Practical City Living Guide in China
1. Overview
The most common day-to-day matters for newcomers in Chinese cities are: getting a SIM card, opening a bank card and enabling mobile payment, using urban and inter-city transport, booking accommodation, and knowing emergency contacts. The content below is compiled from public materials such as the Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates issued by the Ministry of Commerce and other authorities.
2. Mobile communication (SIM card)
Bring your passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card to the service offices of telecom operators such as China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom and China Broadnet to apply for a SIM card and activate mobile communication services. Mobile plans usually include talk time and data allowances; different operators offer different plans you can choose from.
Tip: data is usually a limited quota; if your plan has little data, turn off mobile data when not in use to avoid overage.
3. Bank & mobile payment
Bank card: Bring your passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card and your domestic mobile number to a commercial bank branch, fill in the account-opening form; after receiving the card, verify or change the PIN at an ATM promptly, and consider installing the bank's mobile-banking app.
Mobile payment: Download and install WeChat or Alipay on your phone, register following the app guidance, and enter your foreign or domestic mobile number to activate it. Mobile payment now covers shopping, transport, bill payment and many daily scenarios.
4. Urban & inter-city transport
Major cities have metro, bus, taxi and ride-hailing; inter-city travel uses high-speed rail, flights and long-distance coaches. Tickets can be bought at station windows, official apps (e.g. China Railway 12306) or licensed platforms. Flights and high-speed trains usually require a valid passport or ID.
5. Hotel booking
At check-in the hotel front desk handles residence registration with your valid passport or other international travel document. Book through licensed platforms or the hotel's official channel and present your document at check-in.
6. Emergency contacts
| Need | Number |
|---|---|
| Assault / property crime | 110 |
| Fire | 119 |
| First aid | 120 |
| Lost passport | Report to the local police station immediately |
《外国商务人士在华工作生活指引（2024年版）》节选：
一、办理通信卡：携带护照或外国人永久居留身份证，到中国电信、中国移动、中国联通、中国广电等电信企业的营业厅申请办理手机SIM卡，开通移动通信服务。
二、办理银行卡：携带护照或外国人永久居留身份证、国内手机号到商业银行的营业厅办理，填写开户申请表办理银行卡；收到银行卡后，及时到ATM机上进行密码验证或修改。
三、开通移动支付：使用手机下载安装微信或支付宝APP，根据APP指引注册，输入国外或国内手机号等信息。
https://ba.china-embassy.gov.cn/zggk/202404/P020240411860402682408.pdf
All guides on this platform are based solely on official public information from the relevant Chinese authorities. We only organize and plainly restate it; we do not interpret, promise, or offer any agency service. Visa, residence and permanent-residence policies follow the latest official publications. Content about immigration / PR quotes official texts verbatim without exaggeration. We do not provide any unlawful or shortcut options. Report discrepancies via the footer "Contact / Report".
This guide was manually verified on 2026-11-01 (9 days ago). Based on official publications; always refer to the latest official source.
Official source: https://ba.china-embassy.gov.cn/zggk/202404/P020240411860402682408.pdf
In-depth Packs
Complete checklists and document templates, pay-to-download if you want them.
Checklists and a roundup of official apps for SIM, bank, mobile payment and transport — ready to use on arrival.