🇨🇳 How to Arrive in China Smoothly – Entry Requirements, Airports, and What to Expect
🇨🇳 How to Arrive in China Smoothly – Entry Requirements, Airports, and What to Expect
For many travelers, China feels like a world of its own—vast, layered with history, yet pulsing with futuristic cities and complex logistics. The moment you land, everything seems just a bit different: the signs, the systems, the sense of order. But if you come prepared, that first step into China can feel less like a culture shock and more like stepping into a beautifully choreographed dance.
This guide walks you through how to arrive in China with confidence—whether you’re flying into Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, traveling solo or on business.
1. Entry Requirements – What You Need Before You Fly
Before you even book your ticket, take note: entering China involves more paperwork than most destinations. Here's what you’ll need:
A Valid Chinese Visa: For most nationalities, this is non-negotiable. Tourist visas (L-type) typically require hotel bookings, roundtrip flights, and a completed application submitted to your local Chinese consulate or visa center.
Passport Valid for at Least 6 Months: And with at least one blank visa page.
Health Declarations: As of 2025, travelers no longer need PCR tests or quarantine, but a health declaration form is still required. This can be filled out on China Customs' official mini-app on WeChat (more on that later).
Proof of Accommodation: At least for the first few nights.
Travel Itinerary: Immigration officers may ask about your plans. Having a rough idea helps.
2. Major Entry Points – Which Airports to Use
Most international travelers arrive in one of China’s major airports:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) – Ideal for exploring northern China, historical sites, and the Great Wall.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) – A popular entry point for travelers headed to the east coast or business hubs.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) – Convenient if you're visiting the south or traveling onward to Hong Kong or Macau.
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) – Your gateway to the west, Sichuan cuisine, and panda sanctuaries.
All four are modern, well-connected, and equipped to handle international arrivals—just be prepared for longer lines and language barriers, especially outside of Shanghai.
3. Arrival Process – Step by Step
Here’s what typically happens when you land:
Disembark & Health Code Check: You may be asked to scan a QR code to fill out the health declaration form if you haven’t already (best to do this before landing).
Immigration Control: This can take anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour. Be patient. Smile.
Fingerprint & Face Scan: Most visitors will have biometrics collected upon arrival.
Luggage Collection: Smooth but can be slow at peak times.
Customs Declaration: Declare items like cash over $5,000 USD, drones, large electronics, etc.
4. Transportation After Arrival – Getting to Your Hotel
Metro Systems: Available at most major airports. Cheap, efficient, though signage might be limited in English.
Airport Express Trains: In cities like Beijing and Shanghai, these are the fastest way to the city center.
Taxis & Ride-Hailing Apps: Didi (China’s version of Uber) works well but requires a Chinese phone number and some Chinese-language skills. Have your hotel address written in Mandarin.
Hotel Transfers: Often available for free or a small fee—ask ahead when booking.
5. Tips for a Smooth Arrival
Download Key Apps in Advance: WeChat, Alipay, Baidu Maps, and the China Customs health declaration mini-app.
Have Screenshots Ready: Visa, hotel booking, and travel itinerary—offline versions can save you during spotty Wi-Fi moments.
Avoid Public Discussions: China has strict internet laws and censorship. Be aware and respectful.
Jet Lag Tip: Hydrate well and plan a calm first evening. China’s pace can wait for you to catch up.
Your arrival in China can feel like stepping into the future wrapped in tradition. There will be moments of awe, of confusion, of beauty tucked behind everyday scenes. Give yourself time to adjust. Travel here rewards the curious and the prepared.
And remember: it’s okay to slow down and take it all in. China isn’t just a destination—it’s a rhythm, a language, a pulse that becomes clearer with every step you take.
With care and clarity,
Kim Ngân – storyteller & slow traveler