Chinability: The Complete China Travel Survival Guide (2026)

CHINABILITY

Travel & Live
in China, Like a Local

THE COMPLETE TRAVEL SURVIVAL GUIDE · 2026

22M+ FOREIGN TRAVELERS IN 2026

🌍 🏙 🏚 🏗 🏖 🏘

✓ 30-Day Pre-Arrival Countdown ✓ 30 Survival Chinese Phrases ✓ First 10 Minutes at the Airport ✓ WiFi & SIM/eSIM Setup ✓ WeChat Pay & Alipay Mastery ✓ VPN: Install, Test, Troubleshoot ✓ AMap, DiDi, Metro Cheat Sheets ✓ Food Ordering & Menu Translation ✓ Hospital Visit: 5-Step Playbook ✓ Emergency Numbers & Scripts ✓ "Worst Case" Recovery Procedures ✓ Personal Notes Pages

lifeguidechina.com • Updated June 2026 • 20 Chapters • 24 Pages • Verified Sources

⚠️

Important Disclaimer & Legal Notice

Please read this before using the guide

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This guide is for informational and educational purposes only. All information is compiled from publicly available sources, official customer service hotlines, government websites, and direct first-hand verification. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, policies and procedures in China change frequently.

📖 Content Sources

Official customer service hotlines (WeChat 95017, Alipay 95188, Immigration 12367, DiDi 400-000-0666)
Public government announcements and policy documents
First-hand testing and verification by the author
Information current as of June 2026

⚠️ Limitations

Policies in China change frequently. Always verify with official sources before making decisions.
Individual experiences may vary based on location, visa type, timing, and personal circumstances.
This guide does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice.
We are not affiliated with WeChat, Alipay, DiDi, ExpressVPN, Airalo, or any mentioned service providers.
Mention of specific brands or services does not constitute endorsement.

🏷 Intellectual Property

© 2026 Chinability. All rights reserved. Brand names (WeChat, Alipay, DiDi, ExpressVPN, etc.) are trademarks of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only. This PDF is licensed for personal use only. Do not redistribute, resell, or share publicly.

📧 Contact & Updates:
Email: ouyang_mz@126.com • Web: lifeguidechina.com
For the latest information, always check our online guides first.

By using this guide, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclaimer.

Connect to Airport WiFi
After landing, look for the airport WiFi. Open Settings → WiFi. Connect to network (Beijing: FREE-WIFI-PE, Shanghai PVG: AirportWiFi-Free, Guangzhou: GD-WIFI-Free). Open browser → passport login (护照登录) → enter passport number. Usually 4–8 hours free.
Go Through Immigration
Follow signs for 外国人 (Foreigners). Have your passport + arrival card ready. Officer may ask: “Where are you staying?” — have your hotel name in Chinese ready. No photos in the immigration area. Fingerprints + photo taken.
Collect Luggage
Check the screen for your flight number → find the correct carousel. Free luggage carts (行李车) at the belt. If your bag is missing, go to the airline counter BEFORE leaving the restricted area.
Buy SIM Card (if no eSIM)
After customs, look for China Mobile (green), Unicom (red), or Telecom (blue) booths. Show passport. Say: “SIM card” or 我要办手机卡. Cost: ¥100–300. Gets you a Chinese phone number.
Get Cash from ATM (Optional)
ATM in arrivals hall. Withdraw ¥500–1,000 as backup. Most ATMs accept Visa/Mastercard. Notify your bank first to avoid blocks.
Call a DiDi to Your Hotel
Open DiDi app (set to English on first launch). Enter hotel name. Go to designated pickup zone (网约车上车点). Match license plate on app with car’s plate. Never take taxis from touts in arrivals hall.
Check In to Hotel
Present passport. Hotel registers you with the local police automatically. Ask for WiFi password (WiFi密码是多少). You’ve arrived!

💡 Total time budget: Immigration 30min + Baggage 15min + DiDi 15min = 1 hour from wheels-down to hotel lobby.

