Pre-Departure Guide: Preparing for Life in China
Everything you need to set up before boarding your flight—digital tools, finances, and housing.
You have your visa sorted. Now it is time to prepare for the reality of daily life in China. The weeks before departure are critical—many things that are easy to set up at home become difficult or impossible once you land.
This section covers the three pillars of pre-departure preparation:
What You'll Learn
- Digital Survival: How to cross the Great Firewall, set up VPNs, and switch to China's app ecosystem.
- Money & Payments: How to navigate the world's most advanced cashless economy with your foreign bank card.
- Housing & Accommodation: Choosing between campus dorms and private apartments, and avoiding common scams.
The Golden Rule
⚠️ DO IT BEFORE YOU FLY
If something can be downloaded, installed, verified, or set up from your home country—do it now. China's internet restrictions mean that many Western apps and services become difficult to access once you are inside the country.
Readiness Checklist
Before you board your flight, ensure you have completed:
- Installed 2 VPNs on your phone and laptop.
- Downloaded WeChat and Alipay, and completed identity verification.
- Linked your foreign Visa/Mastercard to Alipay.
- Packed ~2,000–3,000 RMB in cash.
- Confirmed your housing situation (dorm booking or hotel for arrival week).