01
Set Up Payment
Link your foreign card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you cross. Ten minutes here saves the biggest first-day failure.
Open payment guide →Start here
The first 24 hours,
laid out in order.
Do these in sequence and Shenzhen becomes much easier. Skip them and you are more likely to lose time at the border, with payment, or right after arrival.
Arrival checklist steps
Before landing
02
Install Your VPN
Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram will not work in China. Download and test your VPN before you cross the border.
Get the VPN setup →03
Choose the Right Crossing
Futian is usually the simplest choice for first-timers. Luohu works well if your destination is downtown Shenzhen.
Compare border options →04
Get Your Core Apps Working
Translation, maps, ride-hailing, and local payment backups matter more than itinerary ideas right after arrival.
See the app list →Default route
If this is your first Shenzhen trip, the safest sequence is: payment first, VPN second, Futian crossing third, apps right after you arrive.
Still not sure?