Official & Provider Links for China First-Day Setup

Source-backed resources

Official & Provider Links for China First-Day Setup

A curated source hub for entry, transit, arrival card, payment, connectivity, transport, accommodation, and safety. Use these links to verify critical information before you fly.

Important

DayOne China is an independent travel preparation guide. We are not affiliated with any government, immigration authority, payment platform, transport company, hotel, airport, railway, telecom operator, or app provider. Online arrival card filling should be done only through official NIA channels and is free through official channels. DayOne China does not process government documents, visas, arrival cards, payment accounts, transport bookings, or accommodation registrations.

Entry & Transit

Entry & TransitOfficial

NIA unilateral visa-free list

What it is: National Immigration Administration list of countries covered by China's unilateral visa-free policy.
When to use it: Check whether your passport country is listed and what the current note says before planning travel.
Common mistake: Relying on old blog posts instead of checking the current NIA page.

Source: en.nia.gov.cn

Open official page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Entry & TransitOfficial

NIA visa-free transit policies

What it is: National Immigration Administration page for visa-free transit policy conditions.
When to use it: Check 24-hour and 240-hour transit conditions if you are entering or transiting without a standard visa.
Common mistake: Assuming "transit" means you can always leave the airport or enter any city.

Source: en.nia.gov.cn

Open official page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Entry & TransitOfficial

Chinese embassy or consulate in your country

What it is: Your local Chinese embassy or consulate visa and document information portal.
When to use it: Use it when applying for a visa or confirming country-specific document requirements.
Common mistake: Using the wrong country portal or an agency site that looks official.

Source: Use your local Chinese embassy / consulate website

Find your local embassy

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Arrival Card

Arrival CardOfficial

NIA official online arrival card page

What it is: Official online arrival card filling page for foreign visitors.
When to use it: Use before travel if the service is available and applicable to your trip.
Common mistake: Entering passport data on a copycat site or paid "arrival card service" website.

Source: s.nia.gov.cn

Open official page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Arrival CardOfficial Warning

NIA fake paid website warning

What it is: Official NIA warning about fraudulent websites for arrival card filling.
When to use it: Read before using any arrival-card website found through search results.
Common mistake: Paying a third-party site for something that should be done through official channels.

Source: en.nia.gov.cn

Open official warning

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Payment

PaymentOfficial

State Council payment guide for overseas visitors

What it is: Official government guide covering payment options for overseas visitors, including mobile payment, bank cards, and cash.
When to use it: Read before setting up your payment backup plan.
Common mistake: Depending on only one payment method.

Source: english.www.gov.cn

Open official page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

PaymentProvider

Alipay+ Pay in the Chinese mainland

What it is: Alipay+ provider page explaining international visitor setup and support for paying in mainland China.
When to use it: Check before installing Alipay, selecting International Version if shown, and adding an eligible international card.
Common mistake: Thinking the app is ready just because it opens; payment code, scan function, card binding, and verification still matter.

Source: alipayplus.com

Open provider page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

PaymentTerms

Alipay Tour Pass agreement

What it is: Provider terms for Tour Pass / prepaid-card information service.
When to use it: Check only if TourCard / Tour Pass appears inside the official Alipay app and you want to understand the provider terms.
Common mistake: Treating TourCard as the main payment path instead of an optional backup.

Source: render.alipay.com

Open terms page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

PaymentTerms

Bank of Shanghai prepaid card agreement

What it is: Provider terms for prepaid-card validity, refund, top-up, and usage restrictions.
When to use it: Read before topping up a TourCard / Bank of Shanghai prepaid card.
Common mistake: Loading money before understanding expiry, refund, service fees, and exchange-rate risk.

Source: render.alipay.com

Open terms page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Connectivity

ConnectivityOfficial

Official China SIM Q&A

What it is: Official SIM guidance sourced from Ministry of Commerce guidance, explaining passport/local SIM rules.
When to use it: Check if you may need a local Chinese SIM and phone number.
Common mistake: Assuming a data-only eSIM gives you a Chinese phone number.

