Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here you will find the answers to some frequently asked questions related to the practical aspects of organising your trip to China.

1. What apps should I install before traveling to China?
2. How do I make payments in China?
3. How do payments work in restaurants and markets?
4. What translation app do you recommend?
5. Is the internet restricted in China?
6. Do I need a VPN in China?
7. Will my phone work in China?
8. How do I get around the city?
9. General tips
10. Visa / Entry – What you need to know
11. What type of Visa should I get for a stay longer than 30 days ?
12. Advice for Groups / Members Travelling Together
13. Helpful Links for Visa Information
14. Checklist before your trip

1. What apps should I install before traveling to China?

WeChat (微信 Weixin) & Alipay (支付宝 Zhifubao)

These two apps are absolutely essential in China. Why you need them:

• Nearly all payments, restaurant orders, transportation, and ticket purchases use QR codes through these apps.
• Some services work only on one app, so having both is strongly recommended.
• Foreign bank cards can now be linked, but setup can be slow, as such, make sure to install before your trip.
• WeChat is also key for exchanging contacts and communicating with anyone in China. It is likely that Congress participants will communicate on WeChat too amongst themselves.

Tips:

• In most cases, to create a WeChat account, you must be invited (QR code) by a current user.
• Be sure to complete identity verification (“Real-Name Verification”) before your trip if possible. Be prepared to upload a copy of your ID.

Amap (高德地图 / Gaode Ditu)

Amap is China’s most accurate and foreigner-friendly map service. Benefits:

• Excellent for bus and public transport, showing detailed routes, stops, and alternatives.
• More reliable than Google Maps in China, where Google services are restricted.
• Available in English in most cities and regions.

Other option: Apple map

2. How do I make payments in China?

Most payments are made through the WeChat or Alipay apps. Foreign bank cards can now be linked to this apps, but setup can be slow, as such, make sure to install early.

Keep some cash in RMB. Small shops and rural ares or taxis (not Didi) prefer cash. It is also a good backup in case an app stops working. Exchanging foreign currency in China is possible at major banks or airports but inconvenient, queues may be long and will require your passport. You can also withdraw cash from most ATM machines with most international credit cards (Mastercard, Visa).

Standard Visa/Mastercard cards are rarely accepted for in-store payments, though they work for hotel deposits and some chain stores.

Revolut works reliably and allows you to open a dedicated RMB account for easy top-ups.

3. How do payments work in restaurants and markets?

Most places provide a QR code on the table or at the counter.

You scan it with WeChat Pay or Alipay, submit your order, and pay instantly. Note: Alipay offers an in-app translator.

4. What translation app do you recommend?

While many younger people speak some English, daily interactions (taxis, markets, small eateries) may require translation.

Recommended Options:

• WeChat Built-In Translation: Works well for text and photos.
• Google Translate: Only works if you have a VPN (Google services are blocked). In particular the Google Lens option (accessed via the camera icon in the Google Translate app) is extremely useful for translating visual text, e.g. signs, store fronts, food packaging, etc.
• Apple Translate / Microsoft Translator: Work without a VPN for most features; good offline packs.

Tip:
Download offline language packs before you travel.

5. Is the internet restricted in China?

Yes. Many major websites/apps are blocked:

• Google, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube
• Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp calls
• Wikipedia (partially), some news sites
• Many foreign media publications

A VPN is essential if you rely on any of these.

6. Do I need a VPN in China?

Yes—install a VPN BEFORE entering China. Once inside the country, most VPN websites and app stores are blocked. Many VPN providers have a free trial version, but to ensure full and reliable access, we recommend the paid version.

The VPN must be installed on any device you wish to access the internet with (phone, laptop, tablet).

Most reliable options:

• LetsVPN
• VyprVPN

You will need the VPN to access Google services (Google Docs, Google Translate, etc), Instagram, Facebook, Wahtsapp calls and many new sites.

7. Will my phone work in China?

Most foreign SIM cards work, but data roaming is expensive. Some providers may offer special data packages for China for a reasonable price.

Alternatively, consider buying an eSIM or local SIM card on arrival (passport required). Local carriers: China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom.

8. How do I get around the city?

Public Buses

• Flat fare: 2 RMB per ride in most cities.
• Pay by scanning a QR code via WeChat or Alipay.
• Amap provides real-time bus arrival information and shows all the alternative routes.