📲 4. Phone & Internet: eSIM, SIM, Roaming

Three ways to get connected. Pick the one that fits your trip length and budget.

💡 Decision guide: <3 days = roaming · 4–10 days = eSIM · 10+ days = physical SIM at airport

Option A: eSIM (Before Arrival, Recommended 4–10 Days)

Provider	Price	Data	Best For
Airalo	$9–25	3–20 GB / 30 days	Budget travelers
Holafly	$30–60	Unlimited / 5–30 days	Heavy data users
Saily	$10–40	5–50 GB / 7–30 days	Flexible needs

⚠️ eSIM gives data-only. You won’t get a Chinese phone number (some apps need one for verification).

Option B: Physical SIM at Airport (Best for 10+ Days)

After customs, look for China Mobile (green logo), China Unicom (red), or China Telecom (blue).
Say: “SIM card” or 我要办手机卡
Need: Passport (original, not copy)
Cost: ¥100–300 for tourist plan (10–30 GB + 100min voice)
Bonus: You get a Chinese phone number for WeChat, DiDi, food delivery verification.

Option C: International Roaming

Works immediately, no setup. But expensive: $10–20/day with most US/EU carriers. Some carriers offer “China pass” for $5–10/day. Best for very short visits (3 days or less) or as backup.

💡 Pro tip: Use eSIM for primary data + buy cheap physical SIM at airport for Chinese number. Best of both worlds — keep your home number on dual SIM for WhatsApp/Google Voice, use Chinese number for local apps.

Data Plan: How Much Do You Need?

Usage	Per Day	10-Day Trip
Light (maps, messaging, search)	500 MB	5 GB
Medium (add video calls, social)	1–2 GB	10–20 GB
Heavy (streaming, hotspot, work)	3–5 GB	30+ GB / unlimited

🌐 5. Connect to WiFi in China

The #1 question: “I see WiFi, but it asks for a phone number. What do I do?”

💡 Golden rule: Always try passport login first. Many airports let you enter your passport number instead of a Chinese phone number.

Hotel WiFi (Easiest)

Ask at check-in: “WiFi password?” or WiFi密码是多少. Most hotels give you a card with the network name and password. If it asks for SMS verification, ask the front desk to help — they have a bypass code.

Airport WiFi

✅ Method A: Passport Login
Connect to network → browser opens login → look for 护照登录 tab → enter passport number → connected (usually 4–8 hours free).

📱 Method B: SMS Code
Enter your phone number → receive SMS code → enter code. If SMS doesn’t arrive, use Method A instead.

Cafe / Mall WiFi

Starbucks, McDonald’s, malls offer free WiFi (usually 30–60 min). Connect → enter phone → SMS code. If no Chinese number, ask staff for a receipt-based code (write the code on your receipt).

Troubleshooting

Problem	Fix
Connected but no internet	Open browser, go to baidu.com to force login page
SMS never arrives	Try passport login or ask staff for help
WiFi too slow	Use mobile data. Try VPN at a different time of day
Captcha in Chinese	Refresh; switch to mobile data instead

⚠️ Security warning: Public WiFi in China is not secure. Avoid logging into banking apps. Use a VPN for encryption. For important tasks, use mobile data instead.

💚 6. WeChat Pay: 7-Step Setup

💡 What is WeChat? WeChat (微信) is China’s everything app — WhatsApp + Facebook + PayPal + Uber Eats in one. 1.3 billion users. WeChat Pay is the payment feature inside it. Setting it up is the most important thing you can do before your trip.

Step-by-Step Setup

Download WeChat from your home App Store (search “WeChat”). iPhone / Android. Use the international version.
Register with your phone number (any country works). You’ll get a 6-digit SMS code.
Set your name (must match passport exactly — you’ll need it for verification later).
Go to Me → Services → Pay → tap “Verify Now” (审核证件).
Choose ID type: Passport. Scan or photograph your passport’s info page.
Complete face verification (liveness check — blink, turn head).
Once verified, go to Me → Services → Pay → Cards → Add your Visa / Mastercard / Amex (issued outside China).

