At the Airport

Before you fly: essential preparation

Travelling to China involves a layer of digital preparation that most Western travellers underestimate. China operates a largely separate digital ecosystem — Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, and most Western apps are blocked. Before you depart, you'll need a VPN installed (get one before you land, because the App Store in China won't let you download them), WeChat set up (it's essential for communication and increasingly for payments), and an offline Mandarin dictionary like Pleco installed for moments without internet.

You'll also want to have your travel documents in order: passport, visa (unless you're from a visa-exempt country), your accommodation address written in Chinese characters (hotel staff can print this for you), and any important contacts saved with country codes. Chinese addresses on paper — not just on your phone — are invaluable if your battery dies or your data doesn't connect immediately on arrival.

Currency is another consideration. China has moved dramatically toward mobile payment (WeChat Pay and Alipay), but foreign cards can be tricky to set up with these systems. Bring some Chinese yuan (RMB/CNY) in cash for your first day, and have a Visa or Mastercard credit card for hotels and larger purchases. Many airports have exchange counters and ATMs that accept foreign cards.

Check-in: phrases you'll actually use

Check-in at Chinese airports works similarly to Western airports — you approach the counter, present your documents, check baggage, and receive a boarding pass. The difference is that staff at smaller regional airports may have limited English, making these phrases genuinely useful.

Security and immigration

Chinese airport security tends to be thorough. Laptops and liquids follow the same rules as most international airports. There are often separate lanes for Chinese citizens and foreign nationals — look for signs that say 外国人 (wàiguó rén — foreigners) or 中国公民 (zhōngguó gōngmín — Chinese citizens) and join the appropriate queue.

At immigration for arrivals, you'll need to complete an arrival card (usually provided on the plane). Have your hotel address ready in Chinese — the form may require this. Officials rarely speak much English, so knowing how to say "I'm here for tourism" or "I'm here for business" is worth having ready.

Baggage claim and customs

After immigration, follow signs for 行李提取 (xíngli tíqǔ — baggage claim). Carousels are numbered and displayed on screens. If your bag doesn't arrive, the lost baggage desk is 行李查询 (xíngli cháxún).

Chinese customs distinguishes between items to declare and items that don't require declaration. Cash over 20,000 RMB (or equivalent foreign currency) must be declared. Items for commercial use (multiple units of the same product, large quantities of gifts) may attract attention. Declare anything you're unsure about — Chinese customs officials are generally straightforward if you're upfront.

Getting from the airport into the city

China's major airports are exceptionally well connected to city centres. Beijing, Shanghai, and most large cities have direct airport express trains — fast, affordable, and straightforward. The alternative is taxis or ride-hailing via DiDi (China's equivalent of Uber).

For taxis: always use metered taxis from official ranks (排队处 — páiduì chù — queuing area). Avoid touts who approach you in arrivals — their prices are invariably inflated. Have your destination written in Chinese characters to show the driver; verbal Mandarin addresses are often misunderstood even by local drivers.

For DiDi: the app works with foreign phone numbers but requires a local payment method or international credit card setup. It's worth getting working before you arrive — it's the cheapest and most convenient option once it's set up.

Departure: flying out of China

Departing from Chinese airports is generally smooth, but allow extra time. Security can be slow, and some airports require a second security check at the gate. International departure terminals often have extensive shopping and dining — duty-free liquor and cosmetics are popular, and the food options at larger airports are excellent.

Online check-in works for most airlines, but you'll need to collect your boarding pass and check luggage in person at Chinese airports — fully self-service check-in for international flights is rare. Counters typically open three hours before departure and close 45 minutes before.

Key airport vocabulary