Pre-Departure Checklist

This is not a joke — most public toilets in China do NOT provide toilet paper. Bring a travel pack of tissues or wet wipes. Also pack hand sanitizer as soap is often unavailable.

Set up payment apps BEFORE arriving. Alipay and WeChat Pay are essential — most places don't accept cash or foreign cards. Link your Visa/Mastercard in the app settings.

Premium VPNs only — free VPNs won't work in China. Install on phone, tablet, and laptop. Test the connection before you leave. Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram are all blocked without a VPN.

Get a China-compatible eSIM (Nomad, Airalo, Holafly) or buy a physical SIM at the airport. Make sure your phone is unlocked. Don't rely on airport Wi-Fi — it often requires a Chinese phone number to log in.

DiDi is China's Uber — English interface available, accepts foreign cards. AMap (高德地图) is the best navigation app in China with some English support. Download both before you fly.

Screenshot or write down your hotel name and address in Chinese. Taxi drivers may not read English or pinyin. Show the Chinese text to your driver or police if needed.

Make 2-3 photocopies of your passport information page. Carry a copy with you daily, keep the original in your hotel safe. If lost, a copy helps at your embassy.

Call your bank or use the banking app to set a travel notification for China. This prevents your card from being blocked for "suspicious foreign activity." Some banks let you do this online.

Not all hotels in China can accept foreigners. Use Trip.com or Booking.com and filter by "accepts foreign guests". International chains (Hilton, Marriott, IHG) are always safe choices.

Popular attractions require advance booking, often with Chinese ID verification. Use Trip.com to book as a foreigner. The Forbidden City sells out weeks ahead. Book immediately after confirming travel dates.

Go to Google Translate app → Settings → Offline translation → Download Chinese (Simplified). The camera translation feature works offline too — point your camera at menus and signs.

你好 (Nǐ hǎo) = Hello. 谢谢 (Xiè xiè) = Thank you. 不要辣 (Bù yào là) = No spicy. These three phrases cover 80% of tourist situations. Learn them before you board the plane.