Didi (Chinese Uber)

• Bookable directly through Alipay, sometimes also through the Didi app.
• Affordable and convenient for door-to-door travel.
• English interface available.

9. General tips

• Electricity: Type A / Type I plugs; 220V. Bring a universal adapter.
• Tipping: Not customary in China.
• Toilets: Public restrooms are common, but carrying tissues is necessary.
• Keep your passport with you when traveling—needed for hotels, some attractions, and high-speed trains.
• High-speed trains are extremely efficient; booking is possible through apps like Trip.com (which accepts foreign cards). Important: you must carry your passport to travel by high-speed train.

• Since June 2025, the Civil Aviation Administration of China requires power banks on domestic flight to have the CCC (China Compulsory Certificate) mark. This means the device has passed official safety tests for battery-quality, fire resistance, and electrical performance, making it safe for sale and use in China.

10. Visa / Entry – What you need to know

Who can enter without a visa (short stay):

• As of now, citizens of certain countries holding a valid ordinary passport can enter mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days, if the trip is for tourism, business, visiting friends/family, cultural or academic exchange, or transit. Please verify online or with the embassy in your country to confirm whether you qualify.
• The 30-day visa-free stay begins the day after entry and lasts for 30 calendar days.
• You don’t need to apply in advance or declare this at an embassy/consulate if you meet the requirements.

Limitations & When You Need a Visa:

You will need to apply for a visa in advance if:

• You plan to stay in China for more than 30 days.
• Your stay involves purposes other than tourism, business, visiting, cultural/academic exchange or transit (e.g. work, long-term study, journalism, residence).
• You hold a service or official passport (exceptions may apply depending on bilateral agreements).

What happens if you need to stay longer than 30 days (but already entered on visa-free stay):

• If you are already in China and realise you need to stay beyond 30 days for “appropriate and sufficient reasons,” you must apply for a stay permit at the exit-and-entry authorities (public security bureau) within China.
• Whether such an application is approved depends on the authorities; staying beyond 30 days without proper permit may lead to penalties.

Important Practical Details:

• Make sure your passport is valid at least for the entire duration of your planned stay.
• Be prepared to show supporting documents at entry, such as return (or onward) flight tickets, hotel/reservation confirmations, or invitation letters (if visiting friends/family or for business).
• As of November 2025, upon arrival, a digital entry card has replaced the old paper arrival form.
• For visa applications (for long stays), travellers typically need to submit biometrics (fingerprints) at a visa-application center and apply in person before travel.
• Some visas may require an invitation letter: the Jingdezhen Congress Secretariat will provide invitations upon registration.

11. What type of Visa should I get for a stay longer than 30 days ?

Tourist visa (L-visa): For the purpose of tourism or vacation. You must apply for the L-visa before your departure at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate.

Exchange,visits,study tours or other relevant activities (F-visa): For the purpose of Academc exchanges, Cultural exchanges (e.g. a non-profit performance), Religious exchanges, NGO activities, Volunteering (90 days or less), Foreign expert with pre-approved letters of invitation, Geographic surveying and mapping activities.

12. Advice for Groups / Members Travelling Together

If several people travel together (e.g. group tour), make sure every traveler carries their own passport and supporting documents (flight ticket, hotel booking, itinerary).

For extended stays, apply well in advance, leaving time for visa processing and possible delays (fingerprint submission, document check).

13. Helpful Links for Visa Information

• Visa-free & Entry Info (NIA): https://en.nia.gov.cn/index.html (covers visa exemption, transit rules, and general immigration policies)
• Visa-Free Entry FAQ (for foreign passport holders): https://ee.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/jy/ve/ (lists eligible countries, allowed stay duration, purposes)
• Travel-Advice Guide (non-official but widely used): “China Visa-Free Travel — A Complete Guide” on China-Briefing website (good for overview and understandable language): https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-visa-free-travel-policies-complete-guide

14. Checklist before your trip

□ Apply for visa (if applicable to your circumstances)

□ Download WeChat and Alipay apps, link to bank card if so desired. Complete the identity verification before your trip.

□ Download Amap app for easier navigation.

□ Download Didi app for use of local “Uber” services.

□ Download “offline dictionary” for your preferred translation app (e.g. Google Translate, Apple Translate)

□ Subscribe to and install VPN on ALL used devices before you travel.

□ Exchange cash in RMB for your trip