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Your First Day in China

Complete these essential tasks for a smooth trip

This guide provides a complete first-day action checklist for foreign tourists arriving in China, covering six key categories: airport arrival, mobile setup, accommodation registration, payment setup, safety preparation, and cultural immersion. From picking up luggage through customs to learning basic Chinese phrases, it helps you quickly adapt to life in China and ensures a smooth start to your trip.

Features

At the Airport

Pick up luggage and clear customs, buy a local SIM card, connect to airport WiFi, get cash from ATM, take airport express or metro

Mobile Setup

Download and set up Alipay, WeChat, Baidu Maps or Amap, a translation app, and VPN if needed

Accommodation

Check in to hotel, confirm hotel registered you with PSB, Airbnb/friend's place requires police registration within 24h, save hotel card and WiFi password

Payment & Money

Complete Alipay identity verification, try a QR code payment, set up transit card or Alipay transit QR, know your bank's international ATM fees

Safety Prep

Save emergency numbers 110/120/119, photo your passport visa and hotel address, share itinerary with family, register with your embassy

Cultural Quick Wins

Learn 5 basic Chinese phrases (Nihao, Xiexie, Duoshao qian, Buyao, Bang bang wo), try local street food, ride the subway

Usage Guide

1

Step 1

Pick up luggage and clear customs — have passport and arrival card ready

2

Step 2

Buy a local SIM card — China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom booths at arrivals

3

Step 3

Connect to airport WiFi — usually requires phone number verification

4

Step 4

Get cash from ATM — CNY 1000-2000 recommended for first days

5

Step 5

Take airport express or metro — use Alipay QR code or buy a ticket

6

Step 6

Download and set up Alipay — bind your foreign bank card

7

Step 7

Download and set up WeChat — essential for daily communication

8

Step 8

Download Baidu Maps or Amap — Google Maps doesn't work well in China

9

Step 9

Download a translation app — Baidu Translate or DeepL recommended

10

Step 10

Set up VPN if needed — best to install before arriving

11

Step 11

Check in to hotel — have your passport ready

12

Step 12

Confirm hotel registered you with PSB — ask the front desk if registration is done

13

Step 13

Airbnb/friend's place: register at police station within 24h — bring passport and address info

14

Step 14

Save hotel business card with Chinese address — show it to taxi drivers

15

Step 15

Note hotel WiFi password — save in your phone notes

16

Step 16

Complete Alipay identity verification — raises your payment limits

17

Step 17

Try a payment with Alipay QR code — buy water at a convenience store

18

Step 18

Set up transit card or Alipay transit QR — works for subway and bus

19

Step 19

Know your bank's international ATM fee and limit — check before you need cash

20

Step 20

Save emergency numbers: 110/120/119 — Police 110, Ambulance 120, Fire 119

21

Step 21

Photo your passport, visa, and hotel address — save in phone and cloud storage

22

Step 22

Share itinerary with family/friends — let them know your plans

23

Step 23

Register with your country's embassy — useful for emergencies

24

Step 24

Save embassy phone number — add to your phone contacts

25

Step 25

Learn 5 basic Chinese phrases — Nihao, Xiexie, Duoshao qian, Buyao, Bang bang wo

26

Step 26

Try local street food from a busy vendor — busy stalls usually mean fresh food

27

Step 27

Ride the subway at least once — fast, cheap, and has English signs

Pro Tips

  • Choose a SIM card package with data — China Mobile has the widest coverage
  • Install VPN before arriving in China — you may not be able to download it after arrival
  • Alipay and WeChat Pay are the most common payment methods — set them up ASAP
  • Google Maps does not work well in China — always download Baidu Maps or Amap
  • Airbnb or staying with friends requires police station registration within 24 hours — it is the law
  • Hotel business card with Chinese address is very useful — show it to taxi drivers
  • Save emergency numbers: Police 110, Ambulance 120, Fire 119
  • Register your trip with your embassy before departure for emergency contact

FAQ

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