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China Travel Checklist 2026: What to Set Up Before You Go
Planning

China Travel Checklist 2026: What to Set Up Before You Go

May 30, 20267 min

Based on what first-time visitors actually worry about — payments, apps, language, bookings. Here's a practical pre-departure checklist.

Key Takeaways

  • ✦### Step 1: Set Up Payments (This Is #1) Alipay is essential.
  • ✦Activate your eSIM (if you bought one) 2.

I asked recent travelers what their biggest concerns were before visiting China. The answers were remarkably consistent. This article is my response — a practical, step-by-step checklist built around the top worries people actually have.

I've guided hundreds of clients through their first China arrival. These are the things I make sure every single one of them has sorted before they land.

Before You Leave Home

Step 1: Set Up Payments (This Is #1)

Alipay is essential. WeChat Pay is your backup. Do this before you arrive.

  • Download Alipay, register with your email and passport
  • Link an international Visa or Mastercard (Me → Wallet → Cards)
  • Also set up WeChat Pay (Me → Wallet → add card)
  • Link your PayPal account to WeChat Pay if you're a US user (new in 2026)
  • Do the full ID verification on both apps — without it, you can't receive payments or use some features

    • Test it before you go: If you know someone with Alipay, ask them to send you 1 RMB. If the transfer works, your verification is complete.

    Carry ¥1,000 in cash as backup. Sometimes SMS verification fails for international numbers, and cash saves the day. I've had clients stranded at a street stall with no signal and no cash — ¥100 would've solved it.

    ➡️ Full guide: How to Use WeChat Pay and Alipay

    Step 2: Install the Right Apps

    The apps you use at home (Google Maps, Uber, WhatsApp) don't work the same way here. Install these before you land:

    AppPurposeWhy You Need It
    AlipayEverythingPayments, DiDi, metro, restaurant QR codes
    WeChatMessaging + backup paymentHotels, guides, new friends
    DiDiRide-hailingWorks through Alipay mini-program or standalone
    Amap (高德地图)NavigationGoogle Maps is unreliable in China. Apple Maps works OK on iPhone.
    Trip.comBookingsTrains, hotels, attraction tickets in English
    PlecoOffline dictionaryPoint camera at menus to translate
    Google TranslateBackup translationDownload Chinese offline pack before you leave

    ➡️ Full guide: Must-Have Apps for China Travel

    Step 3: Internet Access — Choose Your Strategy

    Option A: eSIM (recommended)

    Alipay sells eSIM packages at about 1/3 the price of Airalo. Buy it a week before, but don't activate until you land. On arrival, turn on your eSIM data line and enable international data roaming. Your Western apps (Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook) will work without a VPN.

    Option B: VPN + local SIM

    Install and test your VPN before you leave — you can't download VPN apps inside China. Buy a local SIM at the airport if needed.

    Option C: International roaming

    Check with your home carrier. Some plans include China data now.

    Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

  • Save your hotel address in Chinese — screenshot it, save it in your notes, have it ready to show taxi drivers. Trip.com can generate the Chinese version for you.
  • Passport photos — Take a photo of your passport info page and keep it on your phone. You'll need your passport number for train bookings and attraction tickets.
  • Print or screenshot confirmations — Train bookings, hotel reservations, attraction tickets. Phones die. Paper backups save trips.

    • Step 5: Pack These Essentials

    From real traveler feedback:

  • Tissues / wet wipes — Many public bathrooms don't have toilet paper or soap. A pack of tissues in your pocket is standard practice in China.
  • Hand sanitizer — Soap is hit or miss in public bathrooms.
  • Portable charger (power bank) — Alipay, Amap, and Google Translate drain battery fast. Travelers report their phone nearly dead after half a day. Back home they charged every other day.
  • Toilet seat covers (if traveling with kids) — Public toilets often don't have seats.
  • Refillable water bottle — You can find hot water everywhere. Cold water is harder.

    • After You Land

    First Hour Checklist

    1. Activate your eSIM (if you bought one)

    2. Test a small payment — Buy a bottle of water at a convenience store (FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, Lawson) using Alipay. This confirms everything works.

    3. Test DiDi — Open Alipay → Transport → Taxi. If it doesn't work, download the standalone DiDi app (it has a full English interface).

    4. Test Amap navigation — Search for your hotel. If it can't find the English name, try the Chinese name or pinyin.

    5. Keep your passport with you — You need it for high-speed trains, most attraction entries, and some hotel check-ins.

    Pro Tips From Real Travelers

  • For "fully booked" attractions: Just show up with your foreign passport and ask nicely. Multiple travelers report getting tickets even when the system said "full" — there seem to be quotas for foreign passport holders at many sites.
  • QR code restaurant ordering: Scan the QR code on the table with Alipay or WeChat. The menu loads in Chinese, but you can screenshot and translate. Most systems now auto-translate (WeChat mini-programs support 18 languages).
  • Didi frustrations: If the driver can't find you, use the "Send Photo" feature in the chat. If they call and you can't communicate, hand the phone to any nearby staff — they'll sort it out in 10 seconds.
  • Don't rely on Google Maps: Even with a VPN, the data is outdated. Amap and Apple Maps are far more reliable.
  • The power bank is not optional: Trust me on this one. You'll use your phone for everything — payments, navigation, translation, tickets. A dead phone in China is a real problem.
    • Related: China Packing List : What to Pack (and What to Leave at Home) · China Travel Insurance Guide : What You Need and Why · China Visa Guide : Everything You Need to Know
    Want a personalised version of this checklist? Tell me about your trip and I'll customise it for your specific cities and travel style.

    Hi, I'm Peng — Your China Travel Insider

    I've been helping travelers explore China for 15 years. Every inquiry I receive gets a personal reply from me — no chatbots, no automated responses.

    9335004@qq.com
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