First-week checklist
Your First Week in China: Step-by-Step Checklist
Twelve clearly labelled tasks for a safer, more organized first week.
Start with this guideComplete the tasks that make the rest of your first month easier. Confirm your accommodation record first, then establish connectivity and payments, test everyday travel and organize your records.
Each task is labelled GENERAL, LOCATION DEPENDENT or OPTIONAL. A location-dependent task needs a current check for your city, district, office or provider. An optional task is included only when it fits your plans.
01
How to use this checklist
For each task, record who owns it, what you need, what result you received and what happens next. A submission is not automatically a completed task; retain the confirmation or account access you may need later.
02
Before or on arrival
1. Put your arrival file within reach
Classification: GENERAL Keep your passport, current entry or stay documents, accommodation address, relevant contacts and payment backups available without depending on one app or device.
2. Confirm the address and check-in contact
Classification: GENERAL Save the full address in a usable format, confirm a contact name and number, and know how you will enter the property if you arrive late.
03
First 24 hours
3. Confirm who handles accommodation registration
Classification: LOCATION DEPENDENT For a hotel stay, confirm that the hotel recorded the passport used for the stay. For a rented, private or other non-hotel stay, you or your host must complete registration with local public security within 24 hours after arrival at the address. Keep the result produced by the applicable route.
Follow the accommodation registration guide.
4. Check first-day basics
Classification: GENERAL Charge devices, secure original documents, make sure essential medicines are accessible, test the route back to the accommodation and tell a trusted contact that you arrived.
04
Days two and three
5. Apply for a SIM and test it
Classification: LOCATION DEPENDENT Current official guidance directs foreigners using a passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card to service offices of China Telecom, China Mobile or China Unicom. Confirm the specific office's capability, complete real-name registration, then test calls, messages and data. Keep the number, account-access method and official support route.
Follow SIM and mobile setup.
6. Set up one mobile-payment route
Classification: LOCATION DEPENDENT Current official guidance describes registration for WeChat, Alipay or UnionPay using a foreign or Chinese mobile number. Follow current product prompts to link an eligible card, make a small ordinary payment and keep cash or a physical card as fallback. Provider, card and merchant results can vary.
Use the mobile payment setup guide.
7. Store reusable records securely
Classification: GENERAL Keep account-recovery details, registration confirmation, useful addresses and responsible contacts in secure storage you control. Do not place complete identity records in an unsecured shared folder.
05
By the end of week one
8. Test your most common journey
Classification: LOCATION DEPENDENT Test your main route before a time-sensitive commute. Keep the destination, payment method and return route available offline.
9. Prepare for intercity rail if needed
Classification: OPTIONAL Current national rules accept a foreign passport for real-name rail-ticket purchase through 12306 online and at a ticket window. Check current verification and travel instructions before purchase and carry the same identity document used for the booking.
10. Make a healthcare fallback
Classification: LOCATION DEPENDENT Identify a suitable routine-care option and an urgent-care route. Keep insurance information, medicines, allergies, emergency contact and a payment fallback accessible. Facility access and payment arrangements are local.
11. Confirm employer-, school- or sponsor-owned tasks
Classification: OPTIONAL When relevant, obtain a dated task list showing owners, deadlines, required originals and the responsible authority or office.
12. Plan weeks two to four
Classification: GENERAL Move non-urgent housing, situation-dependent administration, routine healthcare and other longer-term tasks into a short plan. Do not add a personal-banking process until current local requirements are separately verified.
Return to the first 30 days plan.
06
Completion table
| Task | Classification | Done when |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation registration | Location dependent | Confirmation is retained |
| SIM and mobile service | Location dependent | Calls, messages and data work |
| Mobile payment | Location dependent | A small payment succeeds and fallback exists |
| Daily route | Location dependent | Main trip and return route are saved |
| Arrival records | General | Proof and recovery details are stored securely |
| Work or school tasks | Optional | Owners and deadlines are written down |
| Healthcare fallback | Location dependent | Care route and key information are accessible |
07
If something does not work
Check the variable that controls the failed step. For accommodation, confirm the stay type, responsible party and local route. For a SIM, ask whether that office can process the identity document. For payments, read the current product message and check the issuer and merchant layer. Keep a fallback while resolving the issue.
08
Frequently asked questions
What is the most time-sensitive task?
Accommodation registration is the first regulated timing check. Identify whether the stay is a hotel or non-hotel stay immediately.
What should I carry during the first few days?
Carry the identity document needed for the task, your address, essential contacts and a payment fallback. Avoid carrying unnecessary sensitive originals.
What can wait?
Longer-term housing, optional travel, personal banking and other commitments can wait unless a responsible authority or organization gives you a specific deadline.