Travel Essentials

Compare planning kits and book the essentials before your China trip.

Everything first-time visitors need in one place — payment, apps, eSIM, hotels, trains and tours.

1 · Planning kits

Travel kits made for the trip you're about to take

Best for: First-time visitors who want one clear plan before they land

Payment setup, apps checklist, train guide, packing list and itinerary planner.

$29

2 · Setup before you land

Sort these before your flight and your China trip gets 10× smoother.

Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card — the only setup you need.

Maps, translation, ride-hailing, food, trains — the seven apps to install.

Trip.com vs 12306 — what actually works for foreigners.

Which eSIMs bypass the firewall, which don't, and how much to buy.

3 · Book before you land

Stay connected from the moment you land.

Walkable, metro-connected neighbourhoods only.

Beijing → Xi'an → Shanghai in 4.5 + 5.5 hours.

Vetted day-trip operators that pick you up at the hotel.