The Best Way for Overseas Chinese to Travel Back to China in 2024

Since the pandemic, many overseas Chinese (Haihua) haven't returned to their homeland since the early 2000s. With China's rapidly changing economic landscape and the widespread use of mobile payments, the way to travel back to China has also transformed. As foreigners in China, overseas Chinese face several restrictions, and not keeping up with these updates might make navigating the country challenging. For those unfamiliar with the Chinese language and without local support, it’s hard to imagine how foreigners would survive in China today. Here’s a guide on how to handle your trip back to China post-pandemic.

1. Mobile Payments

Mobile payment has become so dominant in China that in many situations, its usage has reached almost 100%. Cash and credit cards have all but disappeared. I personally experienced this at the airport while trying to buy a bus ticket home, which cost 31 RMB. I was short just one yuan. When I handed over 100 RMB to the cashier, I was told they didn’t even have small change. Everyone was paying with QR codes, and there was hardly any cash at the counters. Similarly, when I took a taxi home, the driver informed me he hadn’t had a single cash transaction that day. This can be very challenging for overseas Chinese because WeChat requires real-name verification.

Before heading back to China, it’s best to complete WeChat’s real-name verification by uploading your foreign passport and completing facial recognition. Once verified, you can link your WeChat account to a foreign credit card. After this, most services on WeChat like DiDi (ride-hailing), hotel bookings through TongCheng, and platforms like Meituan, Pinduoduo, Vipshop, and JD.com can charge directly to your foreign credit card. It’s recommended to use a credit card without international fees. However, linking a foreign card has some limitations: you won’t be able to transfer money, receive red envelopes, or scan QR codes for payments between individuals or small businesses. To use these functions, you’ll need a Chinese bank account.

One benefit of completing WeChat’s real-name verification is that it makes it easier to book tickets for popular attractions like museums. Many top destinations won’t allow entry without an advance booking. For example, I tried to visit the Shaanxi History Museum in Xi'an, but tickets (which are free) were already fully booked three days in advance. Without the ability to use WeChat for reservations, it can be tough for overseas Chinese to access many popular attractions.

2. Train and High-Speed Rail Tickets

Some people use platforms like Ctrip, which charge an extra 50 RMB per ticket for faster bookings. However, I recommend using the official railway app, 12306. This government-run app also requires passport verification and facial recognition, but it’s convenient and links to foreign credit cards. For popular routes, tickets can be purchased up to two weeks in advance. When using a foreign passport, you’ll need to go through a manual process at the station, where an attendant will scan your passport, or if the scanner fails, they will manually input the details to issue your ticket.

3. Hotel Bookings

WeChat offers various booking options through services like TongCheng, but not all hotels accept foreign guests. Larger hotels tend to be more stringent in their checks, carefully scanning passports and checking visa validity and entry dates. For hotel bookings, I prefer using Agoda, which lists hotels that typically accommodate foreigners, often at lower prices than on TongCheng. For instance, in Xi'an, I found a great hotel for just 200 RMB per night. Hampton by Hilton, with its free breakfast offering both Western and Chinese options, including freshly made dumplings, was a highlight.

4. Mobile Data and Internet Access

Not having a Chinese phone number can be a significant inconvenience, as purchasing a SIM card in China requires real-name registration, which can be cumbersome for short-term visitors. Before my trip, I found a 3G solutions China Unicom SIM card on Amazon, offering 20GB of data for 32.88 USD, valid for 30 days. The card came with a Shanghai number, and both calls and messages worked perfectly. The mobile network was a bit slow but still usable. This was a lifesaver because many Wi-Fi connections in China require phone number verification via SMS. If your employer provides a work phone, that’s even better, as you can access Google services without needing a VPN. Domestic mapping services can be quite difficult to use, though. Gaode Maps (Amap) overwhelms users with ads, while Baidu Maps is worse, often providing irrelevant search results or too many ads.

5. Booking Flights to China

Due to restrictions on U.S. flights over Russian airspace, many of the faster routes over the Arctic have been rerouted, leading to longer flight times and higher costs. Additionally, many foreigners have left China, and flight routes to China have only recovered 60-70% compared to pre-pandemic levels, causing ticket prices to nearly double. Flights from the U.S. East Coast to China are now mostly limited to China Eastern Airlines’ New York to Shanghai route. Direct flights are concentrated on the West Coast, and Air Canada also offers some flights from Toronto and Vancouver to China, but with fewer options compared to domestic airlines.

If you’re flexible on budget, choose whichever is more convenient—Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou. However, if you’re looking to save money, Japan (Tokyo) and Taiwan (Taipei) are great options for stopovers. Both Japan and Taiwan offer visa-free entry for U.S. citizens and are worthwhile destinations to explore. You can find cheaper flights on Kayak or Google Flights by booking 5-6 weeks in advance, with the best deals typically for departures in mid-December and returns in January. I booked a flight from San Francisco to Taipei on United Airlines, with the trip taking just 12 hours. You can then purchase domestic flights separately on Ctrip or Booking.com. I’ve also heard of people booking separate tickets from New York to London, then from London to Shanghai, which can also be a cost-effective option.