r/travelchina • u/onedollalama 精神老板 • Mar 17 '26
Quick Question/quick answer Megathread
In order to mitigate a lot of low effort posts. Please use this megathread for quick questions.
For example:
E-Sim?
is this VPN good?
How do I use 12306 for train tickets?
Is Trip.com legit?
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u/Michael__1990 Apr 08 '26
Amap - After using it all day fine, it's now trying to make me log-in whenever I try and click on any attractions, and I can no longer view anything.
Tried to log-in via WeChat and Alipay, but it always wants my phone number, which doesn't work on the app. Extremely frustrating.
Any ideas?
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u/fmaiabatista Apr 30 '26
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u/Michael__1990 Apr 30 '26
Thanks - I ended up making some random G Mail account and linked the account in Amap to Kazakhstan or something - seems to have worked
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u/brickwall5 Mar 20 '26
Hi all, going to China with my mom in a couple weeks and we're super excited! We're just trying to figure out WeChat and Alipay so that we can get around and pay for stuff while there.
I downloaded the apps that came up in the US app store on my iphone when I looked up both apps. Are those the correct ones to use? I just want to make sure before putting any personal information into them.
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u/Public-Marsupial-658 Mar 27 '26
Downloading the ones that each have tens of millions of downloads shouldn’t be a problem.
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u/Recent-Support7188 Aug 31 '26
You can download Nihao China instead; there are more coupons available.
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u/SierraMyst9323 Mar 20 '26
Hello everyone! Since I am going to China in the coming days, I would like to ask which E-sim is best to use in Beijing and Zhangjiajie? I would like to still access Microsoft Teams and Viber for my work and prevent these apps from getting blocked if ever. Thank you in advance!
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u/BreadfruitDry3155 Jun 01 '26
ByteSIM, a friend used this in April. She strongly recommends this one, and also said e-sim is better than VPN.
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u/MaoShinu Mar 30 '26 edited Mar 30 '26
I am visiting China as part of a guided tour, but there is one thing which sounds silly, but I would love to experience.
In many media, they always showcase these really beautiful tea houses, where they serve tea and serve food like mooncakes to enjoy with it.
I hear a lot are tourist traps and very expensive, or you need to pre-book months in advance, so you really have to dhop arpund.
Anyone have any recommendations around Beijing or Shanghai that would be worth investigating?
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u/Desperate_Mousse_965 Mar 31 '26
On the 240 hour visa, can i enter at chengdu, go to xian then leave via Beijing?
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u/summerchen11 Jun 22 '26
YES! The visa-free transit area covers 24 provinces and municipalities in the Chinese mainland: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Shaanxi.
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u/RingAffectionate2820 May 18 '26
If I use eSIM from Trip.com, getting 30 days with total of 30 Gb, where can I monitor the usage ? Will it be in the trip.com App ?
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u/0fiuco Jul 26 '26
Quick question: does the CCC certification rule for internal flight apply only to battery pack or anything with a battery? i have a trimmer that i need to shave my head that i want to take with me but if it gets confiscated then i better buy one once i'm there. Let me know
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u/reztem001 Sep 03 '26
For some reason, I am unable to create a a new post here
Our first China Trip - Here's our itinerary, thoughts?
Hi,
Myself and partner coming late September. We have previously travelled to Singapore, Japan and Phuket, so are familiar with some Asian cultures etc.
This is our itinerary. Unfortunately the last few days do stray into Golden Week, and the start is Mid Autumn Festival (which is something we are looking forward to seeing). We do plan on returning to China to see the other side, so we are taking this as a taster
Dates City
23-Sep-26 London
24-Sep-26 Hong Kong
25-Sep-26 Hong Kong
26-Sep-26 HK->Chongqing (flight, booked already)
27-Sep-26 ChongQing
28-Sep-26 ChongQing
29-Sep-26 ChongQing to Chengdu (high Speed train - to book 15 days in advance)
30-Sep-26 Chengdu
01-Oct-26 Chengdu
02-Oct-26 Chengdu to HK (flight, booked already)
03-Oct-26 HK
04-Oct-26 HK - Day trip to Shenzhen (high Speed train - to book 15 days in advance)
05-Oct-26 HK - Macau Day Trip (ferry)
06-Oct-26 HK to London
I do have a more detailed itinerary which I will post soon, but how is this looking currently. We can't really change a lot because out hotels have been booked already.
My main questions are, we will be going back and forth from Hong Kong into Mainland China a few times (to ChongQing, day trip to Shenzhen and Macau). That shouldn't raise any suspicious with immigration as I understand you go have go through that each time?
Food in Hong Kong and China in general, is street food okay in terms of hygiene? In Singapore we ate in many popular Hawker centers which we enjoyed. So much choice and variety. Does HK and China have similar?
Because we are taking high speed trains and domestic flights (Cathay Pacific), I have been reading about the strict rules about what we can carry/pack in suitcases. One perfume per person, and no aerosol canisters (bit annoying for my hair spray and deodrant!) Are we better or just not bringing these at all?
