Transit rules
240-Hour Transit Check-In: What Airlines Check and a Printable Proof Checklist
Why some travellers get stopped at check-in for China's 240-hour visa-free transit, what the airline is checking, and a printable list of what to carry.
Guides
All guides
18 plain-English guides, each checked against official sources.
Connectivity
Apps to Install Before a China Trip (2026): Payments, Transport, Trains and Paperwork
The apps and mini programs visitors actually need in China: Alipay or WeChat Pay, ride-hailing, 12306 for trains, NIA 12367 for arrival and registration.
Itinerary
Beijing 240-Hour Transit Itinerary: 3, 5 or 10 Days Without a Visa
A Beijing plan for 240-hour visa-free transit: Forbidden City booking rules, quieter Central Axis stops, Tianjin and Hebei day trips, and arrival tips.
Transport
How to Book China High-Speed Train Tickets as a Foreigner (12306 Guide)
Book Chinese high-speed rail tickets on the official 12306 English site or app with your passport: verification, payment, refunds, kids' fares, luggage.
Transport
How to Buy China Train Tickets for a Foreign Friend on 12306
Booking high-speed rail tickets for a foreign visitor: adding a passport to My Passengers on 12306, verification status, picking up tickets, and changes.
Itinerary
Chengdu 240-Hour Transit Itinerary: Pandas, Leshan and Dujiangyan
Plan a Chengdu stopover on 240-hour visa-free transit: the 11 permitted Sichuan cities, booking the panda base, Leshan and Mount Emei, and Dujiangyan.
Transit rules
China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Explained (2026 Rules)
Who qualifies for China's 240-hour visa-free transit in 2026: the 57 countries, 65 ports, permitted areas, onward tickets and how the 10 days are counted.
Money & payments
Cash in China for Foreigners: ATMs, Exchange, Your Right to Pay Cash and Tax Refunds
How visitors get and use cash in China: ATMs and exchange, customs limits, the 2026 cash acceptance rules, card fees, and departure tax refunds.
Entry & stay
China Entry Checklist for First-Time Visitors (2026)
What to sort out before entering China: visa or visa-free status, passport, arrival card (online or paper), customs limits and registering where you stay.
Entry & stay
Accommodation Registration in China for Foreigners: Hotels, Friends and Online Registration (2026)
When foreigners must register where they stay in China, who does it, and how to register online since 21 Sep 2026 via the NIA 12367 app or mini programs.
Entry & stay
China Power Bank Rules for Flights: The 3C (CCC) Mark and What Gets Confiscated
Why power banks get taken at Chinese airport security: the CCC (3C) mark rule on domestic flights since June 2025, the Wh limits, and how to check yours.
Connectivity
China SIM Card for Tourists: Buying a Local SIM With a Passport, or Using an eSIM
How visitors get a Chinese SIM card with a passport: where to buy, phone requirements, card limits, Beijing airport pickup, and when an eSIM is enough.
Transit rules
China Visa-Free Entry vs 240-Hour Transit: Which Applies to You?
Compare China's 30-day visa-free entry with 240-hour visa-free transit: who qualifies, how long you can stay, where you can go and which is simpler.
Transport
Getting Around China as a Foreigner: Metro by Bank Card and DiDi
Pay for the metro in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou with a foreign bank card, use DiDi with an overseas number, and what to do when a payment fails.
Itinerary
Guangzhou and Guangdong 240-Hour Transit Itinerary
Plan a Guangdong stopover on 240-hour visa-free transit: 10 entry ports, exit from any Guangdong port, the Hong Kong and Macao question, and a route plan.
Money & payments
How Foreigners Pay in China: Alipay and WeChat Pay With a Foreign Card
How visitors can pay in China with Alipay or WeChat Pay using a foreign Visa or Mastercard, plus fees, limits, cards and cash, from official sources.
Itinerary
Shanghai 240-Hour Transit Itinerary: Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou
Plan a Shanghai stopover on 240-hour visa-free transit: airport and cruise ports, Maglev and metro by bank card, Bund lights, and Suzhou and Hangzhou.
Itinerary
Two-Week China Itinerary for First-Time Visitors: Route, Visa Basis and Booking Tips
A two-week first trip to China: Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai, which visa-free option covers 14 days, and what travellers say to add or skip.