Despite the many blog posts, I’ve written about China, I still get asked all sorts of questions from people about to embark on their big adventure to the Middle Kingdom. So, I’ve put together a quick ‘go to’ list, of essentials, to make sure you’re not caught short when you visit China. Before you go: 1. Download a VPN If you want to be able to use Google, your Gmail account, pop over to Face Book for a nosey, check out Twitter, or use any social media accounts for that matter, or perhaps you want to text home using What’s App, or watch a bit of Netflix -- heads up, you won’t be able to do any of that in China! At least not without a VPN. With many websites banned in the country, a VPN, also known as a Virtual Private Network, simply tricks your computer and/or internet into thinking it’s somewhere else i.e. another country. This allows you to log into all the things you can’t leave home without. In China, it came to be known as my ‘VPS’ –Virtual Protector of Sanity. So, how do you get a VPN? I wrote a post a few years ago on the logistics of choosing a VPN, you can read that here but because those that work best tend to change every year and China is often banning certain VPNs, I’ve also done the legwork to come up with a list of those that are most effective in 2019. NordVPN NordVPN is recommended by those in the know and has kept its focus on becoming one of the better VPNs in China. It also offers good value for money. Click here for more information. Express VPN. Express VPN has long been and still is classed as one of the most efficient and easiest to use. In fact, it was the one we used when we lived in China and was by far the most consistent. VyprVPN VyprVPN began in 2006 in China and has become one of the most popular VPNs. Their security levels are top notch and their speed is excellent. Private Internet Access These guys are one of the simplest to use. You’ll also see they are one of the cheapest. Private VPN Experts say Private VPN is great when used on Stealth mode! 12VPN 12VPN also gets top marks and consistently provides good service. Surfshark Surfshark works well and can help you bypass tough censorship, including the ability to unblock Netflix in the US! Astrill One of the biggest VPN providers, Astrill is still favoured by many as the premier VPN provider in China. All of these obviously cost money so if you’re looking for a FREE VPN for a few days and you’re not too fussy about speed and consistency, try the following: *Hotspot Shield *Windscribe *TunnelBear *bVPN And for the very latest information on the best VPN for your needs (August 2020), check out Consumer Advocate's post here. Best VPN's Based on In-depth Reviews. 2. Install a Translation App While English is spoken by many Chinese, it’s still quite limited in a lot of cities, especially outside the top four. It can be hard to have more than a basic conversation, so it will pay to have a back-up in the form of a good translation app downloaded before you go. These days, there are those that translate your voice directly - what more could you want? Which one to use? Baidu Translate Baidu is one of the easiest because it’s a China-approved app, so will never be blocked and it’s free. Users say conversations are fast and reasonably accurate. Google Translate Google Translate is one of the best but will be blocked unless you have your VPN (see above). It offers both voice and conversation translation. iTranslate Reviewers say it’s one of the best with a great user experience but unfortunately does cost. Good for those who aren’t technically inclined (ahem, yours truly). Microsoft Translator This one isn’t blocked and is free. Very simple to use. You can hear the translation as well as see it in Chinese characters and pinyin. PLECO If you just want a simple app on your phone to type in English words and find out the Chinese equivalent, I couldn’t get by without Pleco. Obviously, the key to using a VPN and any translation app is WIFI, whether that’s with your own data or connecting to the hotel or local WiFi. If you are using Chinese WiFi, warning: don’t expect miracles when it comes to speed! 3. Using Money in China First things first, be sure to tell your bank you’re going overseas, so your cards aren’t blocked. Secondly, be aware that many places in China still don’t take foreign credit cards. (Girls, just FYI Zara and H & M do!) ;) Your best bet is to carry some cash. And because many western banks don’t carry the Chinese Yuan (RMB), it’s probably easiest to exchange enough money at the airport to get you by, at least until you reach your hotel, for things like a taxi from the airport and food. From there on in, you should be able to use your debit card to withdraw from an ATM – make sure they have the Visa or Mastercard logo. Those major banks that should allow you to do this are: Bank of China, China Merchant’s Bank or ICBC. ATMs do have English, but you will need your pin for both debit and credit cards. Of course, WeChat and Alipay are now taking over cash in China for locals as