Guides
City guides for arrival prep
Search the city you are entering first, then add other cities to your saved plan.

Shanghai
Shanghai
The easiest China first stop if you prepare payment, internet, and the PVG/SHA arrival move.
Pudong Airport (PVG) · Hongqiao Airport (SHA)

Hangzhou
Zhejiang
A soft landing city if West Lake is planned around crowds and station transfers.
Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport (HGH) · Hangzhou East Railway Station

Guangzhou
Guangdong
Prepare for a large metro city with Cantonese food, business districts, and easy Greater Bay Area rail links.
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) · Guangzhou South Railway Station

Beijing
Beijing
Best prepared with entry timing, long transfer distances, and one realistic first-day sight.
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) · Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)

Chengdu
Sichuan
A relaxed first stop if you plan the airport choice and keep spicy food for after your setup works.
Chengdu Tianfu Airport (TFU) · Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU)

Shenzhen
Guangdong
A fast, app-forward city where border crossings, metro location, and payment setup matter most.
Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) · Shenzhen North Railway Station

Chongqing
Chongqing
A dramatic mountain city where navigation is easier if you plan lodging and vertical transfers in advance.
Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) · Chongqing North Railway Station

Qingdao
Shandong
A coastal city where the first choice is old town, beach, or business district.
Qingdao Jiaodong Airport (TAO) · Qingdao Railway Station

Kunming
Yunnan
A useful Yunnan gateway where altitude is mild but onward transfers need planning.
Kunming Changshui Airport (KMG) · Kunming Railway Station

Xiamen
Fujian
A compact coastal arrival if you separate island lodging from North Station rail logistics.
Xiamen Gaoqi Airport (XMN) · Xiamen Railway Station

Xi'an
Shaanxi
A strong history stop if you keep airport distance and Terracotta Army timing separate.
Xi'an Xianyang Airport (XIY) · Xi'an North Railway Station

Sanya
Hainan
A beach arrival where hotel area matters more than city-center sightseeing.
Sanya Phoenix Airport (SYX) · Sanya Railway Station

Harbin
Heilongjiang
A seasonal city where cold-weather prep and airport transfer timing matter.
Harbin Taiping Airport (HRB) · Harbin Railway Station

Dalian
Liaoning
A coastal northeast city where square, harbor, and beach distances shape the first day.
Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport (DLC) · Dalian Railway Station

Urumqi
Xinjiang
A far-west gateway where distances, security checks, and onward travel buffers matter.
Urumqi Diwopu Airport (URC) · Urumqi Railway Station

Nanjing
Jiangsu
An easy rail-linked city if you choose between Xinjiekou convenience and scenic districts.
Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG) · Nanjing South Railway Station

Fuzhou
Fujian
A practical Fujian stop where airport distance and old-town lodging shape the arrival.
Fuzhou Changle Airport (FOC) · Fuzhou Railway Station

Zhangjiajie
Hunan
A nature-focused arrival where the main decision is city, Wulingyuan, or park gate lodging.
Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) · Zhangjiajie West Railway Station

Haikou
Hainan
A northern Hainan gateway where airport, rail, and ferry context can matter.
Haikou Meilan Airport (HAK) · Haikou East Railway Station

Shenyang
Liaoning
A northeast hub where station choice, winter weather, and central lodging matter.
Shenyang Taoxian Airport (SHE) · Shenyang North Railway Station
Longer reads
First-timer guides

China guide
China
Visa, payments, connectivity, transport, and a calm first 24 hours. The foundation every first-time visitor needs.
- Visa & entry
- Alipay / WeChat
- eSIM vs VPN

Shanghai guide
Shanghai
PVG vs Hongqiao, where to stay on a first visit, and how to leave the airport without getting overcharged.
- PVG · SHA
- Stay zones
- Day 1 anchor

Hangzhou guide
Hangzhou
The hour-long train, the West Lake walk that actually works, and whether one day is enough or you need an overnight.
- High-speed rail
- West Lake
- Tea villages
Rather not read it all?
Build your China Arrival Plan instead.
Handle payment, internet, arrival route, hotel address, and final verification first.
Visa rules, payment-app behavior, and connectivity change. Verify time-sensitive items with official sources before departure.