Money & Payments
Prepare mobile payments, bank cards and cash.
LocallyChina guide
China Toolkit
Practical guides to payments, internet, transport and everyday life in China.
Topics
Find your guide
Internet & Apps
Get connected and prepare the apps you’ll use in China.
Transportation
Find your way by train, metro and ride-hailing.
Daily Life & Safety
Understand drinking water, public toilets and how to ask for help.
China Toolkit
Money & Payments
Prepare mobile payments, bank cards and cash.
China Toolkit · Money & Payments
How to Pay in China as a Foreigner
Can foreigners use Alipay, WeChat Pay, international cards or cash in China? Learn the easiest way to pay in China and how to set up backup payment methods before your trip.
China Toolkit · Money & Payments
How to Set Up Alipay Before Traveling to China
Learn how to set up Alipay before traveling to China, link an international bank card, complete verification and make QR-code payments with fewer problems after arrival.
China Toolkit · Money & Payments
How to Use WeChat Pay as a Foreigner
Learn how to set up WeChat Pay with an international bank card, make QR-code payments, use mini-programs and troubleshoot common problems while traveling in China.
China Toolkit
Internet & Apps
Get connected and prepare the apps you’ll use in China.
China Toolkit · Internet & Apps
China eSIM Guide for Travelers
Should you use an eSIM in China? Learn how travel eSIMs work, how they differ from Chinese local eSIMs, what to check before buying, and when roaming or a local SIM may be better.
China Toolkit · Internet & Apps
Essential Apps for Traveling in China
Which apps do you really need for a trip to China? This practical guide covers payments, maps, trains, taxis, translation and booking apps for international travelers.
China Toolkit · Internet & Apps
Internet in China: SIM Cards, eSIMs, Wi-Fi & Internet Access
How should you get internet in China? Compare travel eSIMs, international roaming, Chinese SIM cards and Wi-Fi, and learn what to prepare before your trip.
China Toolkit
Transportation
Find your way by train, metro and ride-hailing.
China Toolkit · Transportation
How to Take China’s High-Speed Trains as a Foreigner
Learn how to take China’s high-speed trains as a foreign traveler, from booking tickets and passport verification to station security, boarding, luggage and arrival.
China Toolkit · Transportation
China Metro Guide for Foreigners
Learn how to use the metro in China as a foreign traveler, including tickets, Alipay transport QR codes, foreign bank cards, security checks, transfers and airport connections.
China Toolkit · Transportation
How to Use 12306 as a Foreigner
Learn how foreign travelers can register for China Railway 12306, verify a passport, book train tickets, use waitlists, change tickets and request refunds.
China Toolkit · Transportation
How to Use Didi in China
Learn how foreign travelers can use Didi in China, including registration, international cards, pickup points, airport rides, driver communication and common problems.
China Toolkit
Daily Life & Safety
Understand drinking water, public toilets and how to ask for help.
China Toolkit · Daily Life & Safety
Can You Drink Tap Water in China?
Can you drink tap water in China? Learn whether to use bottled or boiled water, what to do in hotels, and whether tap water is fine for brushing your teeth.
China Toolkit · Daily Life & Safety
Emergency Numbers in China for Travelers
Save China’s key emergency numbers: 110 for police, 119 for fire, 120 for ambulance and 122 for traffic accidents, plus 12367 for immigration help.
China Toolkit · Daily Life & Safety
Public Toilets in China: What Travelers Should Know
A practical guide to public toilets in China, including squat toilets, toilet paper, where to find restrooms and what travelers should carry.
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