← All Articles China Travel · Checklist

China Travel Checklist 2026: Everything You Need Before You Go

Updated January 2026 · 12 min read

Trip to China coming up? The difference between a smooth arrival and a stressful one usually comes down to preparation — and China has more "I wish I'd known" moments than almost any other destination. Google doesn't work, cash is rarely used, menus are in Chinese characters, and the apps you rely on at home may not function at all. This comprehensive China travel checklist walks you through every category: documents, money, internet, apps, translation, transport, packing, health, and cultural basics. Bookmark it and work through it in the two weeks before your flight.

1. Documents and Entry Requirements

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date, with two or more blank pages.
• Visa or visa-free entry confirmation. As of 2026, China offers 15-day visa-free entry to passport holders from over 50 countries including the US, UK, EU member states, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and many others. Check the latest policy for your nationality — it has expanded significantly.
• Printed hotel confirmations and return flight tickets. Immigration may ask to see them.
• Travel insurance documents, including medical evacuation coverage. Save a digital copy offline and carry a printout.
• Passport photos (2 extra) — useful if you need a local SIM or a replacement document.
• Photocopy/photo of your passport stored separately from the original. Carry the photocopy when out and about; leave the real thing in a hotel safe if possible, though train travel requires the original.

2. Money and Payments

China is one of the most cashless societies on earth. Even a ¥5 bottle of water is paid by QR code. Set this up before you fly — don't wait until you land.

• Alipay app downloaded and an international Visa/Mastercard bound. This is the most universally accepted payment app for tourists. Full setup takes about five minutes. Read our step-by-step Alipay setup guide.
• WeChat app downloaded with an international card bound to WeChat Pay. Some small merchants only accept WeChat.
• A no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card for the card binding and any international purchases.
• ¥1,000–2,000 in cash as an emergency backup. Withdraw from Bank of China or ICBC ATMs on arrival — they reliably accept foreign cards.
• A backup bank card from a different provider, in case one is declined.

3. Internet, VPN, and Connectivity

China's internet is filtered behind the "Great Firewall." Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X/Twitter, and many news sites are blocked. Your connectivity plan matters.

• A reputable VPN installed and tested before arrival (if you need access to blocked services). Astrill, LetsVPN, and WannaFlix have been reliable in 2026, but performance varies — and some VPNs stop working during politically sensitive dates. Always have a backup.
• A no-VPN translation solution. Don't rely on Google Translate in China — it's blocked. ChinaPal AI runs entirely in your browser and gives you free text translation plus 10 camera/voice translations per day, with text, photo, and voice modes. No VPN, no app download. The $4.99 weekly pass covers unlimited translations for a typical trip.
• An eSIM or local SIM. Airalo and Nomad sell China eSIMs you activate before flying; alternatively buy a China Mobile/Unicom tourist SIM at the airport. A Chinese number helps register local apps like DiDi.
• Offline maps downloaded. Save an offline area of China in Google Maps or Apple Maps before arrival. Apple Maps works in China without VPN; Amap (高德地图) is the best local option.
• Hotel address in Chinese characters saved and screenshotted. Show it to taxi drivers; most don't read English addresses.

4. Essential Apps to Download Before You Fly

Download these at home over Wi-Fi — app stores can be slow or restricted in China.

• Alipay & WeChat — payments (see above).
• DiDi — China's ride-hailing app with an English interface. Cheaper and more reliable than street taxis.
• Trip.com — English-language booking for high-speed trains, hotels, and flights. The easiest way to book train tickets as a foreigner.
• Apple Maps or Amap — navigation. Google Maps works but is unreliable without VPN.
• ChinaPal AI — no download needed; just bookmark aihubai.cn/translate.html in your phone browser. Works offline for the page itself and online for translations without VPN.
• Meituan or Dianping — food delivery and restaurant reviews. The interface is Chinese-only, but useful for photos and ratings; pair it with a photo translator.
• A VPN app (if using one) — installed and logged in before arrival.

