Tools that work in China
The apps, eSIMs, services, and calculators our team personally uses. Every recommendation is verified.
Calculators & data tools
China 6-city 5-day budget calculator
Real 2026 prices for 5 days in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, or Hangzhou. Budget / mid-range / comfort tiers, broken down line by line. Updated monthly.
Web
FreeChina 240-hour visa-free checker
57 countries, 24 provinces, 65 ports. See if you qualify for 10-day visa-free transit, which cities you can visit, and the 5-step application process. Updated monthly from NIA.
Web
FreeChina eSIM finder 2026
3-question finder picks the right eSIM in 30 seconds. Airalo vs Holafly vs Nomad with 2026 pricing, coverage by city tier, and a VPN firewall quick-reference.
Web
FreeChina OTA comparison 2026
4-OTA x 5-booking-type matrix: Trip.com vs Booking vs Agoda vs Klook. Inventory, pricing, foreign card support, English service, and per-OTA verdict.
Web
Payment
Alipay (支付宝)
China's #1 payment app. Now accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard. The single most important app for any foreigner in China.
ios, android, web
FreeWeChat Pay (微信支付)
China's #2 payment app, baked into WeChat. Now accepts foreign cards. Better for long stays than short trips.
ios, android, web