VPNs and other tools worth installing before you go, curated for travelers visiting China.
China's National Immigration Administration provides a free online arrival card through its official website, the NIA 12367 app and NIA 12367 mini programs in WeChat and Alipay. The service began on November 20, 2025. Travelers who cannot submit in advance can use port devices, scan the official code or complete a paper card on arrival. Use only official NIA channels because paid lookalike arrival-form sites are unnecessary. Save the completion QR code and use the first mainland port where immigration occurs, not a later domestic connection. Hotels register foreign guests automatically. If you stay in a private home or other non-hotel accommodation, the host or traveler must register according to local rules. Since March 20, 2026, online accommodation registration has been piloted in Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing and Sichuan; outside supported areas, follow the local public security process. The official website and mini programs are enough for most short visits, so no additional utility app is recommended here. The NIA hotline is 12367. For emergencies in mainland China, call 110 for police, 119 for fire and 120 for an ambulance. Hong Kong and Macao use separate entry and emergency systems.
These apps need data
Guac eSIM covers China with plans from $1.50 per GB. Install it before you land and activate instantly.
China's National Immigration Administration provides a free online arrival card through its official website, the NIA 12367 app and NIA 12367 mini programs in WeChat and Alipay. The service began on November 20, 2025. Travelers who cannot submit in advance can use port devices, scan the official code or complete a paper card on arrival. Use only official NIA channels because paid lookalike arrival-form sites are unnecessary. Save the completion QR code and use the first mainland port where immigration occurs, not a later domestic connection. Hotels register foreign guests automatically. If you stay in a private home or other non-hotel accommodation, the host or traveler must register according to local rules. Since March 20, 2026, online accommodation registration has been piloted in Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing and Sichuan; outside supported areas, follow the local public security process. The official website and mini programs are enough for most short visits, so no additional utility app is recommended here. The NIA hotline is 12367. For emergencies in mainland China, call 110 for police, 119 for fire and 120 for an ambulance. Hong Kong and Macao use separate entry and emergency systems.
Use Octopus to pay, Citymapper to travel, and MyObservatory for official weather warnings
Rail-first travel, flexible IC cards, official Shinkansen booking, and disaster alerts
Use Naver Map, visitor-ready taxi and dining apps, and a separate transit balance
Official bus tracking, metered taxis and typhoon alerts for Macau
Cash, a physical EasyCard and a few well-chosen apps cover most trips