Payment Limits (Foreign Cards)

Limit	Amount	Note
Per transaction	¥6,500 (~$900)	Hard cap
Per month	¥50,000 (~$7,000)	Resets 1st of month
Per year	¥65,000 (~$9,000)	Verified by passport

Support hotline: 95017 (English: press 2). Workaround for higher limits: Open a Chinese bank account (Bank of China accepts passports; see lifeguidechina.com/bank-account.html).

⚠️ Set up BEFORE you arrive. Verification is much easier from your home country. Some users report face verification failures when done from China due to network issues.

✅ Test it works: Send ¥1 to a friend or family member. If it goes through, you’re set. If it fails, the error message tells you what to fix.

💙 7. Alipay & Tour Pass Backup

💡 Why have both? If WeChat Pay has an outage (rare) or your card gets flagged, Alipay is the backup. Set up both before you fly — you’ll never need both at the same time, but you’ll be glad you have both when one fails.

Alipay Standard Setup

Download Alipay (international version: search “Alipay” in your home app store).
Register with your phone number (or use Apple ID / Google account).
Tap Me → Bank Cards (银行卡) → Add Card.
Enter international card details (Visa / Mastercard / Amex / JCB / Discover).
Use your real home billing address (must match card issuer’s records).
Verify with SMS code + test with ¥1.

Tour Pass: Prepaid Backup (When Cards Fail)

When to use: Your international card won’t bind, or you hit monthly limits. Tour Pass lets you top up Alipay with a foreign card and spend like a local account.

How to access: Open Alipay → Search “Tour Pass” (游客传通卡) → Tap to enter → Top up ¥100–3,000 with your Visa/MC → Use anywhere QR-pay is accepted.

Validity: 90 days. Unused balance refundable to original card.

When Card Won’t Bind: The Checklist

Billing address exactly matches card issuer’s records (no abbreviations)

Card hasn’t expired (check date on front)

Card supports international online transactions (call bank to enable)

3D Secure / OTP verification is working (some banks block China)

Try a different card (some Visa/MC work, others don’t)

⚠️ Still failing? Call 95188 (Alipay in-app chat is fastest). Or carry ¥500–1,000 cash for emergency backup.

🔒 8. VPN: Install, Test, Troubleshoot

⚠️ CRITICAL: Install VPN BEFORE Arriving

Once in China, you cannot download VPN apps. VPN websites are blocked. App stores don’t show them. Test your VPN before you fly.

What’s Blocked vs What Works

❌ BLOCKED (Need VPN)

Google, Gmail, Maps, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, ChatGPT, Snapchat, Telegram, Reddit, BBC, NYTimes, Wikipedia, most Western news sites

✅ WORKS (No VPN)

WeChat, Baidu, Baidu Maps, Alipay, Taobao, JD.com, Meituan, DiDi, Douyin (TikTok), Weibo, LinkedIn, Apple services, Booking.com, Agoda, Hotels.com

Recommended VPNs for China (2026)

VPN	Price	Best For	Note
ExpressVPN	$13/mo	Most reliable	30-day money back; auto obfuscation
NordVPN	$12/mo	Strong security	Obfuscated servers; specialty China config
Surfshark	$10/mo	Unlimited devices	Budget pick; good for families
Astrill	$15/mo	China specialist	Premium; StealthVPN protocol

Pre-Departure Setup

Subscribe to 2 VPNs (one as backup)

Install apps on phone + laptop + tablet

Log in and connect successfully

Test: open Gmail or Google in your browser through the VPN

Screenshot server list for offline reference

If VPN Stops Working in China

💡 Troubleshooting ladder:
1. Switch server — try Japan / Singapore / Hong Kong / LA
2. Switch protocol — try WireGuard / OpenVPN (TCP) / IKEv2
3. Enable “Stealth” / “Obfuscation” / “Scramble” mode
4. Restart app and device
5. Switch to backup VPN
6. Wait 24 hours — sensitive dates cause temporary blocks

🗺 9. AMap: Search, Share, Offline

⚠️ Google Maps doesn’t work in China. Wrong locations, no traffic, broken transit data. Use AMap (高德地图, also written Gaode) instead — it’s what locals use.

