Prior to the emergence of mobile payment apps in China, the country was primarily a cash-based society. From meals, clothing, rent, bills, taxis, and almost everything else, paying cash was the norm. However today, apps like Alipay and WeChat are transforming China into a cashless society where transactions are commonly carried out via the phone in your pocket. Whether you are currently … [Read more...] about Using WeChat or Alipay in China to Pay | Expat Guide
5 Creative Ways to Travel China on a Budget in 2020
So you want to travel China on a budget? In general, Asia is a great place to save money when traveling, and China is no exception. My wife and I love to explore different parts of China and are always doing so on a budget. Over time, it's become a challenge to see how much we can save...just for the fun of it! These are the five best China budget travel tips we've learned along the … [Read more...] about 5 Creative Ways to Travel China on a Budget in 2020
6 Tips to Avoid Massive China Crowds while Traveling
When traveling around China, one of the primary complaints I hear from tourists has to do with the large China crowds and too many people. Not only has foreign tourism in China grown at a rapid pace, so has domestic tourism and with a population of more than 1.4 billion people…that’s a lot of tourists! Here's how you can avoid the Chinese crowds as you travel. Chinese tourist crowds are a … [Read more...] about 6 Tips to Avoid Massive China Crowds while Traveling
How to Add a Foreign Credit Card to WeChat Pay in 2020
Back in late 2019, it was announced that WeChat and Alipay would let people add foreign credit cards to use mobile payment in China. Considering how much easier it is to purchase goods and services using WeChat in China, this is a huge announcement for expats and travelers to China. But does it work? And if not...what other options are there? Up until this point, it's only been possible to … [Read more...] about How to Add a Foreign Credit Card to WeChat Pay in 2020
5 Most Common Tourist Scams in China & How to Avoid Them
What are the most common tourist scams in China and how can you avoid them? As a tourist in China - or any foreign country - there's almost no way around it: you're at high risk to run into tourist scams. You've got a big, fat target on your back that says "I have money!". Scam artists, beggars and sometimes even the "average Zhou" see you as a gullible visitor with plenty of money. So what … [Read more...] about 5 Most Common Tourist Scams in China & How to Avoid Them
How to Rent a Phone in China | Traveler’s Guide
Perhaps you're traveling to China, either for business or pleasure, and you need to rent a phone for China. Sure, it would be great to use your own phone, but what if you phone isn't unlocked? What if you have trouble getting a Chinese SIM card? What if you're worried about security on the Chinese network? Whatever the case may be, deciding to rent a phone in China can be an attractive … [Read more...] about How to Rent a Phone in China | Traveler’s Guide