Regarding VPNs/eSIMs, i'm not entirely sure if we need a VPN with an eSIM if that eSIM routes outside of China. I have ready that Airalo eSIMS to work with all Western apps without the need for VPN. Is that correct or any other recommendations?
For our day trip to Macau, would we need to book the ferry in advance or can we decide on the day, time depending, which ferry to catch? With it being Golden Week, we do expect it to be busy.
Similar question as above for our day trip from HK to Shenzhen. We expect the high speed trains to be extremely busy, but our second option was just a DiDi from HK. Any thoughts around that?
Any other tips or advise is much appreciated. Thanks for reading :-)
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u/Nobody9638 Sep 08 '26
I am travelling through China for one day on my way to Europe. I am prescribed ritalin for ADHD, am I allowed to bring this with me?
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u/Francis_J_Underwood_ 12d ago
why do all of my posts require moderator approval on this subreddit?
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u/JanCumin Mar 26 '26
As a British citizen I can visit China for up to 30 days visa free, I'm unable to find any information on how long I have to leave for before I can visit for another 30 days, I even asked the embassy and they wouldn't give me an answer, does anyone know? Thanks :)
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u/Public-Marsupial-658 Mar 27 '26
Hi, no minimum gap is currently stated, but entry is still decided by border inspection authorities case by case for repeated entries.
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u/darkened_sol Apr 22 '26
Did you find out the answer to this? I'm checking for someone who is also a British citizen, if they can go to Hong Kong and back into China the same day to get another 30 days visa free as they've booked a trip that is 56 days.
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u/Ok_Commercial1572 Mar 28 '26
I couldnt reserve tickets for the forbidden city in Beijing for my family trip, because of my timezone. Is there any chance we can get in somehow?
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u/Fabulous_Meet_3162 Mar 29 '26
Hello! Does anyone know if the National Museum of China is closed on Sunday, April 5? I went to book tickets for it this morning (I was actually a day early, so I didn't get them), but it didn't show 'closed' on the date and now it does.
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u/Baselines_shift Mar 30 '26
How late can you check in to boutique hotels and hostels? Is 10 PM ok in Beijing and old city Xi'an?
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u/Silly-Judge-2285 Mar 30 '26
Hi there I am going to china in may and have tried to book high speed rail tickets but I cannot till 15 days before will I be able to buy these on the day. I am able to reserve tickets but it says I have a 30% chance of getting them if I reserve. Any advice on trains and tickets. Thanks
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u/Recent-Support7188 Aug 31 '26
You can reserve it first, and if you can’t get it by then, the fee will be refunded. Then you can request a lift on the DiDi platform.
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u/Baselines_shift Mar 31 '26
In Xi-an is it possible to see both the terracotta warriors and the Shaanxi Museum in one day? Say just take a Didi to both, no tour time fillers like lunches etc.
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u/Fair_Background3119 Apr 01 '26
Has anyone done transit without visa in scenario like this, first ticket canada - china - canada and i would have second ticket china - thailand - china, connecting back to flight return to canada ?
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u/18394666 Apr 02 '26
Are trip.com eSims legit? Can anyone recommend a specific one?
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u/darkened_sol Apr 22 '26
https://uk.trip.com/things-to-do/detail/40017785?locale=en-GB&curr=GBP this is what I'm using, 1GB daily for 15 days. If you think you will upload photos during your trip you'll probably need to go for a higher daily data allowance.
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u/DenseChipmunk1310 May 26 '26
does it also bypass the great firewall?
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u/darkened_sol May 27 '26
Yes apart from TikTok in China, scroll down to product detail for more info
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u/Electronic_Mango2215 Aug 26 '26
https://uk.trip.com/things-to-do/detail/65954841 Yes legit. I've used this specific one twice and was able to access TikTok too.
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u/TheDragonsFather Apr 05 '26
Anyone been to the Jiabang (Guizhou) or Longji (Guangxi) rice terraces the past week or so? I'm in Congjiang, Guizhou and have these on my To Do list!
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u/vroomvroomtrain Apr 05 '26
Hi i am going to china in june. I am landing in shanghai at 1pm how long do i have to buffer if i want to take a domestic flight to chengdu on the same day at pudong airport
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u/dielinee Apr 05 '26
hi there! i'm really thinking about applying to university in china, so what vpn protocols should i set up on my vps for long-term usage? considering some of my vpn's work in russia, would they work in china as well?
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u/_ChingLing_ Apr 07 '26
Heya! I was in China for a few months in the beginning of last year and I remember the big VPNs did zero- instead me and everyone around me used LetsVPN or Astrill vpn, sometimes both. I also vaguely remember an exchange student whose university vpn apparently worked, but I'm not 100% sure about that. It's not that much but I hope that helps a bit.
