Before you pick a city
Clear the blockers.Then get one brief.
Visa depends on your passport. Payments need a working wallet and a backup. Phone access comes before maps. Airport transfer needs a plan. Pick a city and SeeChina organizes the answers into one personal pre-trip brief.
Blockers
What usuallyblocks the first trip.
- Can I enter?China visa & 144-hour visa-free transitDo you need a China visa in 2026? How 144-hour visa-free transit works, what to confirm by passport, and landing documents to keep ready.3 answers
- Can I pay?How to pay in China as a foreignerAlipay setup with a foreign credit card, WeChat Pay for tourists, and why you still need a backup card and some RMB on day one.2 answers
- Can I connect?Best eSIM for China travel & VPN basicseSIM vs roaming vs local SIM for China, and what to expect from Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram on mainland networks.2 answers
- What happens next?China arrival: metro, DiDi & first transferAirport to hotel options for foreigners—metro, rail, taxi, and ride-hailing—plus what to save offline before you land.3 answers
Quick checks
Five questionsworth clearing first
- Do I need a visa to travel to China?It depends on your passport, purpose, route, arrival port, and length of stay.
- Can foreigners use Alipay with a foreign card?Many international visitors can link a supported overseas card in Alipay, subject to identity checks, issuer approval, and current app…
- eSIM, roaming, or a local SIM—what should I use?Choose by device support, trip length, data needs, and whether you need a mainland number.
- What is the easiest way from the airport to my hotel?Compare airport rail, metro, official taxi, and ride-hailing against your landing time and luggage.
- Where do I request the pre-trip brief?Choose a city on the map first. The brief opens inside that city’s guide, so the destination is already known and the questions stay…
Destinations
Start with a destinationthen personalize the brief.
Open a destination page, then build the free personal pre-trip brief inside it.
Next step