the most popular forms of payment, but even though there is an option to add a foreign credit card to the apps, I’m told it’s not as reliable or perhaps easy as you think. **Also, note, if you’re using cash in Chinese shops, do expect it may be funnelled through a machine which detects whether or not they’re fake notes. Unfortunately, this is a reality in China, and I’ve known tourists to be caught out, even when withdrawing from an ATM. 4. Travelling Around China If you want to book travel flights within China, the best online site is Ctrip, now called Trip.com. It's generally cheaper than foreign companies and they have English-speaking phone support in case you have any problems. Beware, there’s a big possibility (like a fifty per cent chance) that any flight you take in China will be delayed, so be prepared! Also, there’ll likely be no English spoken on Chinese domestic carriers and the food tends to be a little dubious. Trains on the other hand, almost always run on time and are extremely speedy and efficient. China's bullet trains run at 300km plus an hour and have you there in no time at all! They’re also safe and pretty comfortable too. For timetables in English, these two sites are recommended and are also good options to purchase your tickets online. - www.china-diy-travel.com (also gives fares, in RMB) - www.chinahighlights.com (also gives fares, in US$) www.chinatt.org Try to book well in advance as tickets do get sold out, especially if there are any big national holidays looming. You can also book trains on Trip.com You can try buying your tickets at the stations, especially Beijing, but before you do, I highly recommend checking out this site which is super detailed on everything to do with trains in China! Note: You will need your passport for all ticket purchases. To get around most cities in China, a taxi is usually your best option. Cash is still the easiest method to pay your fare with unless you have WeChat or Alipay. Some taxis will refuse to give you change for 100RMB so make sure you have smaller notes on hand too. Before you get in, ensure you have the name of your destination written in Chinese or a card from the hotel, to hand the driver. It is law for Chinese taxis to use a meter so if you’ve flagged down a normal cab, check that it’s on and if they refuse by trying to negotiate a ‘price’ with you, you can simply refuse and exit the cab. Most taxis are bright colours, red, green or yellow, so you can't miss them, but there are also what’s known as illegal ‘black cabs.’ These so called cabbies don’t use meters and can end up costing you much more than you bargained for. If you do use one, try and negotiate a price before you get in. In many city’s don’t be surprised if taxis refuse to pick up foreigners. It’s not personal, they simply don’t want the hassle of someone who can’t speak the language. Thankfully, what is more popular now is the Chinese Uber equivalent, Didi Chuxing.Download this app and set up your payment method before you leave home.It is available in English and they do take foreign credit cards! For more information you can check out this link here 5. Using a Phone When you’re travelling, having network data is key, right? As I mentioned, WiFi isn't always available so connecting to a Chinese network is crucial. You can do this with international roaming, which is obviously the easiest way, but it can also be the most expensive. Alternatively, you can purchase a Chinese SIM card but this does mean your phone needs to be unlocked or you can buy a cheap Chinese phone when you arrive. Travel China Cheaper goes into extensive detail here. There’s also another option which involves renting a phone and wifi for China online. This will give you a Chinese phone number, which is often needed when connecting to WiFi in public places, help you avoid any security concerns, and basically save you a whole lot of time! Here are the details to do this. 6. Powering up In mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, the power supplied to sockets is 220 volts at 50Hz AC. This is similar to what you’ll find in most of Europe and Australia but different to the 110V 60Hz found in the United States and Canada. There are a variety of plugs found in China, but the 220V 50Hz electrical current stays the same. If you find that you have a device rated for 220V or 240V that won’t fit any of these plugs make sure you purchase a simple travel plug converter before you leave. Now you've got all that, time to get packing! Struggling with what to pack? Check out my post on the Top Ten Things to Pack When Travelling to China And just before you go, couple of key things to remember: The tap water in China is NOT drinkable (that includes brushing your teeth).Air pollution can be a serious hazard, particularly in the winter months. Make sure you bring a mask to wear if levels are extremely high. I recommend Vog Masks.And of course, avoiding travel insurance is simply not an option. … [Read more...]
Travelling to China: Where to Go and What to See!