How to Search

Language	What works	Example
English	Major places, hotels, airports	“Beijing Capital Airport”
Pinyin	Almost everything	“wangfujing”, “tiananmen”
Chinese	Best for small places	徐子区雅克奶粉 (Hui minorities district Yake milk powder)

The Most Useful Feature: Share Location

This is how Chinese people tell each other where they are. When a DiDi driver can’t find you, when you’re lost and need help, when meeting a friend in a crowd — use this.

Steps: Open WeChat → open any chat → tap + → tap Location (位置) → choose “Share Real-Time Location” (实时位置分享) for live tracking, or “Send Location” for a static pin.

Public Transit Mode (Better Than Google)

Enter destination → tap bus icon (公交) → AMap shows metro + bus routes, time, cost, and walking directions. It even tells you which train carriage to stand in (nearest to exit stairs) and which exit letter to leave from (A, B, C, D).

Download Offline Maps BEFORE You Travel

Open AMap → tap Me (我的) → Offline Maps (离线地图) → Download each city you’re visiting (200–500 MB each). Do this on home WiFi.

💡 Quick tips:
• Chinese addresses go big to small: Province → City → District → Street → Building → Floor → Room.
• In elevators: 一楼 = 1F = ground floor. B1 = basement 1.
• Metro exits labelled A, B, C, D — always check which exit (AMap tells you).

🚕 10. DiDi: Ride-Hailing Done Right

DiDi is China’s Uber. It works in 400+ cities. It’s the only safe way to take a taxi if you don’t speak Chinese.

⚠️ Avoid street-hail taxis in most cities — they may refuse to use the meter or quote inflated prices. DiDi has fixed pricing, GPS tracking, and English support.

How to Call a DiDi

Open DiDi (滴滴) → Set language to English on first launch (Profile → Settings → Language).
Enter your destination. AMap coordinates auto-fill if you have it open.
Choose car type: Express (cheap, 3-5 min wait), Premier (nicer, 1-3x price), Taxi (street-hail style).
Confirm pickup point. Use a landmark (e.g., “West gate of hotel”) if your GPS pin is off.
Watch the license plate + car model + driver name match. Verify before getting in.
Pay: WeChat Pay / Alipay auto-charge. No cash needed. Receipts in app.

Service Types & Pricing (2026)

Type	Use Case	Price
Express	Daily rides	¥15–50 typical
Premier	Airport, business, comfort	1.5–2x Express
XL	4–6 passengers, lots of luggage	2–2.5x Express
Airport Transfer	Pre-book 2+ hours ahead	Fixed price, no surge

💡 Pro tip: For airport pickup, use the Airport Transfer feature — fixed price, no surge, driver waits 30 min for free (vs 3 min for Express). You’ll save ¥30–100 vs Express.

What If Driver Can’t Find You?

Step 1: Call through the app (free, anonymized number).
Step 2: Share your WeChat real-time location with the driver (tap “Send Location” on the driver chat).
Step 3: Walk to a major landmark (hotel entrance, mall door) and update pickup point.
Step 4: Cancel if after 10 min — no fee, just try again.

🚇 11. Metro & Subway: 5 Major Cities

Navigate Beijing, Shanghai, and other cities’ subway systems without speaking Chinese.

How to Pay for the Metro

💚 WeChat Pay

Open WeChat → search 乘车码 (Ride Code) → Select city → Scan QR at turnstile
Works in 200+ cities

💙 Alipay

Open Alipay → “出行” (Travel) → Metro (地铁) → Choose city → Scan QR
Also works for buses

Single-Ride Ticket Machine (Backup)

Find ticket machine (most have English toggle)
Select destination station on screen — shows fare
Pay with cash (coins or small bills) / WeChat / Alipay
Tap the round green/yellow token at entry gate
Keep the token — insert at exit gate to leave

