# ChinaPass｜中国生存包 — travel FAQ full content (English) > Live in China without a Chinese number. Machine-readable full text of every verified travel FAQ on chinapass.app in en-US, for AI answer engines. Each answer states what was verified and when. Canonical pages: https://chinapass.app/help// (index of indexes: https://chinapass.app/llms.txt). Content updates over the air — re-crawl for the latest. Questions and corrections: kexuejin@gmail.com --- # Transport ## 12306 On-Sale Times by Station: When Train Tickets Actually Drop Source: https://chinapass.app/help/12306-station-on-sale-times/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** 12306 sells tickets 15 days ahead, and the moment they drop depends on the departure station, not the arrival. Stations release between 08:00 and 18:00 in batches — verified examples: Shanghai Hongqiao 13:45 (other Shanghai stations 14:45), Hangzhou East and most Hangzhou stations 10:45, Tianjin stations 16:00–16:15. Look up your exact station in the 12306 app under 出行向导 → 起售时间, then be ready with passenger details saved a few minutes before your station's moment. ### The rule, then the clock Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu and every other major hub has its own moment in the same 08:00–18:00 band. Rather than trusting a cached table — stations occasionally adjust — check the authoritative source per station. | Departure station | On-sale time | Verified | | --- | --- | --- | | Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥) | 13:45 | spring 2026, via state-media ticketing guide | | Shanghai, Shanghai South, Songjiang, other Shanghai stations | 14:45 | spring 2026, same source | | Hangzhou East / Hangzhou / Hangzhou South / Hangzhou West | 10:45 | spring 2026, Hangzhou government ticketing notice | | Fuyang, Tonglu, Jiande and other county stations under Hangzhou | 10:30 | same notice | | Tianjin, Tianjin West, Tianjin North | 16:15 | spring 2026, Tianjin government ticketing notice | | Tianjin South, Binhai, Binhai West | 16:00 | same notice | ### Looking up any station's on-sale time in 30 seconds - Open the 12306 app → 出行向导 (Travel Guide) → 起售时间 (On-Sale Times). - Enter the departure station and a date; the app returns that station's exact release minute. - Set the same lookup for your return leg — the return departure station runs on its own clock. - Web users: the same lookup exists on 12306.cn under 出行向导. ### Using the moment, not just knowing it - Save all passengers (passport details included) before the on-sale date — completing forms during the drop is how seats vanish. - Use 购票信息预填 (pre-fill) on the train list the day before: your order submits in one tap at the release minute. - Missed the first minute? Do not refresh blindly. Submit the official waitlist (候补) immediately — it keeps queueing for returned tickets and cancellations and outperforms every paid 'accelerator', which has no priority whatsoever. - Since 19 January 2026 a free correction refund exists: bought the wrong ticket? Cancel free within 30 minutes of payment if departure is 4+ hours away, once per person per day — useful for fixing a wrong date without paying the tiered refund fees. **What time do 12306 tickets go on sale each day?** There is no single daily time. Each departure station has its own release minute between roughly 08:00 and 18:00 — for example Shanghai Hongqiao at 13:45, Hangzhou stations at 10:45, Tianjin stations around 16:00–16:15. Check your station in the 12306 app under 出行向导 → 起售时间. **How many days in advance can I buy Chinese train tickets?** 15 days, counting the current day. Tickets for 1 October 2026 went on sale 17 September; tickets for the 7 October return peak opened 23 September. **Why is my ticket sold out at the exact release moment?** Popular routes on holiday dates can exhaust the initial inventory within minutes of the drop. Submit the official waitlist (候补) right away — cancellations and added capacity flow to the queue fairly. Third-party booking apps have no priority over the queue, whatever they advertise. **Do foreigners use the same on-sale times on 12306?** Yes — passport accounts buy on the same presale calendar and station clocks as everyone else. Register and verify the passport as a passenger before the on-sale date so nothing blocks the purchase at the drop. **Can I change the on-sale time of my station?** No — the release minute belongs to the departure station and cannot be changed. What you can control is preparation: saved passengers, pre-filled orders, and being logged in several minutes early. ## Can I use the Shanghai metro with a foreign card? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/shanghai-metro-foreign-card/ · Verified: 2026-09-28 **Short answer:** Yes. Activate the Shanghai metro code inside Alipay's Transport tab using your bound international card, then scan at the gate. If you would rather not, every station has machines with an English interface that accept cash and foreign cards for single journeys. ### The QR route - Alipay → Transport tab → activate the Shanghai code once - Works with a foreign card and an international phone number - Distance-based fare deducted on exit ### The token route Station machines sell single-journey tokens and accept cash and international cards. Slower per trip, but dependable when your phone is flat or the code will not activate. ### Airport connections Hongqiao is directly on the metro network. Pudong is served by the maglev and metro Line 2 — both accept the same QR code once activated. **Do I need to activate a new code in each city?** Yes, once per city, but it is a single tap inside the same Transport tab. **Can I use WeChat instead of Alipay?** Both support transport codes in Shanghai. Alipay's English interface is usually the easier first setup. **Is there a day pass?** Some cities sell day passes at station counters, but the distance-based QR fare is typically cheaper for a normal day of sightseeing. ## China Metro QR Codes for Foreigners: Every City's Best Method (2026) Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-metro-qr-code-foreigner/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Foreign visitors have three routes into China's metros. In Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu you can tap a Visa, Mastercard, AmEx or UnionPay bank card directly at the gates — no app, no ticket. Everywhere else, activate the ride code inside Alipay (Transport → your city), or use the local metro app like Shanghai's Metro大都会. Single-ride tickets from machines and staffed counters also accept cash and foreign cards. ### The three methods, ranked - Tap your bank card at the gate — the newest and simplest option, but only in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu (plus Beijing's suburban S2 line and Shanghai's maglev and city rail lines). Hold a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or UnionPay card on the gate reader like a transit card. No purchase, no app, no registration. - Alipay ride code — works in essentially every city with a metro (China has 55 of them). Open Alipay → Transport (出行) → pick your city → verify your identity once → a QR code appears, refreshed each ride. Payment pulls from your linked foreign card. One activation covers buses too in most cities. - Local metro apps — Shanghai's Metro大都会 (Metro Dahuiyuan) app registers with a passport and binds the same payment channels as Alipay or WeChat, then rides are charged after you exit (先乘后付). Worth it only if you ride Shanghai's metro daily and want its trip-history features. ### City-by-city: the best method for each of the 10 metro cities Guilin and Zhangjiajie — two of China's most-visited scenic areas — have no metro at all. City buses take cash or Alipay, and for the scenic areas themselves you are dealing with shuttle buses and park tickets, not metro gates; see our Guilin-Yangshuo and Zhangjiajie booking guides for those. | City | Best method for foreigners | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | Beijing | Tap card at gate | Foreign cards work on subway lines and the S2 suburban line; Alipay ride code also fine | | Shanghai | Tap card at gate, or Metro大都会 app | All station service centers take foreign cards for tickets; maglev gates accept tapped cards too | | Guangzhou | Tap card at gate | Alipay ride code covers buses as well | | Chengdu | Tap card at gate | City buses also accept tapped cards on POS readers | | Shenzhen | Alipay ride code | Fastest setup — activate in under a minute with a passport | | Chongqing | Alipay ride code | Deep valley lines with long escalators; allow transfer time | | Xi'an | Alipay ride code | Lines 2/3 cover the Bell Tower and Terracotta Army connections | | Hangzhou | Alipay ride code | Also valid on Shaoxing and Huzhou connected lines | | Nanjing | Alipay ride code | Line to the high-speed south station runs late | | Suzhou | Alipay ride code | Connects with Shanghai metro network transfers at border stations | ### Activating the Alipay ride code, step by step - Open Alipay → Transport (the bus icon, labeled 出行). - Select the city you are in — the app uses location, but confirm manually when traveling. - First time only: verify your identity with your passport photo. This is the same verification you did when linking your card. - The ride code appears with a refreshed background each time. Hold it over the gate scanner — same lane as locals, same fare. - Repeat per city. Each city's code activates on first selection; after that it is one tap away. ### When the QR route fails, fall back to tickets - Every metro sells single-ride tickets at machines and staffed counters. Machines take coins and small notes; staffed counters accept cash and, in big cities, foreign bank cards — Shanghai runs foreign-card POS at every station's service center. - Day passes (one-day, three-day) are usually sold at counters and make sense if you are doing 4+ rides a day. - Gates are narrow at rush hour and security checks exist at every entrance — bags go through an X-ray scanner, which takes 10–20 extra seconds per station. - No signal in the station? Ride codes are generated offline once activated, but if the app shows a blank screen, head to the counter — this is the failure mode that catches people whose eSIM just died. **Can foreigners use the metro in China without a Chinese phone number or bank card?** Yes. Alipay registers with an overseas number and a linked foreign card, and the ride code works the same as for locals. In Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu you can skip the app entirely and tap a foreign Visa/Mastercard/AmEx/UnionPay card at the gate. **Which cities let foreigners tap a bank card on the metro?** Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu accept tapped foreign bank cards at metro gates, per the official 2026 guidance for foreign business travelers, plus Beijing's S2 line and Shanghai's maglev and city rail lines. Other cities still need a ride code or a ticket. **Is the Alipay ride code more expensive than a metro ticket?** No — same fare as a single-ride ticket, and in Shanghai riders get the same local discounts, including 10% off after spending ¥70 on metro in a month. The 3% foreign-card service fee only applies to Alipay purchases over ¥200, which a metro ride never is. **Do I need to activate a new ride code in every city?** Yes — the code is city-specific. Open Alipay → Transport and select the new city; activation takes seconds since your identity is already verified. Your previously activated cities stay one tap away. **What if the gate shows an error when I scan?** Stand back and regenerate the code, then try the same lane again. If it fails twice, walk to the staffed counter — they will let you through with a paper ticket after a quick check. Do not tailgate through a gate; fines run 5–10× the fare. ## China Train Stations with a Passport: Entry, Gates and E-tickets Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-train-station-passport-entry/ · Verified: 2026-09-24 **Short answer:** Book through the official 12306 route that accepts your passport, complete identity verification before travel and bring the original passport used for the booking. The e-ticket is the ticket; a staffed lane is the fallback when a gate cannot read a foreign passport or your booking details do not match. Do not rely on a paper ticket or arrive at the last minute during a holiday peak. ### Before the station - Use the passport number and name exactly as registered in 12306. - Check the station, departure time, platform and gate information in the official app. - Keep the original passport, booking confirmation and onward travel details accessible. ### At security and the gate Pass security with the same passport and ticket record. If an automatic gate rejects the document, do not repeatedly retry or ask another traveller to use their QR code; go to the staffed service channel and explain that you booked with a foreign passport. ### If the booking name differs Do not assume a minor spelling variation is harmless. Contact 12306 or the station service desk before departure and follow the correction/refund rules shown in the official booking record. **Do I need a paper ticket in China?** The normal 12306 booking uses an electronic ticket, but the passport used for booking is still your identity document. Follow station instructions if a gate needs assistance. **Can a foreign passport enter a train station?** Yes, when the ticket was booked and verified through the supported 12306 passport process. Bring the original passport used for booking. **What if the automatic gate will not scan my passport?** Go to the staffed lane. Do not keep retrying or borrow another passenger's QR code. **How early should I arrive during Golden Week?** Arrive earlier than a normal day. Holiday queues and security checks can be substantially longer even when the train time is unchanged. ## How do I book China high-speed trains with a passport? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/book-12306-train-with-passport/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Register an account on en.12306.cn with your passport — the name must match your passport exactly. Pick your train, pay with an international Visa or Mastercard, then show the e-ticket QR code together with your passport at the gate. No paper ticket is needed. ### Registration is the only hard step The English site at en.12306.cn accepts foreign passports only. Enter your name exactly as printed in the machine-readable zone, including the order of given and family names. A mismatch is the usual cause of failed verification. First-time accounts sometimes require an in-person check at a station ticket office before online booking works. Budget 20 minutes for this at your arrival station if it comes up. ### Booking and paying - Sales run 05:00–23:00 China time - The English site takes international Visa and Mastercard - You can also book inside the Alipay or WeChat mini-program with a bound card - Book 2–3 days ahead in peak season; trains sell out on holidays ### Changing or refunding One change is free per ticket. Refund fees scale with timing: free eight or more days before departure, then 5–20% as the departure approaches. **Why does 12306 say my verification failed?** Almost always a name mismatch against the passport, or a first-time account that needs station verification. See the dedicated page on 12306 verification failures. **Which station should I choose for Shanghai?** Big cities have several. Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Station are different places; the correct one is printed on your ticket. Check before you book the hotel. **Do I need to print the ticket?** No. The QR plus your passport gets you through the gate. Print an itinerary only if you need it for reimbursement. ## How do I use DiDi without a Chinese phone number? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/didi-without-chinese-phone-number/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** You can register DiDi with an international phone number and switch the app to English, or skip registration and use the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay with your bound foreign card. Set your destination in English or as a saved pin, and expect messages from the driver in Chinese. ### Two ways in - DiDi app: registers with an international number, has an English interface - Alipay or WeChat mini-program: uses the wallet account you already have, no separate signup, pays with the bound card ### The part that actually goes wrong Finding the pickup point, not the car. Large stations, malls and airports have several exits and the driver will not circle. Pin your location manually instead of trusting GPS, which drifts indoors. Drivers often send a message in Chinese when they arrive. A short reply phrase card saves the pickup. ### Paying - Bind a foreign card in the app or pay through the wallet mini-program - Cash is still accepted, but drivers rarely carry change for large notes - Airport and late-night trips may carry a surcharge **Is DiDi available in English?** The app has an English interface. Coverage of English in the mini-program route is thinner, but the map makes it workable. **Can I pay with cash?** Yes, but have small notes ready. **What about taxis?** Street taxis still work and take cash or QR. Have your destination written in Chinese — the address in characters is the reliable part. ## How do I use the Beijing subway with a QR code? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/beijing-subway-qr-code/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Open Alipay, go to the Transport tab, choose Beijing and activate the metro code once — it uses your bound foreign card. After that, scan the QR at the turnstile and the fare is deducted automatically. No Chinese phone number and no separate app needed. ### Activating the code - Alipay → Transport tab → activate the city code once per city - It is a built-in mini-program, so nothing new to install - An international phone number is enough to activate it - Fares are the same as locals get, including transfer discounts ### At the turnstile Scan at the entry gate and again at the exit — the system charges on exit based on distance. If the gate does not open, you are usually at a gate for the other direction, or your phone brightness is too low for the reader. ### Fallbacks that always work - Every station has ticket machines with an English button, taking cash and card - Staffed counters sell single-journey tokens - The same code works in 300+ other cities, so set it up once and reuse it **Do I need a Chinese phone number?** No — the transport code activates with an international number. **Does the QR work on Beijing buses too?** Yes, the same transport code covers buses in most cities. **What if the gate rejects my code?** Try an adjacent gate, raise screen brightness, and confirm the Beijing code is the active one if you have several cities enabled. ## Why does 12306 verification fail for foreign passports? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/12306-verification-failed/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** The three usual causes are: the name does not match the passport exactly, the account is new and needs one in-person check at a station ticket office, or the payment card is rejected. Fix the name first — it accounts for the large majority of cases. ### Cause 1: the name does not match 12306 compares your entry against the passport's machine-readable zone. Copy the ordering exactly, including hyphens and any middle names, and do not swap given and family names to match local convention. ### Cause 2: first-time accounts Some new accounts must be verified once at a staffed ticket office before online booking unlocks. Bring the passport you registered with. This is a one-time step and takes about 20 minutes. ### Cause 3: the card, not the account - Try booking inside the Alipay or WeChat mini-program instead, using a bound card - Switch from debit to credit if the debit card is declined - Buy at the station counter with cash or card as a guaranteed fallback **Can I book without verifying?** No. Verification is required before the first purchase on a new account. **Does the English site accept all foreign passports?** It accepts foreign passports; mainland ID cards are handled on the Chinese site. If your passport is rejected, the name format is the first thing to check. **Is there a workaround?** Station counters and the Alipay mini-program are the two reliable alternatives when the English site refuses a booking. --- # Paying ## Alipay vs WeChat Pay for Foreigners 2026: Which to Set Up First Source: https://chinapass.app/help/alipay-vs-wechat-pay/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Set up both, with Alipay first. Fees are identical on foreign cards: free under ¥200 per transaction, 3% above. Verified users can spend up to US$5,000 per transaction and US$50,000 per year on both platforms. Alipay wins on setup (full English UI, ~5-minute passport verification) and travel features like metro codes and tax-refund lookups; WeChat Pay wins as backup because many small merchants accept only WeChat. Neither lets foreign-card users send red packets or peer-to-peer transfers — those need a Chinese bank card. ### The comparison that actually matters Limits and fees are the platforms following central-bank guidance for foreign-card users and have been stable since 2024 — but they can change, so trust the in-app notice over any blog (including this one) for a large purchase. WeChat has periodically offered newly linked foreign cards a 60-day fee-free period on daily spending under ¥1,000 — check whether it applies to your account when you link; it is the single best deal in this whole table. | | Alipay | WeChat Pay | | --- | --- | --- | | English interface | Full, mature | Partial | | Passport verification | ~5 minutes, usually same-day | Can take 24–72 hours | | Foreign-card networks | Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, JCB, Discover, Diners, overseas UnionPay | Same set | | Fee ≤ ¥200 | None | None | | Fee > ¥200 | 3% of full amount | 3% of full amount | | Single-transaction cap | US$5,000 verified | US$5,000 verified | | Annual cap | US$50,000 verified | US$50,000 verified | | Metro/bus ride codes | Yes, nationwide | Many cities | | Also does | Maps, tax-refund lookup, Train/Didi/Taobao mini-programs, menu translation | China's chat app — messaging rides on the same install | ### The setup order that works - Install and register Alipay with your home phone number, verify your passport (photo of the biographical page + face scan), link your card, and make a small test payment before you fly. - Install WeChat and do the same inside its Wallet — even if verification takes longer, do it at home, not at a Chinese checkout counter. - Bring a second card on a different network and link it to both apps. A Visa decline and a Mastercard decline are often different bank decisions; switching apps or cards fixes most counter-side failures. - Activate the Alipay ride code on arrival — it covers metro and buses in nearly every city. ### What neither app will do with a foreign card - No red packets, no peer-to-peer transfers, no splitting bills via transfer — foreign cards only pay merchants. If friends offer to pay you back, take it in cash or settle directly at the register. - Occasionally flaky: shared power-bank deposits, bike-share deposits, and a minority of mini-programs that demand a Chinese bank card or ID. Rare for tourists, but have cash for plan B. - No signal, no payment. Both apps fail identically when your data does — keep ¥500 or so in small notes as the universal fallback. ### The official one-stop alternative China also ships a purpose-built app for visitors, Alipay English-based Nihao China (入境通Easy Go), which bundles payments, transit codes across dozens of cities, tax refund and other entry services in one place. If juggling two apps sounds tedious, it is a legitimate primary; the trade-off is that some merchant flows still assume the two domestic apps. **Which should a foreigner set up first, Alipay or WeChat Pay?** Alipay first: full English interface, passport verification in about 5 minutes, and it covers transit codes, Didi, and tax-refund features. WeChat Pay second, because many small merchants accept only WeChat — having both avoids the awkward moment when a stall displays a single QR code. **What fees do Alipay and WeChat Pay charge on foreign cards?** The same on both: no service fee on transactions of ¥200 or less, 3% on the full amount above that, plus whatever foreign-transaction fee your own bank charges. Keep individual payments under ¥200 when practical — a ¥400 bill split into two ¥200 payments avoids the 3%. **What are the spending limits for foreign cards?** Verified users: up to US$5,000 per transaction and US$50,000 per year on both platforms, following central-bank guidance issued in 2024. Unverified or partially verified accounts face much lower caps, which is why passport verification before travel matters. **Can I send red packets or transfer money with a foreign card?