Before You Go to China Checklist

Last reviewed: 2026-08-20

Quick answer

Required before wheels up: valid passport and the correct entry product ([visa-free vs 240h vs L visa](/questions/do-i-need-a-visa-for-china-or-is-visa-free-enough)), first hotel booked, Alipay + WeChat Pay with cards bound, cellular data active on landing, Amap/Didi/Translate installed, hotel address in Chinese saved offline. Strongly recommended: [travel insurance](/essentials/travel-insurance-for-china-visitors) with policy PDF offline, plus ¥200–500 cash buffer. Optional: HSR tickets for day

Last reviewed: 2026-08-20 · Estimated prep time: 2–4 hours spread over 1–2 weeks

Prep hub — timed ticks only (no long how-tos)

If you need…	Canonical page
T-14 → T-1 task order	This checklist
Payment checkbox session (~45 min)	Payment checklist
App checkbox session (~40 min)	App checklist
Why both wallets / merchant types	How to pay
eSIM vs roaming decision	eSIM essential
Travel insurance checklist	Insurance essential
Arrival day order (hotel → data → pay)	First day guide

This page lists *when* to do tasks—not screen-by-screen setup (link out).

Who This Is For

First-time visitors who want one timed checklist instead of scattered blog posts—spread tasks from T-14 to T-1 so nothing lands on departure morning.

T-14 to T-7 Days (Planning)

Step	Task	Required	Notes
1	Confirm visa, 30-day visa-free, or 240h transit	✅	Which product? — then 240h gates if TWOV
2	Book first-night hotel (refundable if possible)	✅	Need address for taxi/Didi on landing
3	Screenshot hotel name + full address in Chinese	✅	Copy from Amap or booking confirmation
4	Buy travel insurance (medical + evacuation)	Recommended	What to check — save PDF + 24h hotline
5	Sketch city order + rail legs; note Chinese station names	Optional	Hongqiao vs Shanghai Station, etc.
6	Check passport 6+ months validity	✅	Match name on train/flight bookings
7	If 240h transit: buy onward ticket to third country	✅ if transit	Not home-only round trip

T-7 to T-3 Days (Digital Setup)

Step	Task	Required	Notes
8	Install Alipay + WeChat; enable Pay/Wallet	✅	Same evening, one sitting
9	Bind foreign cards in both wallets	✅	Try second card if first fails
10	Complete passport verification if prompted	✅	Good lighting on photos
11	Buy & install eSIM profile on home Wi‑Fi	✅	Internet guide
12	Install Amap, Didi, Baidu Translate	✅	App checklist
13	Favorite hotel + airport rail link in Amap	✅	Test search before flying
14	Run payment setup checklist	✅	~45 min
15	Notify bank of travel dates	✅	Reduces decline abroad
16	Book HSR tickets for day 2+ if intercity	Optional	Train booking question

T-1 Day (Final)

Step	Task	Required	Notes
17	Pack power bank, plug adapter (Type A/I common), passport copies offline	✅
18	Get ¥200–500 small notes if your bank allows	Optional	¥10/¥20/¥50 mix
19	Confirm SMS works for bank/wallet OTP	✅	Do not remove home SIM
20	Save offline: eSIM QR, train PDFs, insurance card, embassy number	✅	Airplane mode test
21	Charge phone; pause auto app updates on travel day	Recommended	Avoid gate-side updates
22	Read first day arrival guide	Recommended	Order: hotel → data → pay test

What To Do Next

If you finish early: pre-download offline map pack for hotel district; read your city guide (Shanghai, Beijing, etc.); join payment failure mental script.

Common Mistakes

Booking attractions before pay + data work
No Chinese address for drivers
Assuming one wallet is enough
Leaving eSIM install for airport Wi‑Fi
Ignoring third-country ticket rules on 240h transit
Packing only ¥100 notes with no small change

Backup Plan

If setup incomplete at departure: carry extra cash + physical card, print hotel address, use hotel Wi‑Fi night one—follow first day guide. Do not skip entry document checks.

What May Vary

Visa/transit rules, card eligibility, app flows, and eSIM compatibility change—re-verify official sources within 2 weeks of departure.

PaiPai Tip

Do steps 8–14 in one sitting with coffee at home—not in the departure lounge.

FAQ

When should I start this checklist? Two weeks before travel for visas/hotels; digital setup in the final week.

What is the single most important step? Working mobile pay + landing-day data on the same phone.

Can I skip cash? Possible in tier-1 cities with working wallets—still carry ¥200–500 buffer (cash question).

GEO / PaiPai Answer Block

``json { "block_type": "answer_block", "question": "Before You Go to China Checklist", "quick_answer": "Required: valid entry documents, hotel booked, Alipay and WeChat with cards, eSIM or roaming, maps and Didi installed, Chinese hotel address offline. Recommended: travel insurance PDF + hotline. Optional: cash buffer, pre-booked trains.", "recommended_actions": [ "Verify visa or 240h transit eligibility", "Bind payment apps on home Wi‑Fi", "Install and test eSIM", "Install map, ride, and translate apps", "Save Chinese hotel address offline" ], "common_mistakes": [ "Attractions before infrastructure", "No Chinese address", "Late eSIM install", "Single-wallet reliance" ], "what_may_vary": "Entry rules and card binding vary by nationality and app version.", "last_reviewed_at": "2026-08-20" } ``

Related ChinaPie Pages

/guides/how-to-pay-in-china
/guides/china-internet-esim-guide
/essentials/travel-insurance-for-china-visitors
/checklists/china-app-setup-checklist
/checklists/payment-setup-checklist
/questions/do-i-need-a-visa-for-china-or-is-visa-free-enough
/questions/is-china-s-240-hour-visa-free-transit-enough-for-a-short-trip
/guides/first-day-in-china-arrival-guide

Sources and Editorial Notes

China government payment overview: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202404/11/content_WS6617c858c6d0868f4e8e5f4d.html
US Embassy 240-hour transit: https://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zj/qz2021/202412/t20241217_11495647.htm

> Review when entry, payment, or connectivity rules change.