Your First Trip to China: What to Prepare

Updated: 27 October 2026

Start with your dates and a manageable route

Count your arrival and departure days separately from sightseeing days. For a first visit, choose a few places you want to experience well rather than adding a new city every day. Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou offer a connected starting route; a journey including Beijing or Sichuan needs additional travel time. Tell your planner your flight times, interests and preferred pace before confirming the order of visits.

Check documents before booking

Check the entry requirements that apply to your nationality, passport and exact itinerary through official immigration or consular channels. Do this before buying non-refundable travel. Use the same passport details for transport and hotel reservations, and carry the original document. Keep secure copies of your itinerary and emergency contacts separately from your phone. Entry permission and travel insurance should be checked for your own circumstances.

Prepare payment and communication

Set up your preferred payment and communication tools before departure, while you can still receive verification messages on your usual number. Keep a second payment method and a way to contact your travel coordinator. Save hotel names and addresses in Chinese, download useful offline information, and agree how the group will reconnect if anyone becomes separated. Do not rely on one phone or one app for every travel need.

Confirm what the trip includes

Ask for the proposed route, accommodation, transport, visits and included services in writing. Discuss walking distances, stairs, food preferences and any accessibility requirements early. Leave some unplanned time after long journeys. A suggested route on this website is a starting point for discussion; the final itinerary, price, inclusions and booking conditions need to be agreed before you make a booking.

Official information: National Immigration Administration