My China Survival Kit
The practical tools I’d set up before landing in China — from eSIMs and payment apps to VPN access, hotels, train tickets, attraction booking, and navigation. If you want a smoother trip with fewer setup mistakes, start here.
If you only set up 4 things before your trip
If this is your first time visiting China, these are the four areas that usually reduce the most friction once you land: mobile data, payment, app access, and booking basics.
Get online before you land
This is the first setup most travelers should solve. Without mobile data, maps, payment apps, ride-hailing, booking confirmations, and verification steps all become harder.
Airalo eSIM
A fast way to get mobile data ready before arrival, without starting your trip with a local SIM shop visit.
Internet in China Guide
The broader setup guide if you are still deciding between eSIM, local SIM, roaming, and how internet access works in China.
Set up access to the apps you still rely on
For many travelers, this is the next most urgent layer after mobile data. If you still depend on international services, it is easier to prepare access before departure than after landing.
NordVPN
A practical option for travelers who want more reliable access to international apps and services they may still need in China.
Internet & VPN Guide
If you are not sure whether you actually need a VPN, this guide helps you compare internet access options more realistically before the trip.
Prepare how you’ll pay in China
Payment is one of the biggest friction points for foreign travelers in China. Set up one main payment method first, then prepare a backup so you are not stuck at taxis, restaurants, hotels, or ticket counters.
Alipay
Usually the easiest first payment app for many travelers heading to China.
WeChat Pay
A useful second mobile payment option for travelers who want a backup route prepared.
Wise
A practical cross-border money tool if you want a cleaner travel funds setup before departure.
Payment Setup & Backup
If you want the full system — not just one app — start here and build a more reliable payment setup before you fly.
Book the practical stuff before the trip gets too close
After mobile data and payment are prepared, booking is the next area to handle early. Hotels usually come first, then high-speed trains, then major attraction tickets that may require passport-based reservations.
Hotels in China
A practical hotel booking option for foreign travelers who want fewer surprises around passport-based check-in.
China Train Tickets
A useful way to sort high-speed rail bookings before your trip gets too close.
Attraction Tickets
Useful for attractions that can be awkward to book through official systems if you are not already familiar with the process.
Know what you’ll use to navigate on the ground
Navigation can be confusing if you rely only on the apps you normally use at home. Read this before departure so you know what works better for addresses, metro routes, taxis, and walking directions in China.
Maps & Navigation Guide
If you are still assuming Google Maps will work the way it does elsewhere, this is one of the most useful guides to read before departure.
Transport Guide
Useful if you want the broader picture for ride-hailing, metro, train stations, and intercity movement.
Don’t land with only one plan
A smoother China trip usually comes from having a backup setup, not just one perfect app.
My basic China arrival checklist
- A working data connection before or immediately after landing
- One main payment app ready to go
- One backup payment option
- A VPN or access plan prepared before departure if you need international services
- A small amount of RMB cash for edge cases
- Your hotel name and address saved in Chinese
- Your passport ready for booking, hotel check-in, and verification steps
- One navigation plan that does not depend on Google Maps alone
Not sure where to start?
Start with mobile data and payment first. Once those are ready, move on to VPN access, hotels, train tickets, attraction bookings, maps, and arrival backups.
Still figuring out your China setup?
This survival kit gives you the fastest starting point, but the full guides will help you prepare payments, internet, maps, transport, hotels, and booking with fewer surprises.
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