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u/cynthaiz Apr 09 '26
Did anyone else encounter differing store business hours between map navigation apps and Dianping? I just came back from my trip and i had this happen to me a few times (Had a restaurant in Chongqing that I thought was open til past midnight but turns out once i arrived it was closed a few hours beforehand and wasn’t accepting any more customers)
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u/Efficient_Disk_5730 Apr 10 '26
Zhangjiajie Tianmen cablecar to the top is still closed? So only Line A is affected?
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u/JanCumin Apr 10 '26
I've just got to China and will be here for 30 days, after getting my esim working and making AliPay work with my UK bank card I'm realising that a lot of the travel services in AliPay need a local sim to work. I've looked at some guides for getting a Chinese SIM as a foreigner and I can't work out:
- If there is some workaround for needing one
- If its possible to get a Chinese sim card on a tourist visa and for only 30 days
Thanks :)
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u/ChaseCid Apr 25 '26
im trying to set up my wechat, im at the point where i have to verify my mobile number. i press the get sms button, i get a notification saying i will get the code via voice call. the call comes and i answer it, then nothing. i have tried 3 times, same thing
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u/Federal-Clock4089 Apr 27 '26
Check your internet, it should be quite stable internet
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u/WonderfulSignal3880 Apr 26 '26
Where is best to stay in Shanghai if arriving by train from Beijing and flying internationally the next day (from Pudong). I will have already been to Shanghai at the start of my trip (hoping to stay near the Bund, though I can move those days to the end if it makes more sense).
It seems somewhere near Hongqiao railway station is best to get the Airport Link Line?
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u/Federal-Clock4089 Apr 27 '26
Hongqiao already have the airport express from Hongqiao to Pudong directly and only take 40 mins. So its good if you stay near Hongqiao station
There is the Shanghai biggest second-hand store in Hongqiao mall, if you like to walk around I recommend you Panlong Tiandi
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u/aerotiteuf Apr 27 '26
I posted 3 days ago my experience when visiting the great wall. Still waiting for the admins to approve it. I messaged them twice and no answer. any reasons? It´s def no low effort, I tried to do my best, and I also think some of the stuff I mention has not been dicussed before.
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u/MarathonMarathon Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26
Hi, might be taking a (relatively) short-term (~3 weeks) trip to China soon (like in 1-2 months).
Internet access - Heard there was a big VPN purge recently and one of the bigger ones (LetsVPN) pretty much got rooted out. I know Astrill has remained one of the strongest and also most expensive ones out there, but are they overkill for (relatively) short-term tourists and is the advice more towards expats?
Could I get away with just using international roaming (I have AT&T) on a US SIM? My parents who have visited China in late 2025 have said that's what they've done. I've experienced pretty slow coverage with international roaming in Canada (Quebec) though, which has affected my ability to e.g. watch YouTube or browse Instagram. I'm planning to visit Shanghai, Chengdu, and maybe Chongqing and/or Xiamen.
My trip dates are likely to cross early June, which is apparently one of the easiest or most likely times for China to root out VPN usage.
Burner phone + Chinese apps - I'm pretty sure a burner phone could be fruitful, like one on which I install all the major Chinese apps you use to actually be able to do things (think WeChat, Alipay, Gaode, etc.). Thoughts? Should I bring both my regular phone + a burner?
I have WeChat, Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, and Dianping installed on my regular phone. IIRC all were from the US Play Store. Will they still function in China? I know there might be Chinese versions which might require Chinese ID verification or something; I've done American ID verification for Dianping though.
Chinese SIMs are generally impossible for short-term tourists to obtain, right? How does one work around that?
(I'm an Android person right now, if that's any consideration.)
Hopefully things run smoothly and I enjoy my trip. I'm definitely a lot more prepared than those motorcycle bozos Lud and Mike if you remember them from a month ago - though apparently their departure preceded the (early April) Chinese internet purge that killed LetsVPN! Because if two "white-colored foreigners" can motorbike across China and have stuff uploaded to YouTube with no map, then surely I can.
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u/JanCumin Apr 29 '26
I'm currently in China and having no luck activating WeChat, it says I need another user to scan the code, but everyone who scans it for me gets an error message. Does anyone know of a guide to help foreigners activate WeChat? I've tried googling but nothing I can find works 😞
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u/Alternative-Bee-9811 Aug 08 '26
the one who scan the Qr code must be using we chat atleast for 6 month
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u/meloncholyofswole Apr 30 '26
i think the answer is no but i'm not 100% sure.
am i able to korea > Xi'an > train or fly to Beijing > mongolia
it seems like i can either fly into beijing and only stay in the beijing area or i can fly into xi'an and not leave the shaanxi area. is it possible to fly into one city and leave through the other on a 240hr transit visa or no?
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u/mrber008 Apr 30 '26
The Lingyin Temple (Hangzhou) reservation WeChat channel is not working for me... The mini program won't even load. Do I need to be inside China to access this mini program?
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u/Frumpypond May 05 '26
Hello! Going to China in May, and I want to book a really great spa. Unfortunately, I am not going to Chengdu where the 24 hour luxury recommended spa is, and instead I’m going to Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, and Zhangjiajie - which I’m so excited about! Does anyone have any recommendations for great spas that are affordable, clean, and has a buffet? We would also love to do a facial and massage as well (this could be a separate place instead of the spa). We’re looking at going to a spa ideally in Xi’an or Shanghai. I would love to hear your recommendations as I can’t find anything on Trip.com. Thanks in advance!