** No. Foreign cards work only for merchant payments on both platforms. Red packets, peer-to-peer transfers and most person-to-person splits require a Chinese bank card. **Do I need a Chinese phone number for either app?** No. Both register with an overseas mobile number capable of receiving SMS, then verify identity with your passport. The registration itself is free; a tiny card-verification charge under $1 may appear and be refunded when linking a card. ## Can I use a Visa or Mastercard in China? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/can-i-use-visa-in-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Yes, but only in a narrow slice of places. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at international hotels, major department stores and airport shops. Small restaurants, convenience stores, taxis and most ticket counters run on Alipay or WeChat Pay, so the practical answer is: a foreign card works day to day only after you link it to a wallet. ### Where a physical card works Expect card acceptance at international hotel chains, high-end malls, airline counters and tourist-facing department stores in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Beyond that tier it drops sharply. - International hotels and their restaurants — reliably yes - Large department stores and supermarket chains — usually yes - Airports, high-speed rail ticket offices — yes - Small restaurants, street food, taxis, corner shops — usually no ### Why contactless alone will not get you through the trip China's retail payments moved to QR codes on phones. A market stall, a noodle shop and a metro turnstile all expect you to scan, not to tap. Carrying only plastic means falling back on cash constantly. Linking the same card to Alipay or WeChat Pay takes about five minutes with a passport and turns the card into something that works at those same stalls. ### What to do before you board - Install Alipay and WeChat at home, not after landing - Link your Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex or Discover card and complete passport verification while you still have home Wi-Fi - Carry ¥300–500 in cash as a fallback for the first day - Bring a second card from a different network in case one is declined **Should I get a UnionPay card instead?** Not necessary for a short trip. UnionPay is issued in many countries and is accepted more widely than Visa or Mastercard, but a foreign card linked to Alipay covers the same ground. **Are ATMs available for foreign cards?** Yes, at major bank branches and airports, though not every machine accepts foreign cards. Look for the Visa Plus or Mastercard Maestro mark, and withdraw during bank opening hours in case the machine keeps your card. **Will my bank block the transactions?** Sometimes. Set a travel notice before departure, and be ready to approve a push notification — many first payments in China are held until you confirm them. ## Does Alipay work without a Chinese bank account? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/does-alipay-work-without-chinese-bank-account/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Yes. The international version of Alipay registers with a non-Chinese phone number, verifies identity with your passport and binds a Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex or Discover card. No Chinese bank account or mainland phone number is required for everyday payments. ### What verification actually asks for Identity verification wants your passport number and, in most cases, a photo of the photo page. The name on the card must match the name on the passport — this is the single most common reason linking fails. Do this at home. Completing verification on hotel Wi-Fi the night before an early train is the version of this story that ends badly. ### The limits foreign cards hit - Small transactions are fee-free; larger ones carry roughly a 3% service fee - Some regions' cards are rejected entirely by one wallet but accepted by the other — try both before assuming your card will not work - A few services, such as in-app top-ups and some vending machines, still require a mainland-issued card - Person-to-person transfers to some merchants may be limited until you have a usage history ### If linking keeps failing Try the other wallet first — it is the fastest test. If both reject the card, the cause is usually the issuing country, the card type (some debit cards are declined where credit cards pass), or a mismatch between the cardholder name and the passport. **Do I need a Chinese phone number?** No. Registration and verification work with an international number. **Can I top up a balance instead of binding a card?** Direct top-ups from a foreign card are limited. Binding the card and paying from it is the flow that works. **Does it work offline?** No — payment needs a data connection. Load the ChinaPass phrase cards so you can still explain a failed payment without one. ## How do I link a foreign card to Alipay or WeChat Pay? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/link-foreign-card/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Open Alipay or WeChat, go to the wallet's card section, add your international Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex or Discover card and complete identity verification with your passport. The passport name must match the cardholder name. Once linked, scan merchant QR codes to pay. ### The steps - Install Alipay or WeChat and open the wallet or cards section - Choose add card and enter the international card number and expiry date - Complete identity verification with your passport number - Pay by scanning any merchant QR code ### What to expect after linking - Small transactions are fee-free; larger ones carry roughly a 3% service fee - Cards issued in some regions are rejected entirely — try the other wallet - A few services still need a mainland-issued card, so keep some cash ### Common failure points Card rejected, verification SMS never arrives, and the QR will not scan at the counter. The ChinaPass app carries offline troubleshooting for each of these, which matters most when you are standing at a till with no data. **Do I need a Chinese bank account?** No. A passport and an international card are enough. **Why was my card rejected?** Most often the issuing country or a debit-versus-credit restriction. Try the other wallet, then a second card. **What is the fee?** Expect roughly 3% on larger transactions, with small everyday amounts fee-free. Check the wallet's own disclosure — it changes. ## How does the China departure tax refund work? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-departure-tax-refund/ · Verified: 2026-09-28 **Short answer:** Spend above the minimum threshold at a participating store in a single day, ask for the tax refund form and keep the goods. At departure, show the goods and the form to customs before check-in, then collect the refund at the airport refund counter — cash or back to your card. ### The conditions - Minimum spend in one store on one day — the threshold is set nationally and is low enough for a single department-store visit - The store must participate — look for the tax refund sign - Goods must leave the country with you and be unused - There is a time limit between purchase and departure ### At the airport Customs inspection comes before check-in for goods you are checking in, so arrive early. Have the goods, the form and the receipts together — inspects do happen, and they are quicker if everything is in one envelope. After the stamp, go to the refund counter in the departure hall. ### Cash or card Cash is immediate; card refunds take days to weeks and sometimes never arrive if the card is closed. If the amount matters to you, take cash. **What percentage do I get back?** The refund is a portion of the VAT included in the price — up to around 11% depending on the goods. The exact rate is printed on the form. **Can I claim for online purchases?** Generally no. The scheme applies to participating physical stores with the refund form issued at the time of sale. **What if I am leaving overland or by ferry?** Major land and sea ports have refund points too, but coverage is thinner — check your departure port before you rely on it. ## Should I carry cash in China? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/should-i-carry-cash-in-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Carry ¥300–500 in cash. Mobile payment covers almost everything in cities, but cash is what works at market stalls, small temples, rural transport and in the first hours before your wallet is set up and verified. ### Where cash still wins - Small market stalls and street food carts - Rural attractions, village transport and mountain areas - Temple donations and small entry fees - The first day, before verification completes ### How much ¥300–500 is enough for a typical trip as a buffer. Bring small notes — change for a ¥100 note is a real friction point at a stall. Withdraw from an ATM at the airport on arrival rather than exchanging at home, where the rate is usually worse. ### What cash does not solve Cash will not book a high-speed train online, reserve a museum slot or pay for a DiDi. Treat it as a fallback layer, not a strategy. **Can I pay in US dollars or euros?** No. Only CNY is accepted in normal retail. Exchange at the airport, a bank or an ATM. **Are ATMs hard to find?** Major bank branches and airports are reliable. Look for Visa Plus or Mastercard Maestro marks on the machine. **Should I tip in cash?** Tipping is not customary and may be refused. No need to budget for it. ## Using Chinese ATMs with a Foreign Card: Fees, Limits and Cash Backup Source: https://chinapass.app/help/cash-atm-foreign-card/ · Verified: 2026-09-24 **Short answer:** Use ATMs operated by established banks, check your own bank's foreign-currency and ATM fees before travelling, and carry a small cash backup for places that do not accept mobile payment. Chinese ATM limits, accepted cards and surcharges vary by bank and machine, so never rely on a single universal amount or a street-side exchange rate. ### Before you leave home - Ask your card issuer about foreign ATM fees, daily limits, declined cash advances and supported networks. - Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay as the primary everyday method. - Carry a modest cash reserve for the first day, a remote area, a payment outage or a card that is not accepted. ### At the ATM - Choose a bank-owned ATM, inspect the card slot and keypad, and cover the keypad when typing a PIN. - Decline dynamic currency conversion and choose the local currency if your account supports it. - Take the receipt, keep the card and stop if the machine retains it; contact the bank immediately. ### If the machine rejects the card Do not keep retrying at a random machine. Check the bank's accepted cards and limits, use a branch or major-bank ATM, and rely on your mobile wallet or backup cash while you contact the issuer. **How much cash should I carry in China?** Carry a small reserve rather than all your spending money. The right amount depends on your itinerary, but mobile payment is usually primary and cash is the fallback. **Can I withdraw cash with any foreign Visa or Mastercard?** Acceptance depends on the bank, ATM operator and your card issuer. Confirm the networks and fees with the issuer and use an established bank ATM. **Should I accept the ATM's exchange rate?** If your card supports choosing a currency, decline dynamic conversion and let the card issuer apply the rate, then compare the fee. **What if an ATM keeps my card?** Contact the bank immediately and follow its card-recovery process. Do not let an informal helper take the card to another machine. ## WeChat Pay with a Foreign Card: Limits, Fees and Failed Payments Source: https://chinapass.app/help/wechat-pay-foreign-card-limit/ · Verified: 2026-09-24 **Short answer:** A foreign card may be linkable to WeChat Pay when the card, issuer and payment channel support it, but there is no single universal foreign-card limit for every visitor. The app and your card issuer can impose card, transaction, daily or merchant-category limits, and fees vary. Set up the wallet before departure, keep a second payment method and read the exact error shown by WeChat Pay or your bank. ### What to check before linking a card - The card issuer allows online, international and CNY transactions. - The card is a supported Visa, Mastercard, JCB or other network type in the region where you are using it. - The billing address, name and verification details match the card record. - You have a backup card, cash or another wallet for a declined transaction. ### Why a payment can fail - The merchant or payment channel does not support the card type. - The issuer declined the transaction, the CNY amount or the online category. - A per-transaction, daily or cumulative limit was reached. - The card needs online or overseas authentication that was not completed. ### What to do at the counter Check the exact WeChat Pay error, then ask the issuer about the declined category and limit. Do not repeatedly tap payment or assume that a different tourist will have the same limit. **Is there one foreign-card limit for WeChat Pay?** No. Limits can depend on the card issuer, card type, merchant, transaction and account settings. The app and issuer are the sources of truth for your specific card. **Why was my foreign card declined?** Common causes are issuer decline, unsupported merchant category, authentication not completed or a limit reached. Read the exact error and contact the issuer. **Does WeChat Pay charge more with a foreign card?** Fees depend on the payment channel and issuer. Check the confirmation screen and the card issuer's foreign-transaction terms before relying on a quote from another traveller. **Should I carry a backup payment method?** Yes. Keep a second card, Alipay or a small cash reserve for a declined or unsupported transaction. ## What Foreign Cards Really Cost in China 2026: Fees, Limits and the Cheap Path Source: https://chinapass.app/help/foreign-card-fees-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Three costs stack when foreigners pay in China: the Alipay/WeChat 3% service fee on transactions over ¥200 (free below), your home bank's foreign-transaction fee of typically 1–3%, and — if you withdraw cash — your bank's ATM fee plus conversion built into the rate. The cheap path: pay by QR with amounts kept under ¥200 when splitting is practical, withdraw RMB in large infrequent amounts at Bank of China or ICBC ATMs (they charge no local ATM fee for foreign cards), never exchange at hotel desks, and carry a no-foreign-transaction-fee card. ### The three-layer cost stack Worked example: a ¥1,000 restaurant dinner on a 2%-FX-fee card costs ¥30 in platform fee (3%) plus about ¥20 in FX fee — roughly ¥50, or 5%. The same dinner split into five ¥200 payments costs only the FX fee. The platform fee applies to the FULL amount, not the portion above ¥200, which is why splitting works. | Layer | Typical cost | Where it applies | | --- | --- | --- | | Platform service fee (Alipay / WeChat Pay) | 0% ≤ ¥200 · 3% of full amount > ¥200 | Every foreign-card payment through the apps | | Your bank's foreign-transaction fee | 1–3%, or 0% on travel cards | Every RMB transaction, including app payments and ATMs | | Cash logistics | Your bank's ATM fee (Chinese banks charge none); conversion ~0.5–1% above mid-market | ATM withdrawals and bank-counter exchange only | ### Cutting each layer - Platform fee: keep payments under ¥200 where the merchant allows splitting; on WeChat, watch for the new-card 60-day fee-free promotion on daily spending under ¥1,000; large fixed costs (hotels, trains) usually accept foreign cards directly at their own terminals or via Trip.com — channels that route around the app fee. - FX fee: the one cost you control before you fly. A no-foreign-transaction-fee Visa or Mastercard makes layer two vanish for the whole trip. - ATMs: Bank of China and ICBC machines accept foreign Visa/Mastercard debit reliably with no local ATM fee — your bank's own fee still applies, so withdraw ¥1,500–2,000 at once rather than ¥200 five times. Arrival halls of every international airport have them. - Exchange desks: hotel counters typically run 3–5% below mid-market; airport kiosks worse. Bank of China branches give the official rate with a small commission and are the right answer if you must exchange paper cash. ### Limits to know before a big purchase - Verified foreign-card users can transact up to US$5,000 per transaction and US$50,000 per year through Alipay or WeChat Pay — hotel bills and intra-China flights fit inside the cap; a semester's rent does not. - Chinese ATMs commonly allow around ¥20,000 per day per card, subject to your own bank's lower limit. - Both app caps and ATM limits can move — for anything large, check the in-app fee notice or ask the ATM's on-screen maximum before committing. ### When a payment fails at the counter - Try the other app first — a decline is often one platform's risk engine, not your money. - Switch to your second card on the other network. - Change direction: instead of scanning their printed code, show your payment barcode for the cashier to scan you. - Split the amount or drop below ¥200 to sidestep a fee threshold. - If it is a verification or fraud-hold problem, step aside — never debug an account while blocking the queue — and use cash for that purchase. **What is the real cost of paying with a foreign card in China?** About 4–6% all-in on large payments: 3% platform fee (over ¥200, on the full amount) plus 1–3% FX fee. Under ¥200 the platform fee is zero, so small payments cost only your bank's FX fee — or nothing on a no-FX-fee card. **Which ATMs can foreigners use in China?** Bank of China and ICBC ATMs accept foreign Visa and Mastercard debit cards and charge no local ATM fee; your home bank's fee and the exchange spread still apply. Airport arrival halls always have machines. Withdraw larger amounts less often to minimize per-withdrawal fees. **Should I exchange cash before arriving in China?** No — rates abroad are poor and you will get a better deal from Chinese ATMs or a Bank of China branch. Carry a small amount of RMB only if your home country offers a reasonable rate; otherwise rely on cards plus an airport ATM on landing. **How do I avoid the 3% Alipay and WeChat Pay fee?** Keep individual payments at ¥200 or below — the fee applies to the full amount above that threshold, so splitting a ¥400 bill into two ¥200 payments saves the whole fee. Hotels, airlines and large retailers also accept foreign cards through their own terminals, which bypass the app fee entirely. **How much cash should I carry in China?** ¥500–1,000 in mixed small notes covers most trips: street stalls without QR codes, temple donation boxes, rural vendors, and the day your data connection fails. Merchants are legally required to accept cash, and compliance is generally good. --- # Connectivity ## Are Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp and Google Blocked in China? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/blocked-apps-in-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-24 **Short answer:** On a local mainland network, Google services, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X are generally unavailable; WhatsApp and Telegram can be unreliable. International roaming and some travel eSIMs route traffic through a home network and may work, but no provider guarantees every app. Set up payments, maps, translation and backups before departure rather than relying on a workaround after arrival. ### What visitors usually experience - Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, Drive and other Google-hosted services are commonly inaccessible on local networks. - Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X are commonly inaccessible or unstable. - WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and iMessage can vary by network, city and time. - Domestic services such as Amap, WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Bilibili and Xiaohongshu are designed for the local network. ### What to prepare before boarding - International roaming or a travel eSIM details, with the provider's supported-app list checked. - Offline map and translation packs downloaded before departure. - Alipay or WeChat Pay set up and tested. - A second communication channel for tickets, guides and emergencies. ### Legal and safety boundary This page does not recommend or sell circumvention tools. Rules and enforcement can change, and commercial VPN apps may be removed without notice. Choose connectivity that is lawful where you travel and follow your provider's terms. **Is Instagram blocked in China?** It is generally unavailable on local mainland networks. Availability can differ with roaming or a travel eSIM, so check the provider's current support list. **Does WhatsApp work in China?** It is not reliable on a local connection. International roaming or some travel eSIM routes may work, but no method is guaranteed. **Can I use Google Maps in China?** Do not rely on it as the only map. Download an offline area before you fly and use a local map service for live navigation. **Should I buy a VPN before arriving?** This site does not recommend a specific tool. Check lawful connectivity options, provider terms and local rules before choosing one. ## Does Google Maps work in China? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/use-google-maps-in-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Google Maps will often load, but in mainland China its business data is thin and its coordinates use a different datum from local maps, so pins and walking directions drift. Use a local map app for street-level navigation and keep offline maps as a backup. ### Why the pins land in the wrong place Mainland map data uses a coordinate system that is offset from the one used internationally. Local apps correct for it; international apps often do not. The result is a pin that is a block or two away, which is exactly the error that makes you miss a turnstile or a restaurant entrance. ### What to use instead - Amap — the most complete local coverage and an English interface - Apple Maps — works in China and is accurate enough for most city navigation - Baidu Maps — comprehensive in Chinese - Keep a hotel card with the address in Chinese characters to show a driver ### Offline habits that help - Download the city for offline use before you land - Save your hotel and each day's first stop as pinned locations - Screenshot directions — a screenshot survives a dead battery better than a live route **Can I use Google Maps at all?** On an international eSIM or roaming connection it often loads, but treat it as a rough overview, not a walking guide. **Is there an English local map app?** Amap has an English interface and covers transport, walking and indoor malls. **How do I tell a driver where to go?