Independent China arrival guide
Arrive in China prepared.
Prepare your entry, payments, accommodation, transport and medical steps before you travel.
Choose a preparation path
Featured guides
Four practical guides for getting ready and knowing what to do when plans change.
Explore by journey
Entry & documents
Confirm your visa-free route, Arrival Card, customs and entry requirements before you fly.
Payments & connectivity
Prepare mobile payments and internet access, with practical backups for common failures.
Stay & transport
Confirm accommodation registration, then plan airport transfers, city travel and journeys between cities.
Medical & emergency
Use official channels to contact international patient services before travel, and know where to find emergency help.
Before you travel
Do I need a visa for China?
Entry requirements depend on your passport, purpose, route and travel dates. Check the current official rules before booking.
Explore entry and documentsHow do foreign visitors register accommodation in China?
Hotels and non-hotel stays follow different registration paths. Confirm who will handle the process and prepare the actual address before arrival.
Read the accommodation guideCan international patients receive medical treatment in China?
You can contact hospitals that publish international-patient services, but the institution must confirm current availability, evaluation and required materials.
Plan medical treatmentCan foreign visitors use mobile payments in China?
Foreign visitors can prepare Alipay or WeChat Pay and keep cash or a bank card as backup; support, verification and merchant acceptance can vary.
Explore payment preparationCan I use my own phone in China?
Prepare mobile internet before travel, compare reviewed roaming, local SIM and eSIM options, and keep essential information available offline.
Read the mobile internet guideHow ChinaReady reviews this guide
Independent preparation guidance with official sources linked on policy-sensitive pages.