Before You Fly Set up payments, check entry rules, and book the essentials.
Set Up Your Payments Start with Alipay: Link your overseas bank card. Keep a backup: Set up WeChat or another supported option. Set Up Payments → Essential Apps for China Install and sign in before departure. You do not need every standalone app.
💳 Alipay Pay, metro/bus codes, Didi and translation
💬 WeChat Messages, mini-programs and backup payment
🧭 Amap (Gaode Maps / 高德地图) Up-to-date local maps, transit and nearby places; English availability varies
🧳 Trip.com Flights, hotels, trains, attractions and transfers
Useful when needed Didi: Use the standalone app or open it inside Alipay. Order food in Alipay: Search “Ele.me” or “Takeout” (饿了么 / 外卖), enter the full delivery address and room number, then order and pay in Alipay. Some screens may remain in Chinese, and some merchants may require a local phone number. Visa & Entry Rules Visa-free visit: Eligibility and stay length depend on your passport and purpose. 240-hour transit: Eligible travelers can stay up to 10 days in permitted areas. Onward travel: Transit requires a confirmed ticket to a third country or region. Before booking: Check eligible passports, ports, permitted areas, and visa requirements. Official transit rules ↗
Choose a China eSIM Phone: Check eSIM support and carrier-lock status. Plan: Check mainland China coverage, data allowance, and validity. Activation: Follow the seller’s installation and start-date instructions. Your usual apps: Check roaming routing and app access with the provider; plans vary. Find China eSIMs on Trip.com ↗ We may earn a commission from Trip.com when you book through this link.
Flights to China Before paying: Check entry eligibility, baggage allowance, and change terms. Find Flights on Trip.com ↗ We may earn a commission from Trip.com when you book through this link.
Book Your Hotel Confirm check-in: Message the property about passport registration and arrival time. Bring your passport: Keep your booking confirmation and hotel address handy. If refused: Contact the booking platform for help. Useful to know Hotels should not be excluded from hosting overseas guests solely on qualification grounds. Confirm practical check-in arrangements in advance.
Find Hotels on Trip.com ↗ We may earn a commission from Trip.com when you book through this link.
Official accommodation guidance ↗
Pack Your Power Bank International flight to China: Keep power banks in carry-on baggage only and protect them from short circuits. Up to 100Wh: Generally allowed; always check your airline’s own limits. 100–160Wh: Airline approval may be required. Over 160Wh is generally prohibited. Taking another flight within mainland China? From 28 June 2025, domestic flights prohibit power banks without a clear 3C mark, with an unclear 3C mark, or from a recalled model or batch. This 3C rule is for mainland domestic flights—it is not the general rule for your inbound international flight.
IATA battery guidance ↗
CAAC domestic-flight 3C notice ↗
Your First Hours Get through the airport, reach your hotel, and make your first payment.
Airport Arrival Arrival card: Complete it through the free official NIA service; airport devices and paper forms are alternatives. Border check: Keep your passport and hotel details ready. Follow staff instructions for fingerprints. Baggage & customs: Collect your bags and declare items as required. Official arrival-card guide (English) ↗
Airport to Your Hotel Didi: Search “Didi” in Alipay, enter the pickup and destination, then follow the app to the ride-hailing pickup area (网约车乘车点). Before getting in: Match the license plate in the app. Do not board a different car. Payment: The fare is normally charged in the app after the ride. Check the final amount and payment status; do not pay twice if it already shows paid. Official taxi: Follow “Taxi / 出租车” signs, join the queue, and ask for the meter. Avoid unsolicited rides Use the official taxi queue or your booked ride. Do not follow people offering rides inside the terminal.
Payment Fees & Splitting Alipay + overseas card: Payments of ¥200 or less are generally exempt from the 3% service fee. Above ¥200: A 3% fee may apply to the full payment. Check the amount shown in Alipay. Personal transfer code? An overseas card linked to Alipay cannot fund personal transfers. Ask for a supported merchant code or pay cash.
Show Payment Help Card ↗ Everyday Basics Tipping: Tips are generally not expected in ordinary taxis or restaurants. Drinking water: Choose sealed bottled water or properly boiled water; avoid drinking straight from the tap. Getting Around Use your train booking, prepare for the day, and plan your visits.
Take a Train Bring your passport: Use the original document linked to your booking. At the gate: If the reader cannot scan your passport, use the staffed lane (人工通道). Before boarding: Check the station, departure time, train, gate, carriage, and seat. Example booking — match these to your ticket
Train / 车次 G1234
Gate / 检票口 12B
Carriage / 车厢 05
Seat / 座位 12F Book Train Tickets ↗ We may earn a commission from Trip.com when you book through this link.
Metro & Bus with Alipay No ticket needed First: switch Alipay to the city you are in. Transport QR codes are city-specific. 🚇 Metro Open Alipay → Transport . Select the current city, then Metro → Get now / Activate . Complete identity verification and payment authorization if prompted. Open the Metro QR code and scan it at both the entry and exit gates. 🚌 Bus Open Alipay → Transport → Bus . Activate the local bus code and accept the service terms. Scan when boarding. In cities that charge by distance, scan again when getting off. If the QR code is unavailable Use a ticket machine, staffed counter, physical transit card, or RMB cash. For buses, carry exact small change.
