Quick Answer
For a first China trip, prepare the daily operating system before choosing every attraction: mobile payment, hotel passport check-in, phone data, translation, domestic flight battery rules, train station buffers and food restriction phrases. China is usually manageable for visitors, but small setup failures can make the first day feel harder than the itinerary itself.
Last updated: 2026-06-20.
The First-Day Stack
Do this before the first full sightseeing day:
| Need | Prepare |
|---|---|
| Payment | Alipay, WeChat Pay, physical card, small RMB cash |
| Hotel | Physical passport, booking confirmation, Chinese address |
| Phone | Data plan, maps, translation, charger, compliant power bank |
| Transport | Train or flight booking app, station names, time buffer |
| Food | Dietary card if vegetarian, vegan, halal or allergic |
This stack is more important than adding one more landmark. Once payment, hotel and phone work, the trip becomes much easier.
Payment Comes First
Official China payment guidance for overseas visitors includes mobile payment, bank cards and cash. For most daily spending, QR payment is the default. Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay before departure, link cards where supported, and keep cash as backup.
Read the full payment setup guide
Hotel Check-In Needs The Physical Passport
Hotels need passport details to process accommodation registration. For a first night, choose a hotel with clear foreign guest experience and keep the booking confirmation accessible. If a small hotel cannot process the stay, move to a backup quickly instead of spending the whole night arguing at the counter.
Domestic Flights Need Battery Checks
If your China route includes domestic flights, check power banks before airport security. CAAC announced restrictions from June 28, 2025 for domestic flights involving power banks without clear CCC markings or recalled models and batches. Old label-worn power banks are not worth the risk.
Train Stations Need Time Buffers
High-speed rail is often the best way to move between cities, but stations can be large. If you plan a layover, treat luggage storage as a task with walking, queueing, payment, security and pickup time. A tight connection is not the moment to test storage.
Read the luggage storage guide
Food Restrictions Need Clear Chinese
Vegetarian, vegan and allergy needs should be written in Chinese. "No meat" can be too vague if broth, lard, seafood or minced pork are the issue. Save a short card and choose simpler cooked-to-order dishes.
Source Checks
- State Council payment guide for overseas visitors: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202404/11/content_WS6617c858c6d0868f4e8e5f4d.html
- U.S. travel advisory for China registration and passport reminders: https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/china.html
- CAAC power bank notice: https://www.caac.gov.cn/English/News/202507/t20250709_227894.html
FAQ
What should I set up first for a China trip?
Set up payment apps, confirm hotel passport check-in, keep a small cash backup, prepare phone data and translation, and check domestic flight battery rules before packing.
Is China hard for first-time visitors?
The main friction is not safety or attractions. It is the daily operating system: QR payments, hotel registration, station size, app language and transport timing.
How many backups should I carry?
Carry at least one backup payment method, offline hotel addresses, passport access, phone charging backup, and enough time buffer on transfer days.
