30 days out: check passport validity (6+ months), apply for the visa (L visa 4-7 days), book flights and refundable hotels.
14 days out: sketch the itinerary, book popular tickets (Forbidden City, Great Wall need reservations), install WeChat/Alipay and bind cards.
7 days out: pack adapters, some RMB cash, medicine with prescriptions; confirm VPN; print hotel and return-flight confirmations.
3 days out: book airport transfers, tell family your plans, enable international roaming as backup.
Departure day: arrive 3 hours early; carry passport and a visa copy; confirm baggage through-check if transiting.
After landing: get a SIM, connect Wi-Fi, activate payment apps, save the hotel address in Chinese for taxis.
