Staying Connected
SIM Card
Your home SIM will likely work in China through international roaming, but the rates are punishing and speeds are often throttled. Getting a dedicated China SIM is strongly recommended.
Buy before you fly (recommended)
Purchase a China-ready SIM from your home country. Activate it at home, test it, and it works the moment you land. Many travel SIMs work across Asia too.
Buy at the airport
China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom all have counters in arrival halls at major airports. Expect queues. You'll need your passport.
eSIM
The most seamless option if your phone supports it. Providers like Airalo offer eSIMs for China that you buy and install from home before departure.
Recommended Options
- Airalo (eSIM) — Buy online, install at home, instant activation. No physical SIM needed. Works on any eSIM-compatible phone.
- China Unicom International SIM — Available on their website or at many electronics shops in Hong Kong and Asian airports. Reliable 4G/5G coverage.
- Three (UK) / T-Mobile (US) — If your plan includes roaming in China, this can work as a backup, but data may be slow.
Note on VoIP calls: WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Skype calls may not work without a VPN even with a local SIM. WeChat calls work natively inside China.
| Option | Price range | Best for | Hassle level |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM (Airalo etc.) | $8–25 / 7 days | Most travellers | Low |
| Airport SIM (local carrier) | ¥50–150 / month | Long stays | Medium |
| International roaming | $5–15 / day | Very short trips | Low |
| Pocket Wi-Fi rental | $5–10 / day | Groups sharing | Medium |
Internet Access
VPN
China operates the world's most extensive internet filtering system, often called the "Great Firewall." Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), and most Western news sites are blocked. A VPN lets you bypass this and access the internet as normal.
Critical: Download and set up your VPN before entering China. The VPN providers' own websites are blocked inside China, so you cannot download them once you've arrived. This is the single most important thing on this page.
VPNs That Reliably Work in China (2024–2025)
- ExpressVPN — Consistently the most reliable in China. Lightway protocol handles the firewall well. More expensive but worth it.
- NordVPN — Good speeds. Use "Obfuscated Servers" mode for China specifically — standard servers won't connect.
- Astrill VPN — Very popular among long-term expats in China. Pricier, but known for consistent performance.
- Surfshark — Budget-friendly option. Works in China but can be inconsistent during major political events.
VPN availability can change, especially around sensitive dates (National Day in October, for example). It's worth having two VPNs installed as a backup. Even paid VPNs can have outages inside China — this is normal, not a refund situation.
Setup checklist before you travel
- Subscribe to a VPN service (ExpressVPN or NordVPN recommended)
- Install the app on all your devices (phone, laptop, tablet)
- Enable the China-specific protocol (Lightway / Obfuscated Servers)
- Test the connection — connect once before you travel
- Download a backup VPN as a second option
- Save the VPN's emergency email/mirror site for support inside China
Paying for Things
Mobile Payment
China is a near-cashless society. The vast majority of payments — from street food stalls to high-end restaurants, taxis to supermarkets — are made via QR code using either Alipay or WeChat Pay. As a foreign visitor, you can now set both up with an international card.
Since 2023, both Alipay and WeChat Pay have made it significantly easier for foreigners to use their services with international Visa/Mastercard cards. You don't need a Chinese bank account anymore.
Alipay (recommended)
The easiest option for foreigners. Download the international version of Alipay and link your Visa, Mastercard, or Amex. Wide acceptance nationwide.
WeChat Pay
Requires a WeChat account. Now supports international cards. Many vendors in tourist areas prefer WeChat Pay, so having both is useful.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay works at UnionPay-enabled terminals in China — but only if you have a UnionPay card linked to your wallet. Foreign Visa/Mastercard linked to Apple Pay will generally not be accepted at Chinese POS machines. If you have a UnionPay card from your home bank, add it before you travel.
Setting up Alipay — step by step
Download the Alipay app
Search for "Alipay" in your App Store or Google Play. Make sure you download the international version (the icon is blue).
Register with your phone number
Use your home country phone number. You'll receive a verification SMS. Choose "International User" if prompted.
Complete identity verification
Tap your profile → "International Card" → enter your passport number and nationality. This takes 1–2 minutes.
Add your card
Go to "Add Bank Card" and enter your Visa or Mastercard details. American Express is also accepted. The card must support international online transactions.
Test a small transaction
Use Alipay to make a small purchase or top-up before you travel, to confirm everything is working. Some cards decline on first use due to overseas transaction blocks — call your bank if this happens.
Tell your bank before you go. Notify your card issuer that you'll be using the card in China. Many banks auto-block transactions from Chinese payment systems as potential fraud. A quick call or message in the app prevents a lot of frustration.
Currency & Cash
Money & Cash
Even in China's cashless society, carry some physical RMB (Chinese Yuan, ¥). Small markets, some rural transport, tipping, and a handful of traditional shops still prefer cash. You won't need much, but having none at all is a mistake.
How much to bring
Budget around ¥100–200 per day for cash expenses. For a one-week trip, ¥500–1,000 RMB (~$70–$140 USD) is plenty for most urban travellers — more if you plan to visit rural areas or local markets. Always have small notes — ¥10, ¥20, ¥50.
