Paying for things
Most of China doesn't take cards directly. Here's how to pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay using your own card.
- Set up before you fly
- Fees and limits
- When a payment fails
Travel Guide
The practical things first-time visitors to China ask about most. Each guide is rechecked on a schedule and shows the date it was last checked.
Draft: Dates and details have not been checked yet.
Before you go
Start here
Trains & taxis
Booking high-speed rail with a passport, getting through the station, and hailing a ride without speaking Chinese.
- 12306 vs Trip.com
- Station security and boarding
- Didi in English
Visa-free entry
30-day visa-free entry, 240-hour transit, Hainan visa-free and the L tourist visa — who qualifies and what to show at the border.
- Country lists
- Ports and conditions
- Change log
Emergency numbers
Police, ambulance, fire, and where to get help in English.
Draft · not yet verifiedeSIM & phone service
Travel eSIM vs a local SIM, and which apps work.
Coming soonMaps & navigation
Map apps that work in China and why your pin may be off by 500 yards.
Coming soonTranslation
Offline translation, camera translation for menus, and phrases worth saving.
Coming soonEmergency numbers
Free to call from phones in mainland China.
Operators may not speak English. Save your hotel's address in Chinese on your phone so you can show or read it. For a lost passport, contact your embassy or consulate.
Before-you-fly checklist
- Check whether you need a visa, or qualify for visa-free entry or 240-hour transit.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your card, and test a small payment.
- Buy an eSIM or plan for roaming; download offline maps and translation.
- Save hotel addresses in Chinese characters.
- Bring some cash (¥500–1,000) and two different bank cards.
- Keep your passport with you — trains, hotels and many sights need it.