Travel in China
Discussion
We went last October half term (family of 4) for a couple of weeks and enjoyed it so much we are going back this half term too.
Happy to activate your WeChat if you like, just send me a message. You will need it and aliepay and some way of topping up both. If I recall it would only link to a Chinese credit card but I had a Chinese friend who I would bank transfer and she would then transfer funds as and when I needed them.
Apps:
Aliepay and WeChat essential
Google translate is a must. Download the language so it works offline
MetroMan is excellent for all of the subways
Trip (or trip.com) for booking trains. You can only book two weeks ahead maximum and first class and business class often sell out quick.
Use didi for taxis, like uber but cheaper and very reliable.
People friendly and willing to help.
Travel is cheap, very quick and blew my mind. It’s is light years ahead of uk and a fraction of the cost.
It’s also easy to change your plans, you can cancel your tickets and get a refund if you don’t travel, sometimes even after the booked time if not used. Bizarre concept but did this on trains and cancelled a flight a few days before for a full refund.
Happy to activate your WeChat if you like, just send me a message. You will need it and aliepay and some way of topping up both. If I recall it would only link to a Chinese credit card but I had a Chinese friend who I would bank transfer and she would then transfer funds as and when I needed them.
Apps:
Aliepay and WeChat essential
Google translate is a must. Download the language so it works offline
MetroMan is excellent for all of the subways
Trip (or trip.com) for booking trains. You can only book two weeks ahead maximum and first class and business class often sell out quick.
Use didi for taxis, like uber but cheaper and very reliable.
People friendly and willing to help.
Travel is cheap, very quick and blew my mind. It’s is light years ahead of uk and a fraction of the cost.
It’s also easy to change your plans, you can cancel your tickets and get a refund if you don’t travel, sometimes even after the booked time if not used. Bizarre concept but did this on trains and cancelled a flight a few days before for a full refund.
I have just re-familiarised myself with the app.....
You can add UK bank cards but the reason for me doing the bank transfer method was that Wechat charge 3% on anything over 200RMB (£20). If you select your balance as source of funds, there is no extra charge.
Just googled it and there might be some offers on whereby a new user adding a non Chinese bank card can avoid the fees for 60 days, that might help you....
My bank also charged the foreign transaction fee for each purchase via wechat on the paired mastercard so I got a HSBC Global Money card which didn't cost anything and worked really well.
You can add UK bank cards but the reason for me doing the bank transfer method was that Wechat charge 3% on anything over 200RMB (£20). If you select your balance as source of funds, there is no extra charge.
Just googled it and there might be some offers on whereby a new user adding a non Chinese bank card can avoid the fees for 60 days, that might help you....
My bank also charged the foreign transaction fee for each purchase via wechat on the paired mastercard so I got a HSBC Global Money card which didn't cost anything and worked really well.
Alipay is an absolute must. Everywhere I went accepted it and it also includes the DiDi (Chinese Uber) app.
Amap is also good for navigation. I installed WeChat, but Alipay seemed to cover every situation I was in.
Because your phone will be your lifeline - I definitely recommend an esim with lots of data (I used Saily) and carrying an external powerbank.
learn a few basic words (Hello, excuse me, bill please, thank you) and you'll have a great time.
Amap is also good for navigation. I installed WeChat, but Alipay seemed to cover every situation I was in.
Because your phone will be your lifeline - I definitely recommend an esim with lots of data (I used Saily) and carrying an external powerbank.
learn a few basic words (Hello, excuse me, bill please, thank you) and you'll have a great time.
Don’t underestimate the times to clear passport control.
Most go to websites; you will not have access without a VPN
Money, increasingly most places no longer accept cash, traditional credit cards not widely used except in international hotels. Download ‘Wechat pay’ （most common）or use Alipay.
Travel, don’t underestimate distance; trains, very fast, clean and punctual. Worth trying at least once, forget comparisons to the UK, it’s a world leading network. Metro systems in (available in most major cities) are excellent.
WiFi is not widely available, even when it is, it’s generally pass word protected, which presents its own problems, although often a young member of staff will help you log in. Definitely get an esim so much is done by phone.
WeChat also has many services beside payment, the translation service (online) is excellent, scan a menu or a whole book instantly.
Be patient, many things (official) seem to take a long time to be processed (esp. hotel rooms), but its just people doing their job.
Most go to websites; you will not have access without a VPN
Money, increasingly most places no longer accept cash, traditional credit cards not widely used except in international hotels. Download ‘Wechat pay’ （most common）or use Alipay.
Travel, don’t underestimate distance; trains, very fast, clean and punctual. Worth trying at least once, forget comparisons to the UK, it’s a world leading network. Metro systems in (available in most major cities) are excellent.
WiFi is not widely available, even when it is, it’s generally pass word protected, which presents its own problems, although often a young member of staff will help you log in. Definitely get an esim so much is done by phone.
WeChat also has many services beside payment, the translation service (online) is excellent, scan a menu or a whole book instantly.
Be patient, many things (official) seem to take a long time to be processed (esp. hotel rooms), but its just people doing their job.
GuigiaroBertone said:
and carrying an external powerbank.
I was informed rental powerbanks (the yellow company is the most common) are readily available for pennies! If your phone is completely dead, watch the end of this short video
https://youtu.be/IKu1K-tCVWQ?si=fLO5xDL7xbtWiQyW
Just back from a three week long business trip to Shanghai and Beijing. Enjoyed it way more than I expected. People were friendly, food was interesting, Shanghai was crazy hot and humid! The two cities felt like they were racing ahead technically. The working hours and focus on results was also surprising, a real eye opener.
Tip… my external powerbank was confiscated before I got on a train, as it wasn’t CCC marked.
Tip… my external powerbank was confiscated before I got on a train, as it wasn’t CCC marked.
Factor in 15 to 60 mins for immigration queues/passport control (adults usually get asked to do digital finger prints) into China, less time on the way out.
You should collect more than 1 immigration card for mistakes or if you are going to re-enter China soon (save time filling them in and if there isn't a pen handy), they use MM/DD/YY for dates.
AliPay, has a built-in translator, the same Google translate icon will appear when there is Chinese text on screen. I can't remember what WeChat has as I only ever use it once when a food outlet didn't accept AliPay earlier this year in Shenzhen.
There are still shops and stalls that accept cash - McDonalds and New Year stalls as I had some paper money (over 20 years old) I wanted to get rid of it.
Also, there was some issue with my AliPay and WeChat account when trying to pay for ticket on the metro/tube, luckily I had paper money on me to use on the ticket machines.
If you have a Halifax Mastercard, there is no exchange rate fee and the FX rate is from Mastercard which is usually the best rate.
You should collect more than 1 immigration card for mistakes or if you are going to re-enter China soon (save time filling them in and if there isn't a pen handy), they use MM/DD/YY for dates.
AliPay, has a built-in translator, the same Google translate icon will appear when there is Chinese text on screen. I can't remember what WeChat has as I only ever use it once when a food outlet didn't accept AliPay earlier this year in Shenzhen.
There are still shops and stalls that accept cash - McDonalds and New Year stalls as I had some paper money (over 20 years old) I wanted to get rid of it.
Also, there was some issue with my AliPay and WeChat account when trying to pay for ticket on the metro/tube, luckily I had paper money on me to use on the ticket machines.
If you have a Halifax Mastercard, there is no exchange rate fee and the FX rate is from Mastercard which is usually the best rate.
GuigiaroBertone said:
Alipay is an absolute must. Everywhere I went accepted it and it also includes the DiDi (Chinese Uber) app.
Amap is also good for navigation. I installed WeChat, but Alipay seemed to cover every situation I was in.
Because your phone will be your lifeline - I definitely recommend an esim with lots of data (I used Saily) and carrying an external powerbank.
learn a few basic words (Hello, excuse me, bill please, thank you) and you'll have a great time.
This but make sure you have a properly marked powerbank of you will have them taken awayAmap is also good for navigation. I installed WeChat, but Alipay seemed to cover every situation I was in.
Because your phone will be your lifeline - I definitely recommend an esim with lots of data (I used Saily) and carrying an external powerbank.
learn a few basic words (Hello, excuse me, bill please, thank you) and you'll have a great time.
GuigiaroBertone said:
Alipay is an absolute must. Everywhere I went accepted it and it also includes the DiDi (Chinese Uber) app.
Amap is also good for navigation. I installed WeChat, but Alipay seemed to cover every situation I was in.
Because your phone will be your lifeline - I definitely recommend an esim with lots of data (I used Saily) and carrying an external powerbank.
learn a few basic words (Hello, excuse me, bill please, thank you) and you'll have a great time.
If you’re carrying an external power bank and intending to fly internally, then make sure it’s CCC labeled. Otherwise like mine, it’ll get confiscated at airport security. Amap is also good for navigation. I installed WeChat, but Alipay seemed to cover every situation I was in.
Because your phone will be your lifeline - I definitely recommend an esim with lots of data (I used Saily) and carrying an external powerbank.
learn a few basic words (Hello, excuse me, bill please, thank you) and you'll have a great time.
fatboy b said:
GuigiaroBertone said:
Alipay is an absolute must. Everywhere I went accepted it and it also includes the DiDi (Chinese Uber) app.
Amap is also good for navigation. I installed WeChat, but Alipay seemed to cover every situation I was in.
