Airport Arrival Guide
Move from landing to immigration, baggage, connectivity and onward transport without depending on one app or network.
Check the current screen, the conditions that may change and the fallback before making a critical decision.
- 01Complete entry formalities
Follow the current immigration, arrival-form and document instructions shown at the airport.
- 02Collect baggage and clear customs
Check the carousel and declare items when the current rule requires it.
- 03Restore connectivity
Use roaming or a preinstalled travel eSIM first; treat airport Wi-Fi and SIM counters as optional.
- 04Test one payment method
Use a staffed merchant or ATM and keep cash available if the card or wallet is reviewed.
- 05Choose onward transport
Confirm the exact terminal, city destination and pickup zone before leaving arrivals.
Keep these available before landing
- Passport, visa or entry-route documents and confirmed onward travel when relevant.
- Accommodation name, address and phone number in Chinese and English.
- Offline copies of bookings, insurance and emergency contacts.
- A working data plan, a charged power bank and the home number needed for verification SMS.
- Two payment methods and a small renminbi cash reserve.
Entry, baggage and customs
Arrival-form format, biometric collection and queue order can differ by airport, passport and current procedure. Read the signs and use the staffed desk when a machine cannot process the passport. Check baggage screens before assuming a bag is lost, then use the airline or airport baggage desk with the tag receipt.
Connectivity at the airport
Airport Wi-Fi can require SMS, a passport kiosk or another login method. A foreign number may not receive the code. SIM counters can be closed, out of stock or unable to register a particular device. Roaming or a travel eSIM installed before departure is the fastest independent path; a city carrier shop is the local-SIM fallback.
Payment and cash
Test a mobile wallet at a staffed merchant and confirm a real transaction. An ATM can reject a card because of issuer controls, network support or the machine itself. Try another bank's ATM and contact the issuer before repeating many withdrawals. Cash remains useful and is never described as worthless or obsolete.
Choose the onward route
Check the final service time, ticket method and transfer burden with luggage.
Use the signed rank, show the Chinese address and keep the receipt.
Confirm terminal, floor, gate, parking level and vehicle before entering.
Finish the arrival at your accommodation
- Match the Chinese property name, entrance and map pin before leaving the vehicle.
- Use the original passport connected to the booking and confirm that the property completes hotel guest registration.
- Save the room card, Chinese address and front-desk number offline.
- Test room Wi-Fi, the second payment method and the route needed the next morning.
For a private stay or any property that cannot complete the registration, open the accommodation check-in guide before assuming the arrival is finished.
If the first plan fails
No Wi-Fi and the eSIM has not connected
Follow the provider's saved APN and roaming instructions. Use an airport help desk or staffed business Wi-Fi only long enough to contact support.
The SIM counter is closed
Continue with roaming, travel eSIM or airport Wi-Fi and use an operator-owned city shop later.
The ATM rejects the card
Try another bank's machine, check the issuer app and use a second card. Do not allow an unknown helper to handle the card or PIN.
The driver and passenger are in different pickup areas
Send terminal, floor, gate and pillar information, or return to the official taxi queue.