2026 edition: do the right 10 things in order — eSIM before arrival, Alipay setup, hotel registration (now online in 7 provinces), and transit testing.
Travelers entering China for the first week with no local setup.
Use Start Here if this guide still touches the first 72 hours, phone setup, or day-one stability.
Move from guide-level context into a more direct fix and fallback path.
Best when bookings, family constraints, or late arrivals already make mistakes expensive.
Official policy scope, stay length, and ports.
Open sourceData controller and user rights reference.
Open sourceDistance fare baseline and payment methods.
Open sourceA step-by-step checklist to get through immigration, get connected, reach your hotel, and make your first payment.
How to use WhatsApp, Google Maps, and Instagram in China — 2026 eSIM options that bypass the Great Firewall without VPN.
The 2026 guide to linking international cards, Alipay+ foreign wallets, avoiding the 3% fee threshold, and staying functional in a mostly cashless China.
2026 app strategy: firewall-bypassing eSIM (Saily/Airalo/KKday), Alipay with 16 languages, and phase-based preparation.
2026 pre-arrival setup: firewall-bypassing eSIMs (Saily, Airalo, KKday), VPN backup strategy, and public Wi-Fi options.
Why you need a local number (ride-hailing, delivery, reservations) and how to get one at the airport or city.
Send your dates, city order, and the exact friction this guide raised. You will get a tighter next-step plan.