Having chalked up almost two years in China, I often get asked advice on where to go and what to see, so I thought it was high time I put together a 'go to' post, if the Middle Kingdom's on your bucket list. Given the vastness of China, we've seen a mere blip of the world's most populous nation that's home to 661 cities. Nonetheless, we've managed to tick off quite a few, on the journey thus far! If you've got the urge to come and see what all the fuss is about and want the adventure of a lifetime, here are my top recommendations, for first timers, at least. First Stop: Shanghai Given that most airlines fly direct to Shanghai from most cities across the globe, China's biggest and brightest city is probably a good place to start exploring this unique part of the world. This city of 24 million people is buzzing with all the excitement of modern day China. With a skyline that's literally 'out of this world', Shanghai is renowned as the 'Paris of the East!' Bustling with a charismatic fusion of the East and West, the city has a unique blend of the sassy and sophisticated with the culturally quaint essence that is 'old China' running through her veins. Dip your toes in Shanghai and gradually get a feel for life in China, without throwing yourself in the deep end. For a list of what to do and see... click on my post: Shanghai Shenanigans: A Weekend in the Paris of the East Note: There are two international airports - Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport, the latter is closest to the city centre. Two to three days should be enough time to indulge in the city high life... Hangzhou If you've got extra time in your schedule, take a side trip down to the place they call 'China's Paradise on Earth!' Hangzhou is just a 45 minute train ride from the metropolis of Shanghai so it makes an easy day trip. The top must-see...the country's famous West Lake (just steer clear of national holidays)! If you're up for staying overnight, the area is also famous for its Longjin Tea Plantation. For more on what to do in Hangzhou or if you're unsure whether or not to add it to your itinerary, check out my post: China's Paradise on Earth: Hangzhou is it Worth the Visit? If you're up for another day trip from Shanghai and a taste of mini Venice in the East - head to one of the area's classic ancient water towns. I'll be honest with you, we missed these on our first trip but visiting one is still on the bucket list! Beijing If you've made the decision to visit China, it's hard to go past the nation's capital! The great political hub where the past and future collide in a hot pot of cultural ideologies. Home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, you can immerse yourself in China's rich history and get a sense of the how the headquarters of the world's second fastest growing economy ticks. Of course, access to one of China's greatest treasures, the Great Wall of China is just a stone's throw from the city (well, a two hour drive). A once in a life time moment -- you can soak up tradition and the mere scale of the great wall itself, which stretches across China. (Just be prepared for heart palpitating chair lifts up and a toboggan ride down that will have you hanging on by the skin of your teeth!) Beijing has a cold winter and very hot summer so choose your times wisely. March to May and September to November are ideal. For more on what to do in China's capital: check out my post: Visit Beijing: The World's Super City in the Making Harbin Time permitting and depending on the time of the year you're visiting (early January to mid February), take a trip up to Harbin to see the famous ice sculpture festival. Not for the faint-hearted, Harbin has without doubt one of the most bitterly cold winters in China, but if you're game -- I have it on good authority that the "Ice City" is pretty dam spectacular! At night these gigantic snow and ice sculptures are bathed in a kaleidoscope of brilliant colour. (Just think -- all of those Frozen fans visiting their own real life Arendelle!) A two hour flight from Beijing, Harbin bears the influences of Eastern Russia, so harbours its own distinct flavour. (Tip: I'm told you don't want to go too late in winter or the sculptures start to melt and get a little dirty.) Xi'an Of course, there's no visiting China without taking a trip to the so-called cultural cradle of civilisation! Pop in to say hi to those world-famous Terracotta Warriors (oh and me)! There's no shortage of things to see in this historical city, from a bike ride around the ancient city wall to the mesmerising and utterly mad Muslim Quarter, the 1300 year old temple we like to call our neighbour, Big Wild Goose Pagoda.... and an opportunity to soak up what I like to call the "real China!" For more - this post has got you covered: 48 Hours in Xi'an: Top 5 Things to Do! Note: Xi'an has two seasons, a cold winter and a hot summer, so if you don't want to get caught in the icy winter pollution or summer furnace, the best times to visit are between March and May and September and November. Xi'an is just under two hours flight from Beijing. Luoyang If you have time for a side trip from Xi'an, I would highly recommend catching the high speed train to Luoyang. It's a one and a half hour trip through the countryside to the city of six million and from here you can visit the mystical Shaolin Temple high up in the Song Shan Mountains -- this is the birthplace of Buddhism and is still an active monastery today, as well as being home to the world's largest Kungfu academy. The world famous Longmen Grottos are a 45 minute drive from Luoyang and here you can get up close and personal with incredible gigantic sculptures carved into the side of cliffs that are still clearly visible centuries later. For more information on visiting these hot spots, check out my post Kungfu But No Panda: Welcome to 3rd Tier China. Tibet Sustaining spectacular landscape, spiritual traditions