Arrival Checklist: Your First Week in China
Day-by-day checklist from airport arrival to fully set up. Only 2 hard deadlines, everything else is flexible.
Quick Summary
🔴 HARD DEADLINES (Must do on time)
Day 1: Get SIM card at airport (before leaving)
Day 2: Police registration (within 24h of arriving at accommodation)
🟢 FLEXIBLE (Do when you have energy, Days 3-7)
• Set up WeChat/Alipay • Get transport card • Grocery shopping
• Open bank account (if needed) • Explore neighborhood
Pro tip: Jet lag is real. Only Day 1-2 are strict. Everything else can wait until you feel human again.
Day 1: Airport Arrival
Focus: Get connected → Get to bed
Location: After customs, look for China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom booths. Bring passport + ¥100-300 cash. Full guide →
⚠️ MUST do before leaving airport. You'll need phone number for everything else.
Airport exchange rates are bad but you need some cash for first 24 hours. Better rates in city later.
Do this while on airport WiFi (before losing access to Google). Test that it works. VPN setup →
WeChat, Alipay, AMap (高德地图), DiDi. Use airport WiFi + VPN. App guide →
Use DiDi app or airport taxi. Have your address in Chinese ready (screenshot or print).
💡 Tip: Screenshot your booking confirmation with Chinese address before arrival.
Don't try to do everything today. Jet lag + overwhelmed = mistakes. Rest and start fresh tomorrow.
Day 2: Police Registration
Focus: Legal requirement within 24 hours
You MUST register at the local police station within 24 hours of arriving at your accommodation (not 24h from landing, but from when you arrive at your apartment/hotel).
- • Hotel guests: Hotel does this automatically
- • Airbnb/rental: YOU must do this yourself
- • Penalty for not registering: ¥500-2000 fine
Passport, rental contract, landlord's ID/phone. Ask landlord: "附近有派出所吗？" (Where is the police station?)
Say "外国人登记" (foreigner registration). Takes 30-90 minutes. Keep the stamped form they give you.
Find nearest: convenience store (便利店), pharmacy (药店), supermarket. Test your new phone number and payment apps.
Days 3-7: Flexible Tasks
Do these when you have energy. No fixed schedule.
💡 Flexibility is key. Jet lag hits everyone differently. Some people are energized on Day 3, others need until Day 5. Pick 1-2 tasks per day based on your energy level. The only rule: get them done sometime this week.
Payment Setup
High Priority- • Set up WeChat Pay (Me → Services → Pay → Add Card)
- • Set up Alipay (Profile → Bank Cards)
- • Test: Buy water at convenience store
- • Check limits: ¥6,500/transaction, ¥50K/month
Do this as soon as you feel awake. Makes everything easier.
Transportation
Medium Priority- • Set up metro QR in WeChat/Alipay
- • OR buy transit card (¥20 deposit + load ¥50)
- • Practice commute to work/school once
- • Try DiDi (Chinese Uber) for one ride
- • Screenshot offline maps of key locations
Do before your first work/school day.
Shopping & Food
Medium Priority- • Grocery shopping at nearest supermarket
- • Order food delivery via Meituan
- • Buy household items (bedding, adapters, etc.)
- • Get backup power bank (10,000mAh)
- • Find good local restaurants
Space these out. Don't try to buy everything in one trip.
Bank Account (Optional)
Low PriorityOnly if staying 3+ months:
- • Open account at Bank of China / ICBC
- • Link to WeChat/Alipay (removes limits)
Skip if tourist/short-term. Foreign cards work fine.
Explore & Relax
Important!- • Walk around neighborhood without goal
- • Find parks, cafes, interesting streets
- • Visit one tourist attraction as reward
- • Take photos of important documents
- • Save everything to cloud backup
- • Write down what still needs fixing
Don't skip this. You've earned downtime after the stressful first 2 days.
Only Day 1-2 have deadlines. Days 3-7 are your pace, your choice.
Some people finish everything by Day 4. Others spread it to Day 10. Both are fine.
What If Things Go Wrong?
→ City carrier stores work too (need passport). Or use eSIM if your phone supports it. eSIM guide →
→ Try different card (Amex/Discover have more issues). Check billing address matches exactly. Call your bank to authorize China transactions.
→ Go ASAP anyway. Explain (jet lag, confused). Fine is ¥500-2000 but often waived for first-time honest mistakes. Bring a gift: apology and smile.
→ That's normal. Take a break. Do one thing per day. Ask for help (hotel staff, expat groups). You've got this. Email us if stuck →
People Also Ask
Which tasks MUST be done on specific days?
Only two: (1) SIM card - must get at airport before leaving (Day 1), (2) Police registration - within 24h of arriving at accommodation (Day 2). Everything else is flexible. Payments, transport, shopping - do them when you have energy, anytime in Days 3-7 (or even Days 8-10).
Can I set up WeChat/Alipay on Day 1 or 2 instead of Day 3?
Absolutely! If you have energy at the airport or on Day 2, go ahead. The "Day 3" label is just a suggestion. Many people set up payments while waiting for luggage or in the taxi. The earlier, the better - it makes everything else easier.
Can I delay police registration if I'm tired?
No. The 24-hour rule is strict from when you arrive at your accommodation, not when you feel ready. Fine is ¥500-2000. Go as soon as you wake up on Day 2. Even if exhausted, this one can't wait.
What if jet lag hits hard and I can't do anything for 3 days?
That's okay. As long as you did Day 1 (SIM) and Day 2 (police), you can sleep through Days 3-5. Wake up on Day 6 and start the flexible tasks then. The flexible tasks have no deadlines - just get them done sometime in your first 1-2 weeks.
What if I don't have a fixed address yet?
Hotel: They register for you. Airbnb: Register at that address. Staying with friends: Register at their address (they need to help). Hostel: Ask if they do registration (some do, some don't).
Do I really need a Chinese bank account?
For short stays (< 3 months): No, foreign cards work. For long stays: Yes, removes payment limits (¥50K/month cap on foreign cards) and unlocks full app features. This is the lowest priority task - skip it if you're only here briefly.
How much cash should I bring for the first week?
¥1000-2000 ($150-300) is plenty. Most things use mobile pay. Cash is backup for: small street vendors, some taxis, emergencies if phone dies.
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Disclaimer
This guide emphasizes flexibility. Only Days 1-2 have hard deadlines (SIM card at airport, police registration within 24h). Days 3-7 tasks can be completed at your own pace - spread them across 3 days or 10 days based on your energy level. Many people set up WeChat/Alipay on Day 1 or 2 if they have energy. There's no "right" schedule, only what works for you. Information updated April 2026.