Essential Information

Citizens from the following 55 countries are eligible for the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit:
Europe - Schengen Area:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway
Europe - Other:
Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus
Americas:
United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Oceania:
Australia, New Zealand
Asia:
South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Indonesia

IMPORTANT: 30-Day Visa-Free Policy Makes 240-Hour Transit Unnecessary
All of the above countries EXCEPT these 12 currently enjoy a 30-day visa-free entry policy (valid until December 31, 2025):
United States, Canada, United Kingdom
Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Sweden, Lithuania
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

Here's what this means: For 43 out of 55 countries, the 240-hour transit policy is essentially irrelevant until the 30-day visa-free policy expires.

Requirements for 240-hour visa-free passengers:

• Valid passport
• Onward ticket to a third country/region(including Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan) — not your departure country (the country you flew from to China)
• Stay within designated areas

Requirements for 30-days visa-free passengers:

• Valid passport
• Hotel bookings and travel plan (not always checked, but best to have them ready just in case)
• No area restrictions

*For longer stays, apply for your corresponding visa type before entering China.

China Visa Application Center>> https://www.visaforchina.cn

⚠️Important: Some websites and apps (Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, Twitter, etc.) are blocked in China. Set up your data plan before entering China to stay connected.
Below are some instructions about how to stay connected in China.

📍Option 1: International Roaming
Use your existing carrier's international roaming service in China. This allows access to foreign websites without VPN.

Before Departure:

• Contact your carrier 1-2 weeks ahead
• Ask about China data roaming packages:
• Activate the service (some carriers auto-activate upon arrival)
• Enable "Data Roaming" in phone settings

Upon Arrival:

• Your phone will automatically connect to a Chinese network.
• Test by accessing Google or other blocked sites.

📍Option 2: eSIM

• Purchase from 3HK, Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad before departure
• Make sure your service carrier is not in mainland China(otherwise you might still need VPN)
• Make sure your plan includes data service in mainland China

Buy more data than you usually use at home because you need to use more data in travelling (eg. using AMAP, Search, etc.).

📍Option 3: Local SIM/eSIM + VPN
Purchase a Chinese SIM/eSIM and use VPN to access blocked websites.

Before Departure (CRITICAL!):
⚠️ Set up VPN first:

Must download VPN before entering China - VPN apps/websites are blocked there

Recommended VPNs: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Astrill

Install on all devices and test before departure

Save VPN support email (websites blocked in China)

Upon Arrival:

Where to buy Chinese SIM:

Airport counters or vending machine: China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom

If you have got your eSIM, activate it by instructions from your carrier

Using VPN:(When you choose a Chinese carrier's SIM/eSIM)

Connect to Chinese network first

Open pre-installed VPN app

Select nearby server (Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong)

Test by accessing Google, Facebook, etc.

VPN Tips:
Turn VPN off for Chinese apps (WeChat, Alipay, Didi) for better speed
Only use VPN when accessing blocked sites

*Airport and hotel WiFi is widely available in major cities, VPN is still needed when you visit blocked sites.

China has gone almost entirely cashless.
Most places prefer mobile payments, and you'll struggle if you only have cash or international credit cards. That's where Alipay and WeixinPay(WechatPay) comes in. Beyond just payments, you'll use it for everything — calling a taxi, hopping on the subway, and tons of other daily services.
If you want to navigate China without hassle, Alipay is a must-have.

📍Alipay Setup Guide

Step 1: Download the App

Download "Alipay" from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)

Step 2: Register Your Account

Sign up using your international phone number and select "International Version" after registration

Step 3: Identity Verification

Complete identity verification using your passport through instructions

Step 4: Link Your International Card

Alipay accepts Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club cards

Two Ways to Pay

Option 1: Direct Card Linking (Recommended)

Simply add your international credit/debit card and start paying How to Use Alipay in China 2025: Alipay for Foreigners | Trip.com Real-time charges converted at current exchange rates

Option 2: TourCard (Prepaid Balance)

Top up through the TourCard mini-program within Alipay
Valid for 90 days, issued by Bank of Shanghai (works in same way as Revolut)

Based on user reports on Reddit, topping up with an international card may be restricted, so we highly recommend linking your card for direct payments instead.

For more detailed instruction, check how-to-use-alipay

Two Ways to Use
📍WeixinPay(WechatPay) Setup Guide

* Most operation of set up and use in WeChat is almost the same as in Alipay

Tips:
Bring Backup Cash:
Most places accept Alipay/WeixinPay, but some vendors may reject mobile payment or you might encounter other issues — keep small amounts of cash just in case
Add more than only one card:
There are reports on reddit of the Apps asking for CVV code for verification or their bank blocking “suspicious” transactions that are actually legit. So make sure to add more than 1 credit card and that you have your card details on hand

FAQ:

Q: Do I need a data plan to use Alipay and WeChat (Weixin Pay) in China?

A: Yes, you need data to use these apps.

Q: Is there a transaction limit? How is the exchange rate calculated?