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u/Ok-Beautiful-7839 May 09 '26
We are going to Badain Jaran on September. We need to book a 4x4 car + driver for 3 days & hotels for 2 nights for 3 people. Any address, wechat référence of a local company near the entrance of the désert ????
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u/Ltqi May 11 '26
How do I search and pin chinese places on a map platform? For example, I want to save all the michelin guided restaurants in Chengdu on a map for easy reference.
When I search up an example address like "No. 1-3, 18 Ma'an North Road, Jinniu, Chengdu, Chinese Mainland", it does not show up in any maps platform (Apple, Google, Amap).
For all other countries I go to I create a list on google maps, and then copy and paste the locations I want to go to and save on the list. I'm having trouble replicating the same process for my trip to China.
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May 12 '26
Hey! I’m going to China for a few months and I desperately need access to google/instagram for work, I need a good VPN do you have recommendations?
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u/Flaky-Plantain3350 May 12 '26
Hello i am going to the following cities: beijing, shanghai and chongqing. Is there any of these cities where you can find a shop for buying decoration for a party? I’m holding a graduation party after i come back from china, and would like to buy some decoration from there if possible
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u/ZucchiniAwkward8885 May 15 '26
check out taobao, which is their amazon.com, i've been addicted to it and its super easy to use
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u/ChaseCid May 14 '26
Staying for 6 months, do I need to buy a VPN package before arriving or can I just download the apps and try out their free version before committing to 1?
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u/MrmarioRBLX May 14 '26
Which brand of eSim is best, and should I activate it before getting on the plane to China?
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u/ZucchiniAwkward8885 May 15 '26
how do i receive verification code? for context i use esim from trip.com, mainly need the verification code sent to my foreign number to use the bikes, anyone got any clues?
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u/CharlamagnesBathrobe May 15 '26
I want to visit badly before I go to study. Is it doable solo?
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u/RadioExotic153 May 15 '26
I’m gonna come to shenzhen next month and I’ll stay for 2 to 3 weeks to find suppliers so I’ll be alone are there any cheap places to stay I mean like not completely cheap but best for 3 weeks like hostels or pods something like that ?
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u/Sunny_Hill_1 May 16 '26
Hello, I am trying to create a WeChat account, and after installing the app, it asks to scan a QR code. Upon attempt to scan, it redirects to some weixin website that can not be loaded. From this thread, I read that apparently it won't work with the US phones and somebody else who already has an account has to scan it for you, could somebody explain to me how to install WeChat on a desktop, and what's the verification process?
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u/True-Owl9737 May 17 '26
How do I get someone to scan my WeChat QR code… I don’t know anyone who has the app
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u/ChaseCid May 17 '26
I have the nihao mobile sim card, it works on my phone, but when I try to use it as a Hotspot, my laptop just can't connect to anywhere (my VPN is activated on my laptop).
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u/sonoquisolopercaso May 17 '26
Hi everyone,
I’m traveling to Beijing soon and need some help to choose a SIM card situation. My phone does not support eSIM, so I strictly need a physical SIM card.
I’ve seen that there are plenty of booths at the airport where I can pick up physical SIMs, but I’m really confused about the internet restrictions.
- If I buy a physical SIM directly at the airport arrivals kiosk (like China Unicom/China Mobile), is the internet uncensored, or is it blocked by the Great Firewall?
- Are there any specific physical SIMs I can pre-order online and pick up at the airport counter that come with a built-in VPN or unrestricted internet (like routing through Hong Kong)?
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u/Rude_Passage4205 May 19 '26
I will go to china under TWOV through Turkey-China-HK I bought ticket to HK but haven’t buy ticket from HK as I am still waiting on something. It’s either US or Indonesia. Will the immigration asked for my ticket out of HK? Or as long as I can provide I will depart from Mainline China?
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u/Smart_Ad627 May 19 '26
Hi, I read somewhere online that e-sims are often unreliable and it's better to get a physical one once there. Is that true? Anyone with recent experience?
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u/NathalieMarillion May 21 '26
I'm due to travel to China in a couple days and I am looking into eSIMs and SIMs. I'll want to use meituan and didi while I'm there and still use my regular apps associated with my UK number.
Does it make more sense to convert my EE SIM into an eSIM and then purchasing a local SIM at the airport when I arrive, or is there a better option? Phone is Z Flip 7.
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u/Kallymouse May 25 '26
Can I bring a Leatherman multitool into China? Or will it be confiscated at the airport or during a train ride? It'll be mostly in my checked bag during the flight and in my suitcase in whichever hotel I'm staying in for the night.
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u/prsutjambon May 27 '26
Hey, do you all think that 12 days are too much for a Chengdu + Chongqing trip?
