Chinese immigration moves fast when your arrival card is filled and your hotel address is ready — budget 20–45 minutes end-to-end. Keep your passport and the arrival-card QR screenshot handy; you’ll scan both at the e-gates.
On the plane
Fill your arrival card (or the online form) before you land.
Immigration
Show your passport + arrival-card QR at the e-gate.
Baggage
Collect your suitcase from the carousel.
Customs
Quick scan — declare cash or restricted goods.
Get connected
Activate your eSIM or grab a WiFi password.
Get cash
Pull RMB from an ATM or exchange window.
Six stops between the plane and the taxi rank. The interactive guides below walk you through each one.
1 Immigration & Customs
You’ll need a filled Arrival Card (入境卡) to clear immigration. You can still get a paper card on the plane, but the fastest way is the official online form — fill it before you land and you’ll walk straight to the e-gate. Tap through the mini-guide below to see exactly what to do.
Prefer a full-page walkthrough? Open the Arrival Card guide ↗ or go straight to the official entry-declaration form ↗.
Either way, have these details ready before you start:
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| Personal info | Full name, passport number, date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY), nationality, gender (M/F) |
| Address in China | Your hotel name + address — or “To be determined” plus the city if you haven’t booked yet |
| Contact | Your mobile number (your home number works fine) |
| Purpose of visit | Tourism (most common), Business, or Other — tick the box |
2 Get Cash & Exchange
You need Chinese currency (RMB / 人民币) for immediate costs — a luggage cart, a taxi, a snack. But don’t overdo it; once Alipay or WeChat Pay is set up you’ll barely touch cash again.
Exchange rate calculator
That’s enough for taxi + dinner + a SIM setup. Any leftover cash is a pain to change back at the end of your trip, so aim low.
Where to get it
| Option | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport ATM | Best | Withdraw straight from your card; usually beats the exchange window. Look for the Plus / Cirrus logo. |
| Currency exchange window | 2–5% markup | Near baggage claim, signs say “Currency Exchange” or “换汇”. Convenient but pricier. |
| Your hotel | Worst | Handy in a pinch, but rates are generally the weakest of the three. |
Never exchange money with unofficial changers at the airport.
The rates are terrible and you risk counterfeit bills. Stick to official windows or ATMs only.
3 Get Connected: WiFi & eSIM
Most Chinese airport WiFi asks for a mainland phone number to receive a code — which you don’t have yet. Here’s how to get online anyway.
| Option | Speed | Effort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM (pre-booked) | Instant & reliable | Activate on landing | Anyone who planned ahead — the smart move |
| Airport WiFi kiosk | A few hours only | Queue + show passport | Backup if you have no eSIM |
Option A: Use your eSIM (recommended)
If you bought an eSIM before flying (Airalo, Holafly, etc.), switch it on now. You’ll have internet without the WiFi headache — the single smartest move you can make at the airport.
Option B: Get a WiFi password from the kiosk
- Find a WiFi Service Kiosk (通常在行李提取区附近 / usually near baggage claim).
- Tell them: “WiFi password, please” — English often works, or show a translation.
- They’ll hand you a receipt with a temporary password.
- Connect to the airport WiFi and enter the password.
- You’ll have internet for a few hours — enough to reach your hotel and sort a SIM.
4 Timeline: What to Do in Order
Arrival card
5 min · on the plane
Immigration
10–20 min · passport + QR
Baggage
10–15 min · carousel
Customs
~5 min · quick scan
Get connected
5–10 min · eSIM / WiFi
Get cash
5–10 min · ATM
Exit
Head to your hotel
Total: about 1–1.5 hours from wheels-down to walking out the door, in normal queues.
You made it.
Cash, internet, stamped passport — you’re through. Next: get to your hotel and finish police registration within 24 hours. See how to get to the city ↗