2CN is a fast entry point for first-time and returning visitors: visa-free transit, mobile payments, staying connected and getting around — kept short, and always pointing to official sources.
Most visitors now arrive through one of three routes. Rules change — always confirm with the National Immigration Administration (NIA) before booking.
Citizens of 57 countries may enter visa-free for up to 10 days when transiting to a third country or region, via any of 65 open ports across 24 provinces. Good for tourism, business, family visits. Work, study and journalism still require a visa.
Hainan island offers a 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of 61 countries, entering via Hainan ports. Several border regions (e.g. Guangxi–Vietnam, Yunnan) run their own entry schemes for neighbouring nationals.
For stays beyond transit windows or non-covered purposes, apply for an ordinary visa (L tourism, M business, F exchange, X1/X2 study…) at a Chinese embassy/consulate or an authorized visa centre in your country.
Eligible-country lists and port details are published by the NIA — see official sources below. Need to talk to a human? Call +86-12367 (24/7, multilingual).
China runs on two super-apps. Setting them up on day one makes everything else — taxis, trains, street food — dramatically easier.
Both Alipay and WeChat Pay accept major international cards (Visa, Mastercard, and others) linked to a foreign passport. Top-up is not required for most payments; some small merchants or peer transfers have limits.
Carry a small amount of cash (RMB) for the rare cash-only stall, and at least one physical card. Hotels, malls and airport counters in big cities usually accept international cards; street vendors generally prefer QR payments.
Two practical paths, and neither requires technical gymnastics.
Enabling roaming on your home plan, or buying a travel eSIM before departure, keeps your usual apps working as at home — the simplest option for short trips. Check your carrier's rates before you fly.
Passport-registered local SIMs are available at airport counters and carrier shops. Note that apps popular outside China are generally not available on local data plans — plan your app set accordingly (see the list below).
Offline maps are your friend: download the city before arrival. Amap (高德) has an English interface, and Alipay's built-in mini-map covers most tourist needs.
| What | How it works for visitors |
|---|---|
| High-speed rail | Book on 12306 — the official railway platform, with an English app/website and international card payment. Your passport is the ticket: tap it at the gate. Popular routes sell out fast around public holidays. |
| Metro | Nearly every major city has an extensive, cheap, signposted-in-English metro. Pay by QR code inside Alipay/WeChat transit mini-programs. |
| Taxis & ride-hailing | DiDi has an English interface and accepts international cards via Alipay/WeChat. Official taxis are metered; drivers rarely speak English — show your destination in Chinese characters. |
| Flights | Domestic fares are often lower booked via Chinese platforms; passport check-in is standard at all airports. |
Install these before you fly. All work with a foreign passport.
| App | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alipay / WeChat | Payments everywhere | Bind an international card on arrival day. WeChat doubles as the messaging standard. |
| 12306 | Train tickets | Official China Railway app, English UI, passport booking. |
| Amap (高德地图) | Maps & navigation | English interface available; best walking/transit directions. |
| DiDi (滴滴) | Ride-hailing | English UI; international card friendly. |
| Trip.com | Hotels & flights | International-friendly booking with foreign cards; useful fallback for trains when 12306 is sold out. |
| Translation app | Everything | Any major translator with camera + offline Chinese packs; WeChat/Alipay have built-in translate. |
A 10-day transit window comfortably covers one deep dive — or two cities linked by high-speed rail.
Everything important above traces back to these. When this page and an official source disagree, the official source wins.