and a mythical-like culture, the Buddhist region of Tibet is a once in a life time wonder....which also boasts the world's highest peak, Mt Everest. But this is a magical place in which you need time up your sleeve to visit. At around 3000 metres above sea level, Tibet is the highest region on earth so it takes time to acclimatise, which means ideally at least four to five days in the region and even better, stretching the journey there over several days to avoid altitude sickness on arrival. (Note: Altitude sickness doesn't discriminate, so regardless of age, gender or fitness there's generally no rhyme or reason as to who gets hit and who doesn't.... If you suffer from any illnesses, you should definitely check with your doctor first if you do plan to go to Tibet.) Experts say, taking the train to Tibet makes acclimatising easier......but you can easily fly from many cities in China, including Xi'an, Chengdu, Beijing and Shanghai. It is difficult for non-Chinese citizens to travel independently in Tibet with various restrictions on foreign tourists. All foreign travelers are required to join an organized tour operated by authorized travel agencies and Chinese authorities often close Tibet to foreign tourists altogether in March. If you have the desire for adventure, take time to schedule a trip to the place they call the 'roof of the world' into your itinerary. Chengdu If you love cute and furry teddy bears, aka Giant Pandas - Chengdu is the place to see them in China. Just a short one hour flight from Xi'an, Sichuan Province is where you'll find the majority of these furry critters lounging about, just chewin’ on bamboo. It’s predicted just over a thousand live in the wild and the China Conservation and Research Centre in Chengdu is home to around 80 of the provinces most famous residents. Head to Chengdu for an overnight trip. For more check out my post Pandas in Chengdu: Don't Mind if I Do! Yangtze River Yangtze River known as Cháng Jiāng - or longest river is the largest in China and the third largest in the world after the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in South America. It spans over 6000 kilometres and traversing eleven provinces and cities from west to east! Tourists can enjoy the stunning scenery of the Three Gorges while exploring the ancient cultural sites along the river. There are a myriad of different packages, boats and routes to take so you'll need to pick your package carefully... whether you take one that winds from Beijing to Shanghai over 10 days or just a few days between Chongqing and Wuhan, there are many options. I'm yet to tick this off my list but for more information, check out these sites: The Travel China Guide The Yangtze River Cruise Guide Guilin One of the most beautiful and quaint places I've seen in China, Guilin has definitely earned it's nickname ‘Shan shui jia tian xia’ meaning Guilin’s ‘mountain and water scenery is the best under heaven’. Guilin city is the stepping stone to places like Ping An Village where you can see the China of old in all her glory. From Guilin Airport, Ping An is a 2.5 hour drive up into the hills.... spend a night here and soak up the unique and rich culture of this 600 year old village that oozes unrivalled charm amongst a setting of stunning rice terraces. A world away and a breath of fresh air from China's manic side! Catch a ferry up the river to Yangshuo and marvel at the limestone karsts that jut from the sea in their mesmerising shapes and sizes. No wonder they call it a ‘jade ribbon winding among thousands of Karst Hills.’ Yangshuo Village is the perfect place for a fun adventure. Ride bikes along the river path or catch a bamboo raft and glide your way down the river. This post will give you the lowdown! China's Pearl of the Orient: Why Guilin is Compulsory Viewing! Hong Kong It's not part of the mainland, but my advice is after all of that adventure, you need to end your trip on a high note....perhaps amongst Hong Kong's glittering sky scrapers? The 'city that never sleeps' is home to 8000 plus restaurants, not to mention some beautiful beaches and hiking trails. Oh and let's not forget the fabulous shopping! Finish off your amazing trip to the East with a relaxing couple of days in the fragrant harbour. Hong Kong gets very humid, so avoid the blazing summer months from June to August. Travelling to Hong Kong? This page has it all. Oh and if you're still not convinced...check out my post Four Good Reasons You Need to Travel China If you are convinced.... don't forget to read this! Travelling to China: Top Ten Things to Pack! Happy Travelling! This is China. Pssst... feel free to message me with any further questions and I'll try to help. Nicole@mintmochamusings.com … [Read more...]
Four Good Reasons You Need to Travel to China
Yep! (other than coming to visit me of course!) If you've never been to China, I'm here to convince you to give it a shot, to put it on the bucket list! I'm not promising a picture perfect paradise that will blow your mind, but I am pitching a place that is predominantly laced with a fascinating past intertwined with an equally intriguing present. It's a unique combination that may well give you one of your more priceless 'holiday' experiences. I've been living in Xi'an, north west China for around five months now and whilst I lived in Hong Kong for four years and had a reasonably good induction into Asia, (naively) I assumed I was prepared for a move to the motherland. I wasn't. Granted, I'm in a second tier city, so the comparisons between Xi'an and Hong Kong are not as forthcoming as between say, the bright lights of Shanghai and Hong Kong, but nonetheless I'm quickly realizing, love it or hate it, China is a country with an enthralling state of affairs. Here are my four reasons I believe you should consider a trip to the mad, but oh so memorable Mainland! Click to my column on Expat Focus for the lowdown! … [Read more...]