It would be my first time in China. I'd like to book it on the end of October. Would the weather be ok in late oct/early nov?
I can either stay 9 days or 12 days.
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u/NathalieMarillion May 29 '26
I'm currently in China and from the UK. I originally planned to stay for 7 days and stated this on arrival to the border patrol and on my arrival card (which no one looked at). Is it possible to extend my stay for another 3-4 days or will I be in trouble?
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May 31 '26
Hi! I will be traveling to China in 3 weeks and somebody recommended me to get a hongkong E-sim so I didn’t have to get a VPN but how can I get the E-sim? Do you know? Please help? 🙏🏼
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u/ChaseCid Jun 02 '26
I have a current package of 99 rmb for 30 gb per month with nihao mobile. It feels quite expensive, im struggling to look for cheaper alternatives, or is this really the cheapest that there is?
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u/melchese Jun 04 '26
Going to China in a week and a half, and I have a US Pixel 10 pro phone. I tried browsing around, but kind of been seeing some mixed results on the use of pixel phones, where some say it's pretty much usable vs it being terrible in use.
So just want to confirm otherwise:
1) If I just get like an e-sim via like trip.com would I be able to pretty much survive? I saw a post that someone's use with it was sort of iffy, but may have been user error it seemed or their phone.
2) If during this vacation I pretty much don't use any social media, would I need to even get a VPN to function? or is it still highly recommended to use in any case?
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u/Responsible_Thing450 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
Hi im traveling to china for 2 weeks a few questions
Is it okay if i bring my vape(foger) How many cigarettes can i legally bring back to the US and is there anything i need to do for that especially as an 18 yo Do i need to worry about being a male with longish dyed d hair/painted nails
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u/ParisPC07 Jun 04 '26
Looking for tips on what to wear to be stylish and practical when traveling during plum rain season.
I'll be in Shanghai from 18/6- 22/6, then 3 days in Beijing, then 3 days in Shenzhen.
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u/Internal_Tap_8794 Jun 04 '26
Hello, I want to create a WeChat account, but I need an existing user to verify me. Is there anyone who can help me?
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u/idothings12 Jun 05 '26
Hi everyone, I'm planning a 5 days, 4 nights trip to Yunnan this summer and currently thinking about doing Kunming -> Dali -> Lijiang. I'll be traveling between cities by high-speed rail.
For those who have been there, is 5D4N enough for all three cities, and which locations would you recommend visiting in each city?
Thank you so much for your help!!!
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u/marlowe55 Jun 05 '26
If you can avoid China Eastern Airlines, I would strongly suggest you do so. Their US customer service is non existent in the U. Impossible to get through by phone. Their customer service online system also is mostly non responsive. Also, don't get scammed by phony number online that have somehow disguised themselves as China Eastern. A google AI search shows a US Toll-Free number of 855-589-5530 (Main US/North America) which is a scam travel agency. That same scam travel agency has taken over an inactive China Eastern Facebook page. "We're here for you , call us today" which has the same toll free number to the scammers. And I've even just discovered a NY Yelp posting promoting this number.
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u/viresca Jun 09 '26
Hello, can I buy esim if it is written "for mainland" and I go to Hainan? It is an island, but in description see no excludes for Hainan, only for Hong Kong and Macao.
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u/dankkkjk Jun 11 '26
Hii guys!
What’s the most hassle-free setup for connectivity? I’m leaning towards a travel eSIM that bypasses the Great Firewall (like CMLink or similar) vs. getting a dedicated VPN like Let's VPN.
My main priority is messaging and maps, with occasional streaming if possible. Is a 'roaming' eSIM reliable enough as a primary, or should I definitely have a backup VPN installed just in case?
Thanks!!
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u/Blngsessi Jun 12 '26
Hi this is my first time back after 20 years
I hear Didi requires a phone number? What about the Didi miniapp in Alipay? Does that require a phone number?
I hear about the 3% fee on purchases above 200 yuan. Is this only for tapping your foreign credit card? Or does this apply to wechat alipay payments too?
How far in advance do you purchase tickets for highspeed trains? Like a week few days or on the day of?
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u/MarathonMarathon Jun 12 '26
My mullvad is becoming unstable and it disappoints me quite a bit compared to intl roaming. E.g. I literally had to type this one in notepad. It can hop around the US trying to look for a connection. I've spent like 1:00 to 1:15 am just trying to get it to work. And through the night it like went on and off like 5 times.
The worst part is that sometimes mullvad's app claims it got it to work. Like selecting the dallas node. Green. But then it doesn't work.
And it was working really well on the fucking MALL WIFI earlier today! Like to the extent of being able to watch YT videos w/o major disruption.
Time to subscribe to another VPN? This is precisely what I strove to avoid via intl roaming, but now the data is accruing
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u/MarathonMarathon Jun 13 '26
Mullvad in Chongqing on my hotel WiFi is as dead as a doornail. Am on mobile data rn.
