Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Always carry your passport; it's a legal requirement in China, needed for various activities, including train travel and even convenience store visits. Photocopies are not accepted. (0:18)
- Tip 2Use the Didi app, the Chinese equivalent of Uber, for affordable and convenient transportation throughout China. It's user-friendly and available in English. (3:02)
- Tip 3Utilize China's extensive high-speed train network for fast, easy, and affordable travel between cities. Book tickets in advance through Trip.com. (4:51)
- Tip 4Plan your trip during the shoulder seasons (May-June and September-October) to avoid large crowds and extreme temperatures. Avoid Chinese holidays and summer vacation periods. (6:00)
- Tip 5Check visa requirements based on your nationality. For those eligible, a 15-day visa-free entry is available; otherwise, be prepared for a more extensive application process. (7:33)
- Tip 6Obtain a VPN before entering China to access blocked websites and social media platforms. Surfshark and Astrill are suggested options. (10:56)
- Tip 7Use WeChat Pay and Alipay for transactions in China. Set up accounts before your trip to avoid verification issues. (12:36)
- Tip 8Use Trip.com to book attractions, tickets, and transportation. It offers a wider selection than other platforms and simplifies the booking process. (13:38)
Joel Friend's China adventure is a whirlwind of insightful tips and surprising discoveries. From navigating the unique payment systems of WeChat and Alipay to mastering the high-speed rail network, this video reveals the essential knowledge for a smooth trip. Learn about the unexpected cultural nuances, the importance of a VPN, and how to secure a visa, all while experiencing the vibrant food scene and breathtaking landscapes. Don't miss this essential guide before your own Chinese expedition!
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This travelogue by Joel Friend offers 17 essential tips for navigating China. He emphasizes the necessity of carrying a passport at all times, a stark contrast to many other travel destinations. Joel highlights the challenges of using Google Maps in China, recommending Baidu Maps instead, and underscores the importance of having mobile data for seamless communication and navigation. He details his experience with the efficient and affordable Didi app, the Chinese equivalent of Uber.
Safety in China is a key theme, with Joel describing his experience as safer than in London, attributing this to the extensive camera surveillance system. The importance of travel insurance is stressed, particularly SafetyWing, which he uses and recommends. He also discusses the optimal time to visit, suggesting May-June or September-October to avoid peak seasons and extreme weather.
Cultural differences are highlighted, including queue-jumping and public spitting, which surprised Joel. The video delves into the visa process, emphasizing the recent visa-free entry for 15 days for certain nationalities and the more complex process for others. Joel details his own experience obtaining a two-year multi-entry visa.
Joel also covers practical aspects such as using the subway system, which he found surprisingly user-friendly, and the unique dining experience of sharing food from a central table. He also discusses the prevalence of international food chains in China. He recommends having a good translation app and a VPN for accessing blocked websites and social media platforms. He explains how to use WeChat and Alipay for payments, emphasizing the importance of setting them up before arriving in China.
Finally, he recommends Trip.com for booking transportation and accommodation, highlighting its advantages over other platforms for navigating the Chinese booking system. Overall, Joel's video is a comprehensive and entertaining guide for anyone planning a trip to China, filled with personal anecdotes and valuable insights.