Best place to exchange
Airport bank counters at major Chinese airports offer official rates. Bank of China branches give the best rates in-city. Avoid hotel exchange desks — rates are poor.
ATMs
Bank of China and ICBC ATMs accept most foreign Visa/Mastercard/UnionPay. Look for the international card logos. Daily withdrawal limit is typically ¥2,500–5,000. Fees apply.
Money tips
- Don't exchange currency at your home country airport — rates are much worse than in China
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) and Revolut cards get excellent exchange rates at Chinese ATMs
- Keep some ¥100 notes for taxis and larger purchases, and smaller notes for street food and markets
- Fake notes exist — always check ¥50 and ¥100 bills when receiving change
| Currency exchange option | Rate quality | Convenience |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of China (in China) | Best | Requires branch visit |
| Airport bank counter (China) | Good | Very convenient |
| ATM withdrawal (Wise/Revolut) | Good | Easy |
| Hotel exchange desk | Poor | Convenient |
| Home country airport | Poor | Pre-trip |
Navigation & Apps
Apps & Maps
Google Maps works in China only with a VPN, and its data for Chinese streets and transit is often outdated. Download these alternatives before you leave — and download offline maps so navigation works even without a reliable signal.
Baidu Maps
The most accurate maps app for China. Has transit directions, bike-share locations, and real-time traffic. English mode available.
DiDi
China's ride-hailing app (like Uber). Essential for getting around cities. Download it and register with your phone number before arrival.
Trip.com or 12306
For booking high-speed trains. Trip.com has an English interface and accepts international cards. 12306 is the official app (Chinese only, but functional).
Not just for payment — WeChat is how Chinese people communicate. Hotels, tour guides, and local contacts all use it. Download and set up an account now.
Microsoft Translator (best all-rounder)
Works in China without a VPN. Free on iOS and Android. Covers camera OCR, voice conversation mode, and offline packs. The safest primary translation app for most travellers — download the Simplified Chinese offline pack before you fly.
Baidu Translate
China's homegrown translator — works without a VPN and its Chinese-language output sounds the most natural to locals. Best for showing written text to a taxi driver or shopkeeper. iOS and Android. Interface is partly in Chinese but manageable.
Apple Translate (iPhone built-in)
iPhone users already have this. Solid for everyday travel phrases with a clean interface. Supports offline use — download the Chinese language pack in Settings before you go. No VPN needed. Not quite as powerful as Microsoft Translator for camera translation, but great as a quick backup.
Android (Samsung / Google)
Samsung users have the built-in Interpreter app for real-time spoken conversation — genuinely useful face-to-face. All Android users can also use Google Lens (hold camera over text) for instant on-screen translation, which works offline with downloaded packs. Google Translate itself needs a VPN to function online in China.
Pro tip: WeChat and Alipay both have built-in translation tools. In WeChat, long-press any Chinese message and tap "Translate." In Alipay, use the Scan feature to translate menus and signs in real time. You'll often already have your phone open in these apps — no need to switch to a separate app.
Download offline map data for the specific cities you're visiting before you leave home. Offline maps typically require 500MB–2GB per city. Do this on Wi-Fi.
Travel Essentials
Documents & Insurance
China requires you to carry your passport at all times by law — it's used to check into hotels, buy train tickets, and occasionally at security checkpoints. Keep both physical and digital copies.
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates)
- Chinese visa (if required — see our Visa & Entry guide)
- 2–3 photocopies of the passport data page and visa
- Scanned copies uploaded to cloud storage (Google Drive / iCloud)
- Travel insurance confirmation — check it covers China
- Hotel confirmation / accommodation address in Chinese (useful at customs)
- Emergency contacts saved offline on your phone
- International driving licence (if planning to drive)
Travel Insurance
- China is not covered by most European health insurance schemes (EHIC/GHIC cards don't apply)
- Medical costs for serious illness or accident can run into tens of thousands of dollars without insurance
- Make sure your policy covers emergency medical evacuation — this is particularly important
- Some Chinese visa applications require proof of travel insurance — check your visa requirements
Final Preparations
Packing Tips
A few practical items make a big difference in China that travellers from other destinations often overlook.
Power adaptor
China uses Type A (two flat pins) and Type I (two diagonal pins) sockets, 220V/50Hz. Most hotels have universal sockets but pack a universal adaptor to be safe.
Medications
Bring any prescription medication you need — some Western drugs are unavailable or require a prescription in China. Pack more than you need in case of delays.
Air quality
Air pollution can be significant in Beijing, Shanghai, and other major cities. Bring a quality N95/KN95 mask if you're sensitive to air quality or visiting in winter.
Pocket tissues
Public restrooms often don't supply toilet paper. A small pack of tissues in your bag is one of the most useful things you can carry in China.
Weather & seasons
China has extreme climate variation. Northern winters (Beijing, Xi'an) can hit -15°C; southern summers are humid and hot. Pack accordingly for your specific destinations.
Day bag for security
Bag X-ray machines are common at metro stations, tourist sites, and train stations. A small, organised bag speeds this up considerably.
All set? Now sort your visa.
Make sure you have the right visa for China before any of this matters. Visa requirements have changed significantly — many nationalities can now enter visa-free.
Visa & Entry Guide →Keep reading