CHAPTER 03

Your First 72 Hours in China

The goal of your first three days is simple: finish the few formalities that matter, make your phone and payments work, and give yourself enough room to enjoy arriving.

1. Keep your entry details accessible

Save a clear photo of your passport identity page, visa when applicable, entry stamp or entry record, confirmed accommodation address, and onward ticket. Keep the originals secure and an offline copy on your phone.

2. Confirm your accommodation registration

Hotels normally submit the registration for their foreign guests. If you stay in an apartment, with a friend, or in another private residence, the host or guest generally needs to complete temporary accommodation registration promptly. The available process can differ by location, so ask the local public security authority or call 12367 when unsure.

3. Make your phone useful

Install your essential apps before departure, keep roaming available as a fallback, and obtain a local SIM or suitable travel eSIM. Save your accommodation in both English and Chinese so a driver or station employee can help.

4. Set up two ways to pay

International visitors can often connect eligible foreign cards to major Chinese payment apps. Complete identity verification carefully and keep a physical bank card or cash fallback for edge cases.

5. Save the essential numbers