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.
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