
This video by BeeRose In China provides a comprehensive guide for travelers planning a trip to China. She begins by addressing visa requirements, emphasizing the importance of a passport with sufficient validity and pages. BeeRose highlights two scenarios where a visa might not be necessary: a transit visa for eligible nationalities and a trial period of visa-free entry for select countries until November 30th, 2024. However, she recommends obtaining a 10-year multi-entry visa for convenience.
Next, she tackles the topic of payments, strongly recommending mobile payment apps like WeChat or Alipay for seamless transactions. For those preferring cash, she advises obtaining Renminbi (RMB) beforehand from their banks or, less ideally, at airport exchange counters due to high fees. ATMs at the airport are presented as a viable alternative.
Transportation from the airport is discussed, with taxis suggested as a readily available and straightforward option. BeeRose offers practical advice on communication with taxi drivers who may only speak Chinese, suggesting showing the address in writing or on a phone. Hotel shuttles are mentioned as a convenient alternative.
Choosing accommodation is addressed, with recommendations for hotels in the east side of Beijing, ranging from luxurious five-star options to more budget-friendly choices in the $50-$80 range. The importance of police registration is highlighted, especially for those not staying in hotels, emphasizing the need to register within 24 hours.
BeeRose then delves into essential apps: WeChat, described as an all-in-one platform combining messaging, social media, and payment functions; Alipay, primarily for business transactions; and Didi, a ride-hailing app comparable to Uber. She emphasizes the importance of adding international cards to these apps for ease of payment. Food delivery apps, Ola and Meituan, are also recommended for convenient meals at the hotel.
The importance of a VPN for accessing Western websites and apps is stressed. Practical tips include carrying tissues and hand sanitizer, due to the potential lack of these amenities in public restrooms, and practicing squatting, as many toilets are squat toilets. She also warns against flushing toilet paper down the toilet.
BeeRose emphasizes the necessity of bottled water due to the unsuitability of tap water for drinking. Communication is addressed, with Microsoft Translator app suggested as a reliable offline translation tool. She shares a few basic useful Chinese phrases, highlighting the prevalence of picture menus in restaurants.
Finally, BeeRose concludes with a call to action, encouraging viewers to like, comment, and subscribe to her channel. She expresses her hope that viewers have a wonderful trip to China and invites them to visit Beijing.