Entry: The 60-Second Version
- ~50 nationalities enter visa-free for up to 30 days (unilateral policy or mutual agreements) — check your country with the home-page checker.
- 57 nationalities can use 240-hour visa-free transit: a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, entering via any of 65 open ports, staying up to 10 days.
- Everyone else: apply at a Chinese embassy/visa centre in advance.
Entry decisions rest with border officers, and policies carry expiry dates — confirm on the official National Immigration Administration site before you book. Verified Nov 1, 2026.
The Before-You-Fly Checklist
On Arrival
- Follow the border queue with your passport ready; fingerprints and photo are routine for foreign visitors at major ports.
- Connect the eSIM the moment you land (most activate automatically on first connection in China).
- Grab a maglev/metro card or taxi — airport arrival halls have English signage; official taxi queues are on your left as you exit customs in most airports.
- Declare if required — large sums of cash, goods beyond personal-use limits and restricted items go through the red channel; ordinary tourists with a suitcase of clothes walk the green channel.
Customs rules change — the authoritative source is China Customs (english.customs.gov.cn).
If Something Goes Wrong
Lost passport
Report to police (110) for a record, then contact your embassy or consulate in China for an emergency travel document. Your hotel front desk will help you call and locate the nearest mission.
Medical issue
Call 120 for an ambulance, or take a taxi to a major public hospital's international department. Travel insurance with direct billing makes everything smoother — check your policy before flying.
Payment failure
Switch off any VPN, try your second bound card, check your in-app limit page, pay cash. Then re-test on Wi-Fi. (troubleshooting in the payments guide)
Phone dead or lost
Hotel card in your pocket + ¥100 cash gets you home from almost anywhere. Taxi drivers can't call you — walk to a hotel lobby and ask staff to help; someone always does.
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