** Show the address in Chinese characters. It is the single most reliable input, and hotel cards exist for exactly this. ## Does WhatsApp Work in China? The 2026 Answer for Visitors Source: https://chinapass.app/help/whatsapp-in-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** No — WhatsApp is blocked on mainland China networks (hotel Wi-Fi, local SIM cards, public hotspots — all of it), for messaging as well as voice and video calls. It works normally in Hong Kong and Macao. The reliable, compliant way to keep using it on a visit: international roaming from your home carrier, or a travel eSIM whose data routes through overseas lines. Set everything up before you fly. ### What's blocked and what works on local networks The blocking applies to every connection type on the mainland: hotel Wi-Fi, café Wi-Fi, office networks, and any SIM card bought in China. Hong Kong and Macao have no such restrictions — WhatsApp and Google all work normally there, including on cross-boundary trips from Shenzhen or Zhuhai. | Service | On mainland networks | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | WhatsApp (messages, calls) | Blocked | Blocked since 2017; also removed from the China App Store in April 2024 | | Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X | Blocked | All Meta/Google social platforms are inaccessible | | Gmail, Google Search, Google Maps | Blocked | Google services generally unreachable; see our Google Maps page for workarounds | | WeChat (微信) | Works | The local default for everything — register before arrival | | Alipay / WeChat Pay | Works | International card linking works normally | | Didi, Meituan, Amap, Baidu Maps | Works | Local super-apps unaffected | | iMessage / FaceTime, Apple services | Works | Apple's services operate normally in mainland China | | Bing search | Works | The China edition of Bing is reachable; DuckDuckGo and other overseas search engines are not | | ChatGPT and several overseas AI services | Blocked | Plan around it if you rely on one daily | ### The two reliable, compliant ways to keep WhatsApp - International roaming from your home carrier: your data exits through your home network, so WhatsApp, Google and everything else behave as if you never left. The catch is price — typically US$5–12 per day on US and European carriers. - A travel eSIM for China: data-only, but it connects to local 5G while routing your traffic through overseas lines, so blocked services work out of the box. A 10 GB / 15-day plan typically costs US$10–20 — far cheaper than roaming. Our eSIM comparison page lists what to check before buying. - Both are ordinary consumer data services. What you should not plan around: unauthorized VPN tools used to circumvent national network controls — that violates Chinese regulations, and free/unknown VPN apps also carry real data-theft risk. Skip them; the two options above are simpler and reliable. ### Set these up before you fly - Install and update WhatsApp before departure — it is no longer on the China App Store, and if your Apple ID region is set to China you can't download it there at all. - Register WeChat before arrival: new accounts need an existing user to verify you, which is much easier while you can still message your contact freely. - If you use a travel eSIM, install the QR profile and turn on data roaming for it before boarding — activation on landing then takes 2–5 minutes. - Download offline Google Maps areas (or install Amap) — map apps are the other thing people miss on day one. ### WhatsApp calls and video calls - Voice and video calls work over roaming or a travel eSIM — call quality just tracks your data speed, and 4G/5G in Chinese cities is excellent. - On local mainland connections (Chinese SIM, hotel Wi-Fi), calls do not connect at all — the block covers calls, not just messages. - Many travelers keep WhatsApp for family back home and add WeChat for anything local — guides, drivers, hotels, and anyone Chinese you meet. The two coexist without friction. **Does WhatsApp work on hotel Wi-Fi in China?** No. Hotel networks are part of the mainland internet and the block applies equally. Only roaming or a travel eSIM keeps it working. **Can I download WhatsApp inside China?** Not from the China App Store — Apple removed WhatsApp and Threads there in April 2024 at the government's request. Install and update it before you fly. Android users should also sideload updates beforehand if their account region is China. **Can I make WhatsApp voice and video calls in China?** Yes, if your data goes through international roaming or a travel eSIM. On any mainland local connection, calls will not connect. **Is my home SIM card enough?** Functionally yes — roaming routes data abroad so WhatsApp works — but daily roaming fees (US$5–12) add up fast. For trips longer than a few days a travel eSIM is the economical choice. **What about Hong Kong and Macao?** No restrictions — WhatsApp, Google, Instagram and every other blocked service work normally there, on local SIMs and Wi-Fi alike. Handy to know for Shenzhen/Zhuhai day trips: services come back the moment you cross. **Do I still need WeChat if I have WhatsApp?** For talking to people at home, no. For anything local — messaging your hotel, joining a tour group chat, receiving merchant updates — WeChat is the only game in town. Register it before arrival. ## Getting a Chinese Phone Number as a Foreign Visitor Source: https://chinapass.app/help/chinese-phone-number-foreigner/ · Verified: 2026-09-24 **Short answer:** Many short visitors can start with international roaming or a travel eSIM and may not need a mainland number. If a local number is required for a service or long stay, use an official carrier store or authorised channel, bring your passport and complete the carrier's real-name process. Requirements, activation and prepaid rules vary; avoid street sellers who cannot explain the account or provide a receipt. ### Do you actually need a local number? - Short trip, reliable roaming and an eSIM can cover many ordinary services. - A local number may help for long stays, certain app sign-ups or services that require a mainland mobile number. - Keep your home number active for banking, email and 2FA while you set up connectivity. ### At an official carrier channel - Bring the original passport and the details required by the carrier for real-name registration. - Ask about prepaid validity, activation, top-up, handset compatibility and the account holder's responsibilities. - Keep the SIM, receipt and service number in your travel documents. ### If a street seller offers a number Treat it as a risk to your accounts and personal data. A temporary number can be reassigned or tied to someone else's identity, which can make later sign-in and recovery difficult. **Can tourists use a Chinese phone number?** A local number may be obtained through official channels when the carrier's foreigner process applies, but availability and documentation vary. **Can I use an international roaming SIM instead?** For many short trips, roaming or a travel eSIM is the lower-friction first option. Check coverage, data limits and which services route through the home network. **What ID is needed for a local SIM?** The carrier may require your original passport for real-name registration. Ask the official store before visiting and keep the SIM receipt. **Is a cheap street SIM safe?** It can create identity, account-recovery and activation problems. Use an official carrier or authorised channel when a local number is necessary. ## VPNs and blocked apps in China: what works, what is legal Source: https://chinapass.app/help/vpn-in-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-13 **Short answer:** Mainland China blocks Google, Facebook, YouTube and X permanently, and restricts internet access further around political events. Chinese cybersecurity law states that VPN products and services must be licensed by the government, so most consumer VPN apps are not licensed — using one is a legal grey area that travellers take on themselves, and we do not recommend or sell specific tools. The option that avoids the question entirely for a short trip is international roaming or a travel eSIM: roaming traffic is routed through your home carrier's network, so your usual apps usually keep working. Plan for a week without Google Maps regardless: download the offline map, install Alipay and a translation app before you fly. ### What is actually blocked - Permanently blocked: Google (Search, Gmail, Maps, Drive), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and most Google-hosted services. - WhatsApp and Telegram generally do not work on a local connection; Signal and iMessage are unreliable. - Blocking can tighten around political events and anniversaries — news sites and messaging can become unreachable for days. - Domestic alternatives work perfectly: Baidu Maps, Amap (高德), WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Bilibili, Xiaohongshu. ### The legal position, stated plainly - Chinese cybersecurity law requires online products and services — VPNs explicitly included — to be licensed by the Chinese government (UK FCDO, citing the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology). - Most consumer VPN services are therefore unlicensed. Enforcement against individual tourists is rare, but this is not a right and we do not present it as one. - We do not recommend, sell or link specific circumvention tools. Anyone who chooses to use one is making their own decision, and should assume that commercial VPN apps on app stores may be removed without notice. - Nothing on this page is legal advice. ### The short-trip options, ranked by friction - 1. International roaming from your home carrier. Your traffic is routed through your home network, so your usual apps normally work. Expensive per day, and some carriers throttle data. - 2. A travel eSIM installed before you fly. Same routing logic, cheaper than roaming, keeps your home number active for SMS codes. This is what most short-stay visitors use — see our eSIM page. - 3. Hotel and cafe wifi. Fast, free and on the domestic network: expect Google and friends to be unavailable, and treat public wifi as untrusted for banking. - 4. A China SIM. Cheapest for long stays, but it puts you on the domestic network with Chinese data rules attached. - Whichever you pick: install everything you need before you land. App stores, maps and translation packs are much harder to fetch once you are behind the wall on a local connection. ### What to install before you fly - Offline Google Maps area (or Amap/Baidu Maps once you arrive) for the cities you are visiting. - Alipay or WeChat Pay with your foreign card linked — payment is the thing that breaks first without data. - A translation app with the offline Chinese pack downloaded (about 44 MB). - Didi (ride-hailing) and 12306 (trains), both of which need a working login before you arrive. - ChinaPass keeps the booking channels, checklists and city steps offline on your phone — no Chinese number or internet needed at the moment you need them. **Can I just use my normal roaming plan?** For most short trips, yes — that is the lowest-friction option and it usually keeps your usual apps working, because roaming traffic routes through your home carrier. Check the daily price and the data cap before you go. **Will a travel eSIM really bypass the block?** A travel eSIM is a roaming product: your data leaves China through your home carrier's network rather than terminating locally, which is why blocked sites often stay reachable. It is not guaranteed — carriers and routes differ, so treat it as likely rather than certain. **Is using a VPN illegal in China?** Cybersecurity law requires VPN products and services to be licensed, and most consumer VPNs are not. Enforcement against individual visitors is rare, but the legal position is not on your side. We do not recommend specific tools. **Does WhatsApp work in China?** Not reliably on a local connection. On international roaming or a travel eSIM it usually works. If messaging is critical, ask your contacts to use a channel that works domestically, or keep both. ## What is the best eSIM for China in 2026? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/best-esim-for-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** For most short trips, a travel eSIM installed before you board is the simplest option: no shop visit, no passport registration, and data from the moment you land. Choose by data allowance and whether the plan routes outside the mainland, then keep your home SIM for calls. ### Four options compared - Travel eSIM: install at home, works on landing, no registration, priced per GB - Local SIM: cheapest per GB, but needs a passport registration at a shop - Pocket Wi-Fi: good for a group, another device to charge and carry - Home roaming: effortless, usually the most expensive per MB ### Why it matters more in China than elsewhere Payments, maps, ride-hailing and ticket entry all assume a working data connection. Hotel Wi-Fi alone leaves you stuck at the moments that matter — in a taxi, at a turnstile, at a counter with a QR code in front of you. ### Practical notes - Install and activate the eSIM at home while you have support and time - Check your phone is unlocked and eSIM-capable before buying a plan - Keep the home physical SIM installed for banking SMS - Download offline maps as a backup regardless of which option you pick **Do travel eSIMs work everywhere in China?** Coverage follows the partner network, which is good in cities and along main routes. Remote areas depend on the same towers any visitor would use. **Can I buy a local SIM at the airport?** Yes, at major international airports, with your passport. It costs less per GB but takes time on arrival. **How much data do I need?** Around 1–2 GB per week for maps, messaging and payments; more if you tether a laptop or stream video. --- # Booking ## China Attraction Ticket Release Times: When Every Major Site Opens Bookings (2026) Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-attraction-ticket-release-times/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Every major Chinese sight releases tickets on a fixed countdown, and the clocks differ: the Forbidden City opens bookings 7 days ahead at 20:00; the Terracotta Army 7 days ahead; Shaanxi History Museum 5 days ahead at 17:00; Tiananmen Square 1–7 days ahead; Suzhou museums 7 days at 08:00. Work backwards from your visit date, set an alarm for each release time, and book trains first (15-day presale) since sight dates cannot move around sold-out train times. ### The release-time table Times are Beijing time. Windows are what each operator published as of September 2026 — museums occasionally adjust them for holidays, so treat the official channel as the final word. - Free museums follow the same release mechanics as paid ones — Shaanxi History Museum costs nothing and is among the hardest reservations in the country precisely because the cap, not the price, is the constraint. - 'Rolling' release means tickets appear as inventory rather than one timed drop; booking early in the window still matters on holiday dates. | Site | Bookings open | Release moment | Channel | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Forbidden City (Palace Museum), Beijing | 7 days ahead | 20:00 | 官方故宫博物院 WeChat mini program / intl.dpm.org.cn | | Tiananmen Square, Beijing | 1–7 days ahead | rolling | 天安门广场预约参观 mini program | | Terracotta Army (Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum), Xi'an | 7 days ahead | rolling | official museum site / WeChat channel | | Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an | 5 days ahead | 17:00 | 陕西历史博物馆 official WeChat account | | Suzhou Museum and the Suzhou gardens | 7 days ahead | 08:00 | each site's official WeChat account | | Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan, Hunan | up to 7 days ahead | rolling, 2 timed entries/day | official scenic-area channel | | Great Wall (Mutianyu / Badaling), Beijing | a few days ahead | rolling | official scenic-area WeChat channels | | Train tickets (nationwide 12306) | 15 days ahead | per-station on-sale time | 12306 app or website | ### The booking order that avoids dead ends - Lock the Forbidden City first — it has the tightest window and no same-day tickets, so every other date should flex around it. - Book trains second: the 15-day presale means your sight dates must already be settled, and holiday trains sell out faster than museum slots return. - Everything else — free museums, the Wall, parks — has enough capacity that booking a few days out is realistic outside Golden Week. - Set a phone alarm for each release moment with the mini program already open and passenger details saved; the difference between getting in and missing out at 20:00 is usually under two minutes. ### What to do when the drop is missed - Check again after 22:00 the same evening: cancellations flow back into inventory, and some museums re-release unclaimed reservations. - Shift one day rather than one attraction — adjacent weekdays have dramatically better availability than 2–4 October style holiday peaks. - For the Forbidden City, the morning and afternoon sessions release together; if your date is gone entirely, the fallback is the neighbouring Beijing sights or a different day, never the scalper claiming to have 'internal tickets' — those do not exist. - For free museums, returning foreigners' slots also reappear — worth two checks before giving up. **What time does the Forbidden City release tickets?** Tickets (including Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery add-ons) go on sale 7 days before the visit date at 20:00 Beijing time, through the official Palace Museum mini program. There are no same-day tickets and no third-party sellers. **What time does Shaanxi History Museum release free tickets?** Reservations open 5 days ahead, with new slots released daily at 17:00 Beijing time through the museum's official WeChat account. Example: 30 March reservations open for 4 April. Holiday schedules can vary — re-check the official account near your date. **How far in advance do Terracotta Army tickets go on sale?** About 7 days ahead through the museum's official channels. The entry ticket covers both the pits and Lishan Garden; timed-entry slots matter on holiday dates, so book on the first day of the window. **Do I need to book Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City separately?** Yes — they are separate systems. The square is a free reservation made 1–7 days ahead with your passport; a Forbidden City booking for the same day generally lets you cross the square during opening hours, but the flag-raising ceremony needs its own reserved slot. **When do train tickets go on sale relative to attraction tickets?** Train tickets open 15 days ahead, earlier than any attraction window — which is why the booking order is sights first (fixed dates), trains second. If your train on a holiday is sold out, use 12306's official waitlist rather than shifting museum dates. ## China Golden Week October 2026: Booking Deadlines and Release Times Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-golden-week-october-2026/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** China's 2026 National Day Golden Week runs Thursday 1 October to Wednesday 7 October, with makeup workdays on 20 September and 10 October. Train tickets go on sale 15 days ahead — 17 September for 1 October travel, 23 September for 7 October returns. The Forbidden City releases tickets 7 days ahead at 20:00 and sells out in minutes. Book hotels and trains first, museums second, and avoid 2–4 October for the busiest sights. ### Golden Week 2026 dates, and the 13-day super window The State Council's official 2026 holiday schedule (announced 4 November 2025) sets National Day at 1 October (Thursday) through 7 October (Wednesday) — 7 days, with two makeup workdays on Sunday 20 September and Saturday 10 October. Mid-Autumn Festival is a separate 3-day break, 25–27 September. Take 3 days of leave on 28–30 September and you get a 13-day run from 25 September to 7 October — the longest domestic travel window of the Chinese year. That is why rail operators expect roughly 190 million passenger trips between 27 September and 8 October, with the single busiest day on 1 October. For you as a visitor this means two peaks stacked back to back: 25–27 September (Mid-Autumn trips) and 1–7 October (Golden Week). Late September is no longer a quiet shoulder season in 2026. ### Train tickets: the release calendar that matters China Railway sells tickets 15 days in advance, counting the current day. Each station also has its own on-sale time of day (check 12306 app → 出行向导 → 起售时间). The dates to set alarms for: - Missed the on-sale moment? Use 12306's official waitlist (候补) — it fills returned tickets fairly and beats any third-party 'accelerator', which has no priority anyway. - You can register and book on 12306 with a passport. Do the registration and passenger verification before the on-sale date, not on it — see our step-by-step 12306 guide below. - Since 19 January 2026, 12306 also offers a free correction refund: cancel a mistakenly bought ticket within 30 minutes of payment and more than 4 hours before departure, at no charge, once per person per day. | On-sale date | What opens | Why it matters | | --- | --- | --- | | 16 September | Tickets for 30 September | Day-before travel; popular with people starting early | | 17 September | Tickets for 1 October | Golden Week day 1 — the single hottest sale of the year | | 23 September | Tickets for 7 October | Last holiday day; the return-trip peak | | 24 September | Tickets for 8 October | Post-holiday return tail | ### Forbidden City: the hardest ticket in China The Palace Museum sells no same-day tickets. Tickets (including the Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery add-ons) go on sale 7 days before the visit date, at 20:00 Beijing time, only through the official 故宫博物院 WeChat mini program — no third-party seller is authorised. Foreign visitors book with a passport and enter with the same passport. During Golden Week the hot days (2–4 October) typically sell out within minutes of the 20:00 release. Two details foreign visitors get wrong: It is open on Monday 5 October. The Palace Museum closes Mondays except on statutory holidays — and the whole 1–7 October period counts, so the Monday closure does not apply. Do not plan around a 'Monday closed' blog post written for normal weeks. Tickets are one-name, one-day, one-session. Orders cannot be changed to another person, date, or morning/afternoon session — only refunded. If your plan is fluid, book the date you are surest about, and cancel by 24:00 the day before to avoid a no-show mark. ### Tiananmen Square needs its own free reservation The square uses a separate, free, real-name reservation made 1–7 days ahead through the 天安门广场预约参观 mini program (or the Beijing Tong apps); foreign visitors register with a passport. Choose a slot — flag-raising, morning, afternoon, or flag-lowering. If you already hold a same-day booking for the Forbidden City, the National Museum, or another site in the area, that booking generally lets you cross the square during opening hours without a separate square reservation — but watching the flag-raising ceremony always requires its own reserved slot, and during National Day week the flag-raising crowd is enormous; the 1 October ceremony draws tens of thousands and requires arriving hours before dawn. Security lines around the square are longest 1–3 October. Building in 30–60 extra minutes for checkpoints is realistic, not pessimistic. ### Everything else that sells out, in order - Hotels first — not because they vanish, but because prices in central Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an multiply during the holiday. If your dates are fixed, this is the booking with the most money at stake. - High-speed rail on 1 and 7–8 October between megacities (Beijing–Shanghai, Beijing–Xi'an, Shanghai–Hangzhou). Off-peak directions and times stay available longer. - The Forbidden City (see above), followed by other headline museums that run 7-day advance windows — check each museum's own mini program for its release time; they differ. - Great Wall day trips: the Badaling cable car and the Mutianyu shuttle both queue badly mid-holiday. First buses and first trains beat the crowds by hours. - Nothing at the airport: you still need your visa-free or visa route sorted before you fly — see our visa-free country list if you have not checked your passport's route. ### Crowd tactics that actually work - The worst days for headline sights are 2–4 October. If you land during the holiday, spend those days on neighbourhoods, parks, and food streets, and save museums for 1, 5, 6 or 7 October. - Morning entry beats everything: arrive at opening time, before tour groups unload mid-morning. - The reverse also works: from about 15:30, day-trippers start leaving major sights and lines at the top attractions visibly shorten. - Book in this order: hotels → trains on the exact on-sale dates above → Forbidden City and other timed museums → everything else. Do not lock the rest of an itinerary before you hold the Forbidden City ticket — dates cannot be changed. - Already in China without plans? Same-day museum tickets do not exist, but parks, temples, walls and water towns generally still sell at the gate; expect queues rather than sellouts. **When do Golden Week 2026 train tickets go on sale?** Fifteen days before travel, counting the sale day. Tickets for 1 October open on 17 September 2026; tickets for the 7 October return peak open on 23 September. Each departure station also has its own daily on-sale time, listed in the 12306 app under 出行向导 → 起售时间. **Is the Forbidden City open on Monday 5 October 2026?** Yes. The Palace Museum closes on Mondays except during statutory holidays, and the whole 1–7 October Golden Week counts as a statutory holiday period. It is open and will be extremely busy; tickets released 7 days ahead at 20:00 will sell out fast. **Can foreigners buy Golden Week train tickets with a passport?** Yes. 12306 accepts passport registration for foreign users; verify your passport as a passenger before the on-sale date. At the station you enter through manual or e-gates that read passports, and you carry the physical passport you booked with. **Do I need to reserve Tiananmen Square, and can foreigners do it?** Yes — it is free and required. Foreign visitors reserve 1–7 days ahead with a passport through the 天安门广场预约参观 mini program. A same-day booking for the Forbidden City or National Museum generally covers walking across the square, but the flag-raising ceremony needs its own reserved slot. **Is Golden Week a bad time to visit China?