China Travel Guides
China Travel Guides for Foreign Visitors
Practical guides for traveling in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay, eSIM, apps, metro, trains, taxis, hotels, tax refunds and first-time city planning.
60-second video guides
Watch the overview before reading every step
Each video includes English captions, chapters, a full transcript and a practical checklist.
58 secondsPayment video
How to Use Alipay in China as a Foreigner
Watch this 58-second China payment guide, then use the step-by-step checklist below to prepare Alipay, WeChat Pay, international cards and cash backup.
50 secondsInternet video
China eSIM vs Roaming for Tourists
Watch this 50-second visual guide to compare eSIM, international roaming and local SIM options, then prepare a primary connection and a backup before landing in China.
53 secondsArrival video
First Day in China Guide for Foreign Visitors
Watch this 53-second arrival walkthrough covering mobile data, payment, hotel details, airport transport, check-in and a calm first evening in China.
60 secondsArrival video
Hotel Check-in in China for Foreigners
Watch this 60-second hotel check-in walkthrough covering passports, booking confirmation, deposits, front-desk details, the Chinese hotel address and late arrival.
56 secondsTransport video
How to Take the Metro in China
Watch this 56-second China metro walkthrough covering station entrances, security, tickets, transport QR codes, platform direction, transfers and exit numbers.
Recommended first reads
Start with these China travel guides
China Travel Checklist for First-Time Visitors
A practical China travel checklist for first-time foreign visitors: passport, visa or transit rules, Alipay, WeChat, eSIM, apps, hotel address, train tickets, cash and emergency backups.
China Payment Guide for Tourists 2026
The practical China payment guide for foreign tourists: Alipay, WeChat Pay, international cards, cash backup, airport arrival, metro, taxis, hotels and payment problems.
How to Use Alipay in China as a Foreigner
A practical Alipay guide for foreign visitors in China: passport verification, Visa and Mastercard setup, QR payments, transport codes, Didi, restaurants and common fixes.
China eSIM vs Roaming for Tourists
Compare China eSIM, international roaming, local SIM cards and Wi-Fi for foreign tourists: payment apps, maps, translation, airport arrival, costs, backups and common problems.
Best Apps for Traveling in China
The essential China travel app checklist for foreign visitors: payment, maps, translation, taxis, trains, hotels, food, internet and backup tools.
First Day in China Guide for Foreign Visitors
A practical first-day China guide for foreign visitors: airport arrival, internet, payment test, Didi or metro, hotel check-in, first meal and emergency backup plan.
Payments
Paying in China
Mobile payment is one of the biggest questions for foreign visitors in China. These guides explain Alipay, WeChat Pay, Visa, Mastercard, cash backup and common payment problems.
China Payment Guide for Tourists 2026
The practical China payment guide for foreign tourists: Alipay, WeChat Pay, international cards, cash backup, airport arrival, metro, taxis, hotels and payment problems.
How to Use Alipay in China as a Foreigner
A practical Alipay guide for foreign visitors in China: passport verification, Visa and Mastercard setup, QR payments, transport codes, Didi, restaurants and common fixes.
WeChat Pay for Foreigners in China
Learn how foreign visitors can use WeChat Pay in China, when it is useful, how it compares with Alipay, and what to do if setup or payment fails.
Alipay vs WeChat Pay for Tourists in China
Compare Alipay and WeChat Pay for foreign tourists in China: setup difficulty, Visa and Mastercard support, QR payments, metro, taxis, restaurants, mini programs and backup plans.
Can Foreigners Use Visa or Mastercard in China?
Learn when foreign tourists can use Visa or Mastercard in China, where cards work, where they do not, and how to use cards through Alipay, WeChat Pay, hotels, taxis and backup cash.
Preparation
Before You Arrive
Use these guides before your flight to prepare apps, eSIM, roaming, translation, payment backup, hotel addresses and first-time China travel essentials.
China Travel Checklist for First-Time Visitors
A practical China travel checklist for first-time foreign visitors: passport, visa or transit rules, Alipay, WeChat, eSIM, apps, hotel address, train tickets, cash and emergency backups.
What Apps Should I Install Before Going to China?
A practical app checklist for foreign tourists going to China: Alipay, WeChat, Didi, Trip.com, maps, translation, eSIM, train booking, food delivery and offline backups.
Best Apps for Traveling in China
The essential China travel app checklist for foreign visitors: payment, maps, translation, taxis, trains, hotels, food, internet and backup tools.
China eSIM vs Roaming for Tourists
Compare China eSIM, international roaming, local SIM cards and Wi-Fi for foreign tourists: payment apps, maps, translation, airport arrival, costs, backups and common problems.
China eSIM and Internet Guide for Tourists
A practical guide to internet access in China for tourists: eSIM, roaming, local SIM, hotel Wi-Fi, VPN planning, payment apps and backup connectivity.
