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What should I set up before travelling to China?
Install a VPN, set up Alipay and WeChat Pay, download translation and transport apps, check visa rules, and save hotel addresses in Chinese. Start with the China travel essentials.
Start Here
Before You Go
Critical
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and Gmail are all blocked in China. VPN websites are blocked too β you cannot download one after landing.
Essential
China is cashless. Most vendors only accept Alipay or WeChat Pay. Foreign cards now work β but set it up at home, not at the airport.
New for 2026
50+ nationalities including UK and Australia now enter visa-free for 30 days. US passport holders still need a visa but can use 240-hour transit.
Full Guides
VPN, payments, SIM, registration, translation β the five things to sort before landing.
Who is visa-free, how to apply if you need one, and what to expect at the border.
Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Yunnan and beyond β what makes each worth visiting.
Alipay vs WeChat Pay, how to link your foreign card, cash tips and setup checklist.
High-speed rail routes and prices, metro systems, Didi, taxis and domestic flights.
The 9 apps covering navigation, translation, payments, food and VPN β download before landing.
Regional dishes, must-try street food, how to order without speaking Chinese.
Popular Deep Dives
Set up mobile payments before landing and avoid common foreign-card failures.
Read guide Phone SetupThe core apps for payments, taxis, trains, maps, translation and VPN access.
Read guide PlanningA realistic Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai route for a first trip.
Read guide WeatherPlan around heat, humidity, rain and cooler regional alternatives.
Read guideAsk a Question
Got a question about travelling China as a foreigner? Visa, VPN, payments, where to go β ask anything.
China Travel FAQ
Install a VPN, set up Alipay and WeChat Pay, download translation and transport apps, check visa rules, and save hotel addresses in Chinese. Start with the China travel essentials.
Carry a small amount of cash, but most daily payments now happen through Alipay or WeChat Pay. Foreign cards can be linked, but setup is much easier before landing.
Large cities are manageable with translation apps, Trip.com, Didi and metro systems. The biggest friction points are payments, blocked apps and reading menus, not transport infrastructure.
Seven to ten days is enough for Beijing plus Shanghai or Xi'an. Two weeks lets you add Chengdu, Guilin or Yunnan without rushing. Compare routes on the destinations guide.