Major City Metro Comparison

City	Lines	Fare	Note
Beijing	27 lines	¥3–9	Airport Express (¥25)
Shanghai	20 lines	¥3–10	Maglev (¥50) to Pudong
Shenzhen	16 lines	¥2–10	Connects to HK border
Guangzhou	16 lines	¥2–15	Airport line
Chengdu	13 lines	¥2–10	Fastest-growing

⚠️ Two pro tips:
• Avoid rush hour: 7–9 AM and 5–7 PM — extremely crowded.
• Beijing has 4 main train stations: Beijing (北京), Beijing West (北京西), Beijing South (北京南), Beijing North (北京北). Confirm your ticket before going!

🚆 12. Train Tickets & 12306 App

China’s high-speed rail is the best in the world. Trains run up to 350 km/h. The official booking app is 12306.

💡 What is 12306? 12306 is China’s official train booking system — the equivalent of Amtrak or Eurail. You MUST have it for long-distance travel. It’s in Chinese only — we’ll walk you through it.

Booking Your Ticket (5 Steps)

Download 12306 from your home App Store (search “Railway 12306”). Or use it in English via the website english.12306.cn.
Register with passport → verify via email + phone (use a Chinese number if you have one).
Search: From (e.g., Beijing) → To (e.g., Shanghai) → Date. Results in English.
Pick a train. Letter prefixes: G (高铁 fastest, 300–350 km/h), D (动车 fast, 200–250 km/h), C (intercity).
Pay with WeChat Pay / Alipay / Chinese debit card. E-ticket stored in app — just scan your passport at the gate.

Train Types & Classes

Class	Speed	Beijing → Shanghai	Best For
Second Class (二等座)	300 km/h	¥553 (2.5h)	Budget travelers
First Class (一等座)	300 km/h	¥933 (2.5h)	Comfort
Business (商务座)	300 km/h	¥1748 (2.5h)	Lie-flat seat, meal
Sleeper (overnight)	140 km/h	Z/T trains	Long distances, save hotel

At the Station (4 Steps)

Arrive 45 min early (security + ID check takes time)

Scan passport at the entry gate → face verification

Find your waiting room (候车室) on the screen — usually on your ticket

Boarding starts 15 min before departure; gates close 3–5 min before

💡 ID card vs paper ticket: Modern trains use e-tickets — just scan your passport at the gate. No need to pick up a paper ticket.

🍲 13. Ordering Food: QR, Menu, Hotpot

💡 Three ways to order in China: (1) Scan QR code on table (most common), (2) Point at paper menu, (3) Hotpot self-service.

Method 1: Scan QR to Order (Most Common)

Look for QR code on the table, on a small card, or on the wall
Open WeChat or Alipay → tap Scan (扫一扫)
A digital menu opens in your phone (Chinese only, use Google Translate camera)
Tap items to add to cart. Adjust quantity. Tap Submit (提交订单)
Pay via WeChat / Alipay. Food arrives in 5–20 min.

⚠️ Some QR menus ask to follow their WeChat account. Tap 跳过 (skip) or 暂不关注 (not now) — don’t give them your data.

Method 2: Paper Menu + Pointing

Say 点菜 (diǎn cài = order) → point at a menu item → say 这个 (zhè ge = this one). For quantity: hold up fingers. Many menus have photos — pointing at a picture works perfectly.

Method 3: Hotpot (火锅)

1. Choose broth: spicy (辣锅 là guō) or mild (清锅 qīng guō) or split pot (鳺香锅 yú xiāng guō = fish-fragrant, not actually fish).
2. Pick sauces: garlic, sesame, chili, soy. Mix in small bowl.
3. Order ingredients: meat (肉 ròu), veggies (菜 cài), tofu (豆腐 dòu fu), seafood.
4. Cook thin meat 10–15 seconds, veggies 2–3 minutes. Dip in sauce.