** It is the most crowded week of the Chinese year, but manageable if you book everything in advance, keep 2–4 October away from headline sights, and enter attractions at opening time. If your dates are flexible, late October offers similar weather with a fraction of the crowds. **What are the 2026 makeup workdays around Golden Week?** Sunday 20 September and Saturday 10 October 2026 are official workdays that bracket the holiday. This barely affects visitors, but expect normal commuter crowds on those two days and quieter-than-usual offices on 20 September. ## How do I book Forbidden City tickets as a foreigner? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/book-forbidden-city/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Book on the official international site intl.dpm.org.cn using your passport details, around 7 days ahead — the Palace Museum sells out fastest of any sight in China. Your passport is the ticket: show it at security. If it is sold out, foreigners can buy at the on-site ticket office with a passport, subject to availability. ### Book on the official site Use intl.dpm.org.cn and skip the WeChat mini-app queue. Official domains end with dpm.org.cn — anything else, including forbiddencity-ticket.com and lookalikes, is a reseller charging a markup. - Slots open roughly 7 days ahead - 60 CNY in peak season, 40 CNY off-season - Real-name: enter the passport you will carry - Closed Mondays outside public holidays ### Entry is the passport There is no paper ticket to collect. Show the passport at security. Arrive about 30 minutes early for the 9–11 AM peak. ### When it shows sold out - Foreigners can buy at the on-site ticket office with a passport, subject to availability - Check for late releases the evening before - Avoid third-party resellers — many cannot ticket foreign passports at all **How far in advance should I book?** As soon as your dates are fixed. Slots open about 7 days ahead and popular days go within hours in peak season. **Can I change the name on a booking?** Real-name bookings are tied to the passport used, so changes are generally not possible. Book with the passport you will actually carry. **Is the Great Wall the same system?** No — each section has its own channel. Mutianyu has its own booking flow; see the dedicated page. ## How do I book Mutianyu Great Wall tickets as a foreigner? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/great-wall-tickets-mutianyu/ · Verified: 2026-09-28 **Short answer:** Book Mutianyu with your passport through the official Mutianyu channel or a mainstream ticketing app, a few days ahead in peak season. The entry ticket, cable car and toboggan are priced separately, and the passport you booked with is what you show at the gate. ### What you are actually buying - Park entry — real-name, tied to your passport - Cable car up and down, or chairlift plus toboggan — sold separately - Shuttle bus inside the scenic area on some routes ### Which section to pick Mutianyu is the usual choice for a first visit: restored, less crowded than Badaling, and with a toboggan ride down. Badaling is the closest to the city and the busiest. Jinshanling and Jiankou are for walkers and are not restored. ### Getting there - Private car or hired driver is the simplest for a group - Tourist buses run from central Beijing in peak season - Public transport works but adds two to three hours to the day **Can I just turn up and buy a ticket?** Often yes outside holidays, but daily caps apply in peak season and real-name booking is standard. Book ahead if your dates are fixed. **Is the toboggan worth it?** It is the reason many people pick Mutianyu. Buy it with the entry ticket — it sells out on busy days. **How long does the visit take?** Half a day including transport, longer if you walk beyond the restored stretch. ## How do I book Terracotta Army tickets with a passport? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/terracotta-army-tickets/ · Verified: 2026-09-28 **Short answer:** Book through the museum's official site or its WeChat channel with your passport, a few days ahead in peak season. Real-name booking applies to every visitor including foreign passport holders, and the passport you booked with is what you show at the gate. The site is outside Xi'an, so allow most of a day. ### Booking with a passport - Real-name booking — enter the passport you will carry - Peak-season entry is around 120 CNY; off-season is lower - Book a few days ahead for holidays and summer - Bring the passport itself, not a screenshot ### Getting there from Xi'an The museum sits east of the city. Tourist buses run from the railway station area, and a car saves about an hour each way. Most visitors combine it with the city wall or the Muslim Quarter on the same day. ### How long to allow Two to three hours on site is comfortable. Pit 1 is the largest; the bronze chariots in the exhibition hall are the part people skip and then regret. **Do I need a guide?** Not required, but the site makes far more sense with context. Audio guides are available at the entrance in English. **Can I buy on the day?** Usually yes outside holidays, but real-name limits apply in peak periods. Book ahead if you are travelling in summer or during a public holiday. **Is it the same ticket as the tomb mound?** The ticket covers the museum site including the mound area; check what is open on your date, as excavation areas rotate. ## How do I reserve the Shaanxi History Museum in Xi'an? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/shaanxi-history-museum-booking/ · Verified: 2026-09-28 **Short answer:** Entry is free but daily slots are capped, so reserve a few days ahead through the museum's official channel with your passport. Tickets are released five days ahead at 17:00 daily, and visitors without a booking cannot enter. ### Free does not mean walk-in The cap is the constraint, not the price. Reservations open a few days ahead and the morning slots are usually gone first. Reserve as soon as your Xi'an dates are fixed. - Free entry to the main halls; some special exhibitions are ticketed separately - Closed Mondays, except on public holidays - Real-name booking with your passport ### If it shows full - Check again the evening before — late releases and cancellations appear - Try the paid special exhibition, which sometimes includes main-hall access - Build the day around the city wall and Muslim Quarter and try the next morning **How long does a visit take?** Two to three hours for the main halls at a comfortable pace. **Is there an English audio guide?** Yes, available at the entrance, and captions in the halls are bilingual. **Can I reserve with a foreign passport?** Yes — select the passport option during real-name reservation and bring the same document. --- # Staying ## Buying Medicine in China: Pharmacies, OTC Rules and Delivery Source: https://chinapass.app/help/buying-medicine-in-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Pharmacies (药店, green cross sign) are dense in every Chinese city and common minor ailments — headache, diarrhea, colds, allergies — are handled over the counter for ¥10–40. Look for the OTC mark for self-service items; anything else needs a doctor's prescription. Foreign passports work for real-name checks. A heavily restricted list (ephedrine cold medicines and similar) is ID-registered and capped regardless of prescription status. ### How pharmacies work - Look for the green cross sign and the word 药店 (yàodiàn). Big chains include 老百姓大药房 (LBX Pharmacy), 益丰 (Yifeng), 大参林 (Da Zhong Lin) and 一心堂 (Yixintang) — they are standardized and price-labeled. - Most common OTC items cost ¥10–40. The counter staff are usually licensed pharmacists and will recommend items if you describe symptoms — translation apps work fine for this. - Many pharmacies in city centers and near hospitals run 24 hours; Meituan Maps or Amap searching 药店 shows opening hours and 24h flags. - Prescription drugs legally require a prescription reviewed by an on-duty pharmacist — pharmacies cannot sell them without one, and the rule is enforced more strictly each year. ### What you can buy without a prescription The OTC mark on the box is the signal: red OTC (甲类) must be sold from the counter, green OTC (乙类) can sit on open shelves — both are yours without a prescription. Combination cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine are NOT in this free category — see the restricted list below. | Need | Common Chinese product | Approx. price | | --- | --- | --- | | Pain/fever | 布洛芬 (ibuprofen) or 对乙酰氨基酚 (acetaminophen) | ¥10–20 | | Stomach/diarrhea | 蒙脱石散 (montmorillonite powder), 口服补液盐 (oral rehydration salts) | ¥10–25 | | Colds (non-restricted) | Basic single-ingredient remedies with OTC mark | ¥15–30 | | Allergies | 氯雷他定 (loratadine), 西替利嗪 (cetirizine) | ¥15–25 | | Motion sickness | 晕车药 (buscopan-type tablets or patches) | ¥10–20 | | Muscle strain | 云南白药 sprays and plasters, pain-relief plasters (膏药) | ¥15–40 | ### What needs a prescription — and the restricted list - Antibiotics and essentially all 'real' prescription drugs require a doctor's prescription from a licensed physician. Your foreign prescription has no force in China — but a short hospital or clinic visit produces one, and internet hospitals offer online consultations that issue valid e-prescriptions. - A national restricted list (tightened by a 2026 regulator notice) bans online sale entirely — pharmacies and delivery apps alike — for: all injectables (except insulin), vaccines, blood products, narcotic/psychotropic medicines, pregabalin, tramadol combinations, and several high-risk prescription drugs (warfarin, carbamazepine, mifepristone and similar). - Cold and cough medicines containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine (common in combination cold remedies) can be bought only offline, with your passport checked and registered, capped at 2 retail packs per purchase — and the pharmacy will log it. - Expect outright refusal for bulk purchases or requests without clear personal need; pharmacies are required to report unusual buying patterns. ### Medicine delivery: 30 minutes to your door - Meituan (美团买药), Ele.me and JD Health deliver OTC medicine in roughly 30 minutes in cities, 24h in many districts — the fastest option for traveler ailments, ordered through apps you likely already have. - Delivery requires payment through Alipay or WeChat Pay (both link international cards), and real-name items will ask for ID details. - Everything on the national restricted list is automatically unavailable online — that's regulation, not stock shortage. If an item can't be found in any delivery app, it's on the list; go to a pharmacy in person. ### Bring your own — with care - Personal-use quantities of your regular medication are allowed into China; keep them in original packaging with the prescription label, and carry a copy of the prescription — customs occasionally asks. - Check controlled substances before flying: codeine-containing painkillers and ADHD stimulants (amphetamine-class medicines) are controlled in China and can cause real trouble at the border. If you rely on one, research the import rules and carry documentation. - Western brand names often don't exist in China — the active ingredient (INN) is what to search for, e.g. 'ibuprofen 布洛芬'. ### Authenticity and serious illness - All legitimate medicines carry a 国药准字 registration number on the box, plus a traceability code you can scan with Alipay or WeChat to verify maker and batch. Refuse anything without both — no exceptions, including 'gifts' from well-meaning strangers. - For anything beyond minor ailments, go to a hospital (医院) or an international clinic — Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu have English-speaking international departments. Emergency ambulance: 120. Pharmacies are for the small stuff. **Can foreigners buy medicine in China without Chinese ID?** Yes. Ordinary OTC items need no ID at all. For real-name items (like ephedrine-containing cold medicine), your passport is the accepted document — that's what the registration is designed for. **Can I buy antibiotics over the counter?** No. Antibiotics require a doctor's prescription, and pharmacies face real penalties for selling them without one. An internet-hospital online consultation is the quickest legitimate route to an e-prescription. **Can I get medicine delivered to my hotel?** Yes — Meituan, Ele.me and JD Health deliver OTC medicine to hotels in cities, often within 30 minutes. Set the delivery address to the hotel's Chinese address and have it handed to the front desk. **Why can't I find a cold medicine on any delivery app?** Combination cold remedies with ephedrine/pseudoephedrine are banned from all online channels by national regulation — offline pharmacies only, with passport registration and a 2-pack cap. This is deliberate, not a stock issue. **Is my home-country prescription valid in China?** Not directly — Chinese pharmacies can only accept prescriptions issued by licensed Chinese physicians. Bring your medication in original packaging for personal use, or see a clinic in China for a local prescription. ## Can You Drink Tap Water in China? What Visitors Should Know Source: https://chinapass.app/help/drinking-water-in-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** No — don't drink tap water in mainland China. It is treated at the plant, but old pipes and rooftop storage tanks mean it isn't potable as delivered. Tap water is fine for brushing your teeth and becomes safe after a rolling boil. Bottled water is everywhere and cheap (¥1–3 for a 550 ml bottle), and every hotel room has a kettle. ### What tap water is safe for - Brushing your teeth: fine. Nobody skips this, including locals. - Washing food you will peel (fruit you'll peel yourself, vegetables): fine. - Drinking after a rolling boil: safe — this is exactly what the hotel kettle and every office water dispenser are for. - Drinking straight from the tap: no. Locals don't do it either; hot-water culture exists partly for this reason. ### Bottled water: brands and prices A 550 ml bottle from a convenience store or supermarket runs ¥1–3 — roughly a third of Western European prices. Large 1.5 L bottles cost only marginally more. You can also buy 24-bottle shrink-wrapped cases in supermarkets for hotel stays. In rural areas, small towns, or at trailheads, buy sealed bottles rather than refilling — that is the only real rule to remember. | Brand | Typical price | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | 农夫山泉 Nongfu Spring | ¥1.5–3 | The default; red cap. Sold at every convenience store and street kiosk | | 怡宝 C'estbon | ¥1.5–2.5 | Green cap, purified water, common in the south | | 娃哈哈 Wahaha | ¥1–2 | Cheapest of the big names | | 百岁山 Ganten | ¥2.5–4 | Slightly premium mineral water, elegant blue bottle | ### Your hotel room - Every mid-range and above hotel provides an electric kettle. Use it freely — boiling tap water for tea or filling a bottle after it cools is normal practice. - Most hotels also leave two complimentary bottles of water per day; four- and five-star hotels are generous with this. If the room runs out, the front desk provides more, usually free. - High-end hotels sometimes have filtered or 'drinking water' taps in rooms. Fine to use — but when in doubt, the kettle and bottled water are the safe default. ### Hot water is everywhere — and free - Airports, railway stations, and trains have free hot-water dispensers (开水/热水). Bring a bottle and refill — on trains this is a universal habit, not a hack. - Restaurants serve hot tea or hot water by default, and it is free. Cold water at restaurants is usually bottled or filtered — served chilled, not from the tap. - Asking for '热水' (rè shuǐ, hot water) gets you a free refill at almost any shop, train, or office lobby. ### Ice, salads, and street food - Chain restaurants, coffee shops (Starbucks, Luckin, Manner), and hotel restaurants use filtered water and commercial ice — their iced drinks are fine. - At street vendors and very small local eateries, iced drinks are the one thing worth being cautious about; sealed bottled drinks are the safe fallback. - Rinse-in-tap-water salads at budget restaurants are a mild risk the same way they are in most of Asia — your call on how adventurous to be. **Can I drink tap water after boiling it?** Yes. A rolling boil makes it safe to drink — this is standard practice, and the kettle in your room exists for it. The taste is a bit flat compared to bottled water because it is softened/purified municipal supply. **Is the ice in drinks safe?** At chains, cafes, and hotel venues, yes — their ice comes from filtered supplies. Be more cautious with street vendors' iced drinks in very small towns. **How much does bottled water cost?** ¥1–3 for a 550 ml bottle at convenience stores and supermarkets. Airport and scenic-area kiosks mark up to ¥5–10, so stock up before entering stations or attractions. **What about water for baby formula?** Use bottled purified water (纯净水) or boiled-and-cooled tap water. Brands labeled 纯净水 rather than 矿泉水 (mineral water) are preferred for formula since mineral content is lower. **Is tap water safe in Hong Kong and Macao?** Yes — Hong Kong's supply meets WHO drinking standards and is officially potable, though many residents still filter or boil it. Mainland rules of thumb don't apply there. ## How to Find Hotels in China That Accept Foreign Guests Source: https://chinapass.app/help/hotels-that-accept-foreigners/ · Verified: 2026-09-24 **Short answer:** Look for properties that explicitly say they accept international guests or passports, then message the hotel before paying to confirm the check-in document and registration process. International chains and larger hotels are usually the safest first choice, but the requirement is property-level: some budget hostels and small inns cannot register foreign guests. ### Questions to ask before booking - Do you accept guests with foreign passports at this specific branch? - What original document do you need at check-in, and is a passport copy accepted? - Can the hotel complete the local accommodation registration? - What is the deposit and refund policy at check-in and check-out? ### Signs that a listing needs confirmation - It only says 'Chinese ID accepted' or 'local guests only'. - The price is dramatically below comparable hotels and the passport question is unanswered. - The property is a small hostel or short-term rental with no clear address or reception policy. - The booking page asks for a Chinese mobile number but does not explain passport check-in. ### At check-in Carry the original passport and keep the booking confirmation and property address. A hotel may scan the document for registration and return it immediately; follow the property's instructions and do not hand it to an informal helper. **Do all hotels in China accept foreigners?** No. A property must have the ability and licence to register foreign guests, and some smaller properties do not. Confirm before paying. **Can I stay with a friend instead?** Yes, but ask the host and the local authority how the private accommodation must be registered. Carry your passport and the host's address. **What if the hotel says a passport copy is enough?** Follow the property's current instructions, but be prepared for the original passport because foreign-guest registration normally involves identity verification. **How do I avoid a check-in problem after booking?** Send the hotel a pre-arrival message with your nationality and ask for written confirmation that the branch accepts your passport. ## Power Plugs in China: Which Adapter You Actually Need (220V, Types A, C, I) Source: https://chinapass.app/help/power-plugs-in-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** China uses 220V/50Hz electricity with three socket types in circulation: Type A (two flat pins), Type C (two round pins) and Type I (three angled pins, the Australian shape). Most phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage (100–240V), so you need only a plug adapter, not a converter. A single universal travel adapter covers everything; hotels almost universally provide USB ports or bedside sockets, and convenience stores sell adapters cheaply if you arrive without one. ### The socket zoo, and which one you will meet - Type A: two flat parallel pins — the US/Japan shape. Extremely common in hotels; most US, Japanese and Chinese two-pin chargers plug straight in. - Type C: two round pins — the European shape. Also common, especially in newer buildings; most European two-pin chargers plug straight in. - Type I: three flat angled pins — the Australian/Chinese three-pin shape. Used for high-power appliances (kettles, heaters) and many Chinese-built devices. - The catch for visitors: UK (Type G), and three-pin US/EU grounded plugs do not fit without an adapter. Buy one universal adapter before you fly — a few dollars — or grab one at an airport convenience store on arrival. ### Voltage: adapter vs converter - China runs 220V at 50Hz. Check the fine print on your charger's brick: 'Input: 100–240V, 50/60Hz' means it is dual-voltage — plug adapter only, safe everywhere in China. Nearly every phone, laptop, camera and e-reader charger made this decade qualifies. - Single-voltage appliances — basic hair dryers, curling irons built for 110–120V (US/Japan models) — need a step-down converter, or better, leave them home: hotels above budget level provide in-room hair dryers, and hotel hair dryers are wired for the local voltage. - North American 120V-only devices plugged into 220V without a converter will burn out fast — the adapter only changes the pin shape, not the volts. ### The practical packing list - One universal travel adapter (Type A/C/I coverage) per person — this is the whole kit for most travelers. - A short USB-C or multi-port charging cable: hotel rooms almost always have USB sockets or plenty of outlets near the bed, and high-speed trains have outlets at every seat (and often USB ports too). - A power bank, charged before flight day: sightseeing days run long, rental power banks via WeChat/Alipay exist everywhere but need a working account and a return dock. - Forgot everything? Convenience stores (FamilyMart, Lawson) and hotel front desks usually sell or lend adapters — the front-desk lending shelf is reliable at international chains. **Do I need a voltage converter for China?** Almost certainly not. China is 220V/50Hz, and any charger labeled 'Input 100–240V' — which includes nearly all modern phone, laptop and camera chargers — handles it natively. You only need a plug adapter. A converter is needed solely for single-voltage 110–120V appliances like some US hair dryers. **Which plug adapter do I need for China?** One universal adapter covering Type A (flat two-pin), Type C (round two-pin) and Type I (three angled pins) covers every socket you will meet. Visitors from the US and Japan: your two-pin plugs fit many sockets as-is, but bring an adapter for three-pin devices. UK and Australian visitors: Australian-style plugs fit Type I sockets directly. **Do Chinese hotels have USB ports?** Almost universally, at every level above the most basic. Newer rooms have USB-A or USB-C sockets built into bedside panels and desk outlets. If yours doesn't, the front desk can usually lend a cable or adapter. **Can I charge my laptop on a Chinese high-speed train?** Yes — every seat on high-speed trains (G/D trains) has a 220V outlet, and many have USB ports too. The power is stable enough for laptops; just bring your usual charging brick with an adapter on the plug. **Is the electricity in China the same as Hong Kong?