China Travel Essentials

Practical pre-trip essentials for travelling China — visa & entry, payments, getting around and staying connected. Each section links to the official English-language source we verified the facts against. Policies change, so always confirm the details on the official page before you travel.

Visa and entry

Most visitors now enter China without a standard visa: a 240-hour visa-free transit scheme covers eligible nationals on an onward journey, mutual visa exemption agreements allow 30-day stays for citizens of participating countries, and regional schemes (Hainan, cruise groups) apply in specific areas. If none of these apply to your nationality, an ordinary L (tourist) visa is issued by Chinese embassies and consulates.

• Official source: National Immigration Administration (English) — laws, regulations and policy interpretation
• Official source: Regional visa-free entry policies — 240-hour transit, Hainan and cruise schemes

Payments

China is almost fully cashless. The two apps that cover nearly everything are Alipay and WeChat Pay, both of which accept international bank cards (Visa, Mastercard and others) for tourists. International credit cards alone work in only a fraction of merchants, so set up mobile payment before you arrive; carry a small amount of cash as backup.

• Official source: Alipay+ — Pay in the Chinese mainland — how international e-wallets and cards work in China

Getting around

High-speed rail is the backbone of intercity travel. Tickets are sold on the official platform 12306, which has an English website and app. Trains are booked under real-name ticketing, so you need a valid ID document (the English site accepts passports for foreign travellers).

• Official source: 12306 China Railway (English) — ticket booking, refunds and FAQ

Staying connected

Options for staying online in China: an eSIM data plan from a commercial provider (activates before you land), international roaming from your home carrier, or a local SIM at the airport. There is no single official English source for these — plans and coverage change frequently, so compare current offerings before you travel.

No single official source — compare current eSIM and roaming plans before you travel.

Last verified: 2026-10-26 · How we verify