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China pre-departure check

China travel checklist: what should you prepare before departure?

Going to China? Check step by step whether your phone, internet, VPN, payments, hotel address and emergency information are ready before you leave.

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1. Why preparing for China is different

China works differently. With these essentials ready before departure, you can arrive with less stress.

2. What do you get in the checklist?

1. Set up internet & VPN

Choose eSIM, roaming or a local SIM, install your VPN and save internet setup instructions offline.

4 checks
2. Prepare payments

Install payment apps, link Alipay and always set up a second way to pay.

4 checks
3. Set up essential apps

Prepare your translation app, map app, taxi option and important payment apps before departure.

5 checks
4. Check departure basics

Check your passport, visa or visa-free entry, travel advice, bookings, power bank, adapter and travel-day buffers.

8 checks
5. Create your Safety Pack

Create an offline pack with emergency contacts, emergency numbers, Chinese phrases, a payment backup plan and an internet fallback plan.

7 checks

3. The 9 most important China travel checks

  1. 1
    Install and test your VPN

    Many Western apps and websites may not work properly or may be limited in China. Install and test your VPN before departure, and prepare a backup.

  2. 2
    Choose eSIM, roaming or local SIM

    Decide how you will get online before you leave. Choose eSIM, roaming or a local SIM and save installation instructions offline.

  3. 3
    Prepare Alipay

    Install Alipay, link your international card and check where to find the payment code and scan function.

  4. 4
    Set up a backup payment method

    Do not rely on one payment route. Prepare WeChat Pay, a second card, cash or help from a travel companion or hotel.

  5. 5
    Save your hotel address in Chinese

    Make sure you can show your hotel address in Chinese to a driver, hotel staff or service desk.

  6. 6
    Prepare an offline translation app

    Download an offline language pack and test whether you can translate simple phrases without internet.

  7. 7
    Save bookings offline

    Save flight information, hotel confirmation, train or transfer details and QR codes as screenshots, PDFs, Wallet items or printouts.

  8. 8
    Check your travel planning and buffers

    Plan enough time for stations, security, ID checks, taxis, transfers and busy attractions.

  9. 9
    Export your Safety Pack

    Create an offline overview with your hotel address, emergency contacts, emergency phrases, payment backup plan and internet fallback plan.

Want to check this step by step?

Start the free China checklist and prepare your internet, VPN, payments, apps, hotel address and Safety Pack before departure.

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Start your China checklist right away. No login, registration or payment required.

Privacy-first local storage

Your checklist and Safety Pack stay on your device. We do not store payment details, card details or payment codes.

No uploads needed

Tickets, QR codes, eSIM codes and documents stay outside Departure Ready. You save them offline yourself; Departure Ready only helps you check that you have done it.

4. Who is this checklist for?

First time in China

If this is your first trip to China, the checklist helps prevent surprises around internet, payments, taxis and language barriers.

Vacation or multi-city trip

Useful if you visit multiple cities, use taxis, take trains or depend on mobile apps.

Business trip

Practical if you need to stay reachable, use work tools or get quickly from airport to hotel or meeting.

Short stay or transit

Even for a short trip, it helps to have your hotel address, internet, payments and emergency information ready.

5. How Departure Ready works

1

Start the free checklist

You do not need to create an account. You immediately see the most important categories.

2

Complete the checks step by step

Each task has concrete steps, tips and warnings.

3

Enter only necessary information

Hotel address, emergency contact and insurance information are stored locally on your device.

4

Create your Safety Pack

Export or print your offline emergency information before you leave.

6. Frequently asked questions

Is this checklist only for Dutch travelers?

No. The English version is intended for international travelers. In the app, official travel advice and help information can depend on the selected travel advice profile.

Is this a travel planner?

No. Departure Ready does not plan your itinerary. The checklist helps you get operationally ready: internet, VPN, payments, apps, hotel address and emergency information.

Do I need to create an account?

No. You can use the checklist without an account.

Is Departure Ready free?

Yes. You can start and use the China checklist for free. No account, login or payment is required.

Does Departure Ready guarantee that apps, VPNs or payments will work?

No. Apps, VPNs, eSIMs, payment apps and networks can vary by provider, location, time and terms. Departure Ready helps you prepare, test and set up backups, but does not guarantee that anything will always work.

Does Departure Ready store my personal data?

Checklist and Safety Pack data are stored locally on your device. Payment details, passport scans and provider logins are not stored.

Can I go directly to one check, such as VPN or Alipay?

The landing pages explain one topic, but the main action always starts the full checklist. That helps you avoid fixing one problem while forgetting other important preparation.

7. Sources

Information based on official sources, app terms or provider information can change. Always check the latest official sources and provider terms shortly before departure.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-31
Official sources China entry requirement and visa information sources GOV.UK China travel advice — internet access
Payment and provider information Alipay+ — paying in the Chinese mainland Apple Support — using eSIM with iPhone in mainland China

Ready to prepare your China trip properly?

Start the free China checklist and prepare your internet, VPN, payments, apps, hotel address and Safety Pack step by step.

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