Do I Need a Visa? β 30-Second Check
Pick your nationality. This is a quick reference based on China's currently published lists β not legal advice, and entry decisions always rest with border officers.
VERIFIED Nov 1, 2026 β Lists per National Immigration Administration & Chinese embassy guidance (updated Sep 2026): 50 countries on the unilateral 30-day visa-free list; 57 countries on the 240-hour transit scheme (65 open ports, 24 provinces). Rules change β confirm on en.nia.gov.cn.
Pick Your Survival Kit
Departure Tax Refund β up to 11%
The full 3-step flow, the Β₯200 rule, the 90-day window, and the five mistakes that get refunds rejected.
Read the guide βAlipay & WeChat Pay Setup
Foreign cards work. The 10-minute setup, the Β₯200 fee line, the 90-day fee waiver and the traps to dodge.
Read the guide βTrains, Metro & Taxis
Booking high-speed rail with a passport, using the metro with a QR code, and which ride-hailing app to install.
Read the guide βInternet, eSIM & Apps
Why a travel eSIM keeps Google and WhatsApp working, which apps to install before you fly, and the Wi-Fi trap.
Read the guide βAttractions & Reservations
The must-sees, how real-name reservation works with a foreign passport, and which days things are closed.
Read the guide βBefore-You-Fly Checklist
Everything to sort at home β apps, cards, eSIM, documents β with a tick-off list you can save on your phone.
Open the checklist βStart Here: Your First 3 Moves
Install the apps (at home, on Wi-Fi)
Alipay + WeChat, both registered with your home number and passport-verified. Then add Amap for maps and DiDi for taxis. Full walk-through: the payments guide.
Sort your data plan for China
An international travel eSIM keeps Google, WhatsApp and Instagram working from the moment you land β a local Chinese SIM does not. Compare the options: the internet guide.
Shop smart, claim at the airport
Look for the "Tax Free" sign, spend Β₯200+ in one store in one day, keep the form and invoice β and get up to 11% back before boarding: the refund guide.
Quick Answers
Is China actually easy to visit now?
Much easier than two years ago: unilateral visa-free entry covers many nationalities for 30 days, the 240-hour transit scheme covers 57 more, mobile payments now take international cards directly, and the departure tax refund threshold dropped to Β₯200. The practical hard parts that remain: booking some attractions needs real-name registration, and your usual apps won't work on local networks without an international eSIM.
Do I need cash at all?
Less than you'd think, but keep Β₯300β500 in small notes. A few small stalls, some temples, rural guesthouses and the odd taxi are cash-only, and a dead phone pays for nothing. ATMs that accept foreign cards are common at banks and airports.
Will my Visa/Mastercard work directly?
In big hotels, department stores and airports, increasingly yes. On the street, no β China pays by QR code. The fix is binding your card inside Alipay or WeChat Pay, which takes minutes: setup guide.
Is the tax refund worth the hassle?
If you're buying electronics, bags, tea, jade or quality souvenirs β absolutely. It's 11% off, and the process adds roughly 20β40 minutes at the airport. One Β₯10,000 shopping trip returns Β₯1,100. The catch list is short and well-defined: refund guide.
Running the numbers before your trip?
Try the interactive refund calculator and the trip budget planner β both free, both work offline once loaded.
Refund FAQ
Do I have to carry the items to the airport myself?
Yes β customs may physically inspect the goods, so they must travel with you. Items in checked luggage are a common rejection trap: do the customs verification before you check in your bags.
What if the store won't give me the refund form?
Only "Tax Free" (ιη¨εεΊ) licensed stores can issue refund application forms. No form = no refund, and the store's licence status is the store's problem, not yours. If a big store that looks eligible refuses, ask directly: "Departure tax refund form?" (ιη¨η³θ―·ε). If they don't do it, assume you can't claim there.
I bought things in several cities. Do I claim at each city?
No β you claim once, at your departure airport, for all eligible purchases from your trip. The forms from all stores go together. Cross-province refunds (buy in one province, fly out of another) are supported across a growing number of provinces including Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan since July 2026.
Can I claim the refund after I've left China?
No. The refund happens at departure, at the airport counter, within 90 days of purchase. Once you've flown out, the claim window has closed. If you forgot at the airport, that money is gone β which is why the checklist below exists.
Does the refund apply to hotels, restaurants or trains?
No. It covers goods bought at tax-free stores that you take out of China. Services, accommodation, transport, and consumables you use up in China are never refundable.