China Airport Arrival Survival Guide
From landing to hotel without payment, SIM or taxi mistakes.
TL;DR: After landing, turn on data, confirm Alipay, screenshot the hotel address in Chinese, use official taxi/Didi channels and keep the first day light.
Last reviewed2026-08-27
Risk levelMedium · verify time-sensitive rules
Best next stepSave the Starter Kit
Step by step
- Before passport control, keep passport, arrival card and hotel address ready.
- After baggage, turn on eSIM/VPN and test Alipay with a small purchase if possible.
- Avoid unofficial drivers in the arrival hall; use Didi, metro or the official taxi queue.
- Show the hotel address in Chinese characters, not only English.
- Do not schedule a major timed-entry sight on arrival day.
FAQ
Should I exchange cash at the airport?
Carry a small backup amount, but mobile payment should handle most costs.
Is airport taxi safe?
Official taxi queues are generally fine; avoid touts.
What if Alipay fails?
Use a card-friendly hotel desk, airport ATM cash, or ask staff to help order a taxi.
Next step
Turn this into a trip-ready system
Save the free kit, then upgrade to the full China Travel OS: every current paid city guide, offline cards, route packs, templates and emergency backups.