Travel Guides & Tips in this video
Sons & Eri discuss what they wish they had known before moving to China, with advice for short visits and longer stays. They cover VPN access for platforms that may be blocked, Alipay and WeChat for cashless payments, and Didi, metro, train and bus options for getting around. They recommend learning basic Mandarin greetings, bringing needed medicines because some Western products may not be available, and checking how contracts or travel plans handle money. They mention Trip.com for bookings and international transfers, the challenges of withdrawing money, air pollution in larger cities, and shopping on Singles’ Day. Their account is based on their own experiences, including navigating crowded transport, limited personal space and interactions with locals.
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Apps, transport and communication
Sons & Eri share practical observations from living in China and discuss what they wish they had known before moving. They recommend preparing a VPN if travelers need to access platforms that are blocked, and mention Astral VPN as an option they have found reliable. For payments, they point to Alipay and WeChat because China is largely cashless and cash can be inconvenient. They also discuss Didi, along with metro, train and bus networks, as ways to travel around. Their advice includes keeping a phone charged, especially when using ride-hailing or navigating a city.
The couple talk about the language barrier and suggest learning basic Mandarin phrases such as hello and thank you. They say Google Translate can help with local apps and menus, but they also describe how a few words can make interactions with residents more comfortable. Their observations include crowded public transport and closer personal space than they were used to. They discuss people taking photos of foreigners and staring, describing these as experiences they have encountered rather than universal rules.
Medicines, money and daily life
Sons & Eri recommend bringing essential medications, including antibiotics, painkillers and allergy tablets, because some Western medicines may not be available locally. They discuss the difficulty of withdrawing money and suggest checking options such as a Chinese Visa card or Trip.com for international transfers. Trip.com is also useful for flights, trains, accommodation and activities in China and other Asian countries. The video raises air pollution as a factor to consider in larger cities and refers to the scale of Singles’ Day shopping.
Their advice draws on specific problems they faced, including navigating transport and sorting out money. They encourage viewers to plan without expecting every familiar service or habit to work the same way. The account combines app recommendations, medical preparation, language basics and observations about urban life, offering context for both a short visit and a longer stay.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: Which apps do Sons & Eri recommend preparing before a China trip?
- A: They mention Alipay and WeChat for payments, Didi for ride-hailing and Trip.com for flights, trains, accommodation, activities and international transfers. They also recommend planning for VPN access if a traveler needs to use platforms that may be blocked.
- Q: What should travelers know about bringing medicine?
- A: Sons & Eri advise packing needed medicines such as antibiotics, painkillers and allergy tablets because some Western products may not be available in China. Their suggestion is based on their own experience and the medicines they rely on.
- Q: What everyday cultural differences do they discuss?
- A: They mention crowded public transport, closer personal space and being photographed or stared at as a foreign visitor. They also recommend learning basic Mandarin greetings and say local people appreciate the effort.
