Practical 2026 guides for moving around China: metro QR payments, DiDi and taxis for foreigners, and how to avoid getting stuck at ticket gates or the wrong pickup point.
Driving · Rentals · Mainland China Can Foreigners Rent a Car in China? Why an IDP Isn’t Enough (2026) An International Driving Permit does not authorize driving on mainland Chinese roads. Short-stay visitors who insist on self-drive must obtain a Chinese temporary driving permit and meet local DMV rules. Most…
Payments · PayPal World · August 2026 PayPal in China 2026: US App QR at Weixin Merchants (Aug Update) PayPal’s 11 August 2026 newsroom update: US PayPal users can make in-store QR payments at Weixin Pay merchants across China through the PayPal app—powered by PayPal World and Tencent’s TenPay Global—with…
Payments · Alipay+ · 2026 Alipay+ Foreign Wallets in China (2026): Scan QR Without a Mainland Account Some travelers from Asia can pay in mainland China with their home e-wallet (Kakao Pay, Touch ’n Go, and others) through the Alipay+ network—scanning the same merchant QR codes locals use. Coverage is…
Shopping · STA policy · 2026 China Shopping Tax Refund (2026): Instant Refund & July 1 Changes China’s upgraded departure tax refund (“2.0”) aims to make shopping easier for overseas visitors. You still need an enrolled store and a customs step on departure—but instant refunds and cross-region rules expanded in…
Border entry · NIA · 2026 China Digital Arrival Card (2026): NIA 12367 & QR Guide Most foreign air, land, and sea arrivals to mainland China should file a digital arrival card before immigration—usually within 72 hours of landing. The form is free on NIA channels; paid third-party sites are…
Deals · VPN · 2026 VPN Deals for China: Surfshark & NordVPN Partner checkout offers for travelers who need Google/WhatsApp in China. Subscribe on the links below before you fly—pricing and multi-month discounts show on the live plan page. Start China Travel · Updated 16 Jul 2026 · Deal roundup…
Deals · eSIM · 2026 China eSIM Promo Codes: SIMPLE + STARTCHINATRAVEL Discount codes and partner links for China data—Airalo, Holafly, Trip.com. Enter the code at checkout, confirm the discount, then install before you fly. Start China Travel · Updated 16 Jul 2026 · Promo roundup (not a live activation…
Payments · 2026 PayPal at WeChat Pay merchants in China (2026): U.S. traveler guide American PayPal accounts can pay at Weixin Pay QR stalls through TenPay Global and PayPal World—no Chinese bank required. Everyone else should still bind Alipay and WeChat with a foreign card; use Trip.com for trains and…
Payment · Pillar · 2026 How to Pay in China (2026): Alipay, WeChat Pay & US Cards Street life runs on QR wallets. Chip-and-PIN rarely works at noodle shops. Bind Alipay and WeChat Pay to a foreign Visa/Mastercard before you fly, keep RMB cash, and prepay hotels/trains on your home…
Transport pillar · 2026 How to Get Around China as a Foreigner (2026) One decision tree for tourists: high-speed rail between cities, metro + DiDi inside them, Trip.com for trains and airport transfers, and four apps on your phone before landing. Deep dives link out—this page is the map. Start…
