Your First 72 Hours in China: A Survival Guide

The first three days decide whether your China trip feels effortless or chaotic. Here's exactly what happens from the moment you land, and what to set up in which order.

Before landing: arrival card

Fill in the online arrival card up to 72 hours before you land and screenshot the QR code — it saves you fumbling with a paper form on the plane. You'll need your accommodation address, so have your hotel booking handy.

At immigration and customs

First-time visitors aged 14–70 scan fingerprints — routine, under a minute. Customs allows ¥20,000 RMB / US$5,000 in undeclared cash, 400 cigarettes and 1.5L of alcohol. Keep prescription medicines in original packaging with your prescription; note that ADHD medications like Adderall and pseudoephedrine cold medicines are prohibited.

Airport priorities, in order

1) Get data working (eSIM activated or buy a SIM at the counter). 2) Open Alipay and make a small test payment at an airport shop. 3) Order a DiDi or take the metro — activate Alipay's metro Ride Code while you're still on airport WiFi.

The 24-hour registration rule

Every foreigner must be registered with police within 24 hours. Hotels do this automatically at check-in — it's why they scan your passport. Staying with friends or in a private rental? You must visit the local police station (派出所) yourself with your passport and your host's ID. It takes 15 minutes and skipping it can cause real problems at your next hotel or exit.

Days 2–3: the comfort layer

Buy bottled water (skip the tap), grab a power adapter if you forgot one (220V, Type A/C/I sockets), and save the emergency numbers: 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire, plus your embassy. Then download our phrase show-cards — point your phone at any taxi driver and you're understood.

After that, China gets easy: trains are punctual, cities are safe at night, and everything is a QR code away.