Section
Travel tools
The four things to sort out before you fly.
- Guides
- 4
- Checked in the last 90 days
- 4 of 4
- Review cycle
- Every 90 days
Before you fly, in order
- 1
What is the best eSIM for China?
Three travel eSIMs compared on price per day, hotspot rules and the small print, plus how foreigners get a local SIM. Prices as of 22 October 2026: check before you buy.
10 min · Checked 22 Oct
- 2
How do you fill in the China arrival card?
Online since 20 November 2025 and free. Here is every screen of the official form, who can skip it, and the look-alike sites to avoid.
5 min · Checked 22 Oct
- 3
Do you need a visa for China?
Four visa-free routes, who qualifies for each, and what US passport holders can actually do. Checked against official sources on 22 October 2026.
5 min · Checked 22 Oct
- 4
How do foreigners use Alipay and WeChat Pay in China?
Which cards each app accepts, what it costs, the spending limits and when you need your passport, from each platform's own pages. Checked 23 October 2026.
15 min · Checked 23 Oct
Every guide in this section
Sorted by trip order
Guide
What is the best eSIM for China?
Any unlocked phone that supports eSIM can use a travel eSIM in China.
Guide
How do you fill in the China arrival card?
Since 20 November 2025, foreign visitors can fill in China's arrival card online before travelling, free, on the National Immigration Administration portal (s.nia.gov.cn), the NIA 12367 app or WeChat and Alipay mini-programs.
Guide
Do you need a visa for China?
It depends on your passport.
Guide
How do foreigners use Alipay and WeChat Pay in China?
Yes.
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The China Brief
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