ChinaReady tools
Every China travel tool in one place
Free, practical tools to check your visa-free eligibility, find the best VPN for China or the right eSIM, and arrive fully prepared. Every tool runs in your browser, gives a real answer in under a minute, and has no affiliate links.
Free online tools
These three tools answer the questions travelers ask us most: does my trip qualify for visa-free entry, should I get a VPN or an eSIM (or both), and what else am I missing. No signup, no email required.
240-Hour Transit Checker
Find out in 30 seconds if your itinerary qualifies for China's visa-free transit policy.
Supports multi-city trips, multiple entries, and airside transits across 55 nationalities and 65 ports — the same rules covered in detail in our china visa free guide.
eSIM vs VPN Checker
Answer 5 quick questions and get a recommendation for your exact trip.
Whether you need the best vpn for china, a china esim, or both — built for tourists, business travelers, digital nomads, and long stays, with no affiliate links influencing the result.
Readiness Checklist Preview
Work through the full ChinaReady checklist in your browser — no download needed.
Covers payments, VPN, phone setup, maps, rail, and rides, and shows your readiness score live as you go.
In the ChinaReady app
These two tools need camera access and offline storage, so they live in the app rather than the browser.
Menu Translator
Point your camera at any Chinese menu and get instant translations.
Available in the ChinaReady app
Download on the App StoreOffline Emergency Guide
Critical phrases, emergency numbers, and offline maps — works without internet.
Available in the ChinaReady app
Download on the App StoreCommon questions
Questions about these tools
Are these tools really free?
Yes. All three browser tools — the transit checker, the eSIM vs VPN checker, and the readiness checklist — are free with no signup and no affiliate links affecting the results.
How accurate is the 240-hour transit checker?
The checker is built directly from China's current transit visa policy, covering 55 nationalities and 65 entry ports. Rules can change, so for travel within the next few weeks we recommend cross-checking against our visa-free guide before booking.
Should I get a VPN or an eSIM for China?
It depends on what you need connectivity for. A china esim gets you online immediately with no setup, but doesn't unblock apps like Google or WhatsApp on its own. The best vpn for china unblocks those apps but needs to be installed before you land. The eSIM vs VPN checker above gives a specific recommendation based on your trip.
Do I need to download the app to use these tools?
No — the transit checker, eSIM vs VPN checker, and readiness checklist all work directly in your browser. Only the Menu Translator and Offline Emergency Guide require the app, since they need camera access and offline storage.
Do I need a visa for China?
It depends on your nationality, your itinerary, and how long you’re staying. Many travelers can skip a visa entirely if their trip qualifies for China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy, which covers 55+ nationalities through 60+ ports of entry. Use our free 240-Hour Transit Checker to find out in 30 seconds whether your specific trip qualifies.
Do US citizens need a visa to travel to China?
US citizens generally need a visa for China unless their trip fits within the 240-hour visa-free transit window. This applies to layovers and short trips through eligible ports — but the rules around connecting flights, entry points, and exit cities can get specific. Run your itinerary through our Transit Checker to confirm whether you qualify before applying for a visa.
How do I know if my trip qualifies for China's visa-free transit?
China’s visa-free transit policy lets eligible travelers stay up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa, but eligibility depends on your nationality, entry/exit ports, and whether you’re flying, taking a train, or arriving by sea. Our 240-Hour Transit Checker walks you through it in under a minute and tells you exactly where you stand.
What's the best VPN for China?
“Best” depends on what you’re doing — streaming, video calls, general browsing, or business use — and how long you’re staying. Answer 5 quick questions in our eSIM vs VPN Checker and get a recommendation based on your actual travel situation. For setup steps once you’ve chosen one, see our VPN for China setup guide.
Do I need a VPN in China, or is an eSIM enough?
A local eSIM gives you connectivity but doesn’t bypass China’s internet restrictions — you’ll still need a VPN for sites like Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, or Instagram. Some travelers need both, others only need one. Our free eSIM vs VPN Checker asks about your specific use case and tells you exactly what setup fits — no affiliate bias.
Which VPNs actually work in China?
Not every VPN that works elsewhere works reliably inside China. Our eSIM vs VPN Checker helps you figure out what connectivity setup you actually need, and our VPN setup guide covers configuration tips that improve reliability once you’ve chosen a provider.
Should I get a China eSIM before I arrive?
Getting an eSIM before you land means you have data the moment you arrive, without hunting for a local SIM card at the airport. Whether you need an eSIM, a VPN, or both depends on your trip type — answer a few questions in our eSIM vs VPN Checker to see what fits, or read our full China eSIM guide for setup details.
How does WeChat Pay work for tourists?
China runs largely on mobile payments through WeChat Pay and Alipay, and many smaller vendors don’t accept cash or foreign cards at all. Setting this up before you arrive saves a lot of friction. Our Alipay & WeChat Pay setup guide walks through the exact steps, and our Readiness Checklist covers payments alongside VPN, phone, and transport prep in one pass.
What do I need to prepare before traveling to China?
Beyond your visa or transit eligibility, the things that trip people up most are payments (WeChat Pay/Alipay), connectivity (VPN/eSIM), and navigation apps that work locally. Our free Readiness Checklist runs through all of it in your browser — no download needed — and gives you a live readiness score as you go.
Can Americans travel to China without a visa?
Yes, in many cases — if the trip qualifies under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. This depends on your entry and exit points and total trip length. Check your exact itinerary with our Transit Checker before assuming you do or don’t need a visa.
What's the difference between a China tourist visa and visa-free transit?
A tourist visa lets you enter China for general travel purposes with fewer restrictions on your itinerary, while visa-free transit is a narrower exemption tied to specific conditions — trip length (up to 240 hours), approved ports, and onward travel. Use our Transit Checker to see which situation applies to you.
No affiliate links. All tools are free.