China, without the confusion.
Everything you need for your first trip — payments, taxis, trains, food, and bilingual cards you can show right on your phone.
Take Me to This Address
Show to street taxi drivers or ride-hailing pickups
Show exact destination address in Chinese characters on phone screen.
What do you need to do?
Direct, step-by-step execution guides for your first hours in China. No fluff, just practical instructions.
Set Up Alipay & WeChat Pay Before Landing
China is virtually cashless. Set up mobile payment on your foreign card before flying so you never get stranded at cashiers.
How to Take Taxis & Use Didi in China
Book rides in English via Didi mini-program or show driver-ready bilingual address cards without language barriers.
How to Book & Board High-Speed Trains
Navigate China's bullet train network seamlessly: ticket booking, passport check-in, and gate finding.
How to Order Food, Handle Allergies & Menus
Order food comfortably via QR code tables, communicate dietary restrictions, and avoid surprise ingredients.
How to Navigate Cities with Maps & Metro
Find your way accurately using Apple Maps or Baidu/Amap with bilingual station names and metro tips.
eSIM, Roaming, VPN & Essential App Connectivity
Stay connected smoothly with working mobile data, maps, communication, and essential local apps.
When words fail, show this.
No language skills needed. Show these large-text Chinese cards directly on your phone screen to drivers, restaurant staff, and railway officers.
Severe Peanut Allergy
Show to restaurant waiter or chef before ordering
Critical card: Chinese cuisine often uses peanut oil or crushed peanuts.
Take Me to This Address
Show to street taxi drivers or ride-hailing pickups
Show exact destination address in Chinese characters on phone screen.
Which Boarding Gate for My Train?
Show to station staff at railway concourse
Show station staff your train number (e.g. G7002) on phone screen.
Get China-ready in 10 minutes
Follow this simple 5-step preparation flow before boarding your flight to China.
Internet
Activate eSIM or roaming data before flight.
Payments
Setup Alipay & link your foreign credit card.
Maps
Pre-load Apple Maps & save Chinese addresses.
Didi Taxi
Setup DiDi ride-hailing inside Alipay app.
Train Booking
Book High-Speed Rail tickets via passport.
First time in...
Airport arrivals, metro tips, and city-specific card packs for China's top travel destinations.
Land at PVG/SHA → Customs → Connectivity → Transit decision → Hotel Check-in → First Meal → Bund Skyline.
Capital/Daxing Airport → Express Train → Forbidden City passport check → Subway ring → Great Wall rail.
Tianfu / Shuangliu airports → Metro Line 18 → Panda Base shuttle → Teahouse relaxation → Sichuan non-spicy cards.
Essential First-Trip Questions
Can I use foreign credit cards in China?
Yes! You can link your Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card directly to Alipay and WeChat Pay before landing. Most transactions under ¥200 waive the 3% service fee.
Do I need a VPN or eSIM for internet access?
A foreign travel eSIM or international roaming from your carrier automatically bypasses local internet restrictions. If using local Wi-Fi, set up a VPN prior to entering China.
How do I take taxis from Chinese airports?
You can use the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay, or follow signs to the official taxi queue. Show drivers our bilingual address cards directly on your phone screen.
Do Chinese train stations require physical tickets?
Most travelers using railway e-tickets can enter and board with the passport used for booking. Keep your passport with you and follow station instructions.