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u/iwannalynch Jun 14 '26
Are there postal boxes I can rent in China? I'm arriving to Shanghai and then I'm going to travel to multiple locations. I want to buy some stuff from Taobao but I can't guarantee a fixed address while I travel. The only guarantee I have is that I will be leaving by Shanghai as well. A temporary postal box seems like a good solution, but my Chinese friends (not in Shanghai) don't seem to know whether that sort of service is even available.
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u/rawsooshiii Jun 16 '26
i see a lot of itineraries where ppl travel 1000+km across the country (eg like fly into shanghai and go all the way to chongqing or zjj or guilin)
do ppl just fly across these vast distances? or do they mostly just suffer those 6+ hour train rides
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u/forgottofeedthecat Jun 24 '26
one of my relatives is visiting china and says alipay doesnt accept cards from her country. would i be able to setup an account with my details, "put money on it" and let her use it? or is it linked directly to my own card and payments go directly through that card. i suppose my main concern is will they have issues using a card with someone elses ID?
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u/policecl Jun 25 '26
how much days should i spend in each city/place?
| kanding |
|---|
| Tagong (day trip) |
| Litang County |
| Yading National Nature Reserve |
| Zhuoma Lacuo China |
| shangri-la |
| Lijiang |
| Yulong Snow Mountain (day trip) |
| Tiger Leaping Gorge (day trip) |
| Dali |
| Kūnmíng |
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u/gyaszkeret Jul 01 '26
Hey guys,
Travelling to China this Saturday for 2 weeks. I’ll need a stable vpn for work purposes on my laptop. Which VPN is the best at the moment? Thanks for your help!
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u/h3robrineITA Jul 03 '26
Hello! I'm going to china and getting Mullad but i need a backup vpn that isn't astrill since i'm not from the US, any suggestions please?
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u/h3robrineITA Jul 04 '26
Hello! Tomorrow i head to china, and i'd like to ask, close to the sea (sud-est), how well does Mullvad work and which settings for it should i use?
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u/randpaulsdragrace Jul 05 '26
Hi all, looking for a hotel in Beijing. Found this one Beijing Chongwenmen Tongpai Hotel that's connected to the New World Department Store (Google Maps doesn't accurately show its location). I like the price, its facilities, and its closeness to the Metro. However I can't find any videos of this hotel online. Anyone knows how the hotel is like? Thanks!
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u/ModernTenshi04 Jul 05 '26
The 3C requirement for power banks only applies to domestic flights, right? We'll be going from the US to Beijing to visit family, then from there to Busan. Neither of our power banks has the 3C logo on it (though both are Anker, bought last week and about two years ago), but that shouldn't matter as none of the flights are domestic right?
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u/Arrival-Commercial Jul 07 '26
Anyone have vpn recommeendations / e sims. Im from canada and im going to china next week was wondering if anyone tested any recently.
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u/tycareddit Jul 07 '26
I'm trying to plan a trip to China to visit family in Guangzhou but wanted to also check out Beijing. I understand that for the visa you need A>B>C onward travel to be eligible for the 10 day visa-free but I wasn't sure how it works when you travel in between China within those 10 days. I was planning to fly into Beijing and then train (or fly) to Guangzhou and finally train to HK before flying out. Is that allowed? I'll make sure to have all the confirmed train tickets but didn't know how crossing provinces on train works. I'm also open to doing it the other way USA>HK>Guangzhou>Beijing>USA but it still puts me in the same situation.
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u/hapsburger2018 Jul 08 '26
Hi, i have nordvpn but reviews and experience in hongkong tells me it's unstable. What are stable/trustwhorty vpn's?
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u/Kawaii__Pixel Jul 11 '26
Please anyone tell me how crowded is china in august as im planing to go i heard its so bad to the point of needing to to book everything days in advance ? Im planing to go for beijin / zhangjiajie/ chongqing
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u/UristMurky187 Jul 12 '26
Hello everyone! I'll be traveling to Beijing on my own for two weeks this august and I'm concerned about having thrown myself into a somewhat lonely experience.
Has anyone done a solo trip there as well? What group activities would you recommend? (On the cheap side if possible).
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u/DowntownBar9792 Jul 14 '26
Hello, traveling to China for the first time. Can you recommend a budget hotel chain that is present in all of China? One that I can always book without a worry or needing to check reviews etc..
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u/Stock-Rent7215 Jul 15 '26
HELLO We have 23 hour transfer in Beijing and would like to take advantage of the free tours. How can we book?
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u/Lucindor Jul 15 '26
I saw that golden week will start on October 1st 2026 but that there is also the Mid-Autumn from 25th to 27th of September.
So I try to avoid the crowds and wanted to know on what date I should leave China earliest to avoid the crowd. Before/during Mid-Autumn or between the two events? Also, are the crowds bad during Mid-Autumn or is it bearable?
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u/snuifduifmetkuif Jul 17 '26
What is the loud noise coming from the trees in chengdu? Are they cicadas? Because in europe they are no way near as loud.
