Before You Fly: Preparing for Beijing
11. Can Foreigners Use Alipay and WeChat Pay in Beijing?
✅ Quick Answer
Yes. Most international visitors can now link eligible overseas Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover and certain other international bank cards to Alipay and WeChat Pay, making it much easier to pay in Beijing than it was a few years ago.
Although cash is still legal and accepted, Beijing has become a largely cashless city. From convenience stores and restaurants to taxis and vending machines, mobile payments are now the preferred way to pay.
🎤 What Our Licensed Beijing Guides Say
“The first thing many visitors worry about is money. Once they successfully set up Alipay or WeChat Pay, travelling around Beijing becomes much easier.”
💡 CTB Travel Tip
Don’t wait until you land.
Download both apps before leaving home, link your bank cards, and complete any identity verification while you still have reliable internet access.
Even if you prefer using one app, install both. Occasionally one merchant may accept one platform but not the other.
📌 Good to Know
Many museums, restaurants and shops now display QR codes instead of traditional card terminals.
🔗 Related CTB Guides
- Complete Guide to Alipay for Foreign Travellers
- How to Set Up WeChat Pay Before Visiting China
12. Should I Bring Cash to Beijing?
✅ Quick Answer
Yes—but only a small amount.
Most travellers find that mobile payments cover almost every purchase, while a small amount of Chinese Renminbi (RMB) provides useful backup if your phone battery runs low or you encounter technical issues.
🎤 What Our Licensed Beijing Guides Say
“We usually suggest carrying enough cash for emergencies rather than daily spending.”
💡 CTB Travel Tip
Keep one emergency banknote separate from your wallet.
Hopefully you’ll never need it—but if your phone is lost, damaged or out of battery, you’ll be glad you planned ahead.
📌 Good to Know
Chinese law requires businesses to accept cash, although many staff members are much more accustomed to digital payments.
13. Which Apps Should I Install Before Visiting Beijing?
✅ Quick Answer
Installing the right apps before departure will save you a great deal of time and frustration after arriving.
Our Recommended Essentials
✔ Alipay
✔ DiDi
✔ Baidu Maps (or another China-compatible map)
✔ Translation app
✔ Airline app
✔ Hotel booking confirmation
🎤 What Our Licensed Beijing Guides Say
“Visitors who prepare their phones before flying usually enjoy a much smoother first day.”
💡 CTB Travel Tip
Create an “China Travel” folder on your phone containing all your essential apps together.
When you’re tired after a long flight, you’ll appreciate not having to search through dozens of icons.
🔗 Related CTB Guides
- Essential Apps Every Visitor Needs in China
14. Will My Google Maps Work in Beijing?
✅ Quick Answer
Google Maps can be useful for researching attractions before your trip, but many travellers find it less reliable for walking and public transport navigation within mainland China.
🎤 What Our Licensed Beijing Guides Say
“Many visitors arrive relying entirely on Google Maps, then discover that local mapping apps often provide more accurate information.”
💡 CTB Travel Tip
Download offline maps where possible and learn how to recognise your hotel’s name in Chinese.
Having the Chinese address saved can make taking taxis much easier.
📌 Good to Know
Navigation apps designed for China are generally updated more frequently with local road changes and transport information.
15. Should I Buy a SIM Card or an eSIM?
✅ Quick Answer
For most short-term visitors, an international travel eSIM is the simplest solution.
Those staying longer or travelling extensively around China may prefer purchasing a local SIM card after arrival.
🎤 What Our Licensed Beijing Guides Say
“Many guests now arrive with an eSIM already activated, allowing them to get online immediately after landing.”
💡 CTB Travel Tip
Set everything up before leaving home.
The airport is not the ideal place to troubleshoot mobile connectivity after a long flight.
🔗 Related CTB Guides
- Best eSIMs for China
- SIM Card vs eSIM: Which Is Better?
16. What Should I Pack for Beijing?
✅ Quick Answer
Pack according to the season—but remember that comfortable walking shoes are essential all year round.
Most visitors walk far more in Beijing than they expect.
🎤 What Our Licensed Beijing Guides Say
“People often remember cameras and forget comfortable shoes.”
CTB Packing Essentials
✔ Comfortable walking shoes
✔ Portable power bank
✔ Universal travel adaptor
✔ Reusable water bottle
✔ Passport copies
✔ Personal medications
✔ Light rain jacket
💡 CTB Travel Tip
Bring a lightweight backpack rather than carrying everything in your hands.
You’ll appreciate it after climbing thousands of steps at the Great Wall.
17. What Clothes Should I Wear in Beijing?
✅ Quick Answer
Beijing experiences four distinct seasons, so clothing depends greatly on when you visit.
Seasonal Overview
Spring
Layers and a light jacket.
Summer
Light clothing, hat and sunscreen.
Autumn
Comfortable layers.
Many travellers consider this the most pleasant season.
Winter
A proper winter coat, gloves and scarf are recommended.
🎤 What Our Licensed Beijing Guides Say
“Foreign visitors often underestimate how cold Beijing winters can feel.”
💡 CTB Travel Tip
Check the forecast a few days before departure rather than relying only on average seasonal temperatures.
18. Should I Learn Some Chinese Before Visiting?
✅ Quick Answer
You don’t need to become fluent—but learning a few simple Mandarin phrases can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
Even basic greetings often bring warm smiles from locals.
🎤 What Our Licensed Beijing Guides Say
“People genuinely appreciate visitors who make an effort to speak even a few words.”
Useful Phrases
你好 (Nǐ hǎo)
Hello
谢谢 (Xièxie)
Thank you
请 (Qǐng)
Please
厕所在哪里？
(Cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?)
Where is the toilet?
💡 CTB Travel Tip
Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation.
Confidence matters more than perfection.
19. Should I Exchange Money Before Flying?
✅ Quick Answer
It’s useful to arrive with a small amount of Renminbi (RMB), but there’s no need to exchange large sums before travelling.
🎤 What Our Licensed Beijing Guides Say
“Many visitors bring far too much cash and end up using almost none of it.”
💡 CTB Travel Tip
Carry enough cash to cover your first meal or transport, then rely primarily on mobile payments throughout your stay.
20. What Should I Do Before Boarding My Flight?
✅ Quick Answer
Spend fifteen minutes running through a simple checklist. It can save hours of frustration after you arrive.
✅ CTB’s Pre-Departure Checklist
✔ Passport valid for at least six months (check your destination’s requirements)
✔ Visa or visa-free eligibility confirmed
✔ Hotel reservations saved
✔ Attraction reservations completed where required
✔ Alipay and WeChat Pay set up
✔ Essential apps installed
✔ Mobile data or eSIM activated
✔ Passport copies stored digitally
✔ Emergency contacts saved
✔ Hotel name and address available in both English and Chinese
🎤 What Our Licensed Beijing Guides Say
“The travellers who enjoy Beijing the most usually aren’t the ones with the biggest budget—they’re the ones who prepared well.”
🧭 Our Verdict
The biggest surprise for many first-time visitors isn’t Beijing itself—it’s how digital the city has become. A little preparation before you board your flight will make your first day far less stressful and allow you to focus on what really matters: discovering one of the world’s most fascinating capitals.
Continue to Part 3
In the next chapter, we’ll answer the questions travellers ask the moment they land:
- Which Beijing airport should I fly into?
- How do I get from the airport to the city?
- Is the Beijing Metro easy to use?
- Should I use taxis or DiDi?
- Where should I stay for my first visit?
- Which neighbourhood is best for sightseeing?
