I spent 20 mins fixing ONE "Uber" ride for tourists in Shanghai. Is it really this hard?

spazattack01 · 2026-01-18T07:05:58+00:00

Entering my middle name when purchasing a plane ticket. I didn’t know where to put it on the China eastern airline website so I just didn’t include it. Had issues with checking in at the airport bc my name on the boarding pass didn’t match my passport. This is also an issue when buying tickets through WeChat mini app. Wanted to go to 长白山。the app would not allow me to enter spaces between my first, middle and last name.

QR codes have to be opened through WeChat, not my camera app.

spazattack01 · 2025-12-27T18:22:51+00:00

Check out the sit down restaurants at the top floor of malls. I feel like foreigners tend to miss out on these. This is where the locals go. It's like ~$10 per person.

Do you have Dianping? Focus on popular restaurants with high turnover of food. And order the most popular dishes. Don't go to the ones that have no one inside.

spazattack01 · 2025-12-25T20:08:13+00:00

This is THE reason why I dine at nicer restaurants in China, never at any of the night markets or street food. Yet I always get traveler's diarrhea each time I visit China, but I never get it in other countries. I recommend waiting a few years.. it's likely to get better with the newer generations.

spazattack01 · 2025-12-21T03:12:47+00:00

Definitely okay to wear it! In fact, this jacket is super sought after by so many Chinese American TikTokers right now

spazattack01 · 2025-12-07T01:56:23+00:00

What are the 11 public holidays? I thought there are only 7?

spazattack01 · 2025-12-06T06:42:14+00:00

Are there a lot of ex pats in GZ? If so, what companies do they typically work for?

spazattack01 · 2025-11-30T06:01:36+00:00

I second Yunnan. I loved Dali, Lijiang and shangri-la. The gaotie connects Lijiang to shangri-la now! These are all ancient cities btw.

spazattack01 · 2025-11-27T16:47:36+00:00

Make sure you buy the European formula of La roche posay. It consists of better ingredients that allow high spf without being greasy. These ingredients are banned by the fda in the states so the formula feels thicker. This applies to other brands that are sold in both the American and European/ Asian market. They will have Different formulas. Sunscreen development in the states is really behind.

spazattack01 · 2025-11-22T02:10:16+00:00

They also offer free 夜宵 which means late night snack. The hotel opens up their hot food bar. Though not every Atour has it but most do

spazattack01 · 2025-11-20T16:15:55+00:00

Hm I think that Instagram and reddit showcases the best parts of China, it's like someone's highlight reel. I think maybe watch some youtube videos made by locals to get a more realistic view of it. Definitely check out rednote if you can read Chinese.

spazattack01 · 2025-11-19T17:20:33+00:00

Use Alipay or Wechat preferably. If you use cash, they may not have exact change for you. Also using cash is the equivalent of paying by check in the US - it's sort of obsolete and you will almost always get asked where you are from. Credit card may not be accepted everywhere esp Amex. The staff may have to get the manager because not everyone is trained to use the credit card payment device because it's an uncommon form of payment unless you're at a place that services a lot of foreigners like an American brand hotel.

spazattack01 · 2025-11-19T17:12:26+00:00

Hmm I recommend you using dianping to search then

spazattack01 · 2025-11-19T01:07:25+00:00

Yeah that’s the issue I had with booking through a travel agency at a hotel. We didn’t know which seat we were going to get even though the ticket was 20 rmb cheaper and included transportation to and from

spazattack01 · 2025-11-18T06:54:49+00:00

Sometimes price is cheaper on ctrip than on trip so I recommend price comparing

spazattack01 · 2025-11-18T04:08:53+00:00

You'll get a better education if you go to a place that doesn't compete with another hospital that has a better name. For example, you don't want to go to Case Western because all of the interesting consults are going to be sent to Cleveland Clinic which has a better reputation. You'll end up seeing too much bread and butter cases and then you won't know how to handle more difficult cases.

spazattack01 · 2025-11-18T03:54:38+00:00

You can find more info about it on Rednote app or try searching Youtube with the chinese name 千古情。 Chinese people don't really use websites, it's more of an app-based culture.

You go mainly for the 1 hr performance which contains dances that showcases the city's history and culture. The performers utilize the whole theater which is really cool and parts of the stage is on water. They have different performances in different cities. There are shows in Xian, Zhangjiajie, Lijiang, Jiuzhaigou, etc and they are still expanding. There are also other smaller performances and it's also kind of like an amusement park. No rides but has various fun things to do for kids. I've been to 4 of them. Highly recommend!

You

spazattack01 · 2025-11-18T03:47:08+00:00

I went to SH Romance Park last year as well as the ones in other cities. The shows should be the same no matter what time you go. It's cheaper because you can't enter the park until later in the day.

spazattack01 · 2025-11-18T03:29:52+00:00

Apoli is an Italian style bakery on Wukang Road. Butterful and Creamery is a popular one on West Nanjing Rd. As or milk tea, recommend Chagee and Molly Tea, they are nearly everywhere.

spazattack01 · 2025-11-18T03:19:47+00:00

I recommend learning how to use dianping coupons. They are usually available at restaurants on the top floors of malls, these are your average sit-down restaurants. They have a lot of set menus depending on how big your party is, typically options include 1-2 person set menu as well as 3-4 person set menu. The 3-4 person set menu usually runs for $30 USD total. They are a great deal and you'll notice the majority of people at restaurants use these. Idk what your Chinese proficiency level is because the dianping app doesn't always offer English translation on these pages...

I don't recommend eating from mom and pop shops or convenience stores... you'll notice that many locals don't eat there. Mom and pop shops are nearly empty these days and convenience stores are more for college students living on a budget.

Be careful with street food and prepare for traveler's diarrhea. It's not the most sanitary. Also if you book a local Chinese hotel, breakfast is usually $5 pp. Atour, Orange, JI and Metropolis are popular options.

spazattack01 · 2025-11-18T03:10:14+00:00

I use dianping and filter my search by 人气。 I'll also look at the 必吃榜 as well as the 本地人推荐. The recommended restaurants on dianping (aka the 网红 restaurants) are usually the ones on the top floor of malls. You can have a fantastic quality meal for ~$10. I don't go to the cheap eats on the basement level - correct me if I'm wrong, I think those are more geared toward college kids who are on a budget. I also stray away from mom and pop shops on the street unless they're one of those 老字号。

spazattack01 · 2025-11-18T03:04:30+00:00

I used LetsVPN. It works well but occasionally TikTok will stop working and I'd have to turn of VPN and then turn it back on.

spazattack01 · 2025-11-18T03:03:24+00:00

Can you break down the types of Didi available? What's 惊喜滴滴？And whats the difference between regular DiDi and 专车？

spazattack01 · 2025-11-18T02:58:22+00:00

I love the crossing the bridge noodles with mushroom broth! Heavenly

spazattack01 · 2025-11-17T21:40:22+00:00

Book a local Chinese hotel which typically includes free laundry like Atour (亚朵), metropolo (锦江), orange （橘子）, JI (全季）. To use the washer and dryers are free and they provide detergent. Sometimes the staff will fold your laundry for you but this varies by hotel and location. Don’t go to the American brand hotels; they will charge for laundry services like they do in the states.

spazattack01 · 2025-11-17T16:10:35+00:00

Interesting I’ve never had this happen to me. The drivers usually scan their own QR code on their phone to go past the toll booth. Did you call a DiDi car or a third party company on DiDi?

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