China 10 Things you need to know when traveling there

When I went to China last year for one month in total. I thought I was quite well prepared, but some things were more difficult than expected. Read this article and find out what you need to know, before traveling there. 

1. Get a VPN before arriving.
   
   Without a VPN, you won’t be able to use your Western Apps, it just won’t work well. Get a VPN, which will be for the length you are there. I had it, that my VPN was not until my last day and I could not extend it. Also the internet is just really slow and bad when using a VPN.
   
2. Connect a bank account to Alipay or Wechat.
   
   It sounds weird, but you won’t get around with cash, also you will be using these apps for everything. I mainly used Alipay, because Wechat blocked me, so third point

3. You need a local person to verify you on Wechat
   
   So without someone to verify you, you won’t be able to use Wechat. Also it is important to mention that you should take care of the amount of people who you are going to add. Even though I was verified, I was still blocked because I added too many people to it. Good that I traveled there with two phones. 
   
4. There are cameras everywhere
   
   If you don’t like to be filmed 24/7, you should just not go there. Also at the airport, they scanned my face after the security check, to tell me where my seat was.
   
5. It is very cheap in China
   
   I am someone who usually is not taking taxis, here you take a taxi for 30min and spend like less then 3 Euros. The Taxi is best to get with Didi.
   Also the food is very cheap. 
   
6. Free refill of noodles
   
   I am a big fan of eating noodles and in small places, you can order a free refill of noodles. You won’t get refilled the sauce or the toppings, but you get the noodles for free, if you ask them about it.

7. English is not a thing
   
   You will be using translator apps often in China, you won’t get around if you speak English. Of course it is possible to find people speaking it, but it is not really a thing.
   
8. Everything is on time and be early for trains
   
   Trains are not just quick, they are also on time! There is also a big security check before you take trains, because it is handled similarly to airports. If you take the fast trains, you will be arriving so quickly at your destination. You can take cheaper trains, but you will take way longer for it.

9. CE Powerbanks are not allowed in China
   
   When you arrive in China or even take a train, it is not a problem, they will not take them from you. If you have a domestic flight inside China, they will take the powerbank with you, even though they are all made in China. Get yourself a powerbank with the right CCC label. In my opinion, it is really stupid, but it is like that.
    
10. People want to make business with you
    
    Yes this point is not meant for all chinese people, don’t get me wrong. I found it quite hard making real connections with people, because most of them just saw me as a business opportunity. I came to China to do business, but only people at the fair I attended knew. The people who I talked to at the train stop or normal daily life places, who spoke english, also after some time just wanted to bring their products to Europe. Maybe I was unlucky, but it happened often to me while being there with my obviously backpacking backpack. Just wanted to mention that, because it was a thing during my one month in China. 

I liked my time in China and I had great experiences. It is just a country you want to inform yourself about. China is not a typical tourist destination. If you have any questions, just please let me know. 

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook