Independently compiled · Field notes for mainland China
China, without the guesswork.
Clear, step-by-step guides to the things that trip up first-time visitors — entry rules, mobile payments, getting online and booking trains. Checked against official sources, and dated.
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China First Trip Checklist (2026): What to Sort Before You Fly
A practical pre-departure checklist for your first China trip: visa-free entry rules, arrival card, Alipay and WeChat Pay, eSIM, apps, trains, hotels and plugs.
9 min read · Updated October 29, 2026- 01 Entry & Visas · 10 min
China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: The 2026 Guide
Who qualifies for China's 240-hour visa-free transit in 2026, the 57 eligible countries, 65 entry ports, how the 10 days are counted, and mistakes to avoid.
- 02 Connectivity · 8 min
Best eSIMs for China (2026): How to Stay Connected
Compare China travel eSIMs for 2026: Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily, Ubigi and Hong Kong carrier plans, with prices, setup steps and local SIM card rules.
- 03 Money & Payments · 8 min
How to Use Alipay and WeChat Pay with a Foreign Card in China (2026)
Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with a Visa, Mastercard or other foreign card: step-by-step setup, ID checks, the 3% fee over ¥200, limits, fixes and cash backups.
- 04 Trains & Transport · 9 min
How to Book China Train Tickets on 12306 (Step by Step for Foreigners)
Register on China Railway's 12306 with a passport, verify your ID, book and pay with a foreign card, then handle changes, refunds, e-tickets and e-receipts.
How we work
About us →Official sources first
Entry rules come from China's immigration authority, embassies and government notices. Payment and booking details come from the providers' own pages.
Dated and cited
Every guide shows when it was last checked and lists each page it relies on, so you can verify anything yourself.
No guesswork
If we can't confirm something on an official page, we say so — or leave it out. Rules change; we update when they do.