Source: enghunan.gov.cn

Open official page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

ConnectivityOfficial

Official SIM Card page

What it is: Backup official SIM card guidance page with the same SIM rule language from Ministry of Commerce guidance.
When to use it: Use as a second official reference for local SIM rules.
Common mistake: Waiting until airport transport time to solve phone verification problems.

Source: english.beijing.gov.cn

Open official page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

ConnectivityCity Guide

Shanghai mobile services guide

What it is: Practical city guide for mobile service setup, carrier stores, passport use, SIM size, purchase, and registration.
When to use it: Use for practical SIM setup steps, especially if you will be in Shanghai.
Common mistake: Assuming local SIM setup is instant and does not require passport or time.

Source: english.shanghai.gov.cn

Open city guide

Last checked: 2026-05-21

ConnectivityProvider Support

Apple eSIM in mainland China

What it is: Apple Support page for iPhone/eSIM caveats in mainland China.
When to use it: Check before buying an eSIM plan, especially if your iPhone model or purchase region may affect support.
Common mistake: Buying an eSIM before checking device and region compatibility.

Source: support.apple.com

Open support page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Transport

TransportOfficial / Provider

China Railway 12306 English FAQ

What it is: Official China Railway 12306 English FAQ for ticketing and railway rules.
When to use it: Check passport booking, ticketing, station entry, and railway procedures.
Common mistake: Thinking an itinerary sheet or receipt replaces the original passport used for booking.

Source: 12306.cn

Open official FAQ

Last checked: 2026-05-21

TransportApp Store

DiDi China app listing

What it is: Current app-store listing for DiDi China ride-hailing.
When to use it: Check the current app listing before installing or updating DiDi.
Common mistake: Booking from a random airport curb instead of confirming the official pickup point and matching the vehicle details.

Source: play.google.com

Open app-store page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

TransportTravel Advisory

Taxi safety reminders

What it is: Government travel advisory source used for taxi safety reminders.
When to use it: Review before using taxis, airport pickups, or unofficial ride offers.
Common mistake: Following random drivers instead of using official taxi queues, hotel pickup, metro, or verified ride-hailing.

Source: travel.state.gov

Open advisory page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Accommodation

AccommodationOfficial

NIA accommodation registration rules

What it is: National Immigration Administration rules on filing accommodation registration for foreigners.
When to use it: Check hotel vs non-hotel accommodation registration responsibilities.
Common mistake: Assuming private stays, rentals, or staying with friends work the same as hotel check-in.

Source: en.nia.gov.cn

Open official page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

AccommodationOfficial

Online accommodation registration pilot

What it is: NIA announcement related to online accommodation registration pilot services.
When to use it: Check whether online registration may be available in relevant situations.
Common mistake: Assuming one city's registration process applies everywhere.

Source: en.nia.gov.cn

Open official page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Power & Safety

Power & SafetyOfficial

CAAC power bank notice

What it is: Civil Aviation Administration of China notice related to carrying power banks on domestic flights.
When to use it: Check before taking China domestic flights with a power bank.
Common mistake: Packing an unmarked or restricted power bank and assuming it will pass security.

Source: caac.gov.cn

Open official page

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Power & SafetySave Offline

Emergency numbers in China

What it is: Basic emergency numbers to save offline.
When to use it: Save before travel and keep with your hotel and embassy/consulate contact.
Common mistake: Assuming 911 works in China.

Source: DayOne printable emergency card

Police 110 · Fire 119 · Ambulance 120

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Power & SafetyOfficial

Your country's embassy or consulate in China

What it is: Your own country's official contact source for lost passports, emergencies, and serious incidents.
When to use it: Save the nearest embassy or consulate contact before travel.
Common mistake: Not saving embassy contact details offline before arrival.

Source: Your government's official site

Find your embassy

Last checked: 2026-05-21

Independent guide

DayOne China is an independent travel preparation guide, not an official government service. Links above point to official government pages, provider pages, app-store pages, terms pages, and advisory sources used in the kit. Always verify rules, procedures, prices, limits, app support, and entry requirements with official sources and your own providers before travel.