China Travel Checklist

Passport and Entry Permission

Check passport validity and the current visa, visa-free or transit rules for your nationality and route

Official Arrival Card

Complete the free NIA arrival card or plan to use the official service at the port

Onward Travel and First Stay

Save the return or onward booking, first accommodation and its Chinese address offline

Separate Document Copies

Keep secure digital and paper copies away from the original passport

Customs Declaration Decision

Check whether cash, food, plant or animal products, controlled medicine, commercial goods or unaccompanied baggage require the red channel

Primary and Backup Internet

Install roaming or an eSIM before departure and keep a backup for essential accounts

Two Payment Methods and Recovery

Verify Alipay or WeChat Pay, enable overseas card transactions and OTP access, and carry a physical card plus some RMB

China-Ready Map

Set Amap to a usable language and save hotel and station names in Chinese

Offline Translation

Download offline language support and save important addresses and medical phrases

12306 Passport Verification

Create the passenger exactly as shown on the passport and complete verification before tickets open

Exact Station Names

Check North, South, East and West stations and save the correct terminal in Chinese

Time-Sensitive Tickets

Confirm release dates for trains and passport-booked attractions rather than relying on an old schedule

Ride-Hailing Pickup Plan

Set up DiDi and learn the designated pickup area at the arrival airport or station

Local Transit Fallback

Activate each destination city's metro or bus QR and know how to buy a single ticket or use RMB if verification fails

Passport-Matching Reservation

Book under the exact passport name and list every international guest

Chinese Address and Phone

Save the property name, address, phone number and confirmation offline

Registration Responsibility

Hotels register guests; for a private stay, confirm who will complete registration within 24 hours

Late Arrival Confirmed

Tell a small property about a late check-in and confirm deposit and payment options

Domestic-Flight Power Bank

For a mainland domestic flight, check the clear CCC mark, condition, capacity and recall status

Power and Charging Compatibility

Confirm devices support 220 V / 50 Hz and pack the correct plug adapter plus a spare charging cable

Medicine Documentation

Carry a reasonable personal supply in original packaging with prescriptions or diagnosis records

Insurance Assistance Details

Save the policy, claims process and 24-hour assistance contact offline

Emergency Numbers

In mainland China, save 110 for police, 119 for fire, 120 for medical emergencies and 122 for traffic accidents

Personal Emergency Contact Plan

Save your embassy or consulate, insurer, hotel and a trusted contact offline, and share your first stay and basic itinerary

Tax-Refund Eligibility and Records

Before paying, confirm the store and goods qualify, use the departing passport identity, and keep the refund record and goods unused

Refund Goods Accessible

Keep goods available until customs confirms whether inspection is required, before checking the bag

Extra Departure Time

Allow time for customs, refund processing, security and any instant-refund confirmation