Official China transport guide ↗
Book a Ride with Didi Inside Alipay Open Alipay → Transport → Taxi / Didi . If the shortcut is missing, search “Didi”. Confirm the pickup point and enter the destination. Hotel staff can help verify the Chinese address. Select a ride type, review the estimated fare, and tap to request. Follow the app to the designated pickup point (网约车乘车点). Match the license plate before getting in. Do not board a different car, even if the driver calls your name. After the ride: The fare is normally charged through Alipay. Check the final amount and payment status. Avoid double payment: Do not pay cash if the app already shows the trip as paid. Official ride-hailing guide ↗
Train Security Knives & blades: Check restrictions before packing; leave unnecessary sharp tools behind. Pressurized sprays: Up to 150ml per container, one of each type, 600ml total. Alcohol: Check strength, packaging, and quantity limits before carrying it. Official restricted-items list ↗
Public Restroom Tips Bring tissues: Toilet paper may not be provided. Expect squat toilets: Seated toilets may also be available. Need a seated toilet? Try large malls or ask staff. Attraction Tickets & Day Tours Book ahead: Save time at ticket counters; online discounts may be available. Check entry: Use your QR code, show your passport, or collect tickets as required. Allow time: Security and entrance queues may still apply. Compare: Check dates, total price, inclusions, and cancellation terms. 🏛️ Museum Reservations Free entry may still need booking. Check the museum’s official website or WeChat. Check paid packages: They may cover a special exhibition or guided tour. Find Tickets & Day Tours ↗ We may earn a commission from Trip.com when you book through this link.
Show a Help Card Choose your situation. Tap to show large Chinese text to someone helping you.
All Taxi Food / Allergy Payment Train / Help
← Main Guide
Payment Guide Alipay WeChat Plan B
Set Up Alipay Sign up: Select English and register with a number that can receive SMS. Add your card: Account → Bank Cards → Add Card; follow the verification prompts. Verify identity: Complete passport checks when requested. Secure payments: Set your payment PIN and keep access to your registered number. If Something Goes Wrong Card declined → Check the error, complete bank verification, or try another supported card. Account limit → Check your limit and identity-verification requirements in the app. Old TourPass advice → Follow the current card-linking flow rather than old travel-blog instructions. Alipay visitor payment guide ↗
Set Up WeChat Pay Open cards: Me → Services → Wallet → Cards → Add a Card. Link a card: Enter card details and complete bank verification. Verify identity: Follow the passport-verification prompts. If Something Goes Wrong Friend verification → Follow the eligibility rules shown in WeChat; use Alipay meanwhile. Wallet missing → Update the app and check WeChat Help for your account’s payment setup. Changing SIMs → Keep access to your registered number. Avoid unnecessary account-number changes during your trip. Backup Payment Options Choose what fits your phone, cards, and destination.
1. Use Your Home Wallet — Alipay+ Open your existing wallet and scan a merchant QR displaying Alipay+. Major supported wallets include:
Hong Kong: AlipayHK Macao: MPay South Korea: Kakao Pay, NAVER Pay, Toss Pay Malaysia: Touch ’n Go eWallet, MyPB Philippines: GCash Thailand: TrueMoney Indonesia: DANA Singapore: OCBC Digital Mongolia: Hipay Kazakhstan: Kaspi.kz Italy: Tinaba Check before relying on it Wallet eligibility and merchant acceptance vary. Confirm “pay in Chinese mainland” in your wallet and look for the Alipay+ logo at checkout. Personal transfer codes may not work.
Official Alipay+ wallet list ↗
2. Digital RMB — e-CNY Does it work with every QR code? No. Use it only where the merchant accepts e-CNY. An Alipay or WeChat QR code alone does not guarantee e-CNY payment.
Download: Install the official “e-CNY” app and register with your overseas mobile number. Open a wallet: Tap “Open/Add e-CNY Wallets” and choose an operator that supports international users. Fund it: Link or top up with a supported overseas card, following the options shown in the app. Pay: Scan the merchant’s e-CNY QR code, or show your e-CNY payment code for the cashier to scan. Before leaving: Transfer unused wallet balance back through the app where supported. Official e-CNY visitor guide ↗
3. A Physical Tourist Pass Shanghai Pass: Buy or top up at Pudong Airport service points and designated counters at major transport hubs and metro stations. BEIJING PASS: Bring your passport. Buy at Capital Airport T2/T3 Airport Express stations, major railway stations including Beijing, Beijing West, Fengtai and Qinghe, or Xizhimen. Before buying: Confirm where the card works, the deposit or card fee, top-up options and refund rules at the counter. Shanghai Pass guide ↗
BEIJING PASS sales outlets ↗
4. Pre-Book & Carry Cash Pay ahead: Book major costs such as hotels and trains before arrival. Check payment: Choose an available method at checkout. Cash backup: Consider ¥200–500 in small notes; adjust for your itinerary. Book Your China Trip ↗ We may earn a commission from Trip.com when you book through this link.
Overseas Cards: No Personal Transfers Alipay-linked overseas cards pay eligible merchants, not personal transfer codes.
Ask for a merchant code that supports international cards. Try the shop’s scanner with your Alipay payment code, if its checkout supports your card. Use RMB cash if neither option works. A small shop may use a merchant code. A failed payment does not necessarily mean your card is blocked.
Show Payment Help Card ↗ Alipay visitor payment guide ↗
← Back to Main Guide