Ten Things Everyone Should Do Before Travelling to China

Hello guys, teacher Guil here, bringing you some tips on how to travel to one of my favourite countries ever, China!

Before traveling to China, secure a visa, set up mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat) linked to international cards, and install a reliable VPN for internet access. Download essential apps (WeChat, Trip.com, DiDi, mapping tools) and carry your passport always.

Here are ten essential things to do before travelling to China:

1. Secure Your Visa: Apply at least one to three months in advance, ensuring your passport has at least six months validity, as noted in the 10 Essential Things to Do Before Traveling to China guide.
   
   1. Brazilians, up to the time this blog post was written, don't need a visa to enter Mandarin soil. But remember, once in China, do as the Chinese and follow the customs and rules.
2. Download and Set Up Mobile Payments: Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival and link your international bank card. China is largely cashless, and these apps are essential for daily transactions.
3. Install a Reliable VPN: Popular global websites and apps (Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) are blocked. A VPN is crucial for access.
4. Download Essential Local Apps: Install Trip.com for booking trains/hotels, DiDi for ride-hailing (it has an English option), and a translation app like Pleco.
5. Get an eSIM or Local SIM Card: Purchase an international eSIM, such as those recommended by GetYourGuide before arrival, or get a local SIM at the airport for better connectivity and to receive verification codes.
6. Book Accommodation and Tickets in Advance: Book your trains and hotels early, especially if traveling during peak times, using platforms like Trip.com.
7. Bring Sufficient Cash/Cards: While mobile payments rule, carry some cash for small vendors or emergencies.
8. Carry Your Passport Everywhere: You will need your passport to access attractions, enter high-speed railway stations, and sometimes even for hotel check-ins or bank transactions.
9. Learn Basic Mandarin Phrases: English is not widely spoken, so learning key phrases for "hello" (nǐ hǎo), "thank you" (xièxiè), and "goodbye" (zàijiàn) is highly helpful.
10. Plan Your Itinerary (and Have it Written in Chinese): Prepare your itinerary, including addresses of hotels and destinations, written in Chinese characters to show taxi drivers and for navigation, as recommended by Inspiring Vacations.

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Traveling to China? Embrace the journey and schedule your preparation class with us at Unlock!