China travel guide
First trip to China checklist
Planning your first China trip is much easier when you prepare the practical parts before you fly. This checklist is written for international visitors who want a smooth arrival, especially if Guangzhou is your first stop.
1. Documents and booking details
- Check your passport validity, visa or visa-free eligibility, and entry route before booking non-refundable tickets.
- Keep digital and printed copies of your passport, visa page if relevant, hotel confirmation, flight details, travel insurance, and emergency contacts.
- Save your hotel name and address in English and Chinese. This helps at taxis, train stations, and airport pickup points.
- For domestic trains and many hotels, your passport is your main ID. Keep it accessible on travel days.
2. Apps to install before arrival
Do not wait until landing to install everything. Some apps require phone verification or card setup, and airport Wi-Fi is not the best place to troubleshoot.
- Payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay.
- Translation: a translation app with offline language support.
- Maps: a China-friendly map app or a saved hotel map pin.
- Communication: WeChat or WhatsApp, depending on who you need to contact.
- Travel: airline, hotel, train, and eSIM / roaming apps.
3. Payment setup
China is very mobile-payment friendly, so foreign visitors should prepare Alipay and/or WeChat Pay before the trip. Link an international card if your card is supported, test the app, and keep a backup plan. Cash is still useful for emergencies, but many daily situations work best with QR payment.
Read our practical guide: How to pay in China as a foreigner.
4. Arrival plan
Your first hour in China shapes the whole trip. Decide how you will get from the airport to your hotel before you fly. In Guangzhou, you can use a pickup, metro, official taxi, or ride-hailing. A pickup is the calmest option after a long flight or if you arrive with family, late at night, or during Canton Fair season.
For Guangzhou arrivals, see Guangzhou airport to city guide and the Guangzhou travel guide.
5. Route planning
First-time visitors often try to fit too many cities into one trip. A better plan is to choose one easy arrival city, build in rest time, and connect nearby cities by high-speed rail where it makes sense.
- 2-3 days in Guangzhou works well for food, old neighborhoods, river views, and a practical first landing.
- 5-7 days can combine Guangzhou with Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Foshan, or Guilin.
- 10+ days gives room for Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, or wider China routes.
For a simple starter route, read Guangzhou 2-3 day itinerary.
Need help planning your China trip?
Tell us your dates, arrival city, travel style, budget level, and what feels confusing. We can suggest a simple first plan and help with Guangzhou airport pickup, city routes, local support, and onward travel.