Most Critical
VPN — Install Before You Land
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Gmail, Facebook, X (Twitter) are all blocked in China. VPN websites are also blocked — you cannot download one after landing. Install and test before you fly. Based on real on-the-ground testing in Beijing in March 2026, only 5 of 32 VPNs tested actually worked.
NordVPN
Most Consistent 202670–85% success rate on hotel Wi-Fi and residential broadband. Enable obfuscated servers. Japan, Taiwan and Singapore are most reliable regions.
Surfshark
Tested March 2026Enable NoBorders mode. Consistently tested well in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen across multiple network types. Good budget option.
Astrill VPN
Expat FavouriteUses StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols. More expensive (~$15/month) but long-term expat favourite. Good for longer stays.
⚠ Always turn off your VPN when using Alipay or WeChat Pay — both payment apps detect and block VPN connections. Turn it back on afterwards.
- Install at least two VPNs — one may stop working mid-trip without warning after a firewall update
- Test at home before flying — connect and confirm Google loads
- Free VPNs do not reliably work in China
- ExpressVPN has had inconsistent reports in early 2026 — install a backup regardless
Payments
Set Up Mobile Payments
China is overwhelmingly cashless. Most restaurants, shops, street vendors and transport accept only WeChat Pay or Alipay by QR code. Foreign tourists can now link international Visa or Mastercard to both apps — no Chinese bank account needed. Set both up at home before you travel.
Alipay (支付宝) — Recommended for Foreigners
- Download before arriving — search "Alipay" on App Store or Google Play
- Register with your international phone number — no Chinese number needed
- Link your Visa or Mastercard (JCB and Discover also accepted)
- Transactions under ¥200 are fee-free; 3% fee above that
- TourCard option available if direct card linking fails
- Over 80 million merchants in China accept Alipay
WeChat Pay (微信支付) — Also Worth Setting Up
- Requires a WeChat account — register with your foreign phone number before arriving
- Link foreign Visa or Mastercard via the "Me → Services → Wallet" menu
- Supports 26 currencies including GBP, EUR, USD, AUD
- Foreign users cannot send/receive red packets (hongbao) — payments only
- Turn off VPN when paying — both apps block VPN connections
- Wise card works as an alternative to link if your bank card fails
💡 Carry ¥500–1,500 cash as backup — small local restaurants, rural markets and older vendors may still be cash only. Bank of China and ICBC ATMs accept most foreign cards.
Connectivity
Get a Chinese SIM at the Airport
International roaming is expensive and often slow. A local SIM gives you fast 5G data for about ¥50–100 for 30 days. Buy one at the arrivals hall of any major airport — bring your passport.
China Unicom
Best English support. Widely available at airport arrival desks. Around ¥50–100 for 30 days data.
China Mobile
Largest network, best rural coverage. Most common choice for longer visits.
eSIM (pre-travel)
Services like Airalo sell China eSIMs you can activate on arrival. Convenient but more expensive. Note: do NOT use eSIM for WeChat registration — it cannot receive verification SMS.
- Your passport is required to register any SIM in China — it's the law
- SIM data is still subject to the Great Firewall — VPN is still required
Legal Requirement
Register Where You're Staying
All foreign visitors must register their accommodation with local police within 24 hours. Hotels handle this automatically. Private stays (Airbnb, friends' homes) require you to do it yourself at the nearest police station.
- Hotels: handled at check-in automatically — nothing to do
- Private stays: go to the nearest 派出所 (pài chū suǒ) within 24 hours of arrival
- Always keep a photo of your passport, visa, and entry stamp on your phone
Language
Your Translation Setup
Outside central Beijing and Shanghai, very few people speak English. A solid translation setup is survival, not optional.
- Google Translate: download Chinese (Simplified) offline pack before landing — works without internet once installed
- Camera translate mode is essential for menus and signs — point your phone at any text for instant overlay
- Pleco app: best dictionary for looking up individual Chinese characters
- Learn 5 key phrases: "xièxiè" (thank you), "duō shǎo qián" (how much), "bù là" (not spicy), "nǐ hǎo" (hello), "wǒ yào zhège" (I want this)
- Screenshot your destination in Chinese before losing signal — show it to taxi drivers
- Apple Maps works surprisingly well in major Chinese cities without a VPN
Money
Budget & What Things Cost
China is significantly cheaper than Japan, South Korea and most of Western Europe. A comfortable mid-range trip costs $75–160 per person per day. Source: babagoeschina.com, 2026.
Budget
$50–80/day
- 🛏 Hostel or budget hotel ¥200–300
- 🍜 Street food & local diners
- 🚇 Metro & buses only
Mid-Range
$80–160/day
- 🛏 3-star hotel ¥400–800/night
- 🍜 Mix of local & sit-down dining
- 🚄 HSR between cities
Luxury
$200+/day
- 🛏 5-star hotel ¥800–2,000
- 🍜 Fine dining
- 🚗 Private drivers
| Food | |
|---|---|
| Bowl of noodles / dumplings | ¥12–20 |
| Street food breakfast | ¥8–12 |
| Local restaurant meal | ¥40–80/person |
| Bottled water | ¥2–4 |
| Transport & Activities | |
|---|---|
| Metro ride | ¥3–8 |
| Didi across city | ¥20–50 |
| Beijing → Shanghai HSR | ¥550 |
| Forbidden City entry | ¥60 |
Language
10 Phrases That Will Genuinely Help
| Thank you | Xièxiè | 谢谢 |
| Hello | Nǐ hǎo | 你好 |
| How much? | Duō shǎo qián? | 多少钱？ |
| Not spicy | Bù là | 不辣 |
| I want this | Wǒ yào zhège | 我要这个 |
| Where's the toilet? | Cèsuǒ zài nǎr? | 厕所在哪儿？ |
| Too expensive | Tài guì le | 太贵了 |
| I don't eat meat | Wǒ bù chī ròu | 我不吃肉 |
| No chilli please | Bù yào là jiāo | 不要辣椒 |
| I need a doctor | Wǒ xūyào yīshēng | 我需要医生 |