Why we built China Arrival Made Simple, and how we hope it helps your trip.
China is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world to visit — ancient history, stunning landscapes, incredible food, and warm, welcoming people. Yet many first-time visitors are put off by the unfamiliar paperwork, payment systems, and language barrier.
We created China Arrival Made Simple because we believe that anyone can enjoy a wonderful trip to China with the right preparation. Our mission is simple:
To make every piece of information a first-time visitor to China needs as clear, friendly, and printable as possible — so you can focus on enjoying your adventure rather than worrying about paperwork.
All our guides are written for people who are not necessarily comfortable with technology — we know that not everyone wants to fumble with three different apps at a foreign airport! That's why every guide here can be printed on A4 paper and taken with you as a physical backup.
Our guides are written with a slightly older traveller in mind — someone who might prefer a printed guide to a smartphone app, and who wants clear, reassuring instructions rather than trendy jargon.
Travelling to China with family or a group? Print enough copies of our guides for everyone. The phrasebook especially is great to share so the whole group can point to phrases when needed.
Not on a package tour? Then these guides are especially valuable. Independent travellers need to navigate paperwork, payments, and transport on their own — and we make that much easier.
Coming to China for work? Our arrival guide and language section are equally useful for first-time business visitors. The cultural etiquette section is particularly worth reading before any business meetings.
Always free — We will never charge for our guides, ask for your email address, or put content behind a paywall.
Plain language — We actively avoid travel jargon and technical terminology. If a word might confuse someone, we choose a simpler word instead.
Print-first design — Every single guide is designed to print cleanly on A4 paper, with no wasted ink on dark backgrounds or decorative elements that don't serve a purpose on paper.
Honest about limitations — China's entry requirements, apps, and processes change frequently. We always remind you to verify the latest information with official sources before you travel.
The information on this website is provided for general guidance only. While we do our very best to keep all guides accurate and up to date, travel requirements — including visa rules, digital arrival card systems, payment platforms, and entry procedures — can change at any time without notice.
We strongly recommend that you:
Check the latest entry requirements with your country's official government travel advice website (e.g., gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for UK citizens, travel.state.gov for US citizens).
Verify visa requirements at the official Chinese Embassy or Consulate website for your country.
Confirm payment app requirements directly with Alipay or WeChat Pay, as eligibility for international users may change.
Consult a qualified doctor or travel health clinic for up-to-date medical and vaccination advice at least 6 weeks before travel.
This website is not affiliated with the Chinese government, any official tourism body, or any of the apps or services mentioned in our guides. We are independent and unpaid. All product and service names are trademarks of their respective owners.
We accept no liability for any loss, damage, or inconvenience arising from the use of information on this site. Travel is always undertaken at your own risk. Please purchase comprehensive travel insurance before your trip.
We work hard to keep our guides accurate, but things do change! If you notice any information that seems out of date or incorrect, we would genuinely appreciate you letting us know.
We review and update our guides regularly, especially around major Chinese policy changes and public holidays.
We hope our guides help you have a wonderful, stress-free trip to China. China is a remarkable country with 5,000 years of history, extraordinary food, and some of the most welcoming people you'll meet anywhere in the world. Enjoy every moment of it!
Ready to start planning? Begin with our most popular guide:
✈️ Go to the Arrival Guide →