** Voltage is the same 220V/50Hz family, but sockets differ: Hong Kong uses UK-style Type G three rectangular pins. If your trip includes both mainland China and Hong Kong, a two-region adapter or a universal one is required. ## Receiving and Sending Packages in China: Hotels, Lockers and Cainiao Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-parcel-delivery-pickup/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** The easiest way to receive a package in China is to have it sent to your hotel front desk — they sign for you and hold it. Self-pickup routes (Hive Box lockers, Cainiao 驿站 stations) open with an SMS pickup code and therefore need a Chinese phone number. Sending packages out is simple: SF Express (顺丰) counters and couriers take parcels with a Chinese-filled waybill, and hotels will hand parcels to the courier for you. ### Hotel front desk: the traveler default - Give the sender the hotel's full Chinese address plus the hotel's phone number, and put your name exactly as it appears on your booking — that's how the front desk matches parcels to guests. - Mention it at the front desk ('I'm expecting a package') — they'll flag it and call your room when it lands. This works at every mid-range and above hotel; hostels are more hit-and-miss. - You'll need to show your passport when collecting — parcels are nominally real-name, and matching the name on the parcel to your ID is the drill. - This also works for the practical traveler move: shipping a suitcase of purchases ahead to your next hotel or to the airport instead of hauling it on trains. ### Hive Box lockers and Cainiao stations Lockers (found in apartment and office lobbies) hold parcels free for 18–24 hours, then charge a small storage fee. Cainiao stations — the little shops marked with a cainiao logo in every neighborhood — are more flexible: staff hold parcels for days, and if you show your passport and the code, someone will usually pull it for you even without the app. | Pickup point | How it opens | Chinese number needed? | | --- | --- | --- | | 丰巢 Hive Box lockers | SMS pickup code entered on the locker screen (or scan QR) | Yes — the code is texted to the recipient number | | 菜鸟驿站 Cainiao station | Show pickup code from the Taobao/Cainiao app; staff retrieves | Yes for the code; staff often help foreigners who show passport | | Courier home/office delivery | Door delivery; courier calls first (in Chinese) | Yes — and answering that call is its own challenge | ### The Chinese phone number problem - Every self-pickup flow assumes the recipient gets an SMS code — meaning a mainland number. Without one, your options are: hotel front desk, a Chinese SIM bought on arrival (official carrier halls and airport counters register eSIM/SIM to passports in minutes), or asking the sender/shop to reroute. - If you're shopping on Taobao or JD yourself, enter the hotel address and the hotel's phone number as the contact — the front desk handles the rest. - A Chinese number also unlocks the reverse: sending packages yourself through the SF Express mini program instead of hunting for a counter. ### Writing the address so it actually arrives - Courier systems are addressed in Chinese characters — pinyin or English often fails at sorting. Copy the Chinese address from the hotel's booking page, business card, or the 'copy address' button in Amap/Baidu Maps. - Structure that always works: hotel name + branch/district + street address, then your name in English as on your passport, then a contact phone number. - For international parcels inbound, expect customs duties above modest de-minimis values and 1–3 weeks of transit — fine for a forgotten charger, not for anything urgent. ### Sending packages out - 顺丰 SF Express is the premium carrier everyone defaults to — fast, careful, slightly pricier; 京东物流 JD Logistics is the close second. Counters exist inside most neighborhoods and near metro stations; couriers also pick up from addresses. - Shipping luggage between cities is a real, cheap traveler hack: ¥20–60 moves a suitcase 500 km in 1–2 days, which is how people do 'train light, shop heavy' itineraries. Ask the hotel front desk to arrange it — they do this constantly. - Parcels are X-rayed at hubs; power banks and loose lithium batteries can't travel by air freight — ground shipping (陆运) takes them, air doesn't. Liquids are fine domestically. **Can I get a package delivered to my hotel in China?** Yes — the standard method. Use the hotel's Chinese address and its phone number as the contact, put your name as it appears on the booking, and tell the front desk to expect it. Collect with your passport. **Do parcel lockers work without a Chinese phone number?** No — Hive Box lockers open with an SMS code sent to the recipient's number. Without a mainland number, route the parcel to your hotel front desk or use a Cainiao station and ask staff for help showing your passport and tracking details. **Can I ship my luggage to another city instead of carrying it?** Yes — intercity luggage shipping via SF Express or JD Logistics is common and cheap (¥20–60 per suitcase for several hundred kilometers, 1–2 days). Hotels will arrange pickup; address it to your next hotel. **Can I order from Taobao or JD as a foreigner?** Yes — both accept international cards through Alipay or WeChat Pay, and registration supports overseas numbers. Delivery addresses still work best in Chinese characters, and the phone number you list should be one that can receive calls/SMS. **How do I send a package home from China?** SF Express for speed or China Post for economy — both handle international parcels, with customs declarations filled at the counter (bring your passport for ID). For valuables or documents, SF is the safer bet. ## What do I need for hotel check-in in China? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/hotel-check-in-passport-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Bring your passport — it is the only ID that will do. The hotel registers your stay with the police automatically at check-in. Not every property is licensed to host foreign guests, so book places that show they accept international travellers. ### At the desk - Passport required — a driving licence or ID card will not work - The hotel scans it and registers your stay; this is routine and quick - Expect a deposit, refundable at checkout, sometimes cash only ### Why some hotels turn foreign guests away Properties need the right licence to register foreign guests. Many budget hostels and small inns do not have it, and some properties simply have not configured their system for passports. This is a property-level limitation, not a rule about you. Booking platforms usually flag it. If a hostel is dramatically cheaper than neighbours, check the listing before you pay. ### If you are staying with friends Hotels register you automatically. In private accommodation you are expected to register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. **Can I use a copy of my passport?** No for check-in — the physical document is scanned. Keep a photo of it separately for everything else. **Does the hotel keep my passport overnight?** No. It is scanned at the desk and handed straight back. If anyone asks to hold it, that is not standard practice. **Do I need a visa to check in?** You need to be lawfully in the country; the hotel registers whatever status your passport and visa show. --- # Before you go ## Canton Fair 2026 Autumn Session: Dates, Phases and Buyer Survival Guide Source: https://chinapass.app/help/canton-fair-2026-buyer-guide/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** The 140th Canton Fair (autumn session) runs 15 October – 4 November 2026 at the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou, in three 5-day phases: Phase 1 (15–19 Oct) electronics and machinery, Phase 2 (23–27 Oct) home and gifts, Phase 3 (31 Oct–4 Nov) textiles, health and food. Overseas buyers pre-register free with a passport and business details, then collect a buyer badge on site. Match your travel dates to your product category before booking anything — halls are product-specific, and hotels around Pazhou fill weeks ahead. ### Phase dates and what's on show All phases run 09:30–18:00 daily, including weekends, at the China Import and Export Fair Complex on Pazhou Island, Guangzhou. The fair is enormous — over 25,000 exhibitors across roughly 1.5 million square metres — so walking into the wrong phase's halls for your category is the classic first-timer mistake. Pick the phase, then plan meetings against the hall map in the official app. | Phase | Dates (2026) | Main categories | | --- | --- | --- | | Phase 1 — Advanced Manufacturing | 15–19 October | Electronics & appliances, machinery, vehicles & parts, hardware & tools, new energy, lighting, chemicals & materials | | Phase 2 — Quality Home Life | 23–27 October | Kitchenware & tableware, home decor, gifts & premiums, glass & ceramics, building & furniture, gardening | | Phase 3 — Better Life | 31 October – 4 November | Textiles & garments, shoes & bags, toys & baby products, office supplies, medicine & health, food, pet products, sports & travel goods | ### Registration: what buyers actually need - Pre-register free on the official Canton Fair buyer system before travel: passport details plus company information, selecting the phases you will attend. - Collect your buyer badge on arrival using the pre-registered express channel — bring the physical passport you registered with. The badge is your entry pass for the phases selected; re-entry across days uses the same badge. - Your passport situation matters before you even land: many buyer nationalities now enter China visa-free for business — the 50-country unilateral list and 240-hour transit route both cover business meetings. Check your passport's route before booking. - An invitation letter is only needed for nationalities applying for a business visa; pre-registered buyers can generate one through the buyer system if required. ### The survival part: payment, transit, hotels - Hotels near Pazhou triple in price and sell out 30–45 days ahead of each phase — this is the booking with real money at stake, more than flights. Staying along the metro lines 8 or 11 (both serve the complex) a few stops out cuts cost sharply. - Payment: set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with your foreign card before flying — the fair complex, hotels and restaurants are overwhelmingly QR-payment; cash still works but lines move slower. Big transactions (hotel deposits, sample orders) may hit foreign-card limits, so carry a second card and cash buffer. - Transit: Guangzhou is one of the four cities where foreigners can tap a foreign bank card directly at metro gates. Taxis are cheap but queue terribly at phase closing time (18:00); the metro over the river beats them most evenings. - Tax refund: purchases above the departure tax-refund threshold can be refunded at Guangzhou airport on departure — keep receipts and carry goods in hand luggage-eligible condition. - Timing tip: phase-change days (20–22 Oct, 28–30 Oct) are when exhibitors rotate — the complex is closed for build-up. Do not plan meetings on transition days; use them for factory visits in the Pearl River Delta instead. **When is the Canton Fair 2026 autumn session?** The 140th session runs 15 October to 4 November 2026, in three 5-day phases: 15–19 October (electronics and machinery), 23–27 October (home and gifts), and 31 October–4 November (textiles, health and food). Halls are open 09:30–18:00 daily within each phase. **Do I need a visa to attend the Canton Fair?** It depends on your passport. Citizens of the 50 unilateral visa-free countries can enter for business meetings without a visa, and 240-hour transit covers those continuing onward. Buyers from the US or other non-listed nationalities generally apply for a business visa using an invitation letter generated through the fair's buyer system. **How do I register as a buyer for the Canton Fair?** Pre-register free on the official buyer service system with your passport and company details, selecting your phases. On arrival, collect the buyer badge at the express channel with your physical passport. Registration is free for overseas buyers. **Which phase of the Canton Fair should I attend?** The one carrying your product category: electronics, machinery and vehicles are Phase 1 (15–19 Oct); home goods, kitchenware, gifts and furniture are Phase 2 (23–27 Oct); textiles, apparel, toys, health products and food are Phase 3 (31 Oct–4 Nov). Check the official section list before booking flights — the phases share almost no exhibitors. **When should I book a hotel for the Canton Fair?** 30–45 days before your phase at the latest. Pazhou-adjacent hotels sell out or triple in price; metro lines 8 and 11 make a slightly farther hotel practical and much cheaper. **Can I use Alipay and cash at the Canton Fair?** Yes to both. The complex and its vendors run on QR payments, so set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before arrival; cash is accepted but slower. For large sample orders, cards and bank transfers are handled by exhibitors directly — confirm terms in writing before leaving the booth. ## China trip itineraries: 7 days, 10 days, and a 240-hour transit route Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-trip-itinerary/ · Verified: 2026-09-13 **Short answer:** Most first trips work best as a one-way line, not a loop: fly into Beijing, take the high-speed train to Xi'an, then the train to Shanghai and fly home (or reverse it). Seven days covers those three cities without rushing; ten days adds Chengdu (pandas, Sichuan food) or Guilin/Yangshuo (karst river scenery). If you are travelling on the 240-hour visa-free transit, stay inside one permitted region and plan around the fixed onward flight — a Beijing-only 4-day route is the safest version. Build every stop around one pre-booked timed entry (Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, a museum), because those are the tickets that sell out. ### Before you pick a route: four rules that shape it - Book the two ends first: international flights and the timed-entry tickets that sell out (Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Shaanxi History Museum, Chengdu panda base). Everything else can move. - High-speed rail is the backbone: Beijing–Xi'an 4.5–5.5 h, Xi'an–Shanghai 6–6.5 h, Shanghai–Hangzhou ~45 min, Shanghai–Suzhou 25 min, Chengdu–Chongqing ~1.5 h. Book with your passport number on 12306 or an authorised app. - Do not pack in a city per day. Each move costs half a day with check-out, station, security and the new hotel. - Chinese museums close on Mondays (with public-holiday exceptions). Put the timed-entry, must-see museum on a Tuesday–Friday. ### 7 days — the classic first trip - Days 1–3 Beijing: Forbidden City + Jingshan on day 1 (pre-book 7 days ahead, 20:00 release), Mutianyu Great Wall on day 2, Temple of Heaven + hutongs on day 3. - Day 4 Xi'an: morning high-speed train from Beijing; afternoon City Wall by bike, evening Muslim Quarter. - Day 5 Xi'an: Terracotta Army in the morning (timed slot), Shaanxi History Museum or Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the afternoon. - Days 6–7 Shanghai: train to Shanghai; the Bund and Yu Garden, then Wukang Road and a half-day out to Zhujiajiao or Suzhou by train. - Why this order: it is a clean line, so you never backtrack, and both ends have the best international flight connections. ### 10 days — add one of two very different detours - Chengdu (food + pandas): fly or take the train from Xi'an, 2–3 nights. Panda base at opening, Wuhou Shrine and Du Fu Cottage (all timed-entry), hotpot and teahouses. Then fly Chengdu → Shanghai. - Guilin / Yangshuo (scenery): fly or train to Guilin, 2–3 nights. Li River bamboo raft (Yangdi–Xingping), a day cycling the Yulong River, Longji rice terraces if you have a third night. Then fly to Shanghai. - Pick one, not both: they are 1,000 km apart and doing both turns a holiday into a transit exercise. ### 240-hour visa-free transit — a route that fits the permit - The permit is for transiting to a third country: you need a confirmed onward ticket, and you cannot return directly to where you came from. - Stay inside one permitted area. A Beijing-only or Shanghai-only route avoids the cross-region questions entirely. - Beijing 4 days: Forbidden City, Mutianyu, Temple of Heaven, 798, plus a hutong evening. - Shanghai 4 days: the Bund, Yu Garden, Wukang Road, Suzhou day trip (Suzhou is inside the permitted Shanghai region). - Count carefully: your stay is counted from midnight of the day after entry, so 240 hours is effectively up to 10 nights — but keep a buffer day before your onward flight. ### How to book each stop - Forbidden City: official international site intl.dpm.org.cn with your passport, 7 days ahead, 20:00 release — full steps. - Terracotta Army and Shaanxi History Museum: real-name reservation only, official WeChat account, 5 days ahead at 17:00 for the museum — Terracotta, Shaanxi museum. - Trains: passport-based booking on 12306 — step by step. - City-by-city booking mechanics: our city guides for Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guilin list every channel and release window. **Is 7 days enough for a first trip to China?** For three cities on one line — Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai — yes, without rushing, because high-speed rail does the moving in half a day. What you cannot do in 7 days is add a fourth city in a different direction. **Should I start in Beijing or Shanghai?** Start in Beijing if you want the biggest sights first and the jet lag to work for you (early starts beat the crowds). Start in Shanghai if you want a softer landing — it is the easiest city to arrive in and the food and transport are the most familiar. **Do I need to pre-book every attraction?** No. Only the high-demand timed-entry sites need pre-booking: Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Shaanxi History Museum, the Chengdu panda base, and major museums. Parks, streets, the Bund, hutongs and city walls can be walked up or bought on the spot. **Can I do this itinerary on the 240-hour visa-free transit?** Partially. The 7-day route crosses regions, which the transit permit does not allow, so shorten it: pick Beijing or Shanghai and stay inside that permitted area for 4–5 days, with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country. ## China's Public Holidays: The Full 2026 Calendar, and What February 2027 Looks Like Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-public-holidays-calendar/ · Verified: 2026-09-28 **Short answer:** China has exactly seven statutory public holidays, and they are fixed by a State Council notice published once a year, usually in late October or early November of the year before. For 2026 that notice was published on 4 November 2025. In 2026 the seven blocks are: New Year 1–3 January, Spring Festival 15–23 February, Qingming 4–6 April, Labour Day 1–5 May, Dragon Boat 19–21 June, Mid-Autumn 25–27 September, and National Day 1–7 October — 33 days in total. **There is no public holiday in December.** A visitor in December gets normal opening hours, and the Palace Museum's regular Monday closure still applies. The 2027 schedule is not published yet; Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February, and the State Council has never pre-announced when the notice will appear — historically late October to early December of the previous year. ### The complete 2026 calendar, as officially published These dates come from the State Council notice 国办发明电〔2025〕7号, published 4 November 2025, not from travel blogs: New Year 1–3 January (3 days), Spring Festival 15–23 February (9 days), Qingming 4–6 April (3 days), Labour Day 1–5 May (5 days), Dragon Boat 19–21 June (3 days), Mid-Autumn 25–27 September (3 days), National Day 1–7 October (7 days). Four of the seven blocks include 调休 — make-up working days. Those are specific weekends that become **working** days, and a visitor who assumes "it's a weekend, so it must be closed" gets it exactly backwards. In 2026 the named make-up days are 4 January, 14 February, 28 February, 9 May, 20 September and 10 October. Qingming, Dragon Boat and Mid-Autumn have no make-up days at all. ### December has no holiday, and April has exactly one The notice enumerates exactly seven holidays and none of them falls in December. That is not an omission — the regulation on national holidays lists the same seven as the complete set, and no additional holiday has ever been added. December therefore behaves like an ordinary month: normal opening hours everywhere, and the Palace Museum's regular Monday closure still in force. April has Qingming, and in 2026 it ran Saturday 4 to Monday 6 April — three days with no make-up working day attached, and it swallowed the Monday, so the Palace Museum's usual Monday closure was suspended that week. ### February 2027: the date is certain, the schedule is not Chinese New Year 2027 falls on **Saturday 6 February 2027**. The official holiday block, however, does not exist yet, and the State Council has never issued an advance date for publishing it. From the historical record: the 2026 schedule came out on 4 November 2025, the 2025 one on 12 November 2024, the 2024 one on 25 October 2023, the 2023 one on 8 December 2022. Assume late October to early December 2026. Because New Year 2027 lands on a Saturday, the block will almost certainly start on New Year's Eve, Friday 5 February, and run into the following week — the same pattern as 2026, where the block ran from Sunday 15 February to Monday 23 February. The regulation attaches 除夕 (New Year's Eve) to the Spring Festival holiday itself, so a Friday start is the normal shape, not a guess. ### The zodiac year changes at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January 2026 is the Year of the Horse and 2027 the Year of the Goat. The change happens at the Spring Festival, so on 1 January 2027 you are still in the Year of the Horse — the Horse year does not end until 6 February 2027. This trips up anyone who assumes the animal year runs January to December, and it matters for anything that refers to "the year of the …". ### What actually closes — and the one rule that is suspended The Palace Museum closes all day on Mondays. That rule has an explicit exception: **on statutory holidays the Monday closure is suspended**, and the museum also extends or shortens opening hours around holiday periods, announced on its own site. So during a holiday week the one day you would normally avoid is the one day that is open. Two booking facts that hold throughout: the Palace Museum sells no same-day tickets, and tickets — the main gate plus the Clock and Treasure galleries — open for booking at 20:00 exactly seven days before your visit date. Non-mainland visitors book with a passport or a Foreign Permanent Resident ID card. Capacity is capped, so in a holiday week a sold-out notice is a real risk. On crowd size, the State Council Information Office briefed reporters on 28 September 2026 ahead of the National Day holiday: 2.13 billion cross-regional trips over the seven days, about 300 million a day, roughly 1.7 times normal. If you want a quiet China, that number is the argument for December. **Is there a public holiday in December in China?** No. The State Council notice enumerates exactly seven statutory holidays — New Year, Spring Festival, Qingming, Labour Day, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn and National Day — and none falls in December. December runs on normal opening hours, with the Palace Museum's regular Monday closure still in force. **When will China's 2027 holiday schedule be published?** No date has been announced, and the State Council has never pre-announced one. Historically: the 2026 schedule was published on 4 November 2025, the 2025 one on 12 November 2024, the 2024 one on 25 October 2023, the 2023 one on 8 December 2022. Assume late October to early December 2026. Chinese New Year 2027 itself is certain — Saturday 6 February 2027. **What are 调休 make-up working days?** Specific weekends that become working days, named in the annual State Council notice. In 2026 there were six: 4 January, 14 February, 28 February, 9 May, 20 September and 10 October. For a visitor the practical effect is the opposite of the intuition — during a holiday block offices and shops are closed, so do not assume "weekend" means "open". **Is the Palace Museum open on a public holiday that falls on a Monday?** Yes. The Palace Museum closes all day on Mondays as its normal rule, but that rule is explicitly suspended on statutory holidays, and opening hours are extended or shortened around holiday periods with notices published on the museum's own site. ## Chinese New Year 2027 for Visitors: Dates, What's Known, and the Booking Math Source: https://chinapass.app/help/chinese-new-year-2027-travel/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February 2027 — the start of the Year of the Goat, with New Year's Eve on 5 February. The official public-holiday arrangement has NOT been published yet; the State Council releases each year's schedule the preceding November (the 2026 schedule landed 4 November 2025). What is already certain: trains sell 15 days ahead, spring festival travel will run roughly 40 days around the holiday, and headline museums keep their normal advance-booking windows. This page updates the moment the schedule drops. ### What is certain right now - The date: New Year's Day (正月初一) is 6 February 2027, a Saturday. New Year's Eve (除夕) is 5 February. 