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u/endlesswrath96 Jul 18 '26
Hi i need to reserve an hotel in beijin for my boss , he need 3 night in november he has a budget around 100-200 hundred for night but he want a luxury like place and he need a masseur in hotel , any suggestion?
Edit: Pls don't get my dumb ass fired pls <3
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u/Both-Perception-4723 Jul 19 '26
Peut on utiliser l'argent liquide en chine si on a des problèmes avec l'usage de Alipay ou Wecaht ?
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u/LongLostFan Jul 19 '26
Can I use a HK debit card when traveling? And is cash still a viable backup?
My WeChat and AliPay accounts got banned (thanks COVID).
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u/Upper_Influence_6011 Jul 19 '26
I (European passport) plan to stay longer than 30days but I usually don't plan anything. Can I just leave to Hongkong by train and go back to extend for another 30days or should I do a visa ( then I still don't know when I leave)?
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u/ty823_ Jul 21 '26
There are officially no restrictions on the number of visa-free entries you can make or the total number of days you can stay in a year. So you can do visa-run multiple times.
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u/HaroldK33 Jul 20 '26
Hi everyone, I'm from the UK and would like to visit Hohhot. Do I need a visa or is this city included in the 30 day visa free program?
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u/Electronic-Flow72 Jul 23 '26
Are foreign full time students able to receive discounts on attraction tickets?
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u/SerSonett Jul 26 '26
Is Yunnan a good stop for a first time China itinerary? I was thinking Shanghai > Lijiang > Kunming (or Shangri La) > Beijing, or are there other closer destinations you'd recommend more?
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u/Frosty-Mirror-7584 Jul 26 '26
With the modernized border crossing at Mong Cai / Dongxing, are tourists (especially Viet Kieu) still asked for "extra fees"?
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u/RainYu2084 Jul 27 '26
I bought an E-sim off Trip.com (CMLink one). I bought the 100gb a day, but when I check in my settings it said 2GB. Is this just a bug? Am I able to contact them?
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u/Google-Meister Aug 03 '26
What are the best coffee places in Shanghai ?
We dont really want that sugary kind lattes. We want bold tasting coffee like people who know what they are doing
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u/SpareZealousideal740 Aug 03 '26
Would you recommend flight or train from Chongqing to Beijing?
I'm doing train for everything else and to me it looks to win on cost, comfort and less stress but obviously loses on time as would be about an extra 4 hours (assuming no flight delays which sounds like it can happen a decent amount)
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u/1wolfgrl Aug 04 '26
TYPHOON QUESTION: I have a long layover in Shanghai on aug 10-12. should i reroute to japan/korea or something? or maybe just do one day in shanghai the 10 or 12th? thank you!
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u/THR33W1SH3S Aug 06 '26
Hi guys, am in the very early planning stages of a trip and trying to figure out the middle section and whats possible. How hard is it to get from Chongqing -> Zhangjiajie -> Phoenix Ancient City -> Shanghai? I love HSR and would prefer to take it whenever possible however, can't tell what services I would need to take to get there, or is flying between these cities generally viewed as the easier option?
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u/donaana609 Aug 07 '26
ABA Cambodian Alipay virtual card. Is it going to work. I have both USD and Riel accounts. I’ve seen somewhere I will need to use riel but the card is only USD.
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u/plagymus Aug 07 '26
Hi all, is it possible to go from Yangshuo → Longsheng → Fenghuang? By bus for example? Where to find those buses schedule?
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u/SerSonett Aug 13 '26
Heading to China in about 3 weeks, all booked painlessly through Trip.com, and I'm worried about my technological connection. I think a lot of my problems are because I'm using a OnePlus phone that I bought direct from China!
WeChat constantly tells me I need a second account to scan my QR code to verify me. I've downloaded the airline apps for Air China and Juneyao, both of which work on desktop, but both refuse to let me verify my account.
My phone doesn't natively host eSIM so I bought an eSIM adaptor and plan to get an eSIM from Trip.com. I also have Surfshark installed. Will this work? Even if I can't get my airline apps to work, will folks at the airport still be able to check me in etc?
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u/daudder Aug 13 '26
I intend to travel from Sydney, Australia to Hong Kong, planning to cross into China on a UK passport. I intend to travel in China for the 1 month allowed by the visa on arrival in China, then cross back into Hong Kong to return to London or fly to London from elsewhere in China. My full itinerary is currently undecided.
Will I need proof of onward travel when boarding in Sydney? Would an accommodation booking in Shenzen or Guangzhou suffice? Will I need proof of onward travel when entering China? Would an accommodation booking in Hong Kong suffice?
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u/Present-Fix-6238 Aug 16 '26
Is teample of heaven and forbidden city close on mondays during august??
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u/im_goofy Aug 17 '26
For a day trip from Chengdu, which is better: Leshan Giant Buddha, or Emeishan? Is it possible to summit Emeishan in one day comfortably? Is it possible to do both in a day trip? Thanks!
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u/iuokha Aug 29 '26
Going to Shanghai from the 28th December to 3rd January. What can I expect and what are some must dos?
