Quick answer: Bring your passport, any visa or evidence needed for your visa-free route, your first accommodation details and your flight information. Prepare a way to pay, access to mobile data, essential medication and the address of your first stop in Chinese.
Documents for check-in and immigration
- Passport: Bring the original and check the expiry and blank-page requirements for your passport and itinerary with your airline and the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate.
- Visa or visa-free route: If a visa is needed, obtain the correct one before departure. For visa-free transit, keep your confirmed onward ticket available and check the route and permitted areas.
- Arrival card: Most visitors need one unless an exemption applies. Fill it in on arrival or through the official NIA service, which is free. The NIA explains the official channels.
- Trip details: Save your first hotel name, address and telephone number, plus your onward or return booking where relevant. Store copies offline and keep an emergency contact.
Money, phone and the first journey
Bring an eligible international bank card and some renminbi as a backup. You can install Alipay or Weixin Pay and try linking a card before departure; acceptance depends on your card and the merchant. See Shanghai’s visitor guide to mobile payments. Arrange roaming, a suitable SIM or another data option, and download maps and translation tools before you leave.
Save your hotel address in Chinese for your driver. If you have booked an airport pickup, save the flight number, meeting point and driver contact. Our airport transfer service can be arranged around your flight and luggage.
What to pack
- Clothing suited to the season and destinations, comfortable walking shoes and a light rain layer.
- Your phone charger and an appropriate plug adapter; check your device’s voltage before use.
- Personal medication in its original packaging and a copy of your prescription. Check Chinese customs rules and airline restrictions for your specific medicine before departure.
- Power bank and electronics: check the latest airline and airport rules on capacity, labelling and carry-on placement.
- Travel insurance documents if purchased, plus any needed accessibility or dietary information translated into Chinese.
After arrival: where do I register?
Hotels register foreign guests with local public security authorities. For a private home or other non-hotel accommodation, the visitor or host must register with local public security within 24 hours. Read the NIA accommodation guidance and ask your host about the local process.
Should I print everything?
Digital copies are useful, but keep the original passport with you and consider a paper copy of the first hotel address and key bookings if your battery or data connection fails. See our full travel checklist and first-day guide.