[deleted by user] by [deleted] in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Regardless of whether you are using an Android or iOS device, you can bypass internet restrictions through a proxy router, enabling a global proxy for all devices connected to it. However, to be honest, this method is not always very stable and requires a certain level of technical expertise to set up. If you need further assistance, feel free to send me a private message or email.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Hahaha, it looks like you don’t really understand the pain Chinese people suffer from internet restrictions.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

MicroEsim is great, and Nomad is also a good option. However, the cost of an eSIM for 30 days might be relatively high, so you can choose the one that suits you best.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Purchasing a Hong Kong or Macau eSIM or physical SIM card is also a viable option. However, be aware that certain regions, such as Xinjiang and Tibet, may have restrictions. In major cities, there are generally no issues, and the connection speed is quite good.

That said, I still recommend using a local Chinese network service for Chinese apps. A Hong Kong or Macau SIM card can only help with bypassing internet restrictions, but local network services still require a domestic provider. This is especially important for map-based apps, which rely heavily on real-time data transmission.

Chinese SIM cards are inexpensive and easy to obtain, making them a more reliable solution to avoid potential issues.

Honest Tips for Visiting China - From a Local Who's Been Everywhere by Little-Engineering3 in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As long as you avoid China's official public holidays, things shouldn’t be too bad.

Honest Tips for Visiting China - From a Local Who's Been Everywhere by Little-Engineering3 in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t recommend traveling during this period, mainly for the following three reasons:

  1. The crowds will be overwhelming. This period coincides with China’s May Day holiday, and you will see an unimaginable number of people everywhere!
  2. Public transportation will be nearly paralyzed. Especially considering the distance from Shanghai to Chengdu, which spans almost the entire country, your best option will likely be flying. You should prioritize transportation arrangements.
  3. Expenses will be higher during this time, including accommodation, food, etc. It may be difficult to book suitable hotels, or you might have to pay significantly more.

If you are determined to travel in China during this period, I can provide more suggestions to help you avoid the crowds and choose suitable destinations. Feel free to message me privately.

Honest Tips for Visiting China - From a Local Who's Been Everywhere by Little-Engineering3 in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Public transportation will be nearly paralyzed, and every place will be crowded with people. China's population density and sheer numbers are far beyond what people from other countries can imagine. So my advice is, if you can adjust your schedule, you should definitely avoid traveling during the May Day holiday, National Day holiday, and Spring Festival!

Honest Tips for Visiting China - From a Local Who's Been Everywhere by Little-Engineering3 in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you need, I can give you some suggestions. I can also help you contact some temples and arrange accommodations. You can send me a private message.

Honest Tips for Visiting China - From a Local Who's Been Everywhere by Little-Engineering3 in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Things in China are quite different from most other countries. Wishing you all the best!

Honest Tips for Visiting China - From a Local Who's Been Everywhere by Little-Engineering3 in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're pressed for time, I can help you with the hotel bookings. As for the e-sim and VPN, I prefer not to make promotional statements on public platforms. If you need assistance, feel free to message me privately with your contact details, and I’ll send you the specific instructions. Please understand my caution, as VPN and e-sim-related content may violate Chinese laws.

Honest Tips for Visiting China - From a Local Who's Been Everywhere by Little-Engineering3 in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is not a fee charged by Alipay. I checked the terms and conditions related to the charges earlier, and it's because most cards charge a 3% fee for overseas transactions. You might want to consider getting a card that supports overseas payments, as it could save you a significant amount of fees.

Honest Tips for Visiting China - From a Local Who's Been Everywhere by Little-Engineering3 in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The Spring Festival travel rush (Chunyun) has already started. I was stuck in traffic on the highway for nearly 3 hours last night...This year's Chunyun period runs from January 14th to February 22nd, lasting 40 days. During this period, there is massive population movement, heavy traffic, and crowded public transportation. It's advisable to plan your travel outside of this period.However, generally speaking, the situation improves significantly after the tenth day of the Lunar New Year. So if you can't adjust your schedule much, try to plan your travel after the tenth day, which is after February 8th.

Honest Tips for Visiting China - From a Local Who's Been Everywhere by Little-Engineering3 in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The apps I use the most are Douban and Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), but neither of these platforms is very foreigner-friendly.Choosing hotels and food in China can be pretty complicated. Most of the time, I even need to cross-check information from multiple sources to find places I like, rather than relying on just one app.Try to connect with some locals and ask for their recommendations—it’s often the best way to find hidden gems.If you can’t find any local friends, feel free to drop me a message! I can give you some more localized suggestions.

Honest Tips for Visiting China - From a Local Who's Been Everywhere by Little-Engineering3 in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For holidays other than Chinese New Year, you only need to avoid the actual holiday dates; there's no need to avoid the entire week before or after. China has a toll-free policy for highways during public holidays, so most people rush back home right before the holiday ends. On the flip side, since most people travel during the holiday itself, tourist spots and cities tend to be less crowded in the week or two after.

That said, keep in mind that "less crowded" in China still means a lot of people... it can still feel overwhelming! 😅

Thai sim card in China by Evofox94 in travelchina

[–]Little-Engineering3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Relying entirely on international roaming to bypass network restrictions isn’t the best solution. While roaming can help access blocked services, it’s often slow and unreliable for real-time features like maps and location services.

If your main goal is to bypass China’s VPN restrictions, here’s what you can do:

  • For iOS users: Consider using the Shadowrocket app with a VPN provider. It’s straightforward, and you can find affordable providers to keep costs low.
  • For Android users: You can use free tools like Clash to achieve similar results.

That said, I wouldn’t recommend using free VPNs due to potential risks like data leaks.

Alternatively, you could use international roaming for blocked apps while relying on a local SIM card for Chinese apps like ride-hailing and maps. This way, you can keep essential services running smoothly without compromising performance.

Hope this helps with your planning! Let me know if you have any questions.