Now availableApp Store & Google Play
Everything you need to travel to China in 2026
From visa-free entry to Alipay, VPN, and eSIM — the ChinaReady app gets you fully prepared before you land. Built from official sources and real traveler experience.
2,000+
Travelers prepared for their China trip
100+
Countries covered for visa-free entry
4.8★
Average rating on the App Store
Free
On iOS and Android
Everything you need before you go
Get ready to travel to China — one checklist at a time
Whether you’re planning a short trip to China or a longer stay, these are the essentials every traveler needs sorted before departure.
💳
Payments — Alipay & WeChat Pay
Cash is rarely accepted in China. Set up Alipay for tourists and link a foreign Visa or Mastercard to WeChat Pay before you land — both now support international cards.
Read the Alipay & WeChat Pay guide →🔒
VPN & Internet Access
Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked in mainland China. Install the best VPN for China before you board — VPN apps can't be downloaded once you've landed.
See which VPNs actually work →📶
eSIM & Connectivity
A China eSIM gets you online the moment you land — no airport queue, no VPN required if you choose an international plan. Compare the top options.
Compare the best eSIMs for China →🛂
Visa-Free Entry & Transit
Over 50 countries can now enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, plus a 240-hour transit policy for connecting travelers. Check if your country and route qualify.
Check visa-free eligibility →Good to know
5 things most travelers don’t know before they travel to China
China’s digital environment is unlike anywhere else. Here’s what catches first-time visitors off guard — verified against official sources and updated for 2026.
Reviewed and kept current by the ChinaReady team using official immigration, telecom, and payment provider sources. Last checked: 2026.
1
You can't download a VPN once you've landed
VPN apps are removed from the Chinese App Store and Google Play inside mainland China, per current App Store regional restrictions. You must install and test yours before boarding — this applies to both iOS and Android.
2
Google Maps shows the wrong location in China
Due to China's mandated GCJ-02 coordinate system, Google Maps can be off by up to 500 metres inside the country. Use Amap (Gaode) or Apple Maps instead — both comply with the local coordinate standard and work without a VPN.
3
Most foreign cards can't pay directly
Contactless and chip payments from foreign cards are rarely accepted outside hotels. According to Alipay and WeChat Pay's own foreign card programs, linking a foreign Visa or Mastercard to either app is now the standard workaround for tourists.
4
China is almost entirely cashless
Restaurants, taxis, and street vendors mostly accept only mobile payment — a trend widely reported by China's major payment platforms in 2025–2026. Carrying cash alone, without Alipay or WeChat Pay set up, will cause problems within your first day.
5
50+ countries can enter China visa-free for 30 days
Per China's National Immigration Administration, citizens of the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Canada, and over 50 other countries can travel to China without a visa for stays up to 30 days as of 2026. A separate 240-hour transit policy applies to connecting travelers.
Free tools
Free tools to help you travel to China — no signup required
240-Hour Transit Checker
Find out in 30 seconds if your itinerary qualifies for China's visa-free transit policy.
Try the free tool →eSIM vs VPN Checker
Answer 5 quick questions and get a personalized recommendation for your trip.
Try the free tool →Readiness Checklist Preview
Work through the full ChinaReady checklist in your browser before you download the app.
Try the free tool →Preview
See if you're ready to travel to China
Work through the checklist below — built from real traveler experience and kept up to date.
chinaready
chinaready.app/preview
Readiness
Ready score
3 of 9 tasks complete
Payments
Alipay and WeChat Pay are the first things most travelers need working.
1/3 completeHigh Priority
More in the app
Menu translator, traveler community, visa checker, and offline quick-fixes. Download the app.
Enter your passport country and stops — get an instant answer on whether your route qualifies for China's 240-hour visa-free transit.
Example itinerary
New York → BeijingEntry
Beijing → TokyoExit
Qualifies — up to 10 days
Also checks
55 eligible nationalities
65 approved entry ports
7 restricted regions (Tibet etc.)
Product in motion
See the workflow before the app launches
Demo 1 of 3: Setup walkthrough
Social Proof
Real travelers, real China trips
by Real Travelers
See how travelers from around the world used ChinaReady to prepare for their trip to China.
S
"The readiness checklist saved me so much stress. I had WeChat Pay and my VPN set up before I even boarded."
S
Sarah K
Solo Traveler
J
"I had no idea you couldn't download VPN apps inside China. ChinaReady warned me just in time — absolute lifesaver."
J
James L
Business Traveler
M
"The step-by-step WeChat Pay guide was so clear. My first cashless payment in Shanghai felt completely natural."
M
Marcus T
Digital Nomad
E
"As a student heading to Beijing, the visa document checklist and community tips made everything so much easier."
E
Emily W
Student
D
"The community section is gold — real travelers sharing which eSIM actually works and which restaurants accept foreign cards."
D
David R
Food Explorer
How It Works
From questionnaire to fully prepared for your China trip
01
Before you book
Answer a short questionnaire
Tell us your trip type, duration, and what you already have set up. We generate a personalized checklist — no generic advice, just what you actually need.
Visa typePayment appsConnectivity
02
Before you land
Check the rules and entry requirements
Visa-free countries, arrival documents, customs limits, and what you can't bring in. Updated when China's travel policy changes — not six months later.
Entry rulesCustoms limitsVisa-free list
03
After you land
Fix problems — even without internet
Payments failing, apps blocked, eSIM not connecting. The quick-fix guides work offline so you can solve problems the moment they happen.
Offline accessPayment fixesVPN fallback
04
While you're there
Use the built-in travel tools
Menu translator, traveler community tips by city, transport shortcuts, and more. Practical tools for the day-to-day — not just the setup.
Menu translatorCity tipsTransport
Free guides
Everything you need to travel to China — written and kept current
Practical, up-to-date guides on payments, VPN, eSIM, visa-free entry, food, and the best time to plan your trip to China.
Essentials
China Travel Checklist 2026: Visa, VPN, eSIM & Payments Guide
Read guide →
Payments
How to Set Up Alipay and WeChat Pay as a Foreign Tourist in China
Read guide →
Internet & VPN
Best VPNs for China in 2026: What Actually Works and How to Set One Up
Read guide →
Internet & VPN
Best eSIM for China in 2026: Access the Internet Without a VPN
Read guide →
Visa & Entry
China Visa-Free Entry in 2026: 30-Day Policy and 240-Hour Transit Explained
Read guide →
Essentials
Best Time to Visit China: Weather, Crowds, and Public Holidays Explained
Read guide →FAQ
Common questions
Stay updated before you travel to China
Visa policy changes, new guides, and payment updates — delivered when they matter, not buried in a blog you'll forget to check.
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