China Travel Basics Guide
for First-Time Visitors

Prepare your visa or entry eligibility, arrival information, hotel booking, eSIM or SIM plan, essential apps, and at least two payment methods.

Yes. Foreign visitors can generally register with a passport and link supported international cards, although verification and card acceptance can vary.

Not always. An eSIM or roaming plan may be easier, but a Chinese phone number can help with local services, deliveries, and some app registrations.

Google services may be unavailable, and map coordinates can be inaccurate. Use a navigation app designed to work with current map data in mainland China.

Use the official 12306 platform or a reputable booking service. Your passenger name and passport details must match your travel document.

Policies and staff experience vary. Confirm that the property can register foreign guests before booking and keep the confirmation.

Foreign guests generally need temporary residence registration through the local process. Requirements and submission methods can vary by location.

China is generally considered safe for everyday travel, but normal precautions still matter around transport, nightlife, accommodation, and personal information.