1. Payments
Most everyday payments in China are made by scanning a QR code with your phone. Visitors can do this too.
- Alipay: download it at home, verify your identity and add your Visa or Mastercard. You can then pay in most shops, restaurants and taxis.
- WeChat Pay: a good backup. Inside WeChat, go to Me › Services › Wallet to add a foreign card.
- Cash: carry some Chinese yuan (RMB) for small vendors or in case an app acts up.
- Fees and limits: some transactions may carry a fee or limit. Check inside each app before you go.
Both apps need mobile data to scan and pay, so sort out your connection before you land.
2. Apps to download before you fly
Download at home| Need | App | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | Alipay, WeChat | Add your card and verify before you leave home |
| Maps | Amap (Gaode) | Save hotel addresses in Chinese characters too |
| Rides | DiDi (or inside Alipay) | Add a pickup point in Chinese for drivers |
| Trains & hotels | Trip.com or the official 12306 app | Book popular trains early |
| Translate | Any translator with offline Chinese | Download the offline language pack at home |
Get online the moment you land
Pay, navigate and book rides from arrivals. China eSIM plans from $9.90, delivered instantly.
3. Getting online
Online from arrivalsYou have four main options. Here's how they compare for a short trip.
| Option | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Travel eSIM | Buy and install before you fly; switch on when you land. Plans that route via a partner network outside mainland China mean apps from home usually work as normal. |
| Local SIM | Bought in China with your passport. Uses mainland networks, where many apps from home aren't available. |
| Roaming with your US carrier | Easy, but can be expensive. Check your carrier's China rates and data caps first. |
| Hotel and café Wi-Fi | Handy as a backup, but you'll still need data for maps, payments and rides when you're out. |
How haalaan connects you
Our China plans use international roaming: your data is routed through a partner network outside mainland China (exit in Hong Kong, or Singapore on selected plans, according to our network provider). That means apps like Google, WhatsApp and Instagram usually work the way they do at home. Check the plan details before you buy.
Not sure how much data you need?
5 GB suits a short trip of up to 5 days. 10 GB suits about a week. 20 GB suits about 1–2 weeks. Heavy users can choose 50 GB or a daily plan.
4. Arrival checklist
Day 1 ready- eSIM installed at home and labeled, kept off until you land
- Alipay set up with your card added and verified; WeChat as backup
- Hotel address saved in Chinese (screenshot it for your driver)
- Offline translation pack downloaded
- Some cash in RMB for small purchases
- On landing: turn on your eSIM and data roaming, then open Amap and Alipay to check they connect
- Power bank charged. Your phone is your wallet, map and ticket
5. Entry rules: check official sources
Visa and visa-free entry rules depend on your passport and change from time to time. Check the U.S. State Department's China page, the Chinese embassy or consulate website, and your airline before you book.
Your China trip, connected
Install tonight, land online. 30-day refund if it hasn't been installed.
