Tips
TRAVEL TIPS
TRAVEL TIPS
Key here is that you need to prep your cell phone with a VPN and be ready to pay through your phone.
Key here is that you need to prep your cell phone with a VPN and be ready to pay through your phone.
China is known for its “great firewall”, to circumvent, please download VPN on your phone before the flight so you can continue to access Google, Gmail, Facebook, WhatsApp and the like. Not all VPN providers work there. Here are the top 3 we recommend:
China is known for its “great firewall”, to circumvent, please download VPN on your phone before the flight so you can continue to access Google, Gmail, Facebook, WhatsApp and the like. Not all VPN providers work there. Here are the top 3 we recommend:
- ExpressVPN
- ExpressVPN
- NordVPN
- NordVPN
- Astrill VPN
- Astrill VPN
Download google of imaps to your phone so you have navigation even if you don’t have WiFi or a cell signal or either are slow (critical in pinches for where you are or need to go)
Download google of imaps to your phone so you have navigation even if you don’t have WiFi or a cell signal or either are slow (critical in pinches for where you are or need to go)
Download WeChat and link credit card to be able to pay for things with phone
Download WeChat and link credit card to be able to pay for things with phone
- Most of china does not accept credit cards or cash
- Most of china does not accept credit cards or cash
- These topics are off limit and should be avoided: politics, government, religion
- These topics are off limit and should be avoided: politics, government, religion
- Don’t take pictures of politically sensitive materials - Basically, take pictures where other tourists are taking picture and don’t when no one has their cell phone / camera out
- Don’t take pictures of politically sensitive materials - Basically, take pictures where other tourists are taking picture and don’t when no one has their cell phone / camera out
- Listen to the police
- Listen to the police
- Getting used to being tracked by the authority (think of getting photos taken, passport scanning)
- Getting used to being tracked by the authority (think of getting photos taken, passport scanning)
- Electric charger converter
- Electric charger converter
- How to use your US cell phone in China? Options and our recommendations
- How to use your US cell phone in China? Options and our recommendations
+ International roaming - We recommend this but could be expensive depending on your carrier, Karl and I have Xfinity Mobile, China is a covered destination for the Global Travel Pass, which is $10/day per line.
+ International roaming - We recommend this but could be expensive depending on your carrier, Karl and I have Xfinity Mobile, China is a covered destination for the Global Travel Pass, which is $10/day per line.
+ Rent or Buy a WiFi pocket - this is like your personal hotspot but only works with apps not text messages or regular calls
+ Rent or Buy a WiFi pocket - this is like your personal hotspot but only works with apps not text messages or regular calls
+ Buy a prepaid Chinese SIM card - not recommended as most modern phones don’t use SIM card these days
+ Buy a prepaid Chinese SIM card - not recommended as most modern phones don’t use SIM card these days
+ Buy eSIM card for tourists - We also recommend this. You can buy it online before departure or after arrival. Here are some online providers: Chinaesim.com,Gigago, Airalo. Bonus: Chinaeism.com offers eSIMs without the need of VPN so you can bypass a step
+ Buy eSIM card for tourists - We also recommend this. You can buy it online before departure or after arrival. Here are some online providers: Chinaesim.com,Gigago, Airalo. Bonus: Chinaeism.com offers eSIMs without the need of VPN so you can bypass a step
+ Free public WiFi - Not recommended unless you are at the hotel because most will need a Chinese cell phone # to register
+ Free public WiFi - Not recommended unless you are at the hotel because most will need a Chinese cell phone # to register
CULTURE TIPS
CULTURE TIPS
The some of it is that Americans are favorably viewed and are larger on average than Chinese people so you will feel safe and welcomed.
The some of it is that Americans are favorably viewed and are larger on average than Chinese people so you will feel safe and welcomed.
Private Guide:
Private Guide:
- We plan on being with you for most of the time and will have a translator, but to further make the trip easier, you can hire a Private guide (aka personal concierge) usually through the hotel and can be between $100 - $150 for a whole day.
- We plan on being with you for most of the time and will have a translator, but to further make the trip easier, you can hire a Private guide (aka personal concierge) usually through the hotel and can be between $100 - $150 for a whole day.
What to expect in terms of cultural differences:
What to expect in terms of cultural differences:
- Bias towards white foreigners (“Lao Wai”). To an average Chinese person, they cannot tell Americans from Scottish, they see the skin color differences but will not assume you are from a certain country. Fair skin is viewed as good and privileged and in a way praised. E.g. check out the Ad billboard for any commercials while you are in Beijing, it’s either with White people or with super fair skin pretty young women… As a result, you might run into people who would want to take pictures with you out of admiration
- Bias towards white foreigners (“Lao Wai”). To an average Chinese person, they cannot tell Americans from Scottish, they see the skin color differences but will not assume you are from a certain country. Fair skin is viewed as good and privileged and in a way praised. E.g. check out the Ad billboard for any commercials while you are in Beijing, it’s either with White people or with super fair skin pretty young women… As a result, you might run into people who would want to take pictures with you out of admiration
- Tipping: We will be taking care of accommodation, activities, and food but if you are ever on your own, please know that tipping is extremely uncommon in China and may even backfire (being viewed as an insulting gesture)
- Tipping: We will be taking care of accommodation, activities, and food but if you are ever on your own, please know that tipping is extremely uncommon in China and may even backfire (being viewed as an insulting gesture)