Canton Fair Travelers, Read This | Wrong Travel Documents = Missed Flights & Trains: A Pitfall Guide for Foreign Visitors in China

When attending the 140th Canton Fair, you will frequently travel between airports, high-speed railway stations, the exhibition venue and your hotel. Many foreign travelers assume that "having a passport means you can go anywhere." In reality, all modes of transportation in China operate under strict real-name registration rules, and different scenarios recognize different types of identification. Using the wrong document can directly result in being unable to purchase tickets, pass through station gates, or board your flight. Keep this travel guide handy before you depart.

I. High-Speed Rail and Intercity Trains: Only Two Types of Valid Documents

According to the Measures for the Administration of Real-Name Ticketing for Railway Passengers, foreign passengers taking domestic high-speed trains or regular-speed trains may only use two types of legally valid travel documents: a ‌passport‌ or a ‌foreign permanent resident ID card‌.

• Real-name verification before purchasing tickets:‌ When buying tickets online via the 12306 platform, both passports and permanent resident ID cards require prior official real-name verification, which can be done online by uploading documents or in person at station ticket counters.
• Passports cannot be used at self-service machines:‌ Railway self-service ticket machines across China only support reading foreign permanent resident ID cards. Passport holders must go to staffed counters for ticket purchase, collection and changes.
• Strict "ticket and document match" rule:‌ When entering the station, you must present the ‌original‌ document used to purchase the ticket. Copies, digital photos and scanned copies are not accepted.
• Ticket refund and change fees follow the unified standards of China Railway.‌

II. Domestic Flights: Ticket, ID and Person Must All Match

Civil aviation operates under an independent real-name verification system. According to the Civil Aviation Security Inspection Rules:

• Tickets can be purchased through airline official websites, official apps or authorized third-party travel platforms, supporting domestic and foreign bank cards as well as mobile payment;
• During check-in, security screening and boarding, you must present the ‌original passport‌ registered at the time of ticket purchase;
• The information on the ticket, the document and the passenger must all match perfectly. Document discrepancies, or presenting only copies or photos, will result in being denied boarding directly;
• Refund and change rates, as well as time limits, vary by airline. Please refer to the ticket terms at the time of purchase.

III. Metro and Bus: Most Cities Only Accept RMB Cash

• For foreigners taking metro and bus services, options include single-journey tickets, physical transit cards applied for with a passport, or mobile transit QR codes;
• Currently, only the metro systems in ‌Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu‌ support direct tap-and-go with overseas contactless bank cards. Some bus routes in Chengdu also accept foreign card payments;
• The vast majority of other cities across China do not yet support foreign bank cards for public transportation. It is recommended to carry RMB cash as a backup to avoid being unable to board and getting stranded.

IV. Ride-Hailing and Self-Driving Car Rental: Get Your "Legal Driving" Qualification First

• Alipay, WeChat Pay, DiDi and Trip.com international version all work normally. DiDi supports direct registration and login with overseas mobile phone numbers;
• For self-driving car rental, you must provide a passport or foreign permanent resident ID card, along with a valid ‌temporary Chinese driving permit‌:For stays of no more than 3 months, you can apply for a temporary driving permit valid for 3 months;For stays exceeding 3 months, the temporary permit can be valid for up to 1 year;
• Driver's license mutual recognition:‌ Currently, only driver's licenses from ‌France, Serbia, Belgium and the United Arab Emirates‌ have mutual recognition with China, allowing for license exchange without a test or legal driving under relevant regulations. Driver's licenses from all other countries cannot be used directly to drive motor vehicles in mainland China;
• First-time car rental users must complete platform real-name verification ‌1 working day in advance‌. Same-day pickup is not possible, so please plan accordingly.

V. Beyond Having the Right Documents, Travel Safety Matters Too

Knowing the travel rules by heart allows you to move through your itinerary with confidence. During the Canton Fair, schedules are intense, weather can be unpredictable, and constant travel can take its toll. If you feel unwell and need medical attention, being in an unfamiliar environment with a language barrier can easily leave you feeling helpless — and "how to get to the hospital and how to communicate once you're there" is exactly the headache most foreign business visitors face.

DOVECURE China Medical Escort Service‌ provides one-stop travel and medical support exclusively for foreign business visitors in China:

• Airport transfer service:‌ Private car transfers from the moment you land in Guangzhou, with seamless connections between the exhibition, hotels and hospitals — so you can focus on business;
• Medical tourism visa service:‌ If you are coming to China specifically for medical treatment, health checks or in-depth wellness programs, DOVECURE assists with medical tourism visa applications and related procedures;
• Bilingual medical escort:‌ Multilingual (Arabic/English and more) medical escorts accompany you throughout your visit — registration, consultation, examinations and medicine pickup, all taken care of;
• Medical record translation:‌ Foreign-language medical records and examination reports are handled by professional medical translators, ensuring zero miscommunication between Chinese and foreign doctors;
• Health check-ups:‌ Specialized screenings can be arranged at premium medical institutions in Guangzhou, completed in just half a day during exhibition breaks without delaying your schedule;
• TCM wellness:‌ Signature services such as acupuncture, tuina massage and herbal conditioning help relieve fatigue and restore your energy after days of busy travel.

Travel Documents  in order, rules clear, peace of mind throughout your trip — we wish all business visitors a prosperous 140th Canton Fair and safe travels. If you need transportation arrangements, medical assistance or health check bookings, please feel free to contact DOVECURE in advance. We will tailor a personalized service plan just for you.

The travel rules in this article are compiled from current public regulations of China Railway, civil aviation authorities and public security traffic management departments, for reference only. Actual implementation is subject to the on-site rules of the respective competent authorities.