China Travel Help
Getting ready to make your China trip easy
FYI: This info while perfect for Beijing will actually be valid for the great majority of China
eSIM Cards
A roaming SIM like Nomad is a simple way to get “real” internet in China without messing around
Buy a China eSIM before you arrive, install it, and when you’re using mobile data it’s typically routed outside China—so the usual blocked apps/sites work without needing an external VPN. Just keep in mind: hotel/cafe Wi-Fi is still behind the Great Firewall, so this “everything works” experience is specifically when you’re on the Nomad eSIM’s cellular data, not on local Wi-Fi
Pick a fixed-data plan that matches your trip length (e.g., 10–30GB for 30 days for maps/messaging/social, or a larger bundle for longer stays), then land, switch on the eSIM, and you’re good. Click to order your Nomad China eSIM
Payments & Money
Alipay + WeChat Pay: set them up before you arrive
China runs on QR payments. If you land without at least one of these apps verified and bound to a card, basic things (taxis, cafés, small shops) get annoying fast.
Prioritize Alipay: it’s generally the smoother setup + day-to-day experience for visitors (and it’s designed with an “international version” flow).
Also set up WeChat: even if you mainly use Alipay, WeChat is the default local communication app and a useful payment backup.
Fees are usually simple: single payments under CNY 200 are typically fee-free, and above CNY 200 a 3% fee may apply (you’ll see it on the payment screen).
Do this before your flight:
Install Alipay + WeChat and register with your phone number.
Complete identity verification, then bind a bank/credit card in at least one app.
Open the payment/QR screen once to confirm the card is selectable (so you’re not debugging it at the airport).
Cabs & Public Transit
Amap + Alipay for transport: get around without Google Maps or ticket machines
Amap is the practical “China Google Maps”: accurate place search, walking routes, and public-transport directions where you actually need them.
For cabs, the lowest-friction approach for visitors is usually DiDi inside Alipay - you request the ride, and payment happens automatically through the same Alipay setup you’re already using.
For subways and buses, Alipay → Transport lets you set up digital transit QR codes so you can tap in/out (or board) without ticket machines; cities often treat metro and bus as separate QR “cards.”
Download Amap and use it for daily navigation.
In Alipay → Transport, add your Metro QR and Bus QR (two separate setups), then open the QR once to confirm it’s ready.
For DiDi, open it inside Alipay, allow location, enter pickup/destination, then pay automatically through Alipay. (Not recommended from the airport the first time—ideally our staff helps you once; drivers often speak only Chinese.)
Biking through Beijing
shared bikes: the fastest way to do “last 1–2 km” in China (or WAAAyyyy more)
There are multiple companies (you’ll see different colors/branding). You can use each company’s own app, but most visitors just scan the bike QR with Alipay and it opens that brand’s mini-app flow.
Usually it’s one active ride per company/mini-app—so if you need multiple bikes at once, it’s often easier if they’re different brands (each handled separately).
Be picky about where you end the ride: you generally need to leave bikes in normal bike parking areas / where you already see other shared bikes, otherwise the app may refuse to end the trip (and some cities charge a dispatch/penalty fee for parking outside operating or designated zones).
To unlock: scan the QR with Alipay (or the brand app) and follow the prompts.
To finish: park the bike (almost anywhere, to be honest), then end/lock in the app
If you can’t find the unlock/ride screen again: scan the same bike QR in Alipay again - it typically reopens the ride flow so you can continue or end it cleanly.
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