2027 begins the Year of the Goat (丁未年). - The holiday will be long: since the 2025 system revision, Spring Festival carries 4 statutory days (New Year's Eve plus days 1–3), and recent practice extends it by swapping adjacent weekends — 2026 got 9 consecutive days. Expect 2027 to land in the same range, but the exact block is unknown until the announcement. - Train presale is 15 days ahead counting the sale day, with each departure station having its own on-sale minute. The moment the holiday block is announced, the whole release calendar is computable: subtract 15 days from any travel date. - Spring festival travel (春运) will span roughly 40 days centred on the holiday — for a 6 February New Year, that is mid-January to late February. ### What to expect, based on the 2026 pattern The 2026 schedule (announced 4 November 2025) ran the holiday from 腊月廿八 through 正月初七 — two days before New Year's Eve through seven days after New Year's Day — with two weekend makeup workdays. If 2027 follows the same shape, the block would sit around early-to-mid February 2027. That is an expectation, not an announcement; do not book non-refundable travel against it. - Watch for the announcement on gov.cn around November 2026 — we will update this page with the exact dates, the makeup workdays, and the full train-ticket release calendar within a day of publication. - Hotels in destination cities (Harbin's ice festival season, Sanya beaches, Xi'an) start their holiday pricing steps well before the official announcement — the market moves on the lunar date, not the government notice. - Airfare and hotel booking engines already accept February 2027 dates; just hold refundable rates until the schedule is official. ### What closes, what doesn't (holiday-week reality) - Open as normal: headline museums keep their advance-booking windows and statutory holidays suspend Monday closures; all payment systems; taxis and Didi; convenience stores. - Closed or reduced: government offices, bank counters, and many family-run restaurants and small shops for roughly 3–7 days around New Year's Eve. - The counterintuitive bit: big destination cities are calmer during the holiday itself, because hundreds of millions of people leave them. The crowded places are transport hubs and hometown provinces. The Forbidden City still needs a booked ticket — it sells out, just on a softer curve than Golden Week. - Firecrackers are legal in designated areas of many cities and loud after dark on New Year's Eve — earplugs for light sleepers. ### Planning checklist for February 2027 - Now: hold refundable hotels and flights around 5–8 February if your dates are firm; note the lunar dates above in your calendar. - November 2026: re-check this page for the official block and makeup workdays; compute your train release dates (travel date minus 15). - December 2026: book destination-city hotels — holiday pricing moves in steps. - Mid-January 2027: spring travel opens; set alarms for your departure stations' on-sale minutes and use 12306's official waitlist for anything sold out. **When is Chinese New Year 2027?** Saturday 6 February 2027 — the first day of the Year of the Goat. New Year's Eve is 5 February. The extended public-holiday block around it has not been announced yet; the State Council typically publishes the schedule the preceding November. **When will the 2027 Chinese holiday schedule be announced?** Around November 2026, following the pattern of the 2026 schedule (published 4 November 2025). This page will be updated with the exact dates and train-ticket release calendar within a day of publication. **When do train tickets for Chinese New Year 2027 go on sale?** Fifteen days before each travel date, once the holiday dates are fixed. If the holiday block matches the 2026 pattern, tickets for a 6 February New Year's Day would open in late January 2027. Each departure station also has its own on-sale minute — see our station on-sale times page for the lookup. **Is China worth visiting during Chinese New Year 2027?** Yes — big destination cities empty out as people travel home, so Beijing and Shanghai sightseeing is calmer than usual, with festive atmosphere as a bonus. The friction is transport (holiday trains sell out fast) and family-run businesses closing for a few days around New Year's Eve. **Do museums close for Chinese New Year?** Headline museums stay open on statutory holidays — Monday closures are suspended — and keep their normal advance-booking windows, such as the Forbidden City's 7-days-ahead 20:00 release. Smaller attractions may run reduced hours near the holiday. ## Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 in China: Dates, Mooncakes and Travel Notes for Visitors Source: https://chinapass.app/help/mid-autumn-festival-2026-for-visitors/ · Verified: 2026-09-28 **Short answer:** Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 runs Friday 25 September to Sunday 27 September — a 3-day public holiday with no makeup workdays. The 25th brings domestic travel crowds, mooncake stalls everywhere, and evening moon-viewing at lakes, rooftops and city walls — the pattern to expect each year. Take 3 days of leave on 28–30 September and Golden Week connects: 13 consecutive days off, the longest window of the Chinese year. That festival has now passed — 25 to 27 September 2026 is behind us. The page is kept as a record of how the holiday runs, and the next festival that matters for planning a trip is Chinese New Year on Saturday 6 February 2027; the full statutory calendar, including the fact that December has no public holiday at all, is on the holidays overview page. ### The dates, and the 13-day super window The State Council's 2026 schedule sets Mid-Autumn at 25–27 September, a clean 3-day weekend break — no makeup workdays before or after, unlike Golden Week which needs two. The festival itself is the 25th, the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the moon is at its roundest. Because the holiday ends on a Sunday and Golden Week starts 1 October, taking 28–30 September off creates a 13-day run from 25 September to 7 October. Domestic travelers discovered this the moment the schedule was published in November 2025, so late September is no longer shoulder season: trains and hotels for the 25th–30th get as contested as the holiday week itself — that is what the 2026 dates looked like too. ### What actually happens during the festival - Mooncakes (月饼) appear in every bakery, hotel lobby and supermarket from August onward. They are dense, rich, and shared rather than eaten alone — gift boxes dominate because families and companies exchange them. Try one before committing to a box: flavors run from lotus paste and red bean to salted egg yolk, fresh-meat pork (a Jiangnan specialty that surprises everyone), and increasingly odd modern fillings. - Moon-viewing (赏月) is the core ritual: families gather outdoors in the evening. For visitors, any waterfront or elevated terrace works — West Lake in Hangzhou, the Bund in Shanghai, Xi'an's city wall, and Beijing's Jingshan park are classic picks. No tickets or events are required; it is a do-it-yourself festival. - Lanterns in some cities and temple fairs in others, plus tea houses doing extended evening service. Unlike Golden Week, museums and attractions keep normal hours and normal booking windows. - Greetings you will hear: 中秋快乐 (Happy Mid-Autumn). Merchants may run short promotions — Mid-Autumn sales exist but are far tamer than Golden Week or Singles' Day. ### Travel notes for the holiday weekend - Trains for 25 September went on sale 11 September (15-day presale) — if you are reading this after the 11th, book the waitlist or shift dates to mid-week before the holiday. - Hotels in scenic cities spike for the 25th–27th weekend, though less brutally than Golden Week. - The Forbidden City and other big museums follow their normal 7-day advance windows through the holiday — no special Mid-Autumn rules — and the festival is a statutory holiday, so any Monday closure would not apply (in 2026 the 27th is a Sunday anyway). - Banks and government offices close; shops, restaurants, delivery and payment apps all run normally. Nothing about daily survival changes — see our city guides for the booking mechanics. ### Mid-Autumn or Golden Week — which should you pick? If your dates are flexible and you want China's headline sights without the year's worst crowds, the days just after Mid-Autumn (28–30 September) and just after Golden Week (8–10 October) are the sweet spots of the entire autumn. | | Mid-Autumn (25–27 Sep) | Golden Week (1–7 Oct) | | --- | --- | --- | | Crowds at headline sights | Moderate | Peak of the year | | Hotel prices | Elevated | Highest of the year | | Museum ticket difficulty | Normal 7-day windows | Sell out in minutes | | Atmosphere | Family festival, moonlit evenings | National holiday, big events | | Weather | Early autumn, often clear | Same, slightly cooler | **When is Mid-Autumn Festival 2026?** The public holiday runs Friday 25 September to Sunday 27 September 2026, with the full-moon festival day on the 25th. There are no makeup workdays attached to this holiday. **Is Mid-Autumn Festival a good time to visit China?** Yes — it is the mildest of China's major holidays: 3 days, family-oriented, with normal museum booking windows and moderate crowds. Combine it with 28–30 September leave and Golden Week for a 13-day trip, or visit right after either holiday for the calmest autumn travel. **Do museums and attractions close for Mid-Autumn Festival?** No. Mid-Autumn is a statutory holiday, so sites that close on Mondays stay open when the festival lands on one, and all attractions follow their normal booking rules. Book the Forbidden City and similar timed museums through their standard 7-day advance windows. **When did train tickets for the Mid-Autumn holiday go on sale?** Fifteen days before travel: tickets for 25 September opened on 11 September 2026. If you missed the opening, use 12306's official waitlist or shift to travel dates just before or after the holiday weekend. **What is a mooncake, and which flavor should a first-timer try?** A dense baked pastry with a filling, eaten and exchanged during the festival. First-timers usually do best with lotus-seed paste (sometimes with a salted duck-egg yolk center symbolizing the moon) — sweet, rich, familiar. Fresh-meat mooncakes are a savory Jiangnan specialty worth trying once; modern ice-skin versions are served cold and are the gentlest introduction of all. ## What a China trip costs: verified ticket prices and daily budgets Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-trip-cost/ · Verified: 2026-09-13 **Short answer:** China is cheap by Western European or North American standards, and unusually predictable: the big attractions publish fixed ticket prices, high-speed rail fares are per-kilometre and stable, and there is no tipping. As a planning rule for two people sharing a room, budget roughly ¥700–1,200 per person per day for a comfortable mid-range trip (three-star-plus hotel, restaurant meals, metro and occasional taxis, one paid attraction a day), ¥350–600 for a hostel-and-street-food trip, and ¥1,500–2,500+ for four-star hotels and private guides. The charges that surprise people are not the tickets but the payment fees: foreign cards on Alipay/WeChat cost about 3% on transactions over ¥200, and cash withdrawals are capped per transaction. ### Fixed prices you can look up before you go - Forbidden City: CNY 60 peak (Apr 1–Oct 31) / CNY 40 off-peak, plus CNY 10 each for the Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery. - Terracotta Army: CNY 120. Xi'an City Wall: CNY 54, plus CNY 45 for a 3-hour bike rental. - Chengdu panda base: CNY 55 adult, CNY 27 student, CNY 168 annual pass. Wuhou Shrine: CNY 50 / CNY 25 half fare. - Canton Tower: from CNY 150 depending on the deck. West Lake, Shanghai Museum and Shenzhen Museum: free (museums still need a reservation). - Beihai Park, Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu cable car, Li River rafts: each priced separately — the pattern in China is that the park ticket and the cable car or boat inside it are always separate purchases. - Metro: a stored-value card costs CNY 20 and the deposit is non-refundable — only the balance comes back. ### Per-day planning ranges (2026) - Budget, ¥350–600 per person per day: hostel dorm or budget double, street food and noodle shops, metro, one free or cheap sight a day. - Mid-range, ¥700–1,200: three-star-plus hotel double shared by two, sit-down dinners, metro plus some ride-hailing, one paid attraction a day. - Comfort, ¥1,500–2,500+: four-star or boutique hotel, a private guide or car for a day, business-class rail upgrades, fine dining. - These are planning ranges, not quotes: hotel rates swing with season (Golden Week and the Lunar New Year can double them), and the city pages on this site give the best months per destination. - Two structural savings: travel in shoulder season (Apr–May, Sep–Oct), and stay one or two metro stops outside the tourist core — the same room is routinely 30–50% cheaper. ### The charges visitors forget to budget for - Foreign card fees: Alipay/WeChat charge roughly 3% on transactions above CNY 200 and nothing below that — so a ¥500 dinner costs about ¥15 extra. - ATM limits: foreign cards typically withdraw CNY 2,500–5,000 per transaction with a daily cap near CNY 10,000, plus your bank's own fee. Carry CNY 300–500 in cash as a fallback. - Tax refund: same store, same day, minimum CNY 200 since April 2025; you get back about 11% (13% VAT minus a ~2% fee), and only at your final departure port — not at a domestic transfer. - No tipping: restaurants, taxis and hotels do not expect tips. A restaurant may add a per-person tea/seat charge (茶位费), which is normal, not a scam. - Overstay fines: CNY 500 per day up to CNY 10,000 for visa-free overstays — the most expensive mistake in this list and the easiest to avoid. ### Where the money actually goes - Transport is usually the largest single line for a multi-city trip: high-speed rail between cities is roughly ¥0.45–0.60 per kilometre in second class (Shanghai–Hangzhou, 1h, is CNY 73). - Accommodation is the most volatile: book 3–6 weeks ahead outside holidays, and check whether the hotel accepts foreign passports before you pay. - Food is where you control the budget most: a bowl of noodles is ¥15–30, a sit-down dinner with beer ¥80–150 per person, a high-end restaurant ¥400+. - Attractions are a small share if you book directly: agency packages add 30–100% for the same timed-entry tickets you can reserve yourself in five minutes. ### Cutting the bill without cutting the trip - Book the timed entries yourself (Forbidden City, Terracotta, museums) — agencies mark up tickets you can get at face value. - Use second class on high-speed rail: it is comfortable, and first class is roughly 60% more for the same journey time. - Eat lunch as the set menu and dinner as the small local place; the same kitchen charges less at midday. - Museums: most national and provincial museums are free with a reservation — build a free-museum afternoon into each city. - Do not rent a car. Ride-hailing in cities is cheap; intercity driving needs a Chinese licence and insurance. **How much is a hotel in China?** Budget doubles start around CNY 200–350, mid-range three-star-plus rooms CNY 400–800, four-star and boutique CNY 900–2,000. Rates roughly double during Golden Week (early October) and the Lunar New Year, and drop in the shoulder months. **Do I need cash in China?** Almost never for daily spending — Alipay and WeChat Pay cover everything from metro to street stalls. Carry CNY 300–500 for the rare cash-only counter, and note that ATMs limit foreign-card withdrawals per transaction. **Is it cheaper to travel with a tour or independently?** Independently, usually by 30–100% on tickets and hotels, because the same timed-entry tickets and rooms are bookable directly. The trade-off is your time: expect to spend a few evenings booking the next two days. **How much should I budget for the 240-hour visa-free transit?** There is no visa fee, so the trip costs the same as a normal one of that length: roughly ¥700–1,200 per person per day mid-range, plus the onward ticket you already need to hold. ## Which apps should I install before flying to China? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-travel-apps-checklist/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Install and verify a payment wallet, a local map, the rail app, a ride-hailing option and an offline translation pack before you fly. Everything that needs identity verification or an SMS code should be finished at home — those are the steps that fail at the airport. ### The short list - Alipay or WeChat — payments, and the transport code for every metro - Amap — street-level maps and directions - 12306 — high-speed rail booking with a passport - DiDi, or the ride-hailing mini-program inside your wallet - An offline translation pack that works without signal ### Finish these at home, not at the airport - Bind your card and complete passport verification — both may need an SMS - Install a travel eSIM and confirm the phone is unlocked - Activate the metro code for your first city - Download offline maps and the phrase pack ### Install sources Use your home app store before departure where possible, since some regional stores do not carry these apps. The ChinaPass app lists reliable install sources for each one. **Do I need a Chinese app store account?** No. All of the essentials install from a normal international store, or run as mini-programs inside the wallet you already set up. **Should I install everything, or just payments?** Payments first, then maps. The rest can wait until you are online in China. **What about a VPN?** Plan around it rather than depending on it: download offline content before you fly and keep the essentials working without a connection. --- # Visas & entry ## Accommodation Registration in China for Foreigners: Hotels, Friends and Hosts Source: https://chinapass.app/help/police-registration-staying/ · Verified: 2026-09-24 **Short answer:** Hotels normally register foreign guests with the public-security authorities as part of check-in. If you stay with friends, relatives or a private host, Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China requires the foreigner or the host to register with the public security organ in the place of residence within 24 hours after check-in. The National Immigration Administration has provided online registration channels in some areas, but actual availability must be confirmed with the local authority. Keep your passport and entry record available and do not assume an online accommodation booking replaces registration. ### Staying in a hotel Bring the original passport. The property records the identity information required for foreign-guest registration and should return the document after check-in. If a booking site does not clearly say it accepts foreign passports, confirm before paying. ### Staying with friends or a private host Under Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, the foreigner or the host must register with the public security organ in the place of residence within 24 hours after check-in. Bring your passport, the accommodation address and the check-in date. The National Immigration Administration has provided online registration channels in some areas, but confirm actual availability with the local public security authority; the availability of an online channel does not extend the statutory 24-hour deadline. ### If you move hotels Each property may record the new address. Keep the previous booking and new check-in information available in case an authority or transport booking asks for your current address. **Does a hotel register me automatically?** A licensed hotel normally records foreign-guest identity information during check-in. Confirm the property accepts foreign passports and follow its registration process. **Do I need to register a friend's home?** According to Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, the foreigner or the host must register with the local public security organ in the place of residence within 24 hours after check-in. The National Immigration Administration has online registration channels in some areas, but confirm their actual availability with the local authority; an unavailable online channel does not change the 24-hour deadline. **What if I change hotels?** Tell the new property and keep your current address details. The new hotel may record the changed accommodation details. **Can a travel platform register me?** A booking platform can help with the reservation, but accommodation registration is handled through the property or the relevant local authority. ## China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: 57 Countries and All 65 Ports Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-240-hour-transit-ports/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Citizens of 57 countries can transit China visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) when continuing to a third country or region. You can enter at any of 65 open ports — from Beijing Capital to Xi'an Xianyang, Chengdu Tianfu and the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge — and travel across provinces within the permitted areas of 24 provincial-level regions. ### The 57 eligible countries (verified September 2026) Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added on 20 August 2026, bringing the total to 57. You must hold an ordinary passport of one of these countries: #### Europe (40 countries) - Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France - Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta - Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia - Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Belarus, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina #### Americas (6 countries) - United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile #### Oceania (2 countries) - Australia, New Zealand #### Asia (9 countries) - South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam ### All 65 open ports of entry You may apply for 240-hour visa-free transit at any of these ports, regardless of which country you are from on the list. Airports are the practical route for almost all travellers; the sea, rail and road ports matter for regional itineraries such as the Hong Kong–Shenzhen high-speed rail or the Mohan land crossing from Laos. | Port of entry | Province / region | | --- | --- | | Beijing Capital International Airport | Beijing | | Beijing Daxing International Airport | Beijing | | Tianjin Binhai International Airport | Tianjin | | Tianjin Port (passenger) | Tianjin | | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport | Hebei | | Qinhuangdao Port (passenger) | Hebei | | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport | Liaoning | | Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport | Liaoning | | Dalian Port (passenger) | Liaoning | | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport | Shanghai | | Shanghai Pudong International Airport | Shanghai | | Shanghai Port (passenger) | Shanghai | | Nanjing Lukou International Airport | Jiangsu | | Sunan Shuofang International Airport | Jiangsu | | Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport | Jiangsu | | Lianyungang Port (passenger) | Jiangsu | | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport | Zhejiang | | Ningbo Lishe International Airport | Zhejiang | | Wenzhou Longwan International Airport | Zhejiang | | Yiwu Airport | Zhejiang | | Wenzhou Port (passenger) | Zhejiang | | Zhoushan Port (passenger) | Zhejiang | | Hefei Xinqiao International Airport | Anhui | | Huangshan Tunxi International Airport | Anhui | | Fuzhou Changle International Airport | Fujian | | Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport | Fujian | | Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport | Fujian | | Wuyishan Airport | Fujian | | Xiamen Port (passenger) | Fujian | | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport | Shandong | | Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport | Shandong | | Yantai Penglai International Airport | Shandong | | Weihai Dashuipo International Airport | Shandong | | Qingdao Port (passenger) | Shandong | | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport | Henan | | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport | Hubei | | Changsha Huanghua International Airport | Hunan | | Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport | Hunan | | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport | Guangdong | | Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport | Guangdong | | Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport | Guangdong | | Nansha Port (passenger) | Guangdong | | Shekou Port (passenger) | Guangdong | | Guangzhou Pazhou Ferry Terminal | Guangdong | | Zhongshan Port (passenger) | Guangdong | | Hengqin Port | Guangdong | | Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge Port | Guangdong | | West Kowloon Station Port (Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong express rail) | Guangdong | | Haikou Meilan International Airport | Hainan | | Sanya Phoenix International Airport | Hainan | | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport | Chongqing | | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport | Guizhou | | Xi'an Xianyang International Airport | Shaanxi | | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport | Shanxi | | Harbin Taiping International Airport | Heilongjiang | | Nanchang Changbei International Airport | Jiangxi | | Nanning Wuxu International Airport | Guangxi | | Guilin Liangjiang International Airport | Guangxi | | Beihai Fucheng Airport | Guangxi | | Beihai Port (passenger) | Guangxi | | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport | Sichuan | | Chengdu Tianfu International Airport | Sichuan | | Kunming Changshui International Airport | Yunnan | | Lijiang Sanyi International Airport | Yunnan | | Mohan Railway Port | Yunnan | ### Where you can go during the 240 hours Transit travellers may move across provinces within the permitted stay areas of 24 provincial-level regions — the December 2024 rules relaxed the old single-city stay. Each port's permitted area covers the whole province or municipality in most cases; Shanxi covers Taiyuan and Datong cities, Jiangxi covers Nanchang and Jingdezhen, Guangxi covers 11 cities, Yunnan covers 9 cities and prefectures. ### Conditions you must meet at the border - Hold a valid international travel document with at least 3 months' validity. - Hold confirmed interline tickets to a THIRD country or region, departing within 240 hours. A direct return to your origin country does not qualify. - Fill in the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners and cooperate with immigration inspections. - Your stay is counted from midnight of the day after entry — 240 hours is effectively up to 10 full days and nights. ### What the 240 hours does NOT allow - No employment, study or journalism — those need a proper visa. - No return to your origin country as the onward leg (Shanghai → Beijing → Shanghai fails; Shanghai → Beijing → Tokyo passes). - No leaving the permitted stay area of your port of entry's region. **Which countries are eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit?