China independent travel rarely fails on sightseeing—it fails when you land and discover you cannot pay, cannot hail a ride, cannot buy HSR tickets, or cannot open Google. This checklist lists what you can finish in Taiwan so you can tick boxes before you fly.
These articles are text-first for now (videos / screenshots may come later). Each item explains why it matters and what “done” looks like for first-timers.
Tick these 8 items before you leave
- Travel Permit still valid (passport as backup ID)
- Finish Alipay real-name + card bind, and complete one small payment
- Finish WeChat Pay real-name + card bind
- Install Amap (Baidu optional)
- Open DiDi / Transport inside Alipay once (location + address search)
- 12306 register + Travel Permit verification (buy tickets when you can)
- Prepare data (eSIM / roaming) and know Google / LINE may be restricted on some routes
- Hotel Chinese address, emergency contacts, ID photocopies / cloud backups
Related links (one guide at a time)
- Bind a Taiwan card to Alipay
- WeChat Pay
- DiDi rides
- HSR 12306
- Amap vs Baidu
- Google / LINE / ChatGPT access
- China eSIM
1. Documents and identity
| Item | Done looks like |
|---|---|
| Travel Permit | Valid through the trip end; ID number and name saved in Notes |
| Passport | Backup; still useful in some situations |
| Copies / cloud | Front photo in cloud + offline album; paper copies optional |
| Hotel check-in | You know lodging requires Travel Permit scans (real-name lodging) |
The Travel Permit is the primary ID for lodging, HSR, and payment KYC—keep it safe and on you.
2. Payments: without them, almost nothing works
Small mainland spend is QR-first. Set up both Alipay and WeChat—do not gamble that every shop takes your preferred wallet.
- Download from official stores.
- Travel Permit real-name + face check.
- Bind Visa / Mastercard / JCB (as listed); enable overseas transactions at your bank.
- In Taiwan, complete one small payment (overseas convenience store or an in-app test) and confirm the charge.
- Learn Payment code / Pay & Receive and merchant Scan.
Backup: a little RMB cash; ask about physical cards for large bills. Never treat “set up after landing” as the plan.
3. Transport apps
| App | Use | Do this before departure |
|---|---|---|
| Amap | Walk / metro / bus navigation | Install, enable location, search the hotel once in Chinese |
| Alipay → Transport / DiDi | Ride-hailing | Payment already working; practice dragging pickup pins |
| Railway 12306 | HSR tickets | Register, Travel Permit verification (pending may wait), buy early when possible |
At airports, use the ride-hailing waiting zone—details in the DiDi guide.
4. Connectivity and everyday apps
- Data: pick eSIM, roaming, or a local SIM—landing day needs SMS, maps, and rides immediately.
- Often restricted on domestic egress: Google, some social apps, some AI tools—read the access guide once; do not assume “same as Taiwan.”
- Keep offline: LINE already logged in, hotel/flight PDFs downloaded, hotel phone numbers in Contacts.
5. Luggage and daily essentials
- China plug adapter / power bank / cables
- Small cash + backup card (overseas / SMS alerts on)
- Usual medicine, masks (personal preference)
- Seasonal clothes: northern winters are harsh; southern summers are humid and hot
6. Night-before quick check
- Travel Permit and passport in your personal bag
- Alipay / WeChat can open payment codes
- 12306 ticket screenshot + original ID ready for gates
- Amap downloaded; hotel favorited
- eSIM install notes read / activation timing known
- Important order PDFs open offline
Suggested order for the first hour after landing
- Turn on mobile data / eSIM and confirm you are online
- Open Amap and confirm location works
- If you need a ride: Alipay Transport / DiDi—walk to the ride-hailing zone first
- After hotel check-in, buy a small drink to confirm payments truly work
FAQ
Can I skip WeChat and only use Alipay?
Sometimes—but it is fragile. Many shops post only one QR. Dual setup is calmer.
Must I exchange RMB cash?
Daily life is mostly QR; still carry a little cash for odd taxis or dead phones.
How much prep time for a first trip?
Payment KYC and 12306 verification can take hours to days. Start 3–7 days early—not the night before.
Prep in one line: documents → dual wallets → maps → rides → HSR verification → data. Finish in Taiwan so landing energy goes to the trip—not QR failures and ID reviews.
