First 24 Hours in China
A step-by-step playbook from touchdown to your first good night's sleep.
The first day in China can feel overwhelming. No Google, no WhatsApp, and nobody takes cash. This guide walks you through every step in the right order, so you land prepared and end your first day with a working phone, a paid-for meal, and zero stress. Follow it top to bottom — each step builds on the last.
1At the Airport (Hour 0–2)
Airport WiFi
You need internet before anything else. Chinese airport WiFi is free but requires registration. Here's how it works:
- Look for the network named "Airport-Free-WiFi" or similar in your WiFi settings.
- Open your browser — a registration page will appear automatically.
- Option A: Use the self-service kiosk (usually near gates or cafes). Scan your passport and the kiosk prints a slip with a login code.
- Option B: Enter your phone number on the registration page. You'll receive an SMS verification code. International numbers work at major airports (PVG, PEK, CAN, SZX), but delivery can be spotty.
Pro tip: If you have an eSIM with data, skip the airport WiFi entirely. You'll have internet the moment you land and can save 20–30 minutes of fiddling with registration kiosks.
SIM Card Purchase
After clearing immigration and collecting luggage, look for the telecom counters in the arrivals hall. You'll typically see China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom side by side.
Best coverage nationwide, especially rural areas. Largest network.
Best compatibility with international phones. FDD-LTE bands match most global phones.
Cheapest plans. Limited phone compatibility — check before buying.
What to expect:
- Tourist packages range from ¥100–200 for 7–30 days with generous data (typically 2–5 GB/day).
- You must show your passport — the clerk will photocopy it and register the SIM in your name.
- Pay with cash at the counter. Some counters may accept Alipay, but don't count on it at this point.
- The clerk will install and activate the SIM for you. Test your data before walking away.
eSIM alternative: If your phone supports eSIM, purchase a plan from Airalo or Holafly before your flight. Activate it before landing so you have instant data on arrival. No counter visit, no passport registration hassle. Plans start around $5–15 USD for 1–7 days.
ATM Cash Withdrawal
Even in China's cashless world, you need some cash for your first few hours. Find an ATM in the arrivals hall — look for Visa/Mastercard/Cirrus/Plus logos on the machine.
Best banks for international cards:
- Bank of China (BOC) — highest acceptance rate for foreign cards
- ICBC — widely available, good foreign card support
- China Construction Bank (CCB) — solid backup option
Decline DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion): If the ATM asks "Would you like to be charged in USD/EUR?" — always choose "No, charge in CNY." DCC adds a 5–8% markup. Your own bank's exchange rate is always better.
Withdraw ¥300–500. This is enough for your first taxi, a meal, and small purchases while you set up mobile payments. Request smaller bills if the ATM offers the option — ¥10 and ¥20 notes are easier to use than ¥100.
2Set Up Your Phone (Hour 1–3)
Install Essential Apps
While connected to airport WiFi (or your new SIM/eSIM), download these apps immediately. Do this before leaving the airport — you'll need them within the hour.
Your primary payment method. Also includes DiDi, metro passes, and dozens of mini-programs.
Secondary payment method, universal messaging, and access to mini-programs for everything.
Ride-hailing app. Also available as an Alipay mini-program if you prefer not to install separately.
Google Maps doesn't work in China. Install a local map app for navigation.
Alipay Setup (Priority)
Alipay is the single most important app on your phone in China. Set it up carefully and completely.
Register with your phone number
Use your international number. Alipay supports foreign phone numbers. You'll receive an SMS verification code.
Complete passport verification (Real-Name Authentication)
Go to Me → Settings → Account & Security → Real-name Authentication. Photograph your passport photo page and take a selfie. This can take up to 24 hours to approve — which is why you start now.
Link your primary international card
Add your Visa or Mastercard. Alipay accepts most international cards. Go to Me → Bank Cards → Add Bank Card.
Link a backup card
Add a second card from a different bank or network. If one card is declined or blocked, you have an immediate fallback.
Set your 6-digit payment PIN
This PIN is required for every transaction. Choose something memorable but not obvious (not 123456). You'll type it dozens of times per day.
Identity verification may not be instant. Some users are approved in minutes; others take 12–24 hours. Until verified, your payment capabilities may be limited. This is why setting up Alipay is the very first thing you do — even before leaving the airport.
WeChat Pay Setup (Secondary)
WeChat Pay is your backup system. Some small vendors only accept WeChat Pay, and it's useful for splitting bills with Chinese friends. Setup is similar: register, verify identity with passport, link a card, and set a payment PIN. WeChat Pay verification is usually faster (often approved within hours). Set it up after Alipay but before your first meal if possible.
