Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to plan your perfect China adventure
Visa Requirements
Entry policies for different nationalities
Visa-Free Entry
Citizens can enter China without a visa for tourism purposes
28 countriesSingapore citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days.
💡 Passport valid for 6+ months
Japanese citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days.
Brunei citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days.
Thai citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days (until Dec 31, 2025).
Malaysian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Indonesian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days.
Laotian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days.
Myanmar citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days.
Cambodian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days.
Vietnamese citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days.
Filipino citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days.
Maldivian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Kazakh citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Georgian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Serbian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Croatian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Bosnian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 90 days.
Belarusian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
UAE citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Qatari citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Omani citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Bahraini citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Kuwaiti citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Saudi citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Moroccan citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 90 days.
Seychellois citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Mauritian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 60 days.
Tunisian citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 90 days.
240-Hour (10-Day) Transit Visa-Free
Transit passengers can stay up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa in specific cities
31 countriesUS citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and other cities.
💡 Must have onward ticket to third country
UK citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Canadian citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Australian citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
New Zealand citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
German citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
French citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Italian citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Spanish citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Dutch citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Swiss citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Swedish citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Norwegian citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Danish citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Finnish citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Irish citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Portuguese citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Greek citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Austrian citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Belgian citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Polish citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Czech citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Russian citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
South Korean citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Brazilian citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Argentine citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Mexican citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Indian citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Turkish citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Israeli citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
South African citizens can use 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free in eligible cities.
Visa Required
Citizens must apply for a visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate
15 countriesIndian citizens need to apply for a tourist (L) visa before traveling.
💡 E-visa available for Hainan province
Pakistani citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Bangladeshi citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Sri Lankan citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Nepalese citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Nigerian citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Egyptian citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Kenyan citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Ghanaian citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Iranian citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Iraqi citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Jordanian citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Colombian citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Peruvian citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Chilean citizens need to apply for a visa before traveling.
Need a Visa?
Most travelers need to apply for a visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate. Processing takes 4-5 business days. Required documents:
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Completed visa application form
- Passport-size photos
- Flight and hotel bookings
- Invitation letter (if applicable)
Transportation
How to get around in China
Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing
Hub: Air China
Beijing Daxing International Airport
Beijing
Hub: China Southern Airlines
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai
Hub: China Eastern Airlines
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
Shanghai
Hub: China Eastern Airlines
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Guangzhou
Hub: China Southern Airlines
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
Shenzhen
Hub: Shenzhen Airlines
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Chengdu
Hub: Sichuan Airlines
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
Chengdu
Hub: Sichuan Airlines
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
Xi'an
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong
Hub: Cathay Pacific
Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway
Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway
Shanghai-Hangzhou High-Speed Railway
Chengdu-Chongqing High-Speed Railway
Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway
💡 Book tickets 15 days in advance via Railway 12306 app or Trip.com. Trains sell out quickly during peak seasons.
Beijing
Shanghai
Guangzhou
Shenzhen
Chengdu
Hangzhou
Wuhan
Nanjing
Xi'an
Chongqing
💡 Pay with transport card, mobile payment (Alipay/WeChat), or single-journey tickets. Signs are usually bilingual.
Budget Planning
Estimated costs for different travel styles
| Category | Economy | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15-40/night Hostels, budget hotels, or shared accommodation | $50-100/night 3-4 star hotels, serviced apartments | $120-300+/night 4-5 star hotels, luxury resorts |
| Food | $10-20/day Street food, local restaurants, casual dining | $25-50/day Mid-range restaurants, some upscale dining | $60-150+/day Fine dining, hotel restaurants, international cuisine |
| Transportation | $5-15/day Public transit, walking, shared bikes | $15-40/day Metro, occasional taxi/Didi, some high-speed rail | $50-150/day Private transfers, domestic flights, business class rail |
| Attractions | $10-30/day Free attractions, student discounts, group tickets | $30-60/day Major attractions, some guided tours | $70-150+/day Private tours, VIP access, all major attractions |
Budget Traveler
$40-70/day
¥280-490/天
Mid-Range Traveler
$95-150/day
¥665-1050/天
Comfort Traveler
$200-450+/day
¥1400-3150+/天
Packing Checklist
Everything you need for your China trip
Documents
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💡 For visa extension or emergencies
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💡 Keep separately from originals
Electronics
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💡 China uses 220V, 50Hz
Clothing
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💡 Cover shoulders and knees
Health
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💡 Bring enough for entire trip + extra
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💡 Not all public restrooms provide toilet paper
Money
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💡 Small bills for markets and taxis
Other
Essential Apps
Download these before your trip
Communication & Payment
Essential for messaging, mobile payment, and daily life in China
💡 Link your international credit card before arriving in China
Alipay
Payment
Mobile payment accepted everywhere, also for transportation
💡 Download the international version (Alipay+) for easier setup
Amap / Gaode Maps
Navigation
Most accurate maps for China, includes public transit and ride-hailing
💡 Works better than Google Maps in China
Didi Chuxing
Transportation
Ride-hailing app (Uber equivalent), works in all major cities
💡 Link with Alipay or WeChat Pay for seamless payment
Trip.com
Travel Booking
Book flights, trains, hotels, and attractions with English interface
💡 Often has better prices for domestic China travel
Pleco
Translation
Chinese dictionary and translation app, works offline
💡 Download offline dictionaries before your trip
DeepL
Translation
High-quality translation app for Chinese-English
💡 Better translation quality than Google Translate
Dianping
Food & Lifestyle
Yelp equivalent for restaurants, reviews, and local services
💡 Use with translation app for best results
Currency & Payment
How to handle money in China
Chinese Yuan Renminbi
CNY
Payment Methods
- Mobile Payment (WeChat Pay, Alipay)
- Cash (RMB)
- International Credit Cards (limited acceptance)
- Chinese Debit Cards
💡 Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay before arriving. Mobile payment is the most convenient method in China. ATMs are widely available but may charge fees for international cards.