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Before You Fly: Trip Planning

The pre-departure command center. These are the core decisions and phone setups that can make or break your entry before boarding your flight.

Essential Gear
7 Must-Pack Travel Items for China

Flight-approved 100Wh power banks, Type A/I plug adapters, pocket tissues, filtered water bottles, and slim RFID passport wallets.

Read Gear Guide →
Entry & Visa
Visa-Free Entry, Decoded
Border runs do NOT reset your days. What actually counts.
Read Entry Rules →
Payment & Money
Alipay & the 3% Fee Trap
Why payments over 200 RMB cost extra — and the split-bill fix.
Read Payment Guide →
Comparison
Alipay vs. WeChat Pay: Do You Need Both?
Why small-town stalls only take WeChat, and why Alipay wins on transit.
Read Comparison →
Connectivity
eSIMs Beat VPNs in China
The right travel eSIM skips the Great Firewall entirely.
Read eSIM Guide →
Apps & Tech
The China App Ecosystem
Replacing Google Maps, Uber & Translate before landing.
Read App Guide →
Luggage & Customs
Power Banks & Packing Rules
The 100Wh rule and why security seizes worn-label chargers.
Read Luggage Rules →
Weather & Dates
Best Time to Visit China
Avoid 42°C furnace cities and the October Golden Week crowds.
Read Season Guide →
Itinerary Framework
First Trip: 10–14 Days
The transit math that kills overpacked itineraries.
Read the Framework →
Interactive Tool
The 48-Hour Departure Checklist
Cards, eSIM, cash, power bank. Tick them off.
Open the Checklist →