Menu Dictionary: 30 Most Common

Chinese	Pinyin	English
猪肉	zhū ròu	Pork
牛肉	niú ròu	Beef
鸡肉	jī ròu	Chicken
鱼	yú	Fish
虾	xiā	Shrimp
辣	là	Spicy ⚠️
不要辣	bù yào là	Not spicy
少辣	shǎo là	A little spicy
买单	mǎi dān	Check please
白饭	bái fàn	White rice
面	miàn	Noodles
白菜	bái cài	Chinese cabbage
半ef6;	bàn jiàn	Half portion

⚠️ Danger zone: 微辣 (mild spicy) is still very spicy. Tap water is NOT drinkable. 白酒 (báijiǔ) is 40–60% alcohol — sip, don’t shoot.

🏠 14. Hotel Check-In & Police Registration

Hotels in China are required to register foreign guests with the local police. This happens automatically — but you need to know the rules.

Check-In Steps

Bring passport to front desk. (Not a copy, not a photo — the original.)
Front desk scans passport and registers you with the local police station. This is mandatory and automatic.
Get your room key and WiFi password card.
Some hotels also require a deposit (¥200–500) — refunded at checkout.

⚠️ Critical timing: Police registration must happen within 24 hours of arrival. If you stay with friends or in non-registered accommodation (e.g., Airbnb hosts who don’t cooperate), YOU are responsible for going to the local police station to register. Fine for not registering: ¥500–2,000.

Booking Platforms (Work Without VPN)

Platform	Strengths	Note
Trip.com	English interface, foreign cards	Owned by Trip.com Group; reliable
Booking.com	Loyalty points, free cancellation	Good for chains; pricier
Agoda	Asia focus, transparent pricing	Good budget selection
Airbnb	Apartments, local feel	Hosts may not register guests — confirm in advance
Ctrip / 携程	Local prices, deep inventory	Chinese only; needs VPN + China card

If Staying with Friends or in a Non-Hotel

Where: Local police station (派出所, páichüsuǒ). Find nearest via AMap.
What to bring: Passport + your host’s ID + lease/property document.
Cost: Free.
Time: 15–30 min.
Hours: Usually 8:30–17:30 weekdays; some 24h stations exist.

💡 Pro tip: Always choose hotels (not Airbnb) for short stays — registration is automatic and you avoid the hassle. For longer stays (1+ month), apartments are cheaper but require manual registration.

🛵 15. Food Delivery: Meituan & Eleme

Food delivery works in all major cities in China. Cost is low (¥5–10 fee) and speed is fast (30–45 min). You need a Chinese phone number + a Chinese bank or WeChat Pay to use it.

Top Apps

App	Coverage	Min Order	Fee
Meituan (美团)	2,800+ cities	¥20 typical	¥3–8
Ele.me (饿了么)	2,000+ cities	¥20 typical	¥3–8

How to Order (Meituan Example)

Download Meituan (search “美团” or “Meituan” in App Store). Sign up with phone.
Set delivery address (hotel address in Chinese works best). Confirm location on map.
Browse categories: 美食 (food), 饮品 (drinks), 超市 (supermarket), 水果 (fruit).
Pick a restaurant → tap items → add to cart. Use Google Translate camera on Chinese menu.
Checkout → Pay with WeChat Pay. Order confirmed in 30 sec.
Track delivery in real-time on map. Driver calls if lost.

What to Order (Beyond Restaurant Food)

🛒 Drinks (喜茶 HEYTEA, 星巴克 Starbucks, 瑞幸 Luckin Coffee): ¥10–30

🛒 Convenience store (7-11, Lawson, 便利蜂): snacks, water, SIM top-up

🛒 Fruit (百果园, 鲜丰水果): pre-cut & delivered

🛒 Pharmacy (海王星辰, 老百姓大药房): OTC medicine, masks

⚠️ Important: Food delivery requires a Chinese phone number to receive the call from the delivery driver. With eSIM-only, you may not have one. Solutions: (a) buy cheap SIM at airport, (b) ask friend to use their account, (c) use English-friendly apps like Sherpa’s (Beijing/Shanghai only).

🚨 16. Emergency Numbers & Call Scripts

Save these numbers before you need them. They work from any phone, even without a SIM card.

