Coming to China
Before you go
The six things to do before you fly
China's firewall, payment apps, and registration rules all have gotchas that are impossible to fix once you've landed. The checklist below must be done in this order — each step depends on the one before it.
- Install a VPN (2+ apps) and test it — do this first, provider sites are blocked in China
- Bind Alipay and WeChat Pay; call your bank to whitelist China mobile payments
- Download Google Translate offline pack + Amap, DiDi, 12306, Trip.com
- Verify your 12306 identity early — approval can take several days
- Fill in the CDAC digital arrival card within 72 hours before landing
- Pre-book timed-entry tickets for popular attractions (often sold out 2+ weeks ahead)
VPN: install and test before you land
VPN provider websites are blocked in China — you cannot download, subscribe, or reset a password once inside. Install at least two VPN apps, log in, and test them before departure. The OpenVPN protocol is now fingerprinted and blocked; you need an obfuscated or stealth protocol (Astrill StealthVPN, ExpressVPN Lightway). Keep your iOS App Store on a non-China account or VPN apps will silently disappear.
VPNs often experience mass disruptions around sensitive political dates. Having two providers from different vendors is the only reliable backup.
Bind Alipay and WeChat Pay — call your bank first
Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now bind to Alipay and WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank account. Start with Alipay — it's the simpler path. Amex is not supported by either. WeChat Pay requires a Chinese phone number, and new numbers need an existing WeChat user to scan-verify you — arrange this before you leave.
Your bank will likely flag the first China charge as fraud and silently block it. Call and whitelist 'China mobile payments' on your card. This is the single most common reason binding fails.
Bank block, passport glare, VPN on during setup, name mismatch, 3D-Secure code to home number. See Landing & Setup for the full list with fixes.
Apps to install and pre-configure
- Google Translate — download the Simplified Chinese offline pack before you fly
- Amap (高德地图) — accurate navigation; Android version has English; Google Maps is broken in China, not just inaccurate
- 12306 — buy train tickets in English with your passport, zero booking fee; identity verification takes days, start early
- DiDi — English ride-hailing, accepts foreign cards, airport pickup zones shown in app
- Trip.com — English hotel/flight booking with a filter for foreigner-accepting properties
- WeChat and Alipay — payments and social; set up abroad before you fly
- Meituan / Dianping — food delivery, pharmacy delivery, and restaurant discovery
The 12306 rail app passport verification takes a few days to approve. Start at least a week before departure, especially if you have train travel planned immediately on arrival.
CDAC digital arrival card
China replaced paper arrival and customs cards with the CDAC (China Digital Arrival Card) in November 2025. Fill it in via the NIA website, the WeChat 'NIA 12367' mini-program, or the Alipay mini-program within 72 hours before landing. Save the QR code screenshot offline — you'll need it at immigration.
Book popular attractions well in advance
The Forbidden City, Chengdu Panda Base, and many major venues require timed-entry reservations booked 2+ weeks ahead. There is no queue-on-the-day option — if tickets are gone, you won't get in. Book via official venue WeChat mini-programs or Trip.com.
Always carry your passport original
Train stations, hotels, and attractions all scan your original passport. A photocopy will be refused. Keep a digital photo of the data page and visa as backup, but carry the original at all times.