Your first two hours after landing in China
Arrival day is where most China trips go wrong, and almost always for the same reason: the traveller planned everything for a phone that works and landed with a phone that does not. The order in which you do things matters. Procedures, availability and providers vary and change; confirm current information for your airport and itinerary.
Editorial planning notice: information, prices, eligibility, availability, laws, network access, safety conditions and provider terms can change. Independently verify current official and provider information before traveling, booking, buying or relying on any option.
Do this before you board
Save your accommodation address in Chinese characters as an image or offline note, save an offline map of the city, and make sure your intended connectivity option is already installed and activated where that is possible.
The single highest-value item is the address in Chinese. A driver who cannot read your booking confirmation can read a Chinese address, and that one screenshot resolves the most common arrival failure.
Immigration and baggage
Expect an arrival card or its electronic equivalent, fingerprinting at automated kiosks, and a queue that varies enormously by airport and time of day. Have your accommodation address written down, because you will likely need it.
Entry requirements, documentation and procedures vary by nationality and change frequently. Confirm current official requirements before travel.
Connectivity before you leave the terminal
Do not walk out of the terminal until you have confirmed working data, or have accepted that you will operate offline until your hotel. Airport wifi often requires a verification step that itself assumes a working phone number, which is a trap worth planning around.
Test the specific apps you intend to rely on, not just the connection. Network access, routing and app behaviour vary by provider and location.
Money in the first hour
Mobile payment dominates day-to-day spending, but arrival day is exactly when a payment app is most likely to fail verification. Carry a modest amount of cash as a bridge for the first transport leg, and treat any card as a backup rather than a plan.
Acceptance, fees and verification requirements vary by issuer, merchant and app; test permitted options and keep suitable backups.
Getting into the city
Airport rail links, where they exist, are usually the most predictable option and avoid traffic. Official taxi ranks are reliable but expect a queue and have your address ready in Chinese. Ride-hailing typically requires a working phone and app.
Avoid anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a ride. Use the official rank or the rail link.