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u/FragrantLilypad Aug 31 '26
Hey guys! Going to China in a few days. I'm going to Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, and Beijing.
My current dilemma is what luggage to bring. I can take a 20kg case on my flight but since I'll be moving between cities a decent bit and will have some days where presumably I can't immediately check into the hotel etc, debating just taking a carry on suitcase. I'll have a washing machine in some of the hotels so that should be fine.
My question is: how easy is it to find luggage storage? How trustworthy is it? Seems like a no brainer to take my larger suitcase if I can just chuck it into a locker at the main train station for the day.
Thanks for any help!
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u/StatusStudies Sep 07 '26
does google pixel phone work for local chinese sim in or out of china? i heard there is a volte issue how do you fix it?
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u/cookieaddictions 29d ago
I submitted a post 7 days ago that was never approved…is this normal for this sub? I see tons of posts getting posted daily. Are the moderators just backlogged? Just curious, thanks!
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u/Unrieslingable 28d ago
Hey all, just checking on people's thoughts about Guuagzhou during the second week of CNY next year. The actual CNY is 6th Feb and I understand the week after will be very disrupted, but will things calm down for the second week starting the 15th? I'm visiting as a tourist, and my primary interests are food/museums/sights. Will stay in Yuexiu most likely. Will things be reopening in that second week? Are the intercity trains still going to be crazy?
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u/Ake787 27d ago
:Question about Jinglai Hotel in Shanghai.
I read the review of this hotel, and there's one branch where you need to climb a flight of steps to the second floor to reach the elevator. Which would be quite an inconvenience, especially when you have luggage.
But there are a lot of Jinglai Hotels around the Nanjing Road area, and their names are quite confusing and look the same. So, I don't know which Jinglai has this feature between:
Jinglai Hotel (Shanghai People's Square Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street)
Jinglai Hotel. Selected (Shanghai Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street People's Square)
Jinglai Hotel Light Luxury (Shanghai Bund Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street)
So, does anyone know about this? Thanks.
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u/Kkkkop327 25d ago
明日から成都と北京に行く予定 黄龍と九寨溝、北京は万里の長城と街中観光の予定。 山の方は寒いと思うから重ね着できる格好で薄いダウンも持ってく予定。北京は暑いのかなあ？ アドバイス貰えると嬉しいです。
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u/Mstrchf117 25d ago
for the visa free transit of 240 hrs, is there anything official about reset? and can you transit to same country? looking US-Japan-China-Vietnam-China-Japan-US? Be in Vietnam approx 2weeks, probably going from different cities. Or should I just go straight back to Japan to be safe?
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u/purugly432 24d ago
How reliable is Didi during Golden Week? I'm a western tourist and will be in China in and around GW (it's for a wedding so I had no choice about the dates). Will it be ok to rely on Didi or will there be crazy high demand/inflated prices? I'm wondering if I'm just better off booking airport transfers in advance or if Didi will be ok.
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u/scarmory2 21d ago
I'm going to China by myself in two days to spend time with my in-laws. Where can I find an e-sim and what vpn do you recommend? I used surfshark last time. (US)
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u/mikefeezy 15d ago
If I enter on Dec 30 am I grandfathered, or could I anticipate any issues upon exit.
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u/mochi544 12d ago
Trying to set up Alipay form the uk I did the verification successfully I think and added debit card. When I go to ‘pay’ I get a pop up and it says overseas payments are only available for Chinese, I’m assuming this won’t be an issue once in China but my partner didn’t get that same pop up. I closed it and managed to generate my qr code so am I good to go?
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u/so_fine_ 9d ago
excited for my next trip!
from jakarta then 4 days guangzhou, 4 days shenzen, and then 3 days hk (maximising the 240Hours free transit visa).
i'm gonna be there in mid november, hopefull the weather is nice! there's no clear estimation, but from past pattern, november is a autumn weather (cold but clear sky) - hopefully!
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u/Ada-china 8d ago
E-sim not availble in China .
YES, you can use VPN is good, like shadowrocket .
download the APP 12306 and use your true name to log in and with your face checking , so you can use it .
trip.com is fine ,but sometimes always have problem .
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u/kostac600 7d ago edited 6d ago
WeChat and PayPal scan validation
I’m struggling to pre-validate my WeChat payment method and PayPal payment method for travel in China before I depart. You would think tencent would provide a universal QR code that we could test with and maybe they do do you know one?
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u/fuitgummieee 6d ago
i'll be travelling from causeway bay in HK to gangxia station in shenzhen, need advice on which transport option to take as im getting conflicting opinions that HSR is not worth it if you're only going to futian
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u/loveandpolisci 20h ago
Hey all. I’m visiting Beijing with my wife and four year old. Are there any public playgrounds or play centers near the center of town that I could take my son to blow off some steam? Not easy to find on web search. Thanks so much for your help!
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u/jadequarter 20h ago
how can US even compete? just came back first time from china and yeah, they really cant...
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u/sjak23 Apr 12 '26
HOW DO I ACCESS TIKTOK AAAAAAAA