This is the checklist we wish we had before the first trip: not sights, just the setup. Everything on it was checked on 15 October 2026 against the sources at the bottom, and the video walks through the same 13 things.
Quick answers
Do I need a visa for China?
It depends on your passport. In October 2026 China listed 50 countries with visa-free entry for short stays, most of it dated to 31 December 2026. Check the official list for your own country before booking.
Which app do I need, Alipay or WeChat?
Both work for paying. Set both up at home, link a card to each, and you will not be stuck when one of them does not like your card.
Does Google Maps work in China?
No. Use Amap or Apple Maps, and keep the Chinese names of your hotel and stations saved offline.
When should I book high-speed trains?
Tickets go on sale about 15 days before the travel date. Book as soon as they open for busy routes.
Step by step
- 1
Check the entry rules for your passport
On 15 October 2026, China listed visa-free entry for passport holders from 50 countries, most of it running to 31 December 2026, and the usual advice is a passport valid for 6 more months. Check your own country on the official list before you book, because the dates move.
- 2
Fill in the arrival card
It is free and online. Do it on a computer or inside Alipay; both guides are on this site.
- 3
Get the apps
Alipay and WeChat, before you fly. Both have an English setup for visitors.
- 4
Link your card
Add your bank card to Alipay and WeChat Pay at home, while you still have your normal phone number and signal.
- 5
Try a mini program
Trains, taxis and the arrival card all live inside Alipay as mini programs. Open one at home so the first time is not at a station.
- 6
Know the ¥200 line
Foreign cards in Alipay and WeChat Pay carry a 3 percent fee on single payments above ¥200. Below that there is no fee, so small payments are cheap.
- 7
Carry some cash and a backup card
Not much is needed, but a little cash and a second card cover the one shop that cannot take your phone.
- 8
Pick your flight
From Ireland the options are a non-stop from Dublin or a one-stop through a hub. Check your own airport; we have flown via London and via Helsinki, and this December via London.
- 9
Book smart
Book accommodation that confirms a real address, because the arrival card and any police registration both ask for it.
- 10
Book trains in time
High-speed train tickets go on sale about 15 days before travel. Book through the official 12306 app or a reseller and keep your passport number exactly as in the booking.
- 11
Station day
Stations are big and often share a name with a city. Check the exact station on your ticket, arrive early, and have your passport out for the gate.
- 12
Get maps that work
Amap and Apple Maps work well in China; Google Maps does not. Save offline notes with the Chinese names of your hotel and stations.
- 13
Pack light
Trains and metros mean stairs and gates. One bag you can lift makes every station day easier.
Rules change. Everything here was checked on 2026-10-15 against the sources below. Before you fly, open the official page once more.
