China Travel OS · Ultimate Entry Point

How to survive your first trip to China

The complete 2026 playbook — from visa application to return flight tax refund. Every step links to the relevant Decisions, Problems, Comparisons, and Experiences on this site.

Last updated: 2026-06-16

The 8-step timeline

Each step links to the most-relevant Decisions, Problems, and Comparisons on this site. Click any link for the full deep page.

1. 1.

   Decide your visa pathway (8 weeks out)

   Most Western passports get 30-day visa-free entry; US passport holders need an L visa. The 240-hour transit scheme works if you have a confirmed onward flight to a third country.

   Action checklist (3 items)

   • ▢Check your passport on the China MFA visa-free list (or 240-hour transit eligibility).
   • ▢If L visa needed: apply at a Chinese consulate 4–7 business days before travel.
   • ▢Print return ticket, hotel booking for first 3 nights, day-by-day itinerary.
   Decision →Decision →Problem →
2. 2.

   Set up money + payment (2 weeks out)

   Alipay Tour Pass is the single most important setup step. Link a foreign Visa or Mastercard, top up ¥150 minimum, and verify with your passport. Avoid US debit cards (most fail).

   Action checklist (4 items)

   • ▢Download Alipay + WeChat Pay. Create accounts with your foreign phone number.
   • ▢Link your no-FTF credit card (Chase Sapphire, Starling, DKB, N26, 28 Degrees, etc.).
   • ▢Top up Alipay Tour Pass with ¥150+ using the in-app flow.
   • ▢Set up WeChat Pay as a backup (longer verification, lower success rate).
   Decision →Decision →Decision →Problem →Problem →Problem →Compare →
3. 3.

   Install apps + connectivity (3 days out)

   Three apps cover 95% of trip needs: Alipay, Trip.com, and a translation app with the Chinese offline pack. Plus eSIM data and a VPN — install all on home WiFi because the China App Store blocks downloads.

   Action checklist (4 items)

   • ▢Install Alipay, WeChat Pay, Trip.com, Pleco, Apple Translate / Google Translate.
   • ▢Buy eSIM from Airalo / Holafly / Nomad (5–20 GB, $9–32).
   • ▢Buy VPN subscription (Astrill, NordVPN, or LetsVPN). Install and test.
   • ▢Download Chinese offline pack for translation app (~300 MB).
   Decision →Decision →Decision →Decision →Problem →Problem →Problem →Compare →Compare →Compare →
4. 4.

   Book HSR + first 2 nights hotel

   Trip.com is the only English-friendly platform that books HSR + flights + hotels in one place. 12306.cn (China's official site) only accepts Chinese bank cards. For Beijing-Shanghai HSR, book 2+ weeks ahead for cheaper fares.

   Action checklist (4 items)

   • ▢Create Trip.com account (passport-based).
   • ▢Book HSR tickets for major intercity legs (¥500–700 second class for 1,000 km).
   • ▢Book first 2 nights of hotel. Pre-pay or refundable only.
   • ▢Print or screenshot all confirmations in case of mobile data issues.
   Decision →Decision →Decision →Problem →Compare →Compare →
5. 5.

   On arrival: airport → city center

   All major Chinese airports connect to the city center via metro, Maglev (Shanghai only), express train (Beijing), or airport bus. Avoid taxi touts; use the official taxi stand or DiDi in-app.

   Action checklist (3 items)

   • ▢Open DiDi app, set pickup to airport terminal, set destination to hotel.
   • ▢OR follow "metro" signs to the city center (¥3–9, runs 5:30am–11pm most cities).
   • ▢Save hotel address in Chinese characters (show to taxi driver if needed).
   Problem →Problem →
6. 6.

   Day 1: test your setup (no stress)

   Spend your first day doing something low-stakes: walk around your hotel neighborhood, buy a SIM or verify your eSIM, try a small Alipay payment at a 7-Eleven, and find a restaurant with English menu.

   Action checklist (3 items)

   • ▢Pay ¥20 at a convenience store with Alipay. Confirm it works.
   • ▢Find a 7-Eleven / Family Mart ATM, withdraw ¥500 cash as backup.
   • ▢Walk 1km around your hotel to test eSIM data + Google Maps (with VPN).
   Decision →Problem →Problem →
7. 7.

   Pick your cities + itineraries

   First-timers do 3 cities in 10 days. The classic route: Beijing (3 nights) → Xi'an (2) → Shanghai (3) → fly out. For food/panda focus, add Chengdu. For scenery, add Guilin.

   Action checklist (3 items)

   • ▢Choose 3 cities max for a 10-day trip. More is rushed, less is wasted travel.
   • ▢Use HSR for city-to-city (faster, more reliable, less stressful than flights).
   • ▢Buy city guides from this site (/beijing, /shanghai, /chengdu, /xian, /hong-kong).
   Decision →Decision →Decision →Decision →Decision →Compare →Compare →Compare →Compare →Compare →
8. 8.

   Return: tax refund + safe exit

   Foreign passport holders who stayed <183 days can claim 11% VAT refund on purchases over ¥500. Process the form at participating stores, then show at the airport Tax Free counter before departure.

   Action checklist (4 items)

   • ▢At airport: arrive 3+ hours early. Visit Tax Free counter in departures hall.
   • ▢Show passport, receipts, Tax Free Shopping Form, goods (unopened if possible).
   • ▢Choose refund method: CNY cash (immediate, no fee) or card refund (2-3% fee, slower).
   • ▢If you lost your passport: report to police (110), then your embassy's consular section.
   Problem →Problem →

Browse the full knowledge base

The 8 steps above link into our 4 content types. Browse the full set: