Everything you need to make your last-minute ChinaJoy trip hassle-free

• A practical guide containing genuinely helpful advice before you shoot off for ChinaJoy and Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Shanghai.
• Head to the show to network with the biggest names in the Chinese games industry.

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Looking to make a last-minute leap and head to ChinaJoy in August?

Well, you’re late enough to feel a little frantic, but early enough to still look like you planned it. Here are a few tips on how to make your travel and Shanghai stay as seamless as you can.

It’s worth pointing out that this is a guide for international visitors, featuring essential logistics such as visa guidelines, travel info and hotel options. 

ChinaJoy – where and when?

The world’s biggest games and digital entertainment expo, ChinaJoy, is held annually in Shanghai. This year’s installation takes place between August 1st to 4th at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in Pudong.

ChinaJoy 2025 is preceded by Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Shanghai on July 30th, an essential B2B games event serving as a soft landing and gateway to the Chinese games market.

A ticket to the PG Connects summit also provides a direct route into ChinaJoy by offering a free one-day entry to the expo on August 1st. Particularly helpful for visitors who want to explore what ChinaJoy has on offer.

Looking at flights

Most overseas attendees arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). You can compare flight costs using standard price comparison sites like Google Flights or Skyscanner.

Here’s a rough guideline on roundtrip flight costs (based on what was available at the time of writing): 

• Los Angeles: from $900
• London: from £630
• Frankfurt: from €950
• Singapore: from $250
• Tokyo: from ¥52,000

Once in Shanghai, you can make your way around the city using the Metro. This is an accessible option which comes with the bonus of English signage. For shorter journeys, a Taxi trip usually costs around $5 to $10 – using DiDi or a similar app.

Visa guidelines for China

Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin. The government offers multiple short-term travel options that don’t require a visa beforehand for many countries. We strongly advise you to check the latest updates on your government’s guidelines.

Quick overview: visa-free entry options

The following are the most applicable visa-free options for visitors travelling to China.

• 15-day visa-free entry – Currently, citizens of specific countries can enter China without a visa and remain for 15 days for business, tourism, transit, and visiting friends or relatives.

• 72- or 144-hour visa-free transit – 38 exit/entry ports in China offer the 72- or 144-hour visa-free transit for foreign nationals from 54 countries.

• Direct Transit – Foreigners from all countries transiting through China to another country on an international plane, ship, or train and who will not stay in China for more than 24 hours, are exempt from a visa.

• APEC Business Travel Card Holders – Foreigners holding a valid Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business travel card can enter China without a visa, as of May 2023.

For more details, visit PG Connects’ visa-free travel guide to China. 

Visa-free travel requirements

Travelling visa-free to China still requires you to have a valid passport and proof of travel, including an onward or return ticket out of China. You may also be asked to provide an itinerary or schedule for your stay at immigration.

Lastly, foreign nationals must register their details with the local police within 24 hours of entering the country. This is usually done by your hotel. For Shanghai, online registration is allowed.

In case you do wish to apply for a visa, be aware that the average processing time is between four to seven business days. You can apply via a local Chinese embassy/consulate, or use a digital visa service. 

Find the right hotel

In terms of choosing a hotel location, it makes sense to be near the Shanghai New International Expo Center. Another option is to be close to a Metro-accessible area like Century Park, Lujiazui, or Jing’an. Do note that these hotels tend to fill up quickly near the end of July.

Estimated hotel prices at the time of writing are:

• Budget: from $30
• Mid-range: from $60
• High-end: from $180

For China-optimised price comparisons, use sites like Trip.com or Agoda.

Last-minute survival tips

Finally, a couple of helpful reminders to make your Shanghai week easier. 

• Remember that your native language, including English, is not widely spoken. Come prepared with a translation app of your choice. Microsoft Translator, Baidu Translate and Papago (doesn’t require VPN) are good options.

• Install VPN before arrival if you need access to Gmail, chat apps or social media.

• Most international payment cards work at hotels and major shops. Alipay and WeChat Pay are the dominant payment apps used natively.

• Shanghai will be hot and humid in July and August – bring a light wardrobe and stay hydrated.

Even if planning last-minute, your trip can be thoroughly enjoyable with the right preparations. Be flexible, stay updated on your visa-status, pack smart, and enjoy diving into the heart of Asia’s game sector.

Don’t forget to book your Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Shanghai ticket today.