** 57 countries as of 20 August 2026: 40 in Europe (including Russia, the UK, Ukraine, Serbia and Belarus), 6 in the Americas (US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile), 2 in Oceania (Australia, New Zealand) and 9 in Asia (South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam). **Can I enter on the 240-hour transit and exit through a different city?** Yes. You must enter and exit through ports that offer the policy (65 of them nationwide), and stay within the permitted areas — but your exit port does not have to be your entry port, and cross-province travel within permitted areas is allowed. **Does the onward ticket have to be bought before boarding?** Yes. The ticket to a third country or region must be confirmed with a fixed departure date within 240 hours before you check in for the flight to China. Airlines verify this at check-in. **Is Hong Kong or Macao a qualifying 'third country'?** Yes. China's mainland treats Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan as separate destinations for transit purposes — flying Shanghai → Beijing → Hong Kong qualifies as onward travel to a third region. **How is the 240 hours counted?** From midnight (00:00) of the day after your entry. In practice this gives you up to 10 full days and nights depending on your arrival time. **Can I apply for 240-hour transit at any Chinese airport?** No. Only the 65 listed ports offer the policy. Most major international airports are included, but smaller airports such as Lanzhou or Hohhot are not. ## China Arrival Card for Foreigners: How to File Online Before You Fly Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-arrival-card-online-filing/ · Verified: 2026-09-28 **Short answer:** Since 20 November 2025 the National Immigration Administration lets foreign visitors file the China arrival card online, before the flight. It is free, and the official channels are the NIA website, the government service platform, the "移民局12367" app, the WeChat or Alipay mini-programme, or scanning the arrival-card QR code. **The paper card has not been withdrawn** — if you cannot file online, you can use the on-site smart devices at the port, or fill in the paper card at the counter. You do not need this form if you hold a Foreign Permanent Resident ID, you are transiting without leaving the restricted port area for 24 hours, you are on a group visa-free tour, or you enter through the express lane. ### What the online arrival card is, and what it is not This is an entry-information form, not a visa. Filing it does not give you permission to enter China — your visa, visa-free eligibility or transit permission is a separate question. The most common misunderstanding is that the paper card was abolished. It was not. The NIA's own notice says that foreigners who cannot file online may still use the on-site smart devices at the port, **or fill in the paper foreigner arrival card**. Why it is worth doing before you fly: the NIA reports that at Beijing ports alone more than 3 million foreigners arrived in 2025, and filling the paper card on the spot cost each of them roughly 5 to 8 minutes at the border. The NIA also reports that more than 15.55 million foreign travellers had completed their filing online in the period after the measure started. ### The official channels, and the fake sites to avoid The NIA publishes the filing portal itself and warns, in the same notice, that criminals have set up look-alike sites to collect money. **Filing is free. If a site asks you to pay, it is not the official one.** The channels the NIA names are: the NIA government website, the government service platform, the "移民局12367" app, the WeChat and Alipay mini-programmes, and the arrival-card QR code scanned on a phone. Two practical notes. The help hotline is **12367** — not 12360. And the official portal is a JavaScript application: if you open the link from a page that is not the NIA's, check the address bar before you type in a passport number. ### Who does not have to file The filing form itself lists eight categories that are exempt, including holders of a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID, 24-hour transit visitors who stay inside the port's restricted area, members of group visa-free or group-visa tourist groups, and foreigners entering through the border inspection express lane. If you are transiting and **do** need to leave the restricted port area — within the 24-hour or the 240-hour limit — you are not exempt, and you can use this system to file. ### For Russian passport holders Russia is named in the NIA's current visa-free lists, so the arrival card is a separate step rather than a substitute for anything: the 240-hour transit visa-free policy covers nationals of 57 countries including Russia, allowing stays of up to 10 days through 65 designated ports in 24 provinces, with an ordinary passport and confirmed onward tickets. The Hainan 30-day visa-free policy also lists Russia, among 61 countries. The arrival card form is the same one for every nationality. File it, and keep your visa or visa-free basis with you — the card does not grant either. **Is the paper arrival card cancelled?** No. The NIA states that foreigners who cannot file online may use on-site smart devices at the port, or fill in the paper foreigner arrival card. The paper card is still accepted. **Does filing the online arrival card cost anything?** No. The NIA states the measure collects no fee. A site that asks for payment to file an arrival card is not the official one — the NIA has issued a warning about look-alike sites set up to defraud foreigners. **Is the arrival card a visa?** No. It is an entry-information form. Your visa, visa-free eligibility or transit permission is decided separately; the card records information, it does not grant entry. **I am transiting for 24 hours and staying inside the airport. Do I file?** No — 24-hour transit visitors who do not leave the port's restricted area are among the categories exempt from filing. If you need to leave that area within the 24-hour or 240-hour limit, you are not exempt and can file through the same system. ## China Travel Policy Updates 2026: Visa, Transit and Ticketing Changes Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-travel-policy-updates-2026/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** 2026's changes so far: 240-hour visa-free transit expanded to 57 countries (20 August); the 50-country 30-day visa-free list confirmed through 31 December 2026 for 48 of them; Russia's exemption extended to 2027; 12306 added a free ticket-correction refund (19 January); and the 2026 holiday schedule sets Golden Week at 1–7 October. The next date to watch: 31 December 2026, when the 48-country visa-free policy currently expires. ### 2026 timeline: what changed, when Every entry below was checked against an official source at the time of writing — the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consular service, gov.cn, or China Railway. When a policy changes, this page gets a new row and a re-push to search engines, so it stays safe to cite. | Date | Change | Who it affects | | --- | --- | --- | | 20 Aug 2026 | 240-hour visa-free transit expanded from 55 to 57 countries — Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam joined | Citizens of the 57 listed countries transiting to a third country | | Jul 2026 | Russia began reciprocating visa-free entry for Chinese citizens (20 July), completing the May agreement | Chinese and Russian ordinary passport holders | | Jul 2026 | Foreign Ministry consolidated the unilateral visa-free list at 50 countries, 30 days per entry | All 50 nationalities; purposes limited to tourism, business, family visits, exchange and transit | | 20 May 2026 | China extended Russia's unilateral visa-free policy to 31 December 2027 | Russian ordinary passport holders | | 19 Jan 2026 | 12306 launched free correction refund: cancel a mis-bought ticket within 30 minutes of payment and 4+ hours before departure, once per person per day | Anyone booking China Railway tickets | | Late 2025 | The 48-country 30-day visa-free policy extended to 31 December 2026 | 48 of the 50 unilateral visa-free nationalities | | 4 Nov 2025 | State Council published the 2026 holiday schedule: Mid-Autumn 25–27 September; National Day Golden Week 1–7 October | Everyone booking around Chinese holidays | ### The next date to watch: 31 December 2026 The 30-day unilateral visa-free policy for 48 of the 50 countries currently expires on 31 December 2026 (Russia runs to 2027, Brunei has no set expiry). Every previous extension was announced only weeks before expiry, so there is nothing to announce yet. If you are booking travel for December 2026 or into 2027, re-check this page or en.nia.gov.cn first. An entry on 30 December still earns the full 30 days — expiry governs entry, not exit — but planning around a policy's final weeks without a re-check is how travellers get burned. ### What did not change in 2026 - The 240-hour transit rule still requires a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region — see the full 57-country list and all 65 ports. - Visa-free stays still permit only tourism, business meetings, family visits, exchange and transit — never employment, study or journalism. - Museum and attraction booking still runs on real-name passports: the Forbidden City (7 days ahead at 20:00), Tiananmen Square (free, 1–7 days ahead) and most headline museums kept their 2025 mechanics. - Train tickets still go on sale 15 days ahead, with per-station on-sale times. ### How to verify any of this yourself - Visa-free lists and transit rules: National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn) — the announcement text, not a blog quoting it. - Consular answers and consolidated lists: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Service Network (cs.mfa.gov.cn). - Holiday schedules: State Council notices on gov.cn, published the November before the year in question. - Ticketing rules: 12306 announcements in the app, and the Palace Museum's own ticketing page for museum rules. **Will the 48-country visa-free policy be extended past 31 December 2026?** Unknown as of September 2026. The policy has been extended repeatedly, but each extension was announced only a few weeks before expiry. Check this page or en.nia.gov.cn before booking travel in December 2026 or later. **What changed for the 240-hour transit policy in 2026?** The country list grew from 55 to 57 on 20 August 2026, when Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam joined. The mechanics are unchanged: up to 10 days, a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, entry through one of the 65 designated ports. **What is the 12306 free correction refund?** Since 19 January 2026, if you buy the wrong ticket on 12306, you can cancel it online for free within 30 minutes of payment, as long as departure is more than 4 hours away. One correction per person per day; change-of-plan refunds still follow the normal tiered fee schedule. **Where can I read the official policy instead of blogs?** National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn) for visa-free and transit announcements, the MFA Consular Service Network (cs.mfa.gov.cn) for consolidated lists, and gov.cn for holiday schedules. All sources used on this page are linked below. ## China Visa-Free Countries 2026: The Complete 50-Country List Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-visa-free-countries-2026/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Citizens of 50 countries can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchange or transit. The policy runs until 31 December 2026 for 48 of them, until 2027 for Russia, and Brunei has no set expiry. On top of that, 57 more nationalities can use 240-hour visa-free transit. ### The 50 unilateral visa-free countries (verified September 2026) China grants unilateral visa-free entry, up to 30 days per visit, to ordinary passport holders of the following 50 countries. The stay is counted from midnight of the day after you enter. Source: National Immigration Administration (NIA) list, as consolidated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July 2026. #### Europe (35 countries) - France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg - Poland, Slovenia, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland - Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta - Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom #### Asia (7 countries) - Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain #### Oceania (2 countries) - Australia, New Zealand #### Americas (6 countries) - Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Canada ### How long each policy lasts The 50-country policy does not all expire at the same date — this is the part most travellers get wrong: - China announced the extension to 31 December 2026 in late 2025; Russia's exemption was extended to 2027 on 20 May 2026, with Russia reciprocating for Chinese citizens on 20 July 2026. - If you enter on 30 December, you still get 30 days — the expiry governs entry, not exit. But never plan around a policy's final weeks without re-checking, because extensions are announced only weeks in advance. | Passport group | Policy valid until | Max stay per entry | | --- | --- | --- | | Brunei | No set expiry date | 30 days | | Russia | 31 December 2027 | 30 days | | The other 48 countries | 31 December 2026 | 30 days | ### Countries covered by mutual visa-free agreements (29 more) Separately, China has mutual visa-waiver agreements that allow entry for ordinary passport holders of these countries (agreement terms — allowed days and purposes — vary by country, so check your specific agreement): - Asia-Pacific: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Maldives - Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Qatar - Europe: San Marino, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Serbia, Albania - Americas: Ecuador, Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname - Africa & Oceania: Seychelles, Mauritius, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands ### What you can and cannot do on a visa-free stay - Allowed: tourism, business meetings and trade, family and friend visits, exchange visits, transit. - Not allowed: employment, study, journalism, or anything requiring prior approval — those need a proper visa before you fly. - Hotels register you automatically at check-in. Staying at a friend's home? Register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. ### Not on the list? Two more routes in - 240-hour visa-free transit: citizens of 57 countries can stay up to 10 days when transiting to a third country or region — see the full 57-country list and all 65 entry ports. - Hainan 30-day visa-free entry: 61 countries, but only within Hainan province and only through its open ports. ### The rule airlines check before you board Check-in staff — not Chinese immigration — are the first gate. They verify your passport against the current list and will deny boarding if they apply an outdated rule. Print or save the NIA announcement for your nationality and show it if challenged. **Will the 30-day visa-free policy be extended past 31 December 2026?** Unknown as of September 2026. Every previous extension was announced only a few weeks before expiry, so re-check this page or en.nia.gov.cn before booking travel in December 2026 or later. **How is the 30-day stay counted?** From midnight (00:00) of the day after your date of entry. Entering on the 1st means your 30 days run to the 30th, with exit on or before that day. **Can I visit China twice on the visa-free policy?** Yes, there is no limit on the number of visa-free entries, but immigration officers can refuse entry if they suspect you are living in China on back-to-back tourist entries. Frequent re-entries with short gaps may trigger questioning. **Does the US or India have visa-free entry to China?** No. US and Indian passport holders are not on the 50-country list, but US citizens can use the 240-hour visa-free transit if continuing to a third country. Indian citizens have no visa-free option and need a standard visa. **Can I work or study on visa-free entry?** No. Only business meetings, tourism, family visits, exchange and transit are permitted. Employment, study and journalism require the appropriate visa obtained before travel. **Do I need to show an onward ticket for 30-day visa-free entry?** The 30-day unilateral policy does not formally require an onward ticket, but airlines may still ask for proof of onward travel at check-in. For the 240-hour transit route, a confirmed onward ticket to a third country is mandatory. ## Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Entry 2026: The Complete 61-Country List Source: https://chinapass.app/help/hainan-30-day-visa-free-entry/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Citizens of 61 countries can enter Hainan province without a visa for up to 30 days, through any of Hainan's open ports of entry, for tourism, business, visits, family matters, medical treatment, conventions or sports. The catch: you must stay within Hainan — this policy does not let you travel onward to Beijing or Shanghai. It matters most for nationalities NOT on the nationwide 50-country list, such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines and Indonesia. ### How the Hainan policy differs from the nationwide one China's headline visa-free policy covers 50 nationalities and lets them enter anywhere in the country. The Hainan policy is separate and regional: 61 nationalities, 30 days, but the entire stay must be inside Hainan province — the tropical island south of mainland China that includes Haikou, Sanya and the Duty-Free shopping zone. Entry and exit must both happen through Hainan's open ports of entry (Haikou Meilan and Sanya Phoenix international airports, plus the cruise ports). You cannot fly into Sanya and fly out of Beijing on this policy. Why it matters: five notable nationalities qualify for Hainan but not the nationwide 30-day policy — the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines and Indonesia (Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam joined both lists on 20 August 2026). If your passport is US or Canadian, a Hainan beach week is visa-free even though a Beijing trip is not. ### The 61 countries (National Immigration Administration list) Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added by NIA Announcement No. 4 of 2026, effective 20 August 2026, bringing the total to 61. The authoritative enumeration is on the NIA's regional visa-free policy page. Two lists are worth comparing side by side: the Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman) and Ecuador are on the nationwide 50-country list but NOT on Hainan's — irrelevant in practice, since the nationwide policy is strictly more flexible. The reverse gap is the one that matters: the US, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines and Indonesia are on Hainan's list only. #### Europe (40) - Russia, UK, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus #### Americas (6) - United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile #### Asia-Pacific, Central Asia & Middle East (15) - Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar ### The rules the airline checks - Ordinary passport, 30 days maximum, counted from midnight of the day after entry. - Allowed purposes: tourism, business and trade, visits, family and friends, medical treatment, conventions and exhibitions, sports competition. Not allowed: work, study, or journalism — those need a proper visa before you fly. - Entry AND exit through Hainan's open ports. No side trips to the mainland — the activity range is the administrative boundary of Hainan province. - Staying at a hotel: it registers you automatically. Staying with friends: register at a local police station within 24 hours of arrival. - Check-in staff are the first gate — they verify your passport against the current list and can deny boarding. Carry a copy of the NIA announcement if challenged. ### Three more regional routes in (for the record) - Hong Kong/Macau-organized tour groups: citizens of any country with diplomatic relations can enter Hainan for 6 days when organized by a travel agency registered in Hong Kong or Macau, group in and group out. - Cruise groups: foreign tour groups of 2+ arriving on cruises through 13 Chinese cruise ports (including Haikou and Sanya) can enter visa-free for up to 15 days along the coastal provinces and Beijing. - Guilin and Xishuangbanna: ASEAN tour groups can visit these two areas for up to 6 days, group in and group out. **Can US citizens enter China visa-free?** Not on the nationwide policy — the US is not among the 50 countries. But US citizens can enter Hainan province visa-free for up to 30 days under the Hainan regional policy, and can use the 240-hour visa-free transit when continuing to a third country. For Beijing, Shanghai or Xi'an, a US passport needs either the 240-hour transit route or a visa. **Can I enter Hainan visa-free and then travel to Beijing?** No. The Hainan policy confines your entire stay to Hainan province, and both entry and exit must be through Hainan's ports. To visit the mainland on the same trip you would need a qualifying nationwide policy (50-country visa-free or 240-hour transit) or a visa. **Which nationalities qualify for Hainan but not the nationwide 30-day visa-free policy?** Notably the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines and Indonesia. Most European and Gulf nationalities qualify for both policies, in which case the nationwide policy is more flexible since it covers the whole country. **How many countries can now enter Hainan visa-free in total?** After Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam joined on 20 August 2026, the regional Hainan policy covers 61 countries, and stacking it with nationwide policies means 88 nationalities in total can enter Hainan without a visa by some route. **Does the 30 days count the day I arrive?** No — the stay is counted from midnight of the day after entry, like the nationwide policy. Entering on the 1st gives you through the 30th. ## How to Extend a China Visa or Stay Permit: Steps Before Expiry Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-visa-extension/ · Verified: 2026-09-24 **Short answer:** Apply for an extension before your current visa, stay permit or visa-free admission period ends. The process is handled by the local public-security Exit-Entry Administration, and the exact eligibility and documents depend on your nationality, visa type and reason for staying. There is no safe automatic extension: overstaying can lead to fines, detention or future entry problems. ### Start before the expiry date Treat the expiry date on your passport entry record or permit as a hard deadline. Contact the local Exit-Entry Administration early, explain your reason and ask which application form, appointment and documents they require. Do not assume a ticket, hotel booking or invitation letter changes the legal status of your stay. ### Documents to prepare - Original passport and current visa, stay permit or entry record - Application form issued or accepted by the local Exit-Entry Administration - Proof of the reason for the extension, such as work, study, family or medical documentation - Passport photos and payment receipt when the office requests them ### If you are already overdue Go to the local Exit-Entry Administration immediately and do not book another journey assuming you can resolve it at the airport. Explain the full situation honestly and ask for the official route to regularise the status. **Can I extend a visa-free stay automatically?