Because your phone will be your lifeline - I definitely recommend an esim with lots of data (I used Saily) and carrying an external powerbank.
learn a few basic words (Hello, excuse me, bill please, thank you) and you'll have a great time.
If you re carrying an external power bank and intending to fly internally, then make sure it s CCC labeled. Otherwise like mine, it ll get confiscated at airport security. Amap is also good for navigation. I installed WeChat, but Alipay seemed to cover every situation I was in.
Because your phone will be your lifeline - I definitely recommend an esim with lots of data (I used Saily) and carrying an external powerbank.
learn a few basic words (Hello, excuse me, bill please, thank you) and you'll have a great time.
Been back a few weeks now. Had a really interesting trip - traveling from Laos into Yunnan and finally into Tibet. We were part of a group of 20 which in hindsight was probably too large as it prevented us from "doing our own thing" - but it was the only way we were going to be allowed into Tibet. Also, we probably couldn't stray far anyway because surveillance in China is everywhere. Cameras are ubiquitous -in parks, streets and in some pretty remote places. Although mostly unobtrusive we were aware of being "stalked" particularly in some of the more sensitive Buddhist sites in Tibet. We were also told to be careful what we said. However, apart from being aware of this it did not interfere with our journey - except to say that I have never had my passport examined so many times! What started out as a brand new blue edition now looks well thumbed - kudos for the traveller!! We traveled mostly by bus but by train from Luang Prabang to Jinghong and by air for the longer flight from Zhongdian to Lhasa. There were lots of security inspections and I saw several people having their non-compliant power banks confiscated. I didn't take mine but bought one in China - much cheaper than Amazon - and with the appropriate CCC stamp, Thank you for that tip!
I took thousands of photos. I had worried that the authorities might take an interest in that, but we never went near any sensitive sites although from time to time were told "no photography" - so I complied - unlike the Chinese who were using mobile phone cameras with abandon! I have posted some pictures on my Flickr site if anyone interested.
Overall an interesting visit. The Chinese have rebuilt many of the important temples and monuments that were destroyed in the Cultural revolution - but have converted them into theme parks as tourist attractions. They have created huge cities out of nowhere and completely rebuilt and modernised areas of Tibet in their own style - so a big disappointment to visit Lhasa which I had (in my mind) imagined as a sacred place and the centre of Tibetan Buddhism to find a modern bustling Chinese city. I could say much more.
Things for future visitors:
I took thousands of photos. I had worried that the authorities might take an interest in that, but we never went near any sensitive sites although from time to time were told "no photography" - so I complied - unlike the Chinese who were using mobile phone cameras with abandon! I have posted some pictures on my Flickr site if anyone interested.
Overall an interesting visit. The Chinese have rebuilt many of the important temples and monuments that were destroyed in the Cultural revolution - but have converted them into theme parks as tourist attractions. They have created huge cities out of nowhere and completely rebuilt and modernised areas of Tibet in their own style - so a big disappointment to visit Lhasa which I had (in my mind) imagined as a sacred place and the centre of Tibetan Buddhism to find a modern bustling Chinese city. I could say much more.
Things for future visitors:
- Getting visa proved fairly straight-forward but lengthy and quite a lot of detail required - I had my application rejected twice for what were basically minor points. We were helped by having a good agent who provided a translation of much that was needed. Pick up for the visa centre in London once accepted was easy.
- You need a special permit to visit Tibet and ours did not come through until the day before we were due to fly there - again all organised by the various travel agencies
- Almost everywhere accepts credit cards - I used hardly any cash in the three weeks we were there. However, not everywhere accepts non Chinese cards including some ATMs. Using Alipay was easy and accepted in even the most remote places - you can link this to any card you like.
- Everybody has a smart phone and most transactions are done using them. If you don't have a power bank there are various places where you can hire a power source, charge your phone on it and then return.
- Best to download your VPN before entering China - but not all of them work well - Nord (my usual) was not effective in north Yunnan nor Tibet. I was recommended Lets VPN which apparently routes through Hong Kong and did not block anything. There may be regional differences here.
- We also purchased an eSim before entry - check which is best for the area you are visiting. I used eSim io. My wife used Saily. Both were good.
- Google Maps didn't work but Apple Maps OK
- The Chinese people were very friendly and welcoming
- I am not a fan of Chinese food - and I don't know how they manage to prepare, cook and serve fish the way they do - and watch for the bones. However, eating is relatively inexpensive and in major centres there is lots of choice. Seek local recommendations.
- Taxis are quite cheap if you can get the driver to understand where you are going. Alipay good here.
- If in Beijing - try the metro! A challenge for the uninitiated!
Beggarall said:
- If in Beijing - try the metro! A challenge for the uninitiated!
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff