← Back to Travel Guides
China Travel Checklist for First-Time Visitors

Checklist

China Travel Checklist for First-Time Visitors

The easiest China trip starts before you arrive: prepare payment, internet, maps, translation, hotel information, train booking tools, and backup documents in advance.

Quick answer

The easiest China trip starts before you arrive: prepare payment, internet, maps, translation, hotel information, train booking tools, and backup documents in advance.

Visual overview

What you need to prepare

Apps

Install core travel apps.

🌐
Internet

Prepare eSIM or roaming.

🏨
Hotel

Save address in Chinese.

🛂
Docs

Passport and booking backups.

Essential apps for China trip
Step 1

Prepare essential apps

Install the apps that solve payment, communication, navigation, hotel, and train problems.

  • Alipay
  • WeChat
  • Trip.com
  • Map app
  • Translation app
China travel checklist documents
Step 2

Save important documents

Keep both digital and offline copies of your most important travel details.

  • Passport page
  • Hotel address in Chinese
  • Train and flight tickets
  • Emergency contacts
First day arrival in China
Step 3

Test your first-day setup

Before sightseeing, test internet, payment, translation, maps, and hotel communication.

  • Buy a small item
  • Check map route
  • Save hotel location

Foreigner tips

Avoid these common problems

Screenshots matter

Keep important information available without internet.

Do not over-plan day one

Focus on payment, hotel, internet, and rest.

Related guides

Need a personalized answer?

Ask ChinaEasy AI about your city, budget, phone setup, payment method, hotel area, or itinerary.

Ask AI Now