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Watch This Before Going To China in 2026
China Travel Guide 2026: Apps, Transport, Great Wall & Panda
China can be quite intimidating for many travellers but don't let that spot you! China is one of the most interesting country to visit with incredible history, sights, people and foods, please go all in on Chinese street food.
Here is everything you need to plan your trip to China.
4- Useful...
China can be quite intimidating for many travellers but don't let that stop you! China is one of the most interesting country to visit with incredible history, sights, people and foods, please go all in on Chinese street food. Here is everything you need to plan your trip to China. 4- Useful Chinese Apps (WeChat, AliPay, DIDI and Meituan Waimai). Let us know in the comment section if you have any specific question and we will do our best to help you out.
China can be quite intimidating for many travellers but don't let that stop you! It is one of the most interesting countries to visit with incredible history, sights, people and foods — please go all in on Chinese street food. This guide covers everything you need to plan your trip: useful Chinese apps like WeChat, AliPay, DIDI and Meituan Waimai, getting around, booking platforms, VPN essentials, transportation tips, navigating public bathrooms, overcoming the language barrier, visiting pandas, passport requirements, and tackling the Great Wall of China. The chapter breakdown takes you from a general travel guide through practical logistics, ensuring you're prepared for an unforgettable journey.
China can be quite intimidating for many travellers but don't let that stop you! China is one of the most interesting country to visit with incredible history, sights, people and foods, please go all in on Chinese street food. Here is everything you need to plan your trip to China. 4- Useful Chinese Apps (WeChat, AliPay, DIDI and Meituan Waimai). Let us know in the comment section if you have any specific question and we will do our best to help you out.
<p>Dave Mani and his partner Tracy spent a full month in China, and this video is their ultimate pre-trip briefing. Editor's note: this isn't a travelogue, it's a survival guide. They kick off with a critical tip for iPhone users: forget Google Maps, Apple Maps is the unsung hero for finding hotels, restaurants, and train stations. For booking, they swear by Trip.com, which they found superior to Western platforms for everything from hotels to high-speed rail tickets.</p><p>Payments are a cashless affair. While Alipay and WeChat are the two options, Dave insists WeChat is the undisputed champion. It's not just for paying street vendors; it's how you talk to guides, order food, and even reserve spots for drone shows in Shenzhen. On connectivity, they advise a hybrid approach: one person gets a physical Chinese SIM card for local apps that demand a phone number, while others use an eSIM. A VPN like Surfshark is non-negotiable and must be installed before arrival to bypass the Great Firewall.</p><p>Transportation is a breeze with the DiDi app (China's Uber), though they warn of a common scam where drivers don't end the trip to keep the meter running. A quick message usually fixes it. For the faint of heart, Tracy offers a pep talk on squat toilets—they're easier than they look, but always carry your own toilet paper. The language barrier is real but easily bridged with Google Translate, and locals are incredibly helpful.</p><p>The highlight is the Great Wall of China. Dave was blown away, but he stresses that choosing the right section is key. Instead of the crowded Badaling or Mutianyu, they went to Jinshanling and Simatai, where they had the wall almost to themselves. They even did a controversial overnight camp, paying a company for a permit (whether they actually got one is a mystery they leave you to ponder). The takeaway? Pack your passport, your VPN, and prepare for sore calves.
After a full month exploring China, Dave Mani and Tracy share essential tips for navigating the country. From mapping with Apple Maps over Google, to booking everything on Trip.com, they cover the super-app WeChat for payments, the importance of a local SIM, and a must-have VPN. They highlight the cheap DiDi rides, the squatty toilet reality, and the absolute need to carry your passport everywhere. The Great Wall gets special treatment—they camped at Jinshanling, a less crowded section, and offer crucial advice on permits and sore calves. It's a practical, no-nonsense guide for anyone planning to visit.
Dave Mani shares practical China travel tips after a month-long trip, covering apps, payments, transport, and how to camp on the Great Wall.
