China First Day
Guide Checklist

Guides for the parts of China travel that matter on day one.

Start with the checklist, then use these guides to prepare payment, arrival, hotels, trains, useful apps, and your first city.

Build checklist

Best way to use this page

1

Build your preparation checklist first.

2

Read the guide that matches your biggest uncertainty.

3

Save addresses, phrases, bookings, and backup plans before departure.

4

Use the city guide after your arrival city is decided.

Core guide list

Visa-Free And Entry Preparation Guide

Help visitors understand what to verify before travel without promising eligibility.

When to read

Before booking or before departure.

What it helps with

Payment Setup Guide

Prepare mobile payment, card, cash, and hotel fallback options for day one.

When to read

Three to seven days before departure, then again before leaving the airport.

What it helps with

China Arrival Guide

A practical first-hour flow for baggage, phone, payment backup, transport, and hotel address checks.

When to read

From landing to leaving the airport or station.

What it helps with

Train Booking Guide

Explain real-name travel, station friction, boarding basics, and backup planning for first-time visitors.

When to read

Before buying an intercity rail ticket.

What it helps with

Hotel Check-In Guide

Prepare passport check-in, booking names, late arrival, deposits, and what to confirm before booking.

When to read

Before booking the first night, then again before landing.

What it helps with

Essential Apps Guide

Focus on practical arrival tasks such as maps, translation, ride-hailing, payment, and hotel communication.

When to read

Before departure, while the traveler still has stable internet and time to test setup.

What it helps with

Beijing First Day Guide

A city-specific arrival guide for airport transfer, hotel area, weather, first meal, and fallback planning.

When to read

After choosing Beijing as the arrival city.

What it helps with

Shanghai First Day Guide

A city-specific arrival guide for airport transfer, payment backup, hotel area, first meal, and arrival weather.

When to read

After choosing Shanghai as the arrival city.

What it helps with

City guide queue

The first city pages should follow the same first-day structure before expanding into broader travel inspiration.

01

Shanghai

02

Beijing

03

Guangzhou

04

Shenzhen

05

Chengdu

06

Chongqing

07

Hangzhou

08

Xi'an

09

Qingdao

10

Kunming

Important note

Rules and service availability can change. For entry, transport, payment, hotel, telecom, and app setup, verify important details with official sources or service providers before travel.