China Life Kit Guides
Practical China guides, updated for 2026.
Set up essential apps, plan your route, and understand local customs before and during your trip.
Move with confidence
Practical answers for real days in China.
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How to Do Things
Step-by-step help for apps, payments, transport, hotels, food delivery, and daily tasks.
How to Set Up Alipay as a Foreigner in China
Set up Alipay with a foreign phone number, passport, and international bank card so you can pay by QR code in China.
How to Use WeChat Pay with a Foreign Bank Card
Set up WeChat Pay with a passport and foreign bank card, then use QR payments in shops, taxis, restaurants, and mini programs.
How to Register WeChat as a Foreigner
Register WeChat with a foreign phone number, handle SMS or friend verification, and avoid early account security problems.
How to Set Up Amap in China as a Foreigner
Set up Amap, also called Gaode Maps, so you can search Chinese addresses, navigate metro/walking routes, save places, and use local map data in China.
How to Get a SIM Card in China as a Foreigner
Choose between a local SIM, eSIM, and roaming, register with your passport if you need a Chinese number, and test data and SMS before leaving the store.
How to Take a Taxi or Ride-Hailing Car in China
Call a car with DiDi, Amap, hotel help, or a street taxi, then manage pickup, destination, payment, and safety checks.
How to Use the Metro in China
Ride Chinese metros with Alipay Transport, local metro apps, ticket machines, security checks, transfers, and the correct exit.
How to Set Up 12306 as a Foreigner
Install China Railway 12306, prepare passport identity details, and understand when to use 12306 versus Trip.com.
How to Buy High-Speed Train Tickets in China
Use 12306 or a foreigner-friendly platform, enter passport details correctly, choose the right station, and board with confidence.
How to Book a Hotel in China as a Foreigner
Choose a hotel that can host foreign guests, confirm passport registration, and prepare check-in details.
How Hotel Check-In Works for Foreigners in China
Prepare for passport registration, foreign guest acceptance, deposits, and arrival timing.
How to Order Food Delivery in China
Prepare your address, phone, payment, and delivery handoff flow before ordering meals.
How to Shop Online in China with Taobao and JD
Use Taobao and JD to buy everyday items, enter a Chinese address, pay, track orders, and receive parcels.
How to Receive Parcels and Deliveries in China
Understand Chinese addresses, courier calls, pickup cabinets, and delivery handoff points.
How to Visit a Hospital in China as a Foreigner
Choose between international clinics and public hospitals, register with a passport, manage step-by-step payments, and collect the right medicine, results, and insurance documents.
First 72 Hours in China: Practical Setup Checklist
A focused checklist for payments, phone access, transport, hotel basics, food, and emergency backups.
How to Pay in China as a Foreigner
Set up and use Alipay, WeChat Pay, cards, and cash backup.
How to Pay in China as a Foreigner
Understand Alipay, WeChat Pay, foreign cards, cash backup, QR payments, and common payment failures before relying on one method.
China Internet Access Guide: eSIM, Roaming, VPN and Apps
Get online with SIM cards, eSIMs, roaming, and Wi-Fi.
China Internet Access Guide: eSIM, Roaming, VPN and Apps
Prepare phone data and internet access options for China, including roaming, eSIM, local SIM, hotel Wi-Fi, app access, and work VPN considerations.
How to Fix Alipay / WeChat Pay Fails
Troubleshoot Alipay and WeChat Pay failures in China by checking bank blocks, VPN or SMS issues, merchant QR support, amount limits, fees, and backup payment options.
How Much Cash to Carry in China
A practical cash backup strategy for foreigners in China: how much RMB to carry, where to get cash, when cash helps, and when mobile payment is still essential.
How to Get Internet in China
Choose the right China internet setup for your trip: travel eSIM, roaming, local SIM, VPN, hotel Wi-Fi, and backup access before arrival.
How to Choose China eSIM / VPN / SIM
A practical decision guide for choosing a China travel eSIM, VPN, local SIM, roaming, or combined setup based on your trip and app needs.
How to Board High-Speed Trains in China
A station walkthrough for foreigners after buying China high-speed train tickets: arrival time, passport entry, security, gates, platforms, seats, luggage, toilets, and transfers.
How to Book Attraction Tickets in China
Book China attraction tickets as a foreigner using Trip.com, Klook, official websites, WeChat official accounts or mini programs, ticket windows, hotel help, and passport-based real-name entry.
How to Buy Medicine in China
Find pharmacies, ask for common over-the-counter medicines by generic name, understand prescription routes, use online pharmacy delivery safely, and know when to go to a hospital in China.
What to Do If You Lose Your Passport in China
A calm emergency checklist for foreigners who lose a passport in China: search first, report the loss, contact your embassy, replace the document, fix your China stay or exit record, and avoid travel problems.
How to Use Shared Bikes in China
Unlock and return shared bikes in China using Alipay, WeChat, Meituan, HelloBike, or DiDi Qingju, with practical help for foreigners using passports, foreign cards, Chinese phone numbers, parking zones, and failed returns.
How to Use Shared Power Banks in China
Rent and return shared power banks in China using Alipay or WeChat, avoid failed returns and surprise fees, and know what to do when your phone is nearly dead.
Get the free First 72 Hours in China Checklist
Prepare payment, phone data, hotel check-in, transport, food delivery, internet access, and backup options before arriving in China.