Prepare the phone before you fly
Connectivity and app availability in mainland China can differ from what you are used to at home. A good setup reduces stress after landing.
Useful categories to prepare
- Payments: install and verify your preferred mobile-payment app.
- Translation: download offline language packs if the app supports them.
- Maps: save key hotel, station and attraction names in Chinese characters.
- Transport: install airline apps and the official 12306 rail service if you plan to use trains.
- Account access: make sure you can receive verification codes and have recovery methods that do not depend on one device.
- Offline files: keep screenshots or PDFs of hotel confirmations, flight details, insurance and passport information.
Hotel Wi-Fi is not the whole plan
Even if every hotel advertises Wi-Fi, you still need data between airports, stations and attractions. Confirm international roaming, travel eSIM/SIM options and device compatibility before departure.
Network access and service availability can change. Check your carrier and the current terms of the apps you rely on before travel.