Before you book a flight to China
The "before you book" stage for foreign travelers — visa requirements by nationality, 240-hour visa-free transit, when to visit, and the practical setup questions that come up two months before the flight.
Do you need a visa?
China's policy varies sharply by passport — fully visa-free for many EU/SE-Asia nationalities, transit-only for the US, full L-visa for some others. Start with the checker.
China Visa Requirements Checker
Tool103 nationalities · refreshed monthly
Check your specific nationality — visa-free / transit-eligible / visa-required, with max stay days and entry conditions.
Open the tool240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Planner
Tool58 eligible nationalities · 60+ ports
Plan a 3–10 day stay without a visa. Eligibility check, entry/exit ports, and pre-built itineraries by region.
Open the toolChina visa for US citizens
GuideFull L-visa application path for US passport holders — required documents, the 33mm × 48mm photo specs, the ~$185 reciprocity fee, processing time, and the 10-year multi-entry visa restored in 2023. Covers the process change of 1 April 2025: the form AND the supporting documents must now be filed online in the New COVA system for preliminary review, forms from the old system are no longer accepted, and the in-person CVASC visit only happens once the status reads 'Passport to be submitted'. Includes when the 240-hour visa-free transit beats applying for a visa.
240-hour visa-free transit
GuideChina's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy explained — who qualifies, the 60+ approved entry ports, what 'third-country' means, the documents to show at the gate, and how it compares to full visa-free entry and the L-visa. Use the visa-checker tool for your specific nationality.
When to go
China spans 5 climate zones. The right month depends on the region — and avoiding the three Chinese holiday weeks when prices triple.
Best time to visit China
GuideThe decisive month-by-month answer for China travel timing — late Sep–Oct and late Mar–May for Beijing/Shanghai/Xi'an, year-round for Yunnan, Apr–Oct only for Tibet. Plus the 3 Chinese holiday weeks (Spring Festival, May 1, Oct 1) when prices triple and trains sell out, and how to choose by traveler type (first-timer, photographer, low-budget).
Already picked a month? See routes
Once timing is locked, the rail map decides which cities pair well — durations, prices, and daily train counts for 36 routes across China.
Open the rail map
Practical setup
Payments and connectivity are the two biggest "I should have figured this out before I left" friction points. Coverage in progress.
Alipay Tour Pass for Foreigners
Coming soonSet up Alipay with a foreign card so you can pay anywhere in China — including 12306 and street food.
Getting a Chinese SIM or eSIM
Coming sooneSIM options that work day one, plus the registration steps for a physical SIM at the airport.
Once you've decided to go
The next questions are where and how to get around.