On December 17 2024, the National Immigration Administration of China announced that the stay period for foreigners eligible for visa-free transit in China would be extended to 240(before 144 hours). Meanwhile, 21 additional ports were newly designated as ports for the entry and exit of visa-free transit personnel, further expanding the areas where they can stay and move around. After the new policy was released, eligible personnel from 54 countries including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, who are transiting through China to a third country (region), can enter China without visas through any of the 60 ports open to the outside world in 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government), and are allowed to travel across provincial regions within the areas where staying and activities are permitted in these 24 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government).

SIM card
There are three major telecom operators in China, and their logos are as follows.

After entering the country, you can usually find their service points at the airport. With just your passport, you can apply for a SIM card. Their prices are generally within 100 yuan (CNY), mainly depending on the package you choose,It can be used right after you insert the card.
Mobile phone numbers in China consist of 11 digits, like 138402144xx. Remember your number, as it may be needed when you activate mobile payment.


Which mobile apps do you need when you come to China?

	Wechat The main functions that you may use: Chat with friends, make payments, book hotels, take taxis, book train tickets, book plane tickets.
	Alipay The main functions that you may use: Make payments, book hotels, take taxis, book train tickets, book plane tickets.
	Amap The main functions are navigation (supporting cycling, driving, walking, taking buses and subways) and checking out what kinds of places there are in the surrounding areas.
Wechat and Alipay Mobile payment can only be used after it is activated in the application. To activate it, a passport, an overseas bank card (credit card,Visa,Club) and a mobile phone number bound to it (for receiving text messages) are required. Since it involves money, the steps may be relatively complicated. However, for you who have been using mobile phones for many years, this is not a difficult thing. 1.The exchange rate at the time of payment will be subject to the exchange rates of the card organization to which the overseas bank card belongs and the issuing bank. 2.No handling fee will be charged for a single transaction with an amount less than or equal to 200 yuan. A handling fee of 3% will be charged for a single transaction with an amount greater than 200 yuan. If a refund is initiated, the handling fee will also be refunded proportionally according to the refund amount.