A way to pay, a working phone, a clear arrival plan. Get oriented, then tell us where you would like help.
Plan My First China Trip ↗Human-reviewed requests. No booking or payment at this step.
Before committing to your route, check the rules for your passport, visit purpose, length of stay and onward journey with China’s National Immigration Administration and the Chinese embassy or consulate serving you. Entry and transit arrangements are not interchangeable. Use official arrival-card channels if required; a ChinaConnect request does not establish entry eligibility.
Mobile payments, bank cards and RMB cash are all part of the payment landscape. Set up any payment service you plan to use before departure, and check its verification steps, fees and card support directly. Keep a backup method: acceptance can vary by merchant, and a successful setup does not mean every payment will work.
Set up the tools you expect to use for maps, translation, transport and payments while you have a reliable connection. Check that you can sign in and receive any verification messages. Save your first hotel’s Chinese address and arrival instructions offline, so the first journey does not depend on every app working immediately.
Check the exact airport, terminal and railway station rather than only the city name. For trains, use the passenger’s correct identity details and bring the document used to buy the ticket. Allow time for station entry, security and boarding, then work out the final journey to your accommodation. China Railway’s English site provides current ticketing guidance.
Confirm the property address, arrival time and accepted payment methods before you travel. Bring your original travel document for hotel check-in; hotels handle accommodation registration. If you will stay somewhere other than a hotel, check the current registration procedure with your host and the National Immigration Administration, including the required deadline.
Before departure, check your phone’s compatibility, roaming costs and any local SIM registration requirements with your operator. Some international websites and apps are unavailable on mainland Chinese networks. Keep important addresses and travel details offline, and agree another way to contact your travel companions if your usual messaging service is unavailable.
Keep your destination names in Chinese as well as English, and prepare short written messages for everyday needs. Translation tools can help with signs and simple conversations, but check key details such as dates, pickup points and dietary requirements. For a guided visit or a business meeting, you can request human language support through ChinaConnect.
Shanghai government — Translation for international visitors
ChinaConnect reviews your needs and helps identify suitable local resources. Confirm scope, availability, pricing and terms with the relevant provider before committing.
Entry depends on your passport and exact journey. Check current requirements with the National Immigration Administration and the Chinese embassy or consulate serving you.
No. We only need basic contact and trip information to review your request. Do not upload or include identity documents.
Yes. Share your interests, approximate time and any help you need. Cities and dates can stay undecided.
Start with what you know. We will review the request before the next step.