110

Police

120

Ambulance

119

Fire

12367

Immigration

95017

WeChat Pay Support — Press 2 for English (limited hours)

95188

Alipay Support — English support via in-app chat

12110

SMS Emergency — Text location + emergency type (no voice needed)

400-000-0666

DiDi Customer Service — lost item, dispute, safety

What to Say When You Call

If the operator speaks only Chinese:
Say slowly and clearly: “I need an English speaker. Emergency. I am at [location].” Then give your location. If they don’t understand, stay on the line — they may trace the call.

🚨 Sample: Calling 110/120

“I am at [location].”
“I need police / ambulance.”
“There is a [emergency type].”
“My name is [your name]. I am a foreigner.”

📱 Sample: SMS to 12110

Send to 12110:
“Emergency at [location].”
“Need police / ambulance.”
“Foreigner, English only. Please send help.”

⚠️ Before you need it:
• Save your hotel address in Chinese in phone contacts.
• Save your embassy’s 24-hour hotline in phone contacts.
• In an emergency, just show your phone to someone nearby — they can read the Chinese.

🏥 17. Hospital Visit: 5-Step Playbook

⚠️ Disclaimer: This guide is for emergency preparedness reference only. NOT medical advice. In emergency, call 120 immediately.

5-Step Hospital Visit

Hospitals in China work differently than in Western countries. Here’s exactly what happens:

Register at Front Desk — Go to 挂号处 (guà hào chù = registration). Say: 我要挂号. Show passport. They’ll assign a department based on your symptoms.
Pay Registration Fee — ¥10–50 ($2–7). Pay with WeChat/Alipay/cash. Keep the receipt — you need it for insurance claim.
See the Doctor — Go to your assigned department. Wait for your number. Use Google Translate or Pleco for medical terms. Key phrases: 我肚子疼 (stomach hurts), 我发烧 (fever).
Pay for Tests & Medicine First — Take the prescription to 缴费处 (jiǎo fèi chù = payment counter). Pay first, then get medicine.
Get Medicine at Pharmacy — Take paid receipt to 药房 (yào fáng = pharmacy). For insurance claims ask for 英文发票 (English receipt).

Hospitals with English Support

City	Hospital	Type	International Hotline
Beijing	Peking Union Medical College (协和医院)	Public + International Clinic	010-69155555
Beijing	United Family Hospital (和睦家)	Private (expat-friendly)	4008-919191
Shanghai	Huashan Hospital (华山医院)	Public + International Dept	021-52889999
Shanghai	Shanghai United Family	Private (expat-friendly)	021-22163900
Guangzhou	Guangzhou United Family	Private	020-87106000
Shenzhen	Shenzhen People’s Hospital	Public + VIP floor	0755-25533018

Common Symptoms (Show to Doctor)

English	Chinese	Pinyin
Fever	发烧	fā shāo
Stomachache	肚子疼	dù zi téng
Headache	头疼	tóu téng
Diarrhea	腹泻	fù xie
Allergy	过敏	guò mǐn
I have a cold	我感农了	wǒ gǎn mào le

⚠️ Payment: Public hospitals require a deposit before treatment (¥2,000–10,000). International hospitals may bill later or accept insurance direct billing (BUPA, Cigna, MSH, Aetna).

☠ 18. “Worst Case” Recovery

Six nightmare scenarios. Each takes 10–30 minutes to resolve if you know what to do.

🚫 Lost Passport

1. Report to police station (派出所) — get loss report (报警回执)
2. Go to your embassy/consulate for emergency travel document
3. Apply for replacement at Exit-Entry Administration (出入境管理处)

💳 Card Declined / Frozen

1. Call bank international collect-call line
2. Use backup card or cash
3. Switch to Alipay if WeChat fails (or vice versa)
4. ATM withdrawal — try a different bank’s ATM

📱 Phone Stolen / Lost

1. Use another device to call your carrier — suspend line
2. Log out of WeChat/Alipay remotely (security center)
3. Report to police for insurance claim
4. Buy cheap phone + SIM at any phone shop (手机店)