** No. Visa-free admission and visa extensions are different processes. Ask the local Exit-Entry Administration whether your nationality and purpose qualify before the allowed stay ends. **Can I travel out of China while an extension is pending?** Do not assume pending application means you may leave. Ask the issuing office what happens to the current permission and re-entry eligibility before booking a flight. **What happens if I overstay?** Overstaying can bring fines, detention, a blacklist record or future entry restrictions. The exact consequence depends on the case; contact the authorities promptly. **Can a hotel extend my visa?** A hotel can explain the local process or help you contact the office, but it cannot extend your immigration permission for you. ## What Documents Do You Need to Travel to China: Passport, Visa, Arrival Card and Tickets Source: https://chinapass.app/help/documents-needed-to-travel-to-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-28 **Short answer:** Five things, in this order. **1) A valid ordinary passport** — official guidance requires nothing more; there is no stated six-month minimum, so the passport simply has to cover your stay. Travel documents, temporary passports and emergency passports are not accepted for visa-free entry. **2) A visa, or the right visa-free basis** — China's unilateral policy covers 50 countries for up to 30 days, and the expiry differs by country: Brunei has no set expiry, Russia runs to 31 December 2027, the other 48 to 31 December 2026. If none of those apply you need a visa, unless you qualify for the 240-hour transit exemption (57 countries, up to 10 days, onward ticket required) or the Hainan 30-day route (61 countries). **3) The arrival card** — file it online free through the National Immigration Administration, or fill in the paper card at the port. **4) Your accommodation address** — hotels register you automatically; staying with friends needs police registration within 24 hours of arrival. **5) The passport you booked with** — Chinese rail tickets are real-name: the passport you bought with is the one you show at the gate. ### The passport: valid, and nothing more specific The rule that catches people out is the one people invent. There is no official six-month requirement. The Exit and Entry Administration Law speaks only of holding a **valid** exit/entry document, and the only official page that addresses passport validity at all — the Chinese Embassy in the UK's visa-free FAQ — says an ordinary passport must be "valid for at least the duration of intended stay in China". If your airline or your onward booking imposes a six-month rule, that is the carrier's rule, not China's. Two things do disqualify a document. **Travel documents, temporary passports and emergency passports are not accepted for visa-free entry** — the rule is an ordinary passport specifically. And the law does not bar entry to anyone holding no valid exit/entry document, so an expired passport is not a shorter version of this problem. ### The visa-free basis, and why the expiry date differs by country China's unilateral visa-free policy covers 50 countries for stays up to 30 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consular FAQ, published 21 July 2026, states the expiry three ways: **Brunei has no set expiry, Russia runs to 31 December 2027, and the other 48 countries to 31 December 2026.** Two further routes exist independently of that list. The **240-hour transit visa-free** policy covers 57 nationalities including Russia, allows stays up to 10 days through 65 designated ports in 24 provinces, and requires confirmed onward tickets. The **Hainan 30-day** policy covers 61 nationalities including Russia but only inside Hainan Province. Under all of them the stay is counted from 00:00 on the day after you enter. ### The arrival card, and the 24-hour accommodation registration The arrival card is an entry-information form, not a visa. Since 20 November 2025 you can file it online, free, before you fly, through the National Immigration Administration's website, its 12367 app, the WeChat and Alipay mini-programmes, or the arrival-card QR code. The paper card is still accepted at the port. Accommodation registration is the requirement people forget. Under Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, **hotels register foreign guests themselves** as part of check-in, but foreigners staying in a private home must — or their host must — register with the public security organs **within 24 hours of arrival**. As of 21 September 2026 that registration can be done online anywhere in China through the NIA website, the 12367 app, or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programmes, and online registration has the same legal effect as doing it at a police station. ### The train ticket is bound to the passport you bought it with China's railway system runs real-name ticketing, and for foreigners the passport is the identity document. China Railway's own English FAQ states that foreign passengers can buy real-name tickets with valid passports, that the e-ticket record stores the identity document used at purchase, and that **the same document must be shown to check in and out of the station and to board the train**. The practical consequence: buy with the passport you will travel with, and carry that passport at the gate. A booking made on one passport and presented with another will not match, which is the single most common cause of a 12306 verification failure. **Do I need a passport valid for six months to enter China?** No official source states a six-month minimum. The Exit and Entry Administration Law refers only to a valid exit/entry document, and the Chinese Embassy in the UK's visa-free FAQ says an ordinary passport must be valid for at least the duration of your intended stay. Some airlines impose six months as their own boarding rule — that is the carrier's requirement, not China's entry requirement. **Can I enter China on a temporary or emergency passport?** Not for visa-free entry. Official guidance states that holders of travel documents or temporary or emergency documents other than ordinary passports are not allowed to enter China without a visa. **How long is my visa-free stay counted from?** From 00:00 on the day after the day you enter. This applies under the unilateral policy, the 240-hour transit policy and the Hainan 30-day policy alike. **I am staying with friends rather than a hotel — what must I do?** You or your host must register with the public security organs within 24 hours of your arrival in China. Since 21 September 2026 you can do this online through the NIA website, the NIA 12367 app, or the WeChat and Alipay mini-programmes, and online registration carries the same legal effect as registering at a police station. --- # Entry ## Do I need a visa for China in 2026? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/do-i-need-a-visa-for-china-2026/ · Verified: 2026-09-28 **Short answer:** It depends on the passport. China's unilateral visa-free policy covers 50 countries for up to 30 days, and **the expiry date is not the same for every country**: Brunei has no set expiry, **Russia runs to 31 December 2027**, and the other 48 countries run to 31 December 2026. If your country is not on that list you need a visa, unless your routing qualifies for the 240-hour transit exemption (57 countries, up to 10 days, onward ticket required) or the Hainan 30-day route (61 countries). ### The three routes in - Unilateral visa-free: 50 countries, up to 30 days — Brunei has no set expiry, Russia to 31 December 2027, the other 48 to 31 December 2026 - 240-hour transit: 57 nationalities including Russia, up to 10 days, requires an onward ticket to a third country or region - Hainan 30-day: 61 nationalities including Russia, up to 30 days, limited to Hainan Province ### How to check your own passport The only authoritative list is the National Immigration Administration at en.nia.gov.cn. Policies change quickly and were extended twice in recent years, so check the current list before booking rather than relying on a forum post. ### What does not change - You need a valid ordinary passport — official guidance says nothing about a six-month minimum, so the passport simply has to be valid for your stay - Visa-free does not permit work or long-term study - Hotel check-in registers you automatically; staying with friends requires police registration within 24 hours of arrival, now available online nationwide **Do I need a return ticket for visa-free entry?** For the 30-day unilateral policy, airlines usually want proof of onward travel. For the 240-hour transit exemption it is strictly required — and it must be to a third country or region, not back to where you flew in from. **Can I extend a visa-free stay?** Not as a tourist. You would exit and re-enter, or apply for a visa at an exit-entry administration office before the stay expires. **Is visa-free entry guaranteed at the border?** No. Entry is always at the discretion of the immigration officer. Have your accommodation address and onward travel ready to show. ## How does China's 240-hour visa-free transit work? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/china-240-hour-transit-visa/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** The 240-hour transit exemption lets holders of 57 nationalities stay up to 10 days in permitted areas without a visa, provided they hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, bought before boarding. You must enter and leave through a designated port. ### The two conditions people get wrong - The onward ticket must be to a THIRD country or region — flying back to your departure country does not qualify - The ticket must be purchased before you board the flight into China ### Where you can go Rules relaxed in December 2024: transit travellers may move across provinces inside the permitted areas rather than staying in a single city. The permitted areas cover most of the eastern and central provinces. Check the NIA list for your specific itinerary before you rely on it. ### At check-in and on arrival - Airline staff verify the onward ticket — this is the step that fails, not immigration - Have the onward booking and your first night's accommodation printed or offline - Hotel check-in registers you; staying privately means registering with police within 24 hours **Do Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan count as a third region?** Under the transit rule they are treated as separate regions from the mainland, so an onward ticket to Hong Kong, China or Macao, China generally satisfies the third-region requirement. Confirm on en.nia.gov.cn for your passport. **Can I enter in one city and leave from another?** Yes, as long as both are designated ports and your route stays inside the permitted areas. **What if my onward flight is cancelled?** Visit the exit-entry administration office before your 240 hours expire to regularise your stay. Overstaying is taken seriously. --- # Safety ## Is China safe for tourists? What actually goes wrong Source: https://chinapass.app/help/is-china-safe-for-tourists/ · Verified: 2026-09-13 **Short answer:** For most visitors China is a low-crime, low-hassle destination. Serious crime against foreign nationals is relatively rare, and the risks that do materialise are petty: the “tea tasting” or “massage” scam in tourist areas, unlicensed taxis, and pickpocketing at crowded sites. The rule visitors break most often is procedural rather than dangerous — you must carry your passport at all times, because police conduct random checks and printed copies are not accepted. Emergency numbers: police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119, traffic police 122. ### The honest summary - Serious crime against foreign nationals is relatively rare, but incidents do happen (UK FCDO travel advice). - Watch your belongings at major tourist sites and other busy places, particularly where foreign visitors gather. - Isolated violent attacks — knife attacks, vehicles used as weapons — have occurred in public places including schools, supermarkets and hospitals. Rare, but real. - Penalties for fighting range from fines to detention regardless of who started it, and compensation claims are commonplace. Walk away from a shoving match over a queue or a fare. ### The scams that actually target visitors - The “tea tasting” / “massage” scam: a friendly stranger invites you for tea, a drink or a massage, and the venue then demands an enormous bill — sometimes followed by threats or card fraud. - QR-code phishing: QR codes are used for everything here, so never scan one handed to you by a stranger offering a deal. Pay through the merchant's own screen or your wallet app. - Unmarked or unmetered taxis: robbery and assault against foreign nationals have been reported. Use the ride-hailing app or a marked taxi, insist on the meter, and keep the receipt — it carries the taxi number. - Fare and queue disputes escalate fast. Do not put your hands on anyone: in China, a physical altercation can end in detention for both parties. ### Carry your passport — the rule visitors get wrong - Always carry your passport. Police carry out random checks, especially during heightened security and major events. - Printed copies and phone photos are not accepted as ID (UK FCDO). - Failure to produce ID can lead to a fine or detention. - Your hotel registers your stay by law. Keep the registration slip, and carry a hotel card with the address in Chinese to show a driver. - Leave a photocopy in the hotel safe — useful if the original is lost, never a substitute for carrying it. ### Solo women, nights out and drinks - Personal attacks and sexual assaults are rare, but they happen — including through drinks being spiked. Women travelling alone or with female friends may be at higher risk (UK FCDO). - Do not leave drinks unattended and do not accept drinks from strangers, including in hotel bars and clubs. - Major-city streets are busy and well lit late into the evening. Use the same precautions you would in any large city: avoid unlit side streets, use ride-hailing after midnight, share your live location with someone. - Bar streets (Sanlitun, the Bund side streets, bar districts in Chengdu) are the places where drink-spiking is most often reported. ### Emergency numbers and what to do first - Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Traffic police 122 · Maritime search and rescue 12395 (UK FCDO). - 110 dispatchers may not speak English. Say your location slowly and clearly, or hand the phone to hotel staff or a passer-by. - Lost or stolen passport: report it at the nearest police station or Public Security Bureau and get a written report before contacting your embassy or consulate. - Keep your embassy number and insurance hotline saved offline. In an emergency you may have no mobile data. - For anything non-urgent, 12345 is the city services hotline in most cities, with some English support in the largest ones. ### Laws that surprise visitors - Drug offences carry zero tolerance: heavy fines, long prison sentences or the death penalty — including for cannabis and including for personal use. - The authorities can randomly test foreign nationals, including on entry, and can test everyone present when a bar or club is raided. - Drones and drone components are strictly regulated. Contact the Civil Aviation Administration of China before bringing one. - National security laws are broad and can apply to activity that happened outside mainland China, including online. Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and do not photograph military or restricted areas (UK FCDO). - Exit bans exist: in civil or commercial disputes you can be barred from leaving, sometimes without knowing until you try to depart. - Same-sex relationships are legal; public attitudes are less tolerant than in Western Europe or North America. ### Internet and connectivity - Google, Facebook, YouTube and X are permanently blocked. Access can be restricted further around political events (UK FCDO). - Chinese cybersecurity law requires VPN products and services to be licensed by the government (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology). - International roaming and travel eSIMs route your traffic through your home carrier's network, which is why many visitors find their usual apps work on a roaming connection. See the VPN page for the practical picture. **Is it safe to walk around at night?** In major cities, yes: streets stay busy and well lit, and violent crime against tourists is rare. Apply normal big-city precautions — avoid unlit side streets when alone, use the ride-hailing app after midnight, and keep your phone out of sight in crowds. **Do I really need to carry my passport?** Yes. Police conduct random checks and printed copies or phone photos are not accepted. Failure to produce ID can lead to a fine or detention. Leave a copy in your hotel safe but carry the original. **Is China safe for solo female travellers?** Most women report few problems, but drink-spiking and harassment do occur. Do not leave drinks unattended or accept drinks from strangers, and be more careful in bar districts late at night. The UK FCDO flags women travelling alone or with female friends as potentially at higher risk. **Which number do I call in an emergency?** 110 for police, 120 for an ambulance, 119 for fire, 122 for traffic police, 12395 for maritime search and rescue. Dispatchers may not speak English — speak slowly or hand the phone to a local. **Are demonstrations a risk?** Avoid them. Chinese authorities enforce public order strictly and foreigners can face arrest, detention and deportation. Political statements — including ones posted online — can be treated as illegal. --- # Emergency ## I lost my passport in China — what do I do first? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/lost-passport-in-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-28 **Short answer:** Do it in this order: report the loss at the nearest police station and keep the loss report, contact your embassy or consulate to apply for an emergency travel document, then visit the exit and entry administration to update your stay record before you fly. ### Step 1: police report Go to the nearest police station (dial 110 for help finding it). The loss report is the document everything else depends on — hotels, the embassy and immigration all ask for it. Bring any photocopy or photo of the passport you have. It turns a long process into a short one. ### Step 2: embassy or consulate - Book an appointment — most consulates will not handle walk-ins - Bring the police report, passport photos and proof of identity - You will usually receive an emergency travel document rather than a new passport ### Step 3: before you fly Visit the exit and entry administration to transfer your stay registration to the new document. Airlines check this at boarding, and it is the step people miss. **How long does it take?** Plan for several days. An emergency travel document is often issued within a day or two of the appointment, but appointments and the exit-entry step add time. **Can I still travel inside China?** Hotels may refuse without a physical document. Carry the police report and keep a digital copy of everything until you hold the travel document. **What should I do before travelling?** Photograph your passport and visa page and store copies in two places. Offline copies are the single highest-value preparation for this scenario. --- # Food ## Do You Tip in China? The Short Answer and the Exceptions Source: https://chinapass.app/help/tipping-in-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** No — tipping is not expected anywhere in China: not in restaurants, taxis, hairdressers or bars. Staff may chase you down the street to return money they assume you left by mistake. The narrow exceptions: tour guides and drivers on private or group tours, hotel porters in international chains, and spa or housekeeping staff in five-star hotels, where ¥20–100 is appreciated. The best 'tip' elsewhere is simply saying thank you — 谢谢 (xièxie). ### Where tipping will be refused or cause confusion - Restaurants of every price level: the bill is the bill. Small family-run places may have no cash-change culture for tips and will wave the money off or chase you with it. - Taxis and Didi: fares are metered and final. Round up to the nearest yuan for your own convenience, not as a tip — drivers won't interpret it as one. - Street food, convenience stores, cafes: QR payment or exact cash, no tip line anywhere. - Hairdressers, delivery riders, museum staff: no tipping. A delivery rider asking you to confirm receipt just wants the app confirmation. ### The genuine exceptions - Private tour guides and drivers: ¥100–200 per day for a guide is a normal gesture for good service, and on multi-day trips it is genuinely appreciated. It is optional, never demanded. - Hotel porters at international-chain hotels: ¥10–20 per bag is fine. - Housekeeping and spa staff at five-star hotels: ¥20–50 left in the room or handed directly. - Free walking-tour guides in Shanghai and Beijing: these run on tips by design — ¥50–100 is the local norm for a good tour. ### What to do with the urge to overpay - In QR payments, the amount you type is the amount charged — there is no 'add tip' step, so over-tipping by mistake is rare. Double-check the figure before confirming, not out of tip anxiety but because typos charge for real. - Want to reward great service in a local restaurant? Come back again, or leave a sincere review on Dianping (the local Yelp) — owner-visible and genuinely valued. - Cash is still king for the one scenario that catches visitors: small vendors returning change from large notes. Carry ¥10–20 notes rather than relying on ¥100s. **Is tipping rude in China?** Not rude, just unfamiliar. In ordinary restaurants, taxis and shops a tip may be refused outright or treated as a mistake — staff have been known to run after customers to return 'forgotten' money. In tourist-facing services (guides, porters, five-star hotel staff) it is understood and appreciated. **Do I tip tour guides in China?** For private or group tours, ¥100–200 per day for a guide who did well is a normal, appreciated gesture. It is optional. Free walking tours run on tips, so those are the one context where tipping is genuinely the payment model. **Do taxi drivers in China expect tips?** No. Metered fare or the app-charged amount is final. Rounding up loose change is for convenience and is not read as a tip. **Should I tip at restaurants in China?** No — not at hotpot chains, not at dim sum halls, not at fine dining. Some high-end Western-style restaurants in Shanghai or Beijing add a service charge to the bill (around 10%); that printed charge covers everything and no additional tip is needed. ## How do I order food from a QR menu in China? Source: https://chinapass.app/help/order-food-qr-code-china/ · Verified: 2026-09-11 **Short answer:** Scan the QR code on the table, which opens the restaurant's menu inside Alipay or WeChat. Add dishes to the order and pay in the app. If the menu is Chinese-only, translate it with your camera or show a phrase card for allergies and spice levels. ### The flow at the table - Scan the QR on the table or ask for it — some places still have paper menus - The menu opens as a mini-program inside Alipay or WeChat - Add dishes, submit the order, and pay in the app or at the counter - Some restaurants require payment before the food arrives ### When the menu is Chinese-only Point your camera translation at the screen for a live overlay. Where the dish names are poetic rather than literal, look for the price and the photo instead of the name. For allergies and spice, do not rely on translation. Show a phrase card — it is unambiguous and works with no signal. ### Things that surprise visitors - There is often no itemised bill until you ask for it - Water and tea may be charged, and hot water is usually free - Tipping is not expected and may be refused **Can I order without Alipay or WeChat?** Sometimes — some restaurants still take orders with a waiter, and tourist areas often have picture menus. Coverage is far better with a wallet set up. **How do I say I am allergic to peanuts?** Show the allergy phrase card in the ChinaPass app rather than translating on the spot — the wording is what a kitchen actually understands. **What if I cannot pay in the mini-program?** Many venues let you pay at the counter, which accepts the same bound card or cash.