Days 1–2: get the basics working
- Data working on your phone, payment app tested on a small purchase.
- Accommodation registration done. Hotels register you at check-in. If you stay in a private home or rented flat, the registration must be made with the local police within 24 hours of arrival (in cities); ask your host how they handle it.
- Find the nearest metro station, convenience store and pharmacy.
Week 1: build a routine
- Locate a clinic or hospital with an international or VIP department, and check whether your insurer pays directly.
- Try grocery delivery and food delivery apps; many work inside Alipay or WeChat.
- If you work remotely, test two or three co-working spaces or cafés for reliable Wi-Fi.
Weeks 2–4: settle in and look around
- Keep track of how many days your entry permits you to stay and plan your exit or extension well ahead, through the official process.
- If you move between cities or flats, register again at each new address.
- Plan weekend trips by high-speed rail; book early around public holidays.
- Learn a few phrases. Numbers, "how much", and your address go a long way.
Watch out for
- Public holidays (Spring Festival, May Day, National Day) when trains and hotels sell out.
- Overstaying your permitted period, which carries penalties. Check your dates against the official rules.
Information only. This is general information, not legal advice. Registration and stay rules are set by the National Immigration Administration and local public security bureaus.