China On Your OwnStart the China checklist
Trip readiness

China travel checklist for first-time visitors

Work through the entry, payment, phone, transport, reservation, and backup tasks that make an independent trip easier to manage.

Task sources reviewed 2 Aug 2026Progress stays on this device
Trip setup

Personalize this checklist

No account or passport number. Your answers only adjust tasks and planning dates on this device.

Stored locally
Include tasks for

Planning aid only. Entry eligibility and booking rules still require the linked official source.

Core preparation
0%Progress is stored on this device
0/11Required
0/10Recommended
8Recheck
Next actions

What to do next

All task types included
  1. 1Prepare the documents your route requiresDo now
  2. 2Check the exact phone and dual-SIM setupDo now
  3. 3Choose roaming, a travel eSIM, or a mainland SIMDo now
23 of 23 tasks shown
Stage 1

Entry

Passport, eligibility, route, and the records needed at the border.

0/4
  • Entry preparation
  • Entry preparation
  • Offline arrival pack
  • Arrival backup
Stage 2

Pay

A primary payment route plus independent card and cash fallbacks.

0/5
  • Payment setup
  • Payment backups
  • Payment testing
  • Cash fallback
  • Compare payment routes
Stage 3

Connect

Phone compatibility, data, essential apps, and an offline first-arrival pack.

0/5
  • Device check
  • Compare connection options
  • Dual-SIM and SMS guidance
  • Essential apps
  • Arrival test
Stage 4

Move

Airport arrival, intercity rail, city metro, and a road-transport fallback.

0/4
  • Airport transfer
  • High-speed rail
  • City metro
  • Ride hailing
Stage 5

Explore

A few fixed attraction anchors with flexible alternatives around them.

0/5
  • Attraction shortlist
  • Official booking channels
  • Passport reservations
  • Visit-day plan
  • Arrival backup

Progress is stored only on this device. No passport number or account login is collected.

Optional tool · does not affect checklist progress

Build an offline first-hotel address card

This is a private address backup, not China's official immigration arrival card. Use it to reach your first hotel when data or an app is unavailable.

Details stay in this browser. Avoid entering them on a shared device.

Original passportKeep it accessible.Payment backupCarry a second card.Recovery accessKeep your normal line available.
Need the reasoning behind a task?

Follow the complete setup sequence, including failures and backup options.

Read the first-trip guide