Arrive China
Pre-departure checklist
Land in China ready for anything.
Visa, payment, internet, apps, bookings — five things to sort before you fly. Walk through each one, and the moment you land, everything just works.
Free · no account · works on your phone
Still have questions? Get real human helpThe five things to sort before you fly
In order. Each step takes a few minutes now and saves a stuck moment later.
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1
Check my route →
Check your visa
240-hour transit, 30-day visa-free, or a full visa — answer six questions and know where you stand.
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2
Read the guide →
Set up payment
Bind a Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you leave. China runs on QR codes.
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3
Read the guide →
Get connected
eSIM, roaming or VPN — the straight answer on what actually works once you land.
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4
Read the guide →
Download the apps
Six essentials: maps, ride-hailing, trains, translation — all in English.
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5
Read the guide →
Book ahead
Hotels that take foreigners, and the museums you must reserve in advance.
Why Arrive China
Payment and transit apps already exist. We cover the part they skip — the pre-flight prep that decides whether the trip goes smoothly.
The stuff official apps skip
Government and bank apps handle payment and transport. The internet & prep steps they can't touch are exactly what we cover.
Tested, not just listed
Which eSIM and VPN actually work right now, reported by travelers on the ground — not a generic app directory.
One checklist, everything sorted
Check off all five stages before you board, and nothing is left to chance at immigration or your first day out.