Anonymous
9/27/2025, 5:45:41 AM
No.2827675
>>2827488
post 1/?
>getting around by yourself
I knew basically 4 words in Chinese, hello, thank you, English, and American. China is a digital first world, and any big city will easily accommodate anyone who's willing to make the effort to integrate themselves even if you have to use translator apps. The number one thing I can recommend is getting a Chinese phone number with your data SIM. Not having one locks away so many services. Second is a VPN obviously, at the very least so you can access a translator app like Google Translate or DeepL. Third will be setting up and verifying your identity through Alipay and WeChat + Weixin Pay at least a month in advance. Some people claim to get around with cash but why bother. I'll throw essential apps in a followup.
>best way to get around
The best way to get around with peace of mind is definitely public transit if you can manage. China blows billions of dollars for their world-class metro to move millions of people, and it's fast, comfortable, clean, and cheap, might as well use it. As for taxis, make sure you're using an app like Didi, or my preference is the built-in taxi function for Gaode/Amaps. The thing that may freak you out is taxis calling you, but honestly I just stopped answering and showed up at the pickup spot. Watch out that they don't try and charge you personally or any extra fees through QR, everything should go through official platform payments.
Also in general for China, definitely don't listen to anyone aggressively trying to sell you anything, including taxis no matter how official they look. Chinese scams aren't that common, but they are super advanced in touristy areas. I got scammed a few times the first couple days trying to hail the way you would think of in America. If you want to do it without a phone, there are specific designated spots in major areas like airports that will have a giant line.
post 1/?
>getting around by yourself
I knew basically 4 words in Chinese, hello, thank you, English, and American. China is a digital first world, and any big city will easily accommodate anyone who's willing to make the effort to integrate themselves even if you have to use translator apps. The number one thing I can recommend is getting a Chinese phone number with your data SIM. Not having one locks away so many services. Second is a VPN obviously, at the very least so you can access a translator app like Google Translate or DeepL. Third will be setting up and verifying your identity through Alipay and WeChat + Weixin Pay at least a month in advance. Some people claim to get around with cash but why bother. I'll throw essential apps in a followup.
>best way to get around
The best way to get around with peace of mind is definitely public transit if you can manage. China blows billions of dollars for their world-class metro to move millions of people, and it's fast, comfortable, clean, and cheap, might as well use it. As for taxis, make sure you're using an app like Didi, or my preference is the built-in taxi function for Gaode/Amaps. The thing that may freak you out is taxis calling you, but honestly I just stopped answering and showed up at the pickup spot. Watch out that they don't try and charge you personally or any extra fees through QR, everything should go through official platform payments.
Also in general for China, definitely don't listen to anyone aggressively trying to sell you anything, including taxis no matter how official they look. Chinese scams aren't that common, but they are super advanced in touristy areas. I got scammed a few times the first couple days trying to hail the way you would think of in America. If you want to do it without a phone, there are specific designated spots in major areas like airports that will have a giant line.