Do these 5 things before you fly
Apps, eSIM, payments and offline copies — sorted before boarding.
At a glance
Some apps and sites are hard to reach once you land. Install and test while your home internet still works.
1. Install apps at home
Download WeChat, Alipay, a map app and any VPN app now. Some are hard to find in a China App Store, and their websites may not open after you land. Do not switch your App Store country on a whim.
2. Get your eSIM ready
Buy and install a travel eSIM before you go, but check when its days start counting. Many start on first use in China, so leave it switched off until you land.
3. Try payments and sign-ins once
Add your card to Alipay or WeChat Pay, and sign in to email and banking apps while codes still reach your home number. Bring a bank card as a backup.
4. Save things offline
Keep hotel addresses in Chinese, bookings and offline maps on your phone. Bookmark or screenshot the arrival help page so it is ready when you need it.
5. Test your VPN app once
If you set up a VPN app for hotel Wi-Fi, add your link and test it at home. It is much easier to fix before you leave. Then tick off the phone-ready checklist.
A few more notes for your journey.
Why does WeChat work but Google won’t load?
The two-minute idea behind most internet surprises in China.
3 MIN READ ↗Prepare your apps, payments and verification codes
Install your apps, set up payments and keep your home number for texts.
4 MIN READ ↗Why we recommend Trip.com’s eSIM
A mainland China travel eSIM to compare first — not a promise that every listing is identical.
Tick off your phone before you fly.
A nine-item checklist. Ticks only record your own progress.