THE CHINA TRIP CHECKLIST
Sort the decisions that affect what you can book.
Rules depend on your passport, purpose and itinerary. Confirm the current terms with the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate before buying nonrefundable travel.
Do this: Check visa-free, visa and transit options for your passport.
Read the visa guideDecide how many places you can enjoy without spending the trip in transit. Start with a realistic route, then book around it.
Do this: Sketch the cities and number of nights; keep room for arrival and travel days.
How to plan a China itineraryBook the parts with limited availability or high stakes for arrival.
Check location, cancellation terms and that the property can register a guest using a foreign passport. Keep the address in Chinese for your arrival.
Do this: Book your first hotel and save its Chinese name and address.
Hotels for foreign visitorsTrain seats and popular sights may sell out. Enter your name and passport number exactly as shown on your travel document.
Do this: Reserve intercity trains and any attractions that require advance booking.
Train booking guideBuild a reliable arrival setup while your usual connection and card support are available.
Choose between home roaming and a travel eSIM. Check that your phone supports eSIM, then compare data allowances, validity and coverage. A travel eSIM usually does not include a mainland Chinese phone number.
Do this: Install your plan before departure and save the activation instructions offline.
Compare the best eSIMs for China
Travel data through a dedicated eSIM app. Check the plan that fits your length of stay.
VIEW AIRALO PLANS
Compare daily data and validity against your itinerary before checkout.
VIEW TRIP.COM ESIMSChoose for your device, trip length and connection type. These are optional partner links, not a guarantee of service in every location.
Your connection type matters. If you expect to use local Wi-Fi or a local SIM, read the guide and set up a VPN before you leave. No provider works consistently on every network.
Do this: If you choose one, install it, sign in and test it at home.
Read Best VPN for ChinaChoose for your device, trip length and connection type. These are optional partner links, not a guarantee of service in every location.
Set up Alipay with your own passport and card before leaving. WeChat Pay or a little cash can be a useful backup if verification or a transaction fails.
Do this: Complete verification and try a small payment when practical.
Set up AlipayInstall a map app that works well in mainland China. Save the hotel and arrival station in both English and Chinese.
Do this: Open Amap, search for your hotel and keep a screenshot of the address.
Amap and navigation guideTick off what applies to your trip. Review entry rules and bookings again close to departure.
Passport, visa or entry documents if required, first hotel address in Chinese, booking confirmations, insurance details, and your embassy or consulate contact.
For mainland China emergencies: police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119. Language support may be limited.
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Your ticks are saved in this browser. Save copies of important documents somewhere you can reach offline.
Choose what you want to experience and how much time you want to give each place.
See how Kunming, Dali, Shaxi and Lijiang fit together at an unhurried pace.
DESTINATION GUIDE
Explore Erhai, the old town and Bai villages before you decide where to stay.
LOCAL GUIDEA slower route through Kunming, Dali, Shaxi and Lijiang, shaped with local support.
Explore the journey →Check the entry rules for your passport and route first. Then choose a realistic itinerary, book your first nights and essential transport, and set up mobile data, payments and maps before departure.
For many short trips, a compatible travel eSIM can provide data on arrival. It usually does not provide a mainland Chinese phone number, which some local services require for SMS verification. Compare your own roaming plan and eSIM options before buying.
Not always. A travel eSIM or international roaming can behave differently from a local SIM or hotel Wi-Fi. A VPN is a separate choice for some local connections; availability changes by network. Read the VPN guide and test your setup before leaving.
Yes. Install Alipay and link your own passport and payment card while you can still access your bank's verification messages. Keep WeChat Pay or some cash as a backup.
Save your first hotel's Chinese name and address, booking confirmations, passport and entry document copies, insurance details, and embassy or consulate contacts. Keep sensitive copies in a secure place.
Tell Joy your dates, interests and preferred pace. He can help shape a private Yunnan route and connect you with licensed local partners who arrange and operate it.
DESIGN MY PRIVATE YUNNAN TOURPrefer WhatsApp? Chat with Joy →Explore private journeys →Some booking links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How our recommendations work.
