Everything to arrange as an Italian traveller, solo. The headline: no visa needed (30-day waiver) — but the connectivity and payment setup is real work that must be done on home WiFi, because the Great Firewall blocks the app stores and VPN sites the moment you land. Tick the list as you go — your progress is saved on this device.
⚡ Critical checklist · do these before the plane
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Pre-departure checklist
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🔒 Install & log in to every app + VPN while still in Italy. Inside China the Firewall blocks the stores and VPN downloads — you cannot get these on arrival.
Connectivity & payments
eSIM bypasses the Firewall
📶 Connectivity — eSIM + VPN
A foreign travel eSIM roams out through HK/Singapore/EU servers, so Google Maps, WhatsApp, Gmail work without a VPN on your phone.
eSIM: Airalo, Holafly (per-day unlimited, good for ~30 days), Saily, Jetpac. Install the profile at home.
Caveat: the bypass only covers phone mobile data — hotel WiFi / laptop still need a VPN.
VPN: install + log into two before arrival (ExpressVPN, Astrill, Surfshark, NordVPN — obfuscated/stealth). Effectiveness shifts weekly.
Pick nearby servers: Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Taiwan.
Foreign cards link directly
💳 Payments — Alipay & WeChat
China is effectively cashless; QR mobile pay dominates. Set both up at home and link an international Visa/Mastercard.
Alipay first — smoother for tourists; WeChat Pay as backup. Complete passport verification (~10 min).
Fees: under ¥200 no cross-border fee; over ¥200 ~3%. Per-transaction caps (~¥5,000) apply.
Both have a "Transport" section — your metro QR + DiDi.
Carry some RMB cash as backup; foreign cards work at few ATMs/POS.
Apps to install & configure at home
Category
App
Notes
Entry day · airport procedure
Visa & insurance
No visa needed
🛂 Visa — 30-day waiver
Italy has unilateral visa-free entry to mainland China for up to 30 days, valid through 31 Dec 2026. Your 8-day trip is covered. Multiple entries allowed; national (move freely between cities).