Practical Guides
China travel basics for overseas visitors
These guides are written for people who need to solve logistics before they land: entry, payments, mobile internet, high-speed rail, tickets, shopping, and everyday etiquette.
Visa-Free TransitWho can use the 240-hour transit rule, what documents matter, and why the allowed region must be checked before booking.Alipay And WeChat PaySet up mobile payment, foreign cards, cash backup, and first-day testing before you need a taxi or train-station purchase.High-Speed RailUse 12306, exact station names, passport checks, luggage buffers, and route timing without turning rail day into stress.Mobile InternetChoose roaming, SIM, or eSIM, then make maps, translation, payment, rail, and ride-hailing work before the first busy morning.Airport ArrivalHandle SIM, payment test, transport, hotel check-in, and first meal in the right order after a long international flight.Travel Apps SetupInstall and test the app stack that actually supports a China trip: maps, translation, payment, rail, messaging, and backups.