommend setting up both Alipay and WeChat Pay if possible. Alipay is often easier for tourist tools and travel features, while WeChat Pay is useful because WeChat is widely used for messaging and mini programs.
Read the full payment guide here:
How to Use Alipay and WeChat Pay in China
4. Prepare Your Hotel Information in Chinese
Many travelers only save the hotel name and address in English. That can cause problems.
A taxi driver, local helper, or front desk staff may need the Chinese name and Chinese address.
Before you fly, save:
- Hotel name in Chinese
- Hotel address in Chinese
- Hotel phone number
- Booking confirmation
- A screenshot of the hotel location
- Nearby landmark if available
Do not depend only on an English booking page.
Important Hotel Reminder
Foreign guests need to stay at accommodation that can properly register foreign visitors. For normal hotels on major booking platforms, this is usually clear, but you should still check recent reviews and booking notes.
5. Build Your Day-One Toolkit
Your first day in China is when small details matter most.
Prepare these tools before takeoff:
- Map app or offline map backup
- Translation app
- Chinese hotel address screenshot
- Payment apps
- Internet plan
- Transport plan from airport to hotel
- Passport copy or photo
- Booking screenshots
- Emergency contact information
The goal is not to plan every minute. The goal is to avoid being stuck when you are tired, jet-lagged, and carrying luggage.
Watch My Full Video Guide
If you prefer a video version, watch my full checklist here:
Final China Pre-Trip Checklist
Before you fly, make sure you have:
- Confirmed your entry route
- Checked official visa or visa-free rules
- Prepared your internet plan
- Downloaded maps and translation tools
- Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay
- Saved your hotel name and address in Chinese
- Prepared airport-to-hotel transport
- Saved screenshots of bookings
- Kept a backup payment method
- Packed your passport and required documents
FAQ
Do I need a visa to visit China?
It depends on your passport, purpose, route, and dates. Some travelers qualify for visa-free entry or visa-free transit, while others need a regular visa. Always check the official source before booking.
Is 240-hour visa-free transit the same as visa-free entry?
No. Visa-free transit usually requires you to travel through China to a third country or region. It is not the same as entering China for a simple round trip.
Should I set up Alipay before arriving?
Yes. It is much easier to set up and test payment before your trip than to fix everything at the airport.
Do I need a Chinese phone number?
Not always. Many tourists can travel with a data plan, Alipay, WeChat, and hotel help. But a Chinese number can be useful for some local services.
Should I print documents?
Digital screenshots are useful, but having printed backups for important bookings and entry documents can still help.
What is the biggest first-day mistake?
Arriving without working internet, payment, and a Chinese hotel address. Those three problems together can make the first night stressful.
Go Deeper on Each Step
This checklist gives you the overview. When you are ready, go deeper on the two steps that cause the most first-day problems:
For the full beginner path, visit:
Start Here: First-Time China Travel Guide
You can also explore more practical China travel guides here: