What to prepare before your trip to mainland China
Everything worth preparing before a trip to mainland China, from the restricted internet and VPN situation and QR-code payments, to the apps you should install before you fly, and why having data working the moment you land actually matters.
Trả lời nhanh
- Mainland China restricts access to many foreign services through a system commonly called the Great Firewall — Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and many foreign news sites among them. Travellers commonly use a VPN to reach these, but always check current guidance before you go, since the rules can shift.
- Set up the key apps before you fly, not after landing: a VPN app, Alipay in Tour Pass mode, a translation app and offline maps. Once you are on a network inside mainland China, reaching an app store or downloading things can be less straightforward than it was back home.
- Have data working from the moment you land, because ride-hailing apps, QR-code payments and translation apps all need to verify your identity or reach their servers in real time, starting at the airport. Note: this all applies to mainland China only — Hong Kong and Macao are separate regulatory zones where most foreign apps and services work normally.
Why preparing for China is different from other trips
Preparing for a trip to mainland China differs from most other destinations in two main ways: an internet environment that restricts access to some foreign services, and everyday life on the ground that runs on scanning QR codes for almost everything. Both of these make preparing your apps and internet connection in advance matter more than it would for a typical trip.
The restricted internet, and where a VPN fits in
Mainland China blocks access to a long list of foreign services through an internet filtering system commonly called the Great Firewall. Common examples include Google and its associated services (Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive), WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and a fair number of foreign news sites. Travellers commonly use a VPN to reach these services while in China, much as one would in other travel situations more generally.
Payments in China: QR codes rule, not cash or cards
Paying by scanning a QR code through apps such as Alipay and WeChat Pay is the main way people in mainland China pay for things day to day, from convenience stores to taxis, while cash and foreign credit or debit cards work far less reliably than many travellers expect — plenty of merchants do not take cash, or have no card terminal at all. For the details on linking a foreign card to Alipay through Tour Pass and how scan-and-pay actually works at the counter, see our full Alipay explainer.
Apps to set up before you fly, not after you land
The timing matters: get these apps installed and configured while you are still at home, with normal app-store access and an unrestricted internet connection. Once you are on a network inside mainland China, downloading certain apps or completing identity verification can be less smooth than it was while still connected from your home country.
- A VPN app you have already chosen and subscribed to, signed in and test-connected before you travel
- Alipay in Tour Pass mode, with an international Visa or Mastercard already linked
- A translation app with its offline language packs already downloaded, for moments when the signal is not ready
- Offline maps for the cities you are visiting, so you can find your way even before you have data
The before-you-fly checklist
- Choose and subscribe to a VPN in advance, then test the connection to confirm it actually works before you travel
- Download Alipay and set up Tour Pass mode, with an international credit or debit card linked
- Install a translation app and download the offline language packs you will need
- Download offline maps of your destination cities onto the device
- Arrange your data so it is ready the moment you land, such as activating an eSIM before departure, so you are not waiting for it to register with the network at the airport
Why you need data working from the airport onward
The apps used most in the first minutes after landing — ride-hailing, QR-code payments, translation apps — all need a real-time connection to their servers to verify identity or confirm an amount; none of them are fully offline systems. Without working data at that moment, something as basic as ordering a ride from the airport or paying for a purchase may simply not be possible. Having an eSIM activated and ready before you land removes that problem from the outset.
Worth knowing: mainland China does not include Hong Kong or Macao
Câu hỏi thường gặp
Do I need a VPN for a trip to China?+
It depends on whether you need services that are restricted in mainland China, such as Gmail, WhatsApp or certain social media. If you do, travellers commonly install a VPN in advance, but always check current guidance before you go, since the rules can change.
Can I pay with a foreign credit card in China?+
Less reliably than you might expect. Plenty of merchants only take QR-code scans through Alipay or WeChat Pay. Linking a foreign card to Alipay through Tour Pass is the common workaround travellers use.
When should I install the VPN and Alipay apps — before or after I arrive in China?+
Always before you leave, while you still have normal internet and app-store access from your home country. Once you are on a network inside mainland China, downloading or verifying identity can be less smooth.
If my trip also includes Hong Kong or Macao, do I need to prepare the same way?+
Not entirely. Hong Kong and Macao are separate regulatory zones from mainland China, and most foreign services work there as normal. Plan the preparation for the mainland China leg and the Hong Kong/Macao leg separately.
Why can't I order a ride or pay for something right after landing?+
The most common cause is having no working data at that moment. Ride-hailing, QR-code payments and translation apps all need a real-time connection to their servers to verify identity or confirm an amount. Check that the eSIM or SIM you are using is activated and still has data left.
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