3First Ride to Hotel (Hour 2–4)
You have three main options for getting from the airport to your hotel. Choose based on your comfort level and budget.
Open Alipay and search for "DiDi" in the mini-programs. The DiDi mini-program has an English interface, and payment is automatic through your linked Alipay card.
- • Enter your hotel name (paste the Chinese address you saved)
- • Select "Express" for the cheapest option or "Premier" for a nicer car
- • Wait at the designated pickup zone (follow signs for ride-hailing)
- • Payment happens automatically — no cash, no QR codes needed
Follow signs to the official taxi stand. There will be a queue and a dispatcher. When it's your turn, show the driver your hotel address in Chinese.
- • Show your Alipay QR code when paying (tap "Pay/Collect" on the home screen)
- • Or pay with cash from your ATM withdrawal
- • Ask for the meter: point to the meter and say "dǎ biāo" (打表)
Major airports like Pudong (PVG) and Beijing Capital (PEK) have express rail links to the city center. Tickets cost ¥25–50.
- • Buy tickets at vending machines (cash accepted)
- • Or use Alipay's "Transport" feature to scan through the gate
- • Then take a short DiDi or taxi from the city terminal to your hotel
Screenshot your hotel address in Chinese before leaving home, or copy it from your booking confirmation. Showing a Chinese address to any driver is far more reliable than trying to pronounce it. Save it in your phone's notes app for easy access all trip.
4Hotel Check-in (Hour 3–5)
Hotel check-in in China has a few extra steps compared to other countries. Here's what to expect:
Passport for police registration
By law, every hotel must register foreign guests with the local police. The front desk will scan or photocopy your passport's photo page and visa page. This is routine and mandatory — don't refuse.
Room deposit
Most hotels require a deposit equal to one night's rate. You can pay this with Alipay, WeChat Pay, or an international credit card. The deposit is refunded at checkout (typically within 3–7 business days for card refunds).
Get the WiFi password
Ask for it at the front desk — it's usually not printed in the room. Hotel WiFi is typically fast and unrestricted (no Great Firewall on hotel networks... actually, hotel WiFi is still filtered).
Confirm foreigner acceptance
Some budget hotels and guesthouses in China are not licensed to accept foreign guests. If you booked online, this is rarely an issue at international chains, but always confirm when booking smaller properties. Look for "接待外宾" (accepts foreign guests) on booking platforms.
5First Meal & First Payment (Hour 4–6)
Time for your first cashless transaction. Walk to a nearby restaurant, convenience store, or cafe. Even the smallest shops accept mobile payments.
How payment works: There are two modes. Either the merchant scans your QR code, or you scan theirs. Both work through the same "Pay/Collect" screen in Alipay.
Merchant Scans Your Code (Common in Stores)
Open Alipay and tap "Pay/Collect" on the home screen.
A QR code and barcode appear on your screen.
Hold your phone up to the cashier's scanner. Done.
You Scan Merchant's Code (Common at Small Shops)
Tap the "Scan" icon on Alipay's home screen.
Point your camera at the merchant's printed QR code (usually on the counter).
Enter the amount if prompted, verify the merchant name, and enter your payment PIN.
Show the green confirmation screen to the merchant as proof of payment.
Congratulations! You've just completed your first cashless transaction in China. From this point on, you can pay for virtually anything with your phone.
6Evening Checklist
Before going to sleep, run through this checklist to make sure tomorrow goes smoothly.
!Common Day-One Mistakes
Don't wait to set up Alipay. The biggest mistake travelers make is thinking "I'll set it up later." Identity verification can take up to 24 hours. Start the process the moment you have internet — even in the airport arrivals hall.
Don't put all your money on one card. Link at least two cards from different banks. International card transactions are sometimes flagged as fraudulent by your home bank. Having a backup card (or a card from a different network — Visa + Mastercard) prevents you from being stranded without payment.
Don't rely on Google Maps. Google services are blocked in China. Even if you have a VPN, Google Maps data for China is outdated and inaccurate. Use Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps (百度地图) instead. Apple Maps works well if you're on iPhone.
Don't refuse cash entirely. While mobile payments dominate, some situations still need cash: small temple donations, rural markets, tipping tour guides, or when a merchant's QR code is broken. Keep ¥200–300 in small bills as backup at all times.
Don't scan random QR codes. Only scan QR codes that are clearly displayed by legitimate businesses (printed on a counter, displayed on an official screen). Never scan QR codes handed to you by strangers on the street or stuck over existing codes — QR code fraud exists in China just as it does elsewhere.
Ready for the next section?