A foreign traveler navigating a Chinese metro station

Start with the practical things that can make or break a China trip.

Visa, payments, apps, connectivity, trains, and hotel basics — explained clearly for foreign visitors and updated for 2026.

Start Here Check Visa & Entry See the Apps You Need

What do you need?

Visa & Entry Payments Internet & eSIM Transport Language Travel Basics

Start with your situation

Find answers for your trip

Everything to prepare before departure

Can my nationality enter China visa-free?

Maybe. China now has several different visa-free entry channels, and they do not use the same country list or rules. Check your nationality, passport type, trip purpose, route, and length of stay against the latest embassy and immigration guidance before you book anything non-refundable.

Do I need a visa for China?

Maybe. As of the current policy set reflected in official 2025 to 2026 guidance, some travelers can enter China under 30-day nationality-based visa-free rules, some can use 240-hour transit without visa, and others still need a regular visa. The right answer depends on your passport nationality, passport type, trip purpose, route, and length of stay.

What documents do I need to enter China?

Bring the passport you will actually travel on, the correct visa or visa-free basis for your route, and the support documents that make that route easy to verify. In practice that usually means passport, entry authorization or eligibility proof, hotel or host details, and onward-ticket evidence if your route depends on it.

How do tourists get a SIM card in China?

Foreign visitors can usually apply for a local SIM card at telecom service offices with a passport, but many short trips are easier with roaming or a travel eSIM plus local app preparation.

Should I use eSIM or roaming in China?

For many short trips, travel eSIM or international roaming is the simplest option because it often preserves access to foreign apps and reduces setup friction. A local China SIM can still be useful if you need a mainland phone number, longer-term local service, or a more locally integrated setup, but it usually demands more preparation and comes with different app behavior.

What should I pack for China?

Pack around your phone, documents, payments, medication, weather, and walking days: charger, power bank, adapter, offline copies, payment backups, comfortable shoes, and any personal medicine with documentation.

Essential tools