Staying Connected

Seriously, a smartphone is your best friend here. You really can’t get by easily without one. Make sure you have a smartphone with WeChat (微信, Weixin) and Alipay (支付宝, Zhifubao) – these are essential for everyday life.

The phone brand or specs don’t matter too much, but you’ll need a SIM card that works in China. You can get one with your passport. If you only need data, consider an eSIM. A tip: be careful if the SIM card number was previously used, as it might cause some issues. Roaming with your foreign SIM card is an option, but it can be more expensive, and using WeChat and Alipay will be slower as the data has to go back to your home country first.

Payment

Cash isn’t king here. In the city, WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate. Legally, merchants can’t refuse cash, but they might not have change or might require extra processing. In more rural areas, cash is still more common because internet access is less reliable. Most businesses in Shanghai will readily accept WeChat Pay or Alipay.

Good news: WeChat Pay and Alipay both support international bank cards (Visa and Mastercard). You’ll need to enable overseas payments before come to China.

Hotels

China used to have designated “foreign-allow” hotels, but that’s no longer the case. Any hotel can legally accept foreign guests. However, hotels have to fill out extra paperwork for foreign guests, so some might try to turn you away. There are regulations against this, but it’s still a possibility.

If you’re staying with a friend, register with the local police station (公安局, Gonganju) on the same day you arrive. It’s required!

Getting Around

WeChat and Alipay often have transport codes (乘车码, chengche ma) for public transport. But it depends on the city. If you have trouble, all subway stations have staffed ticket windows where you can buy tickets with cash. Feel free to ask the staff if you have any questions about the transport codes.

Driving

Don’t drive in China with your international driver’s license or a translation. It’s not recognized. You need a temporary Chinese driver’s license. Take your original drive license, passport, and two 1-inch passport photos to the Vehicle Management Office (车管所, Cheguansuo). You should got one immediately. Some airports offer a paid service to help you with this.