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Welcome to China!

How to Pay

It is recommended to install the Alipay (支付宝) app, available on the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery. To register, you’ll need to provide a phone number and enter the verification code from an SMS. After that, identity verification is required:

  • If your phone supports NFC – after entering the SMS code and starting verification, place your passport on the back of your phone (note: this may not work for some passport types; in that case, use the manual verification option below).
  • If your phone does not support NFC – manually enter your passport details and photograph the main information page, then submit it for manual review (takes about 1 day).

After verification, you can link a bank card (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, JCB, UnionPay) to Alipay via the Account tab.

To make a payment, press the Scan button and scan the seller’s QR code. If it’s at a checkout counter, the amount will already be entered – you just need to confirm the payment. If it’s a payment code, enter the amount manually and confirm. Or press Pay/Receive and present your code to the seller’s scanner.

Transaction limit: 5,000 CNY per transaction for foreign bank cards.

Important: Linked foreign cards can only be used for payments. Some vendors, like street food sellers, may only accept transfers to their personal Alipay accounts, which are not possible with foreign cards.

Staying Connected: SIM Cards & Internet

If you plan to use any Chinese services, a local SIM card is required. If not, roaming may be sufficient. Note that with travel SIM cards (e.g., Gigago), you won’t get a Chinese number.

SIM cards can be purchased at any mobile service store (营业厅) with a passport. China has three major mobile carriers: China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom – there’s not much difference among them.

Note: If you're using roaming from a foreign provider, you may still be able to access websites and services that are otherwise blocked in China (e.g., Google, WhatsApp). In contrast, Chinese mobile carriers enforce all domestic internet restrictions.

If you plan to use the SIM outside China, check whether international roaming is enabled and choose a suitable plan. SIMs become inactive after 3 months of non-payment and are permanently canceled after 6 months – the number may then be reassigned.

Important: If you don't plan to use the SIM after your trip, cancel it before leaving China. Otherwise, it remains registered in your name, and you won’t be able to buy another SIM during your next visit until it expires (usually in 6 months).

Essential App for Communication: WeChat

Install WeChat (微信), available on the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery. Register using a phone number and SMS verification. Messaging is available immediately after registration.

To unlock more features, you’ll need to verify your identity by:

  • Adding a Chinese bank card to your WeChat Wallet, or
  • Adding a foreign bank card and uploading a passport scan

How to Get Around

Taxi

Install the DiDi (滴滴出行) app, available on the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery. Register using your phone number and SMS verification.

Select a payment method (Alipay/WeChat; Chinese and foreign bank cards are supported). If using Alipay, allow DiDi to deduct money automatically. You can then use the app normally.

If you don’t speak Chinese, it’s best to call a taxi to a clearly visible location (e.g., in front of a hotel or shopping mall) to avoid misunderstandings when calling the driver. The vehicle number will appear in the app.

Note: In many public places (airports, train stations), taxi pickup via the app is only available in designated e-hailing areas (follow the signs).

Public Transport

Use Alipay for public transport payments. In the Transport tab, choose your city and transport type (subway or bus – trolleybuses are considered buses). Tap Get Now, enter the SMS code sent to your linked phone number, open your transport code, and scan it at the entry gate or on the bus pole.

Note: Subway and bus fares are distance-based. You need to scan your code again when exiting (not required for some short bus routes with fixed fares).

Train

Install the official railway app 12306 and complete ID verification by entering your passport information. Once verified, you can purchase train tickets by selecting the departure/arrival stations, seat class, and specific seat.

Paper tickets are not issued. Access to the station and train is by passport – shown at entry and boarding. Most stations now have document scanners at the entry gates, but a manual check may be required.

Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure and ends 3 minutes before.

Note: Most cities have multiple train stations (e.g., North, South). When booking, you can search across all stations or filter by specific ones. Be sure to confirm which station is most convenient for your departure or arrival.

Travel Dates

It is highly recommended to avoid traveling to China during national holidays. Travel volume increases significantly, leading to a shortage of tickets, hotel rooms, and overcrowding at tourist spots and on public transport. Government offices and most businesses are also closed.

The two main holidays are:

  • Chinese New Year (春节) – based on the lunar calendar, the date changes each year. The holiday typically lasts 7 consecutive days between late January and early March.
  • National Day (国庆节) – celebrated from October 1 to October 8.

Other notable holidays include:

  • Qingming Festival (清明节) – April 4 to 6 each year.
  • Labor Day (五一节) – May 1 to 5.

Where to Eat

Install the Dianping (大众点评) app, available on the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery. It has an English interface, where content and reviews are automatically translated from Chinese. It includes listings, filters, ratings, reviews, and photos. You can also navigate to locations within the app or via other map apps. Taxi ordering to the selected restaurant and some other services are available after registration and setting up a payment method (via Alipay, WeChat, or Chinese bank cards).

For food delivery, use the Takeout service built into Alipay. A Chinese phone number and delivery address are required. Some hotels don’t allow couriers inside – your order may be left at the front desk or a designated pickup area.

Install either Baidu Maps (百度地图) or Amap (高德地图), available on the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery.

  • Amap has an English interface and supports English search.
  • Baidu Maps are more detailed and updated more frequently.

Basic map functions are available upon installation. For advanced features (e.g., taxi booking), you’ll need to register and link a payment method (Alipay, WeChat, or a Chinese bank card).

You can also search for routes using public transport. Metro lines are marked by number and color; buses are identified by number.