Full-stack technical runbook for traveling in China
Especially designed for first-time visitors, families, and parents with young children. Real-world problems, fixes, and recommendations gathered from trusted sources and user experiences. Created by a full-time dad turning everyday parenting moments into a structured technical guide for travelers.
Start with "Choose Your Path" quick links below, then dive into System Setup guides to get your VPN, payments, and phone working.
Check the Parenting Patch section first, then review the Emergency Contacts Card (printable) and hospital guides.
Browse the Full Guide Library below โ all 37 guides are organized by category with estimated reading times.
๐ก Pro Tip: Something broke in China? Use our Technical Support Registry (GitHub) or send us an email to report app failures or outdated info.
Run these health checks BEFORE boarding your flight (Warning: CNY 2026 starts Feb 16):
Get your essentials working: phone, VPN, payments, medications
| Guide | What You'll Learn | Time |
|---|---|---|
| ๐ซ The Landing Protocol | Immigration, Connectivity, and the first 30m heat-test | 10 min |
| ๐ฑ Mobile Number & Activation | Getting a Chinese phone, eSIM options, carrier comparison | 10 min |
| ๐ Pharmacy & Medications | Buying medicine, drug names in Chinese, OTC guidelines | 12 min |
| ๐ VPN & Payments | VPN setup, Alipay, WeChat Pay configuration | 15 min |
| ๐จ Hotel Check-in & Registration | Passport verification, 24-hour police registration workflow | 10 min |
| ๐ฃ๏ธ Translation Tools & Language Barrier | Offline dictionaries, real-time translation, and emergency phrases | 12 min |
| ๐ Power Banks | Safe power banks, charging rules, outlet types | 8 min |
| ๐ก SIM Card Comparison | Comparing plans, pricing, coverage | 10 min |
| ๐ Visa & Entry | 2026 ๅ ็ญพ policies and digital cards | 12 min |
Navigate cities: trains, taxis, maps, public transport
| Guide | What You'll Learn | Time |
|---|---|---|
| โ๏ธ Domestic Transit SOP | International to Domestic transfers and luggage loops | 10 min |
| ๐ Train Tickets (12306) | Booking system, fixing name issues, booking tips | 10 min |
| ๐ Taxis & Payment | Didi app, fare negotiation, payment methods | 8 min |
| ๐บ๏ธ Maps & Toilets | Google Maps alternative, finding bathrooms, navigation | 7 min |
| ๐ Public Transport | Subways, buses, ferries, transit cards | 12 min |
| ๐งณ Lost or Delayed Luggage | Airport reporting, PIR forms, and baggage recovery process | 10 min |
| ๐ Car Rental & Driving | License rules, temporary permits, and chauffeur alternatives | 12 min |
| ๐๏ธ Shanghai Local Hacks | Living like a resident, stroller safety, best apps | 12 min |
| ๐ฅ๏ธ Shanghai Weather | AQI patches, typhoon SOP, seasonal gear | 10 min |
| ๐๏ธ Shanghai Attractions | 2026 top nodes, skyline hacks, and family spots | 15 min |
| ๐ฅ Shanghai Food Guide | The Dumpling Protocol, scallion-oil hacks, and authentic Benbang | 12 min |
| ๐ฅ Vegetarian & Vegan | Plant-based survival, temple food, and 2026 vegan nodes | 12 min |
| ๐ Visual Signs Guide | Recognizing metro, toilet, taxi, nursing room, and facility symbols | 8 min |
When things go wrong: hospitals, lost documents, outages
| Guide | What You'll Learn | Time |
|---|---|---|
| ๐ฅ Hospital Access | Finding hospitals, language help, insurance, costs | 15 min |
| ๐ Lost Passport | Embassy contacts, replacement process, emergency IDs | 12 min |
| ๐ฑ Lost or Stolen Phone | Remote lock, payment freeze, SIM suspension and recovery | 12 min |
| ๐ณ Lost or Stolen Bank Card | Freeze cards, secure wallets, and replacement workflow | 10 min |
| ๐ Prescription & Chronic Care | Medication refill paths and chronic-condition continuity | 15 min |
| ๐ก Network Issues | VPN backup, WeChat without WiFi, offline navigation | 8 min |
| ๐จ Safety & Scams | Avoiding tea scams, water safety, and AQI | 10 min |
| ๐ก๏ธ Shanghai Safety | Real-world security profile and social engineering defense | 12 min |
| ๐ Emergency Contacts | Printable reference card with critical numbers and phrases | 5 min |
Child-specific challenges: supplies, allergies, safety
| Guide | What You'll Learn | Time |
|---|---|---|
| ๐ฝ๏ธ Food Allergies | Restaurant communication, allergen cards, safe foods | 15 min |
| ๐ถ Diapers & Supplies | Where to buy, delivery apps, trusted brands | 10 min |
| ๐ฅ Milk Safety | Checking formula batches, safety databases | 8 min |
| ๐คฑ Nursing Rooms | Locations, facilities, cultural tips | 5 min |
| ๐ผ Baby & Toddler Guide | Technical master runbook for Shanghai & beyond | 20 min |
2026 Golden Week schedules and holiday survival
| Guide | What You'll Learn | Time |
|---|---|---|
| ๐งง 2026 Holiday Survival | CNY dates, Golden Week hacks, and transport 'load-tests' | 15 min |
Standalone technical nodes for specific safety & formatting checks
Brand-agnostic global infant formula recall checker. Covers Nestlรฉ, Danone/Aptamil, and more.
Open Tool (Web)Pre-fill logic for the NIA/Alipay Digital Entry Card API.
v2.0 PREVIEWPassport MRZ-to-12306 name format converter. Run locally via Python.
python scripts/passport_mrz_converter.py John Smith
ChinaOps is open-source because we believe navigating a country shouldn't be a "black box" operation.
Every step in our SOPs is open for inspection. No hidden affiliate links, no paid rankingsโjust what actually works.
Travel policies and apps change fast. Open source allows the community to submit "hot-patches" so the guides stay accurate.
We don't manufacture anxiety to sell "secrets." Experimental or survival info should be free and accessible to all families.
The Next Evolution: We are already planning the next iteration of the ChinaOps framework, moving from "Survival" to "Optimization".
What should be the first "feature" of Version 2.0? We want to build what you actually need on the ground. No guesses, just real-world solutions.
๐ก What's your "Pain Point"?
Is it a missing regional guide? A technical bottleneck with a specific app? A need for an automation script?
Tell us what to build next โChinaOps is 100% free and open-source.
The best way to support this project is to speak up. Whether you've found an app that's stopped working, a change in local policy, or a better "hot-patch" for travelersโyour feedback is our most valuable support.
Your "Bug Reports" and "Feature Requests" keep this guide alive for the next traveler.
Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. Any commercial exploitation will be pursued. View Full License Detail โ