China Travel Guide: Your Self-Guided Adventure (Part 4)
Traveling independently in China is absolutely doable, and it doesn't have to be difficult. If you've got the basics down, exploring the country becomes a breeze. Even without speaking Chinese, you can still experience everything China has to offer: its stunning sites, delicious food, and fantastic shopping. The best part? You can ditch the tour groups and explore at your own pace, without feeling rushed or missing out on anything!
Ride-Sharing Apps to the Rescue
Sometimes, you need a taxi or other form of transport because public options aren't available. That's where ride-sharing apps really shine! Often, taxis are much pricier than using a ride-sharing service, sometimes double or even triple the price (though in certain cities, the prices can be similar).
DiDi is the top ride-hailing app in China (pronounced Dee Dee). You'll even see their logo on cars. A great feature of the app is that all conversations within the car are recorded, which can be incredibly helpful if any issues arise.
Until recently, you couldn't install DiDi independently; you needed a local phone number. Luckily, an option to use it inside of Alipay emerged. Now, thankfully, you can use DiDi by directly registering with your Vietnamese number.
Start by installing the DiDi app using your Vietnamese phone number. Add your credit card details, and you're ready to go, just like using Grab. However, it might eventually reject your card. If this occurs, you can use Alipay. The app will then redirect you to Alipay for the payment process, which is very straightforward.
Buses and Subways: Your Public Transport Toolkit
Buses and subways are the most common ways to get around in almost all parts of China, even in regions with extreme weather conditions.
In Alipay, there's a "Transport" function. When you arrive in a new city, use this feature to get a bus or metro pass. After linking with the local system, Alipay will generate a QR code that acts as your bus or metro card. From there, you can confidently hop on a bus or enter the subway, simply scanning your code like a local. The rest of the payment is handled by Alipay.
On buses, just scan your code when you get on. In China, bus fares are usually the same for all stops, typically 1 or 2 yuan. For the subway, you scan your code when entering and leaving the station, and the fare is calculated based on how far you traveled.
Sometimes, in remote areas, Alipay might not be able to issue your bus or subway pass. In these cases, you'll need cash: On buses, ask the fare and put the money in the box near the driver. For subways, you'll buy a ticket from the ticket machines at the stations. The ticket has a code that you scan at the gate.
Finding Travel Information
Struggling to find details or photos of a particular place you want to explore? This can happen a lot in China. Some spots are less well-known to international tourists, and there might not be much information online, especially in English. What do you do if you can't find anything? It's hard to decide to visit somewhere without knowing anything about it.
This is where you'll need to use China's local search engines and social media platforms. These apps are all in Chinese, which can be tricky, but translation software helps. You can take screenshots and translate as needed.
Dianping is a social media platform that's packed with information, including details about hidden gems and remote locations. Chinese users frequently share photos and information about places on this platform. You may find links to Dianping within the Apple Maps app, but you will have to install the Dianping app to see the details, and there's no web version.
Fortunately, you can download the Dianping app and sign up with your Vietnamese phone number. The initial setup can be a bit challenging since it's all in Chinese, but it's worth it. You'll have a travel encyclopedia at your fingertips, providing you with details about places that might not be mentioned by other travelers!
Credit: Nguyễn Ngọc Trà My