5. Packing Checklist

Tech and Power

• Universal power adapter. China uses Type A, C, and I sockets at 220V. Most modern phone chargers handle 220V, but you'll need an adapter for the plug shape.
• Power bank (under 100Wh for flights) — essential for long days of navigation and translation.
• Charging cables and a multi-port USB charger.
• Wired earbuds or headphones — useful for voice translation in noisy environments.

Health and Comfort

• Any prescription medications in original packaging, with a doctor's note. Many common Western medications (including some sleep aids and ADHD treatments) are restricted in China — check before you travel.
• Basic over-the-counter kit: painkillers, antidiarrheal (IMODIUM), antacid, band-aids, and any allergy medication.
• Toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Many public restrooms don't provide paper; carry a small pack at all times.
• Filtered water bottle or water purification tablets. Tap water is not drinkable anywhere in China.
• Sunscreen, lip balm, and moisturizer. The climate in many Chinese cities is dry, especially Beijing and the north.

Clothing

• Check seasonal weather for your cities. Beijing in January is well below freezing; Shanghai in July is hot, humid, and rainy. Pack layers.
• Comfortable walking shoes. You'll walk more than you expect, especially on the Great Wall and in old hutong neighborhoods.
• Modest cover-up for temple visits — shoulders and knees covered.
• A light rain jacket or compact umbrella. Rain can be sudden, especially in southern China.

6. Transport Checklist

• High-speed train tickets booked in advance via Trip.com for popular routes (Beijing–Shanghai, Shanghai–Hangzhou, Xi'an–Chengdu). Trains sell out, especially around holidays.
• Your passport — required to enter train stations and board high-speed trains. Digital copies don't work at the gates.
• DiDi set up and payment connected. Verify it opens and locates you before your first ride.
• Transit QR codes in Alipay/WeChat for subways. Search "transit" in Alipay and enable the city you're visiting; you'll get a QR code that works at subway turnstiles.
• Airport transfer plan. Most major airports have airport express trains; have the route saved. Avoid unlicensed "black cabs" that approach you inside arrivals.

7. Cultural and Practical Tips

• Tipping is not expected. Don't tip at restaurants, taxis, or hotels — it can cause confusion.
• Carry tissues and hand sanitizer everywhere. Napkins are rare at small restaurants.
• Personal space is different. Crowding, bumping, and queue-jumping are normal; don't take it personally.
• Bargain at markets only. In malls, restaurants, and any store with marked prices, prices are fixed. At street markets, start at 30–40% of the asking price with a smile.
• Learn a few Chinese phrases: nǐ hǎo (hello), xièxie (thank you), duōshao qián (how much), and bù là (not spicy). A little effort goes a long way.
• Emergency numbers: 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire. Operators rarely speak English — ask your hotel to call on your behalf.
• Drink bottled or boiled water only. Even in nice hotels, use the kettle or buy bottled water.

8. Final 24-Hour Pre-Departure Checklist

1. Passport in your carry-on, with photocopies packed separately.
2. Visa/visa-free documents printed and saved offline.
3. Alipay and WeChat Pay both tested and working with your card.
4. VPN installed, logged in, and tested (if using one).
5. ChinaPal AI bookmarked in your phone browser at aihubai.cn/translate.html.
6. eSIM activated or local SIM pickup details saved.
7. Offline maps downloaded for every city you're visiting.
8. Hotel addresses in Chinese characters screenshotted.
9. ¥1,000–2,000 cash in your wallet (or plan to withdraw on arrival).
10. Power adapter, power bank, and charging cables packed.
11. Medications, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer in your day bag.
12. Travel insurance details accessible offline.
13. Checked in for your flight; seats selected.

Travel Smart, Not Anxious

China feels dramatically different on day one and surprisingly manageable by day three. Most of what feels alien — the language, the apps, the cashless everything — becomes routine faster than you expect. The single most important thing on this checklist is a translation tool that actually works in China, because it unlocks menus, signs, conversations, and confidence. Get that right, along with payments and connectivity, and everything else falls into place. Have an incredible trip — and bring your appetite.