Plan, Pay, and Play in China
Your complete travel companion. From visa to WeChat Pay to ordering dinner — everything you need to navigate China with confidence. No Chinese required.
Before You Arrive
Plan your trip, get your documents ready, pack smart
First Time in China Guide
10-step planning guide for your first trip
NewChina Visa Guide 2026
Visa-free policy & application process
NewVPN for China
Which works, install before arrival
eSIM for China
Digital SIM before you land
Pre-Arrival Checklist
10 must-dos before you fly
What to Pack
Complete packing checklist for China
NewRecommended Itineraries
7/10/14-day route plans for first-timers
NewYour First Days
Get connected, set up payments, register with police
WeChat Pay Setup
Link international credit card
Top PriorityAlipay Setup
Alternative payment, Tour Pass option
SIM Card
Get a Chinese phone number
First Week Checklist
Day-by-day: your first 72 hours
Police Registration
24-hour mandatory rule
Bank Account
Unlock unlimited payments
First 10 Minutes in China
Airport arrival step-by-step
NewConnect to WiFi
Hotel, airport & cafe WiFi guide
NewExplore & Play
Use Chinese apps, get around, order food, book travel
Can't Read Chinese Apps?
Chinese-to-English interface guides for every major app
Buy Train Tickets
12306 app guide & English booking
NewChina Food Guide
Menu translation & how to order
NewDiDi Ride-Hailing
Interface guide + safety tips
Metro/Subway
Navigate subway systems
Meituan Delivery
Order food & more delivered
Book Hotels
Ctrip/Meituan hotel booking guide
NewWhich Cities to Visit
Best picks for first-time travelers
NewNavigation & Maps
AMap guide & getting around
NewTransport Guide
Getting around China
Help & Emergency
Get help fast, translate Chinese text, find answers
Emergency Contacts
- • Police: 110 / Ambulance: 120
- • Fire: 119 / Visa: 12367
- • WeChat: 95017 / Alipay: 95188
Medical Emergency
Hospitals, 120, English support
Translate Chinese Text
OCR tool — upload screenshot, get English
Free ToolQ&A Search
Quick answers from our knowledge base
Printable Cheat Sheet
One-page survival reference โ print before you go
Free DownloadWhy Chinability?
Verified Info
Official hotlines called. Real travelers tested.
Step-by-Step
Exact buttons to tap. No guessing.
Completely Free
All guides free. No paywalls. Forever.
Updated for 2026
Visa rules, payment policies, app interfaces
The Chinability Guide
How to Survive in China (2026 Edition)
What's Inside:
- ✓ Pre-Arrival Checklist (10 must-dos)
- ✓ Arrival Checklist (Day-by-day first week)
- ✓ Emergency numbers & Medical guide
- ✓ WeChat Pay & Alipay setup
- ✓ Metro/Subway navigation guide
- ✓ Food delivery & Daily life tips
- ✓ Essential Chinese phrases
- ✓ Quick reference card + Notes pages
Perfect For:
- • Airport arrival (no WiFi)
- • Emergency situations
- • Quick reference on-the-go
- • Backup when phone dies
Recommended for Your China Trip
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