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China Travel Guide: Tips, Itinerary, Food & Navigation
Please share your top CHINA travel tip in the comments :)
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:30 Apps
1:25 Trip
1:46 Google Translate
2:29 Transport and Navigation
2:40 Amap
7:15 China Fun Facts
7:43 Currency
8:18 Visas
9:04 Best Time to Visit
9:16 Itinerary
10:08 Accommodation
11:05 Food
12:47 Tours and...
Please share your top CHINA travel tip in the comments :)
Intro
Apps
Trip
Google Translate
Transport and Navigation
Amap
China Fun Facts
Currency
Visas
Best Time to Visit
Itinerary
Accommodation
Food
Tours and Activities
General Tips and Tricks
Walking Shoes
Fitness
Shopping
Prescription Glasses
Plugs
Power Banks
Delivery
Didi Driver
Interact with Locals
Everything is Amazing in China
What we didn't like
Save Points of Interest before you go
Bloops
Embark on an unforgettable journey through China with this comprehensive travel guide. From essential apps and navigation tools like Amap to practical advice on currency, visas, and the best times to visit, this vlog covers it all. Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect itinerary, and find the best accommodation options. Indulge in delicious local cuisine, explore exciting tours and activities, and pick up invaluable general tips and tricks for a seamless adventure. Don't miss out on the fun facts, shopping advice, and insights into interacting with locals. This is your ultimate companion for experiencing the wonders of China!
Please share your top CHINA travel tip in the comments :)
Intro
Apps
Trip
Google Translate
Transport and Navigation
Amap
China Fun Facts
Currency
Visas
Best Time to Visit
Itinerary
Accommodation
Food
Tours and Activities
General Tips and Tricks
Walking Shoes
Fitness
Shopping
Prescription Glasses
Plugs
Power Banks
Delivery
Didi Driver
Interact with Locals
Everything is Amazing in China
What we didn't like
Save Points of Interest before you go
Bloops
In this detailed guide, the editor breaks down the strategic planning of Craig and Chantz for a two-week whirlwind tour of China. Dubbed the 'New Zealand strategy couple' for their meticulous prep, they emphasize downloading essential apps like Alipay, WeChat, and Trip.com before departure. Craig and Chantz found English less common than expected, but Google Translate and hotel translation devices bridged the gap perfectly. Navigating China was a highlight, with the metro proving incredibly simple via Alipay QR codes. They loved the temperature-controlled carriages but regretted not using public bicycles sooner to save their feet. The high-speed rail network was a star, especially the mind-blowing Maglev train in Shanghai. A major blunder was going to the wrong train station, a lesson they share to help viewers avoid nearly an hour-long scramble. For accommodation, they recommend booking hotels over home stays for first-timers, to have staff on hand for questions. Food was a triumph: little pork buns in Shanghai, a jian bing breakfast wrap, and a table-side Peking duck in Beijing elevated the trip, even if they skipped hot pot. A key takeaway was getting prescription glasses for an astonishing $400 for four pairs, completed in just 90 minutes—a steal compared to costs back home. Beyond logistics, the couple found magic in local interactions, urging travelers to smile and embrace spontaneous photo requests. They highlight that even without seeing the Forbidden City (a booking mishap), the Summer Palace was unforgettable. Their top advice: prepare for culture shocks like scooters on sidewalks by standing still, and always save points of interest on Amap before you arrive. The editor concludes that while China is vast and fast-paced, a well-prepared traveler can make the most of every moment.
Craig and Chantz, the 'New Zealand strategy couple', share a meticulously researched guide to conquering China in two weeks. From essential apps like Alipay and Trip.com to navigating the moon-shot Maglev train, their advice is pure gold. They reveal the secret to perfect glasses in just 90 minutes and explain why you should never, ever buy new walking shoes a week before you go.
A strategy couple shares essential China travel tips, from apps and high-speed trains to $400 prescription glasses and local interactions.
Essential China Travel Guide: Apps, Trains & Glasses Tips
0:30 Download Alipay, WeChat, and Trip.com before your trip. Set up payment cards and complete verification at home to avoid delays.
2:33 Use Amap for navigation in China. Save points of interest before you go. Check the train direction before descending to the platform.
4:30 Use public bicycles from day one to save your feet. Scan the QR code with Alipay to unlock a bike for exploring cities.
5:33 Pre-book high-speed train tickets on Trip.com two weeks in advance. Double-check which train station you need to go to in each city.
10:08 Book accommodation close to a metro station. For first-timers, choose a hotel with a reception desk for easy questions and help.
15:43 Get prescription glasses in China. It takes about 90 minutes for eye tests and production, costing around $400 for four pairs.
18:15 Learn how to rent portable power banks found everywhere on bikes or in shops via Alipay or WeChat. It's cheap and convenient.
20:37 Interact with locals by smiling and having open body language. Embrace photo requests and learn a few Chinese words for a better experience.
0:30 Download Alipay, WeChat, and Trip.com before your trip. Set up payment cards and complete verification at home to avoid delays.
2:33 Use Amap for navigation in China. Save points of interest before you go. Check the train direction before descending to the platform.
4:30 Use public bicycles from day one to save your feet. Scan the QR code with Alipay to unlock a bike for exploring cities.
5:33 Pre-book high-speed train tickets on Trip.com two weeks in advance. Double-check which train station you need to go to in each city.
10:08 Book accommodation close to a metro station. For first-timers, choose a hotel with a reception desk for easy questions and help.
15:43 Get prescription glasses in China. It takes about 90 minutes for eye tests and production, costing around $400 for four pairs.
18:15 Learn how to rent portable power banks found everywhere on bikes or in shops via Alipay or WeChat. It's cheap and convenient.
20:37 Interact with locals by smiling and having open body language. Embrace photo requests and learn a few Chinese words for a better experience.
0:00 Intro and Preparation Strategy
0:30 Essential Apps to Download
2:33 Transport and Navigation Tips
5:33 High-Speed Rail and Maglev
7:18 China Fun Facts and Currency
10:08 Accommodation and Food Highlights
14:15 General Tips and Walking Shoes
15:43 Getting Prescription Glasses
17:59 Power Banks and Delivery Services
20:37 Interacting with Locals
0:00 Intro
0:30 Apps
1:25 Trip
1:46 Google Translate
2:29 Transport and Navigation
2:40 Amap
7:15 China Fun Facts
7:43 Currency
8:18 Visas
9:04 Best Time to Visit
9:16 Itinerary
10:08 Accommodation
11:05 Food
12:47 Tours and Activities
14:15 General Tips and Tricks
14:21 Walking Shoes
14:38 Fitness
15:07 Shopping
15:44 Prescription Glasses
17:01 Plugs
18:05 Power Banks
18:54 Delivery
20:11 Didi Driver
20:37 Interact with Locals
21:20 Everything is Amazing in China
21:44 What we didn't like
23:03 Save Points of Interest before you go
24:28 Bloops
What apps do I absolutely need for China travel?
You need Alipay for payments and QR codes, WeChat for communication, and Trip.com to book trains, hotels, and attractions.
How do I deal with the language barrier?
Google Translate works fine for most things like menus or signs. Hotels often have translation devices at the reception too.
Is it easy to get prescription glasses in China?
Yes, it took us only 90 minutes from eye test to pick-up. We got four pairs for about $400, which is incredibly cheap compared to home.
What was the biggest mistake you made?
Going to the wrong train station! Each city has several big stations, so double-check the name (e.g., Suzhou North vs Suzhou) before you leave.