Best Translation Apps for China Travel
A practical translation app guide for foreign tourists in China: camera translation, screenshot translation, restaurant menus, hotel check-in, taxi addresses and offline backups.
First 24 hours
Landing, Airport & Hotels
After landing, foreign tourists often need help with mobile data, airport transport, hotel check-in, passport checks and the first day in China.
What to Do After Landing in China
A step-by-step first-hour arrival guide for foreign tourists landing in China: mobile data, payment test, luggage, airport transport, hotel address, food and backup plans.
First Day in China Guide for Foreign Visitors
A practical first-day China guide for foreign visitors: airport arrival, internet, payment test, Didi or metro, hotel check-in, first meal and emergency backup plan.
Hotel Check-in in China for Foreigners
A practical hotel check-in guide for foreign tourists in China: passport registration, booking name, deposits, payment, Chinese address, late arrival and common problems.
How to Get from Shanghai Pudong Airport to City Center
A practical Shanghai Pudong Airport arrival guide for foreign tourists: metro, Maglev, taxi, Didi, luggage, payment, hotel address and first-day transport tips.
How to Get from Beijing Airport to City Center
A practical Beijing airport arrival guide for foreign tourists: PEK vs PKX, airport express, metro, taxi, Didi, hotel address, luggage and payment tips.
Transport
Getting Around China
Learn how to use metro systems, taxis, Didi, high-speed trains, train stations and ticket booking during your China trip.
How to Use Didi in China as a Foreigner
A practical Didi guide for foreign tourists in China: app setup, Alipay access, payment, pickup points, airport rides, luggage, driver communication and common problems.
China Taxi Guide for Foreigners
A practical China taxi guide for foreign tourists: official taxis, Didi, airport taxi queues, payment methods, Chinese addresses, receipts, safety and common mistakes.
How to Take the Metro in China
A beginner-friendly China metro guide for tourists: tickets, QR codes, security checks, transfers, exits, airport lines and common subway mistakes.
Shanghai Metro Guide for Tourists
A practical Shanghai metro guide for foreign tourists: airport routes, Alipay, ticket machines, security checks, transfers, exit numbers and common subway mistakes.
Beijing Subway Guide for Tourists
A practical Beijing subway guide for foreign visitors: airport express, ticket machines, Alipay, security checks, line transfers, exit numbers and sightseeing routes.
How to Buy Train Tickets in China as a Foreigner
A practical guide for foreign tourists buying China train tickets: passport details, Trip.com, official apps, station names, ticket changes, refunds and boarding tips.
China Train Station Guide for Foreigners
A practical guide to China train stations for foreign tourists: passport checks, security, departure boards, waiting halls, boarding gates, platforms, exits and common mistakes.
How to Take High-Speed Trains in China
A foreign visitor guide to China's high-speed trains: booking tickets, passport rules, station security, waiting halls, boarding, seats, changes and refunds.
Cities
City Guides & First-Time Itineraries
Start with practical city planning for Shanghai and Beijing, including first-time routes, airport choices, city transport and common tourist decisions.
Shanghai Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
A practical Shanghai first-time visitor guide: best areas, 3-day itinerary, metro tips, The Bund, Yu Garden, Lujiazui, food, payment and common mistakes.
Beijing Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
A practical Beijing guide for first-time visitors: 5-day itinerary, Forbidden City, Great Wall, hutongs, subway, tickets, payment, apps and common mistakes.
Beijing Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
A practical Beijing itinerary for first-time foreign visitors: Forbidden City, Great Wall, hutongs, Summer Palace, food areas, subway planning, tickets and pacing tips.
Everyday help
Shopping & Daily Life
Use these guides for daily travel details such as shopping, tax refunds, food choices and practical moments that confuse visitors in China.
FAQ
China travel questions foreigners ask most
What should I read first before traveling to China?
Start with the China travel checklist, the China payment guide, the eSIM guide, the best apps guide and the first-day guide. These cover the most common problems foreign visitors face.
Can foreign tourists use Alipay in China?
Many foreign tourists can use Alipay after setting up the app, verifying identity if required and linking an eligible international card. It is still smart to prepare WeChat Pay, a physical card and small cash as backup.
Do I need an eSIM for China?
An eSIM or roaming plan is strongly recommended because maps, translation, payment apps, taxi apps and hotel details all depend on reliable mobile internet after you land.
What apps should I install before going to China?
Prepare Alipay, WeChat, Trip.com, Didi, a map app, a translation app and your eSIM or roaming app before your flight.
How do tourists get around China?
Most tourists use metro, Didi, taxis and high-speed rail. Save hotel addresses in Chinese, prepare payment apps and read train station instructions before your first long-distance trip.