A: There is a limit of 6,500 RMB for single transactions, a cumulative limit of 50,000 RMB for monthly transactions, and a cumulative limit of 65,000 RMB for yearly transactions.
The exchange rate will be calculated based on the exchange rate of the card organization and the issuing bank of your international card.
Alipay and WeixinPay transaction limit (with ID veritication compeleted)
CNY 6,500 per single transaction (~$908)
CNY 50,000 (cumulative) per month (~S$6,990)
CNY 65,000 (cumulative) per year (~S$9,087)

Q: Are there any transaction fees?

A: Yes.
Fee Structure:
Transactions under 200 RMB: No transaction fee (currently exempted)
Transactions above 200 RMB: 3% transaction fee applies

Refund Policy: If you request a refund, the transaction fee will be reimbursed proportionally based on the refunded amount. Please refer to the payment page for details.

Q: WeChat and Alipay - Which App is Better?

A: For payments, both apps are accepted almost everywhere.
However, some small vendors might only accept one or the other, so having both installed is your best bet.
For transportation, Alipay has built-in features that let you hail taxis and use public transport with QR codes — making it especially convenient for getting around.
For communication, WeChat is essential if you want to connect with locals. It's China's primary messaging app, so most people use it to chat and stay in touch.

English is not commonly used in China. Although some people can speak English, the average person you meet on the street probably won't be able to communicate in English. Therefore, make sure you're equipped with translation tools such as Google Translate or a translation app.

Translation tool use instruction

• Google Translate(app) - Download offline Chinese package
• Add a Chinese keyboard in advance - Most locals don't have translation apps, so having a Chinese keyboard on your phone will make communication much easier.
• Use ChatGPT or other Al tools wisely - Upload your photo of menu, they're great for interpreting menus and explaining ingredients
• Enable voice translation - For conversations, use Google Translate's conversation mode. You speak, it translates out loud — useful for taxi drivers or asking directions.
• Save important addresses in Chinese - Screenshot or save your hotel address, common destinations, and emergency contacts in Chinese characters. Show these to taxi drivers or locals when needed.
• Learn a few basic phrases - "你好" (nǐ hǎo - hello), "谢谢" (xiè xie - thank you), "多少钱?" (duō shao qián - how much?) try to speak some and locals appreciate the effort.

Getting around within and between cities can be challenging for foreign travelers. Fortunately, Alipay allows you to purchase transit passes and book taxis in most Chinese cities. You can buy train tickets on the 12306 website, which is the official ticketing platform for all trains in China.

• City Pass You can obtain transportation passes for most cities in Alipay. Click "Transport" in the app and search for your city. The pass provides separate QR codes for bus and metro - simply switch between them depending on which service you're using.这里加图片
• Maps As Google is blocked in China, map information in China is not updated(Because no one use it in China!). A good replacement is Amap(Gaode). Their recent update includes English support. While you can search in Amap using English, it would be better if you copy and paste the Chinese names of places than using English names.
• Taxis Search Taxi in your Alipay search bar(on the top of screen), and select Didi. Then book a taxi just like how you do in Uber.

Tips:
It's better to have your destination's Chinese name saved on your phone - this will help with more accurate location searches.
Remember the last four digits of your phone number. If you book a taxi online, drivers will ask for these digits to confirm your identity when picking you up.

Trains connect major cities - book tickets via

• 12306(offical website)
  Purchase your tickets via 12306 >> 12306.cn


• Trip.com(biggest travel agency)
  Purchase your tickets via Trip.com >> trip.com/trains/china/


• At the station
  At the counter: Show staff your destination and departure time (some staff may not speak English, so having this information ready helps).
  Ticket machines: These have English language options for easy self-service.

tips:
I don't recommend taking intercity buses, as many are privately operated. Trains offer more security and reliability, plus the entire process is more foreigner-friendly.
When purchasing train tickets, always verify your destination's province location and double-check the Chinese characters. Be careful - some cities have the same English name (pinyin) but are entirely different places!
Also check your destinations in cities -- choose the nearest station, different stations in same city may has a very long distance.
At train stations, use the manual check lane when accessing boarding gates. Station staff will assist you with scanning your passport.

Book hotels through international platforms (Booking.com, Trip.com) or hotel brand offical websites.

Important: Foreign visitors are required to stay at licensed hotels that are registered to accept foreign guests. Nowadays, most hotels have this authorization and can accommodate foreigners.

Some useful accommodation booking websites

Planning a 10-day trip to China can be challenging, especially when you're interested in everything - China is simply too vast to see it all in one visit. If you only have 10 days, don't try to visit Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Zhangjiajie in the same trip - nearly half your time would be spent traveling! So it's crucial to plan wisely. The key principle is to prioritize your ideal destinations and select the most fascinating ones, then plan your route from there. For example, if you're landing in Shanghai and want to spend several days in this megacity, consider nearby cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces like Suzhou, Nanjing, or Hangzhou. You can then dedicate 3-4 days to one more distant destination. If you love vibrant night scenes, you might want to visit Chongqing, and from there you can easily reach Chengdu in Sichuan Province, which is very close by. In the trip planning section, I'll provide a more comprehensive tour management guide.

Important: Foreign visitors must stay at licensed hotels that can register foreign guests. Upon check-in, provide your passport - hotels will register you with local police (required by law).

Budget options include international chains, boutique hotels, and youth hostels in major cities.