🔒 Locked Out of WeChat/Alipay

1. Don’t panic — funds are safe
2. Call 95017 (WeChat) or 95188 (Alipay)
3. Verify identity via passport video call
4. Reset takes 1–24 hours

🌐 No Internet at All

1. Toggle airplane mode 10 sec
2. Restart phone
3. Manually select network (Settings → Carrier)
4. Buy eSIM data plan (Airalo: instant activation)

🏷 Missed Train / Flight

1. Go to ticket counter immediately — same-day changes usually possible
2. Trains: 12306 app → “Change Ticket” (改签)
3. Flights: call airline + use English hotline (record number)
4. Hotel: most offer free cancellation until 6 PM same day

⚠️ The “Lost Everything” Ultimate Backup Plan
1. Find any foreigner-friendly business (international hotel, foreign restaurant) — ask for help.
2. They can call your embassy on your behalf.
3. Western embassies in Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou/Chengdu/Shenzhen have 24h hotlines.
4. Always keep ¥500 cash + a backup debit card in a separate place from your wallet.

📋 19. Quick Reference Tear-Out Card

Keep this page visible. Most important numbers and tips at a glance. Take a photo and save on your phone home screen.

🚨 EMERGENCY

110

Police

120

Ambulance

119

Fire

12110

SMS Emergency

📞 SUPPORT

95017

WeChat Pay (Press 2)

95188

Alipay Support

12367

Visa/Immigration

400-000-0666

DiDi Support

💰 Payment Limits (Foreign Cards)

Per transaction: ¥6,500 · Per month: ¥50,000 · Per year: ¥65,000
Solution: Open Chinese bank account for unlimited payments

⏰ Hard Deadlines

Hour 1: Get SIM card or eSIM active
Day 1: Police registration (hotel auto)
Day 1: WeChat Pay verified & card linked
Everything else is flexible

🗣 Top 10 Emergency Phrases

救命 (jiù mìng) = Help!    报警 (bào jǐng) = Call police
我生病了 (wǒ shēng bìng le) = I’m sick
医院在哪里 (yī yuàn zài nǎ lǐ) = Where is hospital?
请帮我报警 = Please call police    我要看医生 = I need a doctor
我要办手机卡 = I need a SIM card    WiFi密码是多少 = WiFi password?
不要辣 (bù yào là) = Not spicy    买单 (mǎi dān) = Check please

📷 Take a photo of this page. Pin to your phone home screen.

📝 20. Personal Notes

Fill these in when you arrive. They’ll be your personal reference throughout your stay.

🏠 My Accommodation

Hotel / Apartment Name:

Address (in Chinese):

Phone:

WiFi Name & Password:

Check-out Date:

💳 Payment

WeChat account:

Alipay account:

Backup card last 4 digits:

🚇 Nearest Metro

Station name:

Line & exit letter:

First train / Last train:

📞 Important Contacts

My Embassy / Consulate Phone:

Local Emergency Contact:

Hotel Front Desk:

Work / School Contact:

Travel Insurance Hotline:

🏥 Medical Info

Blood Type:

Allergies:

Current Medications:

Insurance Policy #:

Insurance Hotline:

Nearest Hospital (with English):

🗣 Phrases I Learned / Notes

🌎

Safe Travels in China!

This guide was created to help you navigate China with confidence.
Information verified June 2026.

📧 Need More Help?

Website: lifeguidechina.com — 33+ free guides, updated regularly
Q&A Search: lifeguidechina.com/qa.html — instant answers
OCR Tool: lifeguidechina.com/ocr — translate Chinese screenshots instantly
Email: ouyang_mz@126.com
Gumroad: mickster176 (this PDF lives here)

© 2026 Chinability • All rights reserved
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Contents

D-30: Visa & Passport

D-14: Money, SIM, VPN

D-7: Apps & Identity Verification

D-1: Final Check

Greetings & Basics

Getting Around

Food & Drink

Emergency

Money & Tech

Hotel & Help