Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade — Jan 15–25
The world's winter student games come to northeast China. Our new column covers the Games, rime ice, ski resorts, Harbin's ice festival and Dongbei food — everything worth freezing for.
Open the Northeast Winter column →Do I Need a Visa? — 30-Second Check
Pick your nationality. This is a quick reference based on China's currently published lists — not legal advice, and entry decisions always rest with border officers.
VERIFIED Nov 1, 2026 — 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 — confirm on en.nia.gov.cn.
Pick Your Survival Kit
Departure Tax Refund — up to 11%
The full 3-step flow, the ¥200 rule, the 90-day window, and the five mistakes that get refunds rejected.
Read the guide →Alipay & WeChat Pay Setup
Foreign cards work. The 10-minute setup, the ¥200 fee line, the 90-day fee waiver and the traps to dodge.
Read the guide →Trains, 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 →Internet, 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 →Attractions & Reservations
The must-sees, how real-name reservation works with a foreign passport, and which days things are closed.
Read the guide →Before-You-Fly Checklist
Everything to sort at home — apps, cards, eSIM, documents — with a tick-off list you can save on your phone.
Open the checklist →Start 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 — 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 ¥200+ in one store in one day, keep the form and invoice — 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 ¥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 ¥300–500 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 — 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 — absolutely. It's 11% off, and the process adds roughly 20–40 minutes at the airport. One ¥10,000 shopping trip returns ¥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 — both free, both work offline once loaded.