Francis
Francis is a China-born, Europe-based traveller and the founder of Journey2East. He grew up in China, lived in Shanghai and Japan, and now travels between continents — writing practical, first-hand guides that help foreigners explore China with confidence.
94 articles on Journey2East · More about the site →
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Are Chinese People Xenophobic? An Honest Answer for Visitors
Worried about how you'll be treated in China? An honest look at attitudes toward foreigners — curiosity vs hostility, what staring really means, and what to expect.
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The Perfect 4-Week China Itinerary (30-Day Visa-Free Trip)
A complete day-by-day 4-week itinerary for China's 30-day visa-free entry — the Great Wall, Terracotta Army, pandas, Avatar mountains, Li River karst and Shanghai, all by high-speed rail.
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China for Every Traveller: Seniors, Families, LGBTQ+
Whoever you are, China is a safe and rewarding place to visit — with a few tips tailored to how you travel. Guides for seniors, families with kids, LGBTQ+ visitors and solo women.
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China for Muslim Travellers: Halal Food, Mosques & Prayer
A practical guide for Muslim visitors to China — where to find halal food, how to spot the 清真 sign, mosques and prayer, Ramadan, and the most Muslim-friendly regions.
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China for Senior Travellers: Pace, Access & Practical Tips
China is a wonderful, safe destination for older travellers — with a little planning around pace, accessibility, altitude and toilets. Here is how to do it comfortably.
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Solo Female Travel in China: Safety & Practical Tips
China is one of the safest countries for solo female travellers. An honest guide to safety, what to expect, and the practical tips that make a solo trip smooth.
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China with a Baby or Kids: A Practical Family Guide
Travelling China with a baby or young children — strollers vs carriers, formula and diapers, nursing rooms, kid-friendly food, transport and the best attractions.
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Creative Chinese Fusion Dining: Fine Dining to Bistros
China's creative dining scene is booming — from avant-garde tasting menus to Shanghai's Chinese-Western fusion bistros. What it is, the spots to know, and how to book.
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LGBTQ+ Travel in China: What to Know Before You Go
An honest, up-to-date guide for LGBTQ+ visitors to China — the legal situation, how safe it is, social attitudes, the scene in big cities, and practical tips.
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Best Time to Visit China by Region (and How to Dodge the Crowds)
China spans every climate, so the best time to visit depends on where you go. A region-by-region guide, season-by-season route ideas, and the domestic-holiday dates to avoid.
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All 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China, Ranked
The complete list of China's 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — name, category, province and a popularity rating to help you decide which are must-sees and which are for enthusiasts.
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Common Tourist Scams in China — and How to Avoid Them
China is very safe, but a handful of tourist scams target foreigners around stations, taxis and big sights. Here are the classics and the simple habits that beat them all.
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Get a Feel for China Before You Go: Films, Shows, Games & Books
The best films, documentaries, a video game and books to soak up Chinese culture, food and history before your trip — from A Bite of China to Black Myth: Wukong.
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How Much Does a China Trip Cost? Real Prices & Daily Budgets
A clear breakdown of what a China trip actually costs — daily budgets for every style, real prices for meals, transport, hotels and attractions, and how to save.
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Seasonal Must-Eat Foods in China: What to Eat, and When
Chinese food is deeply seasonal — hairy crab in autumn, qingtuan and yanduxian in spring, zongzi in early summer. A season-by-season guide to timing your trip around the right delicacy.
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Staying Healthy in China: Water, Food, Air & What to Pack
How to stay healthy on a China trip — tap water