China Travel Guide 2026: Apps, Great Wall Tips & What to Know
0:49 Use Apple Maps in China instead of Google Maps. It works better for finding hotels, restaurants, and train stations with accurate ratings.
1:32 Book hotels, trains, and attraction tickets on Trip.com. It has more local listings than Western booking sites.
2:27 Get WeChat for payments and daily life. It is accepted everywhere and lets you order food, call taxis, and reserve events.
3:32 At least one traveler should get a physical Chinese SIM card at the airport. Many Chinese apps require a local phone number to function.
4:28 Install a VPN like Surfshark on all devices before arriving in China. It must be set up before you cross the border.
5:07 Use DiDi for cheap rides. Always check that the driver ends the trip after you get out to avoid being overcharged.
6:19 Carry your own toilet paper and Kleenex. Public toilets are mostly squat style, so be prepared and don't be intimidated.
7:00 Download Google Translate before you go. Locals use translation apps daily, so pointing and using the app works fine.
7:39 For pandas, visit a dedicated panda base rather than the Beijing Zoo for the best experience. Wild panda tours are very difficult to arrange.
8:10 Always carry your passport. It is required for trains, park entry, and even shopping malls. Use the manual passport line at train stations.
0:49 Use Apple Maps in China instead of Google Maps. It works better for finding hotels, restaurants, and train stations with accurate ratings.
1:32 Book hotels, trains, and attraction tickets on Trip.com. It has more local listings than Western booking sites.
2:27 Get WeChat for payments and daily life. It is accepted everywhere and lets you order food, call taxis, and reserve events.
3:32 At least one traveler should get a physical Chinese SIM card at the airport. Many Chinese apps require a local phone number to function.
4:28 Install a VPN like Surfshark on all devices before arriving in China. It must be set up before you cross the border.
5:07 Use DiDi for cheap rides. Always check that the driver ends the trip after you get out to avoid being overcharged.
6:19 Carry your own toilet paper and Kleenex. Public toilets are mostly squat style, so be prepared and don't be intimidated.
7:00 Download Google Translate before you go. Locals use translation apps daily, so pointing and using the app works fine.
7:39 For pandas, visit a dedicated panda base rather than the Beijing Zoo for the best experience. Wild panda tours are very difficult to arrange.
8:10 Always carry your passport. It is required for trains, park entry, and even shopping malls. Use the manual passport line at train stations.
0:00 Introduction and Overview
0:49 Best Maps for China
1:32 Booking with Trip.com
2:27 WeChat vs Alipay
3:32 SIM Card and eSIM Tips
4:28 VPN Setup before China
5:07 Transportation: Trains and DiDi
6:19 Bathroom Tips for Women
7:00 Language Barrier Solutions
7:28 Panda Sightings and Passport Use
0:00 China Travel Guide
0:42 Getting Around
1:31 Booking Platforms
4:26 VPN
5:07 Transportation
6:18 Public Bathrooms
7:03 Language Barrier
7:28 Panda
8:10 Passport
9:28 Great Wall of China
11:34 More About China
china travel guidevisit chinachina tourismchina first timetravel guidechinesechinachina travel tipschina vlogchina vpntravel tips and trickstravel chinaWhat maps work in China?
Google Maps does not work. We used Apple Maps and it worked perfectly for finding hotels, restaurants, and train stations.
Do I need a VPN for China?
Yes, you need a good VPN like Surfshark. Install it on all your devices before arriving because the firewall will block everything.
Can I use Google Translate in China?
Yes, but only if you have a VPN running. Locals also use translation apps, so communication is fine.
Is it easy to see pandas in China?
Seeing pandas in the wild is very complicated and expensive. The best option is to visit a panda base instead of the Beijing Zoo.
Can you camp on the Great Wall of China?
Yes, but you must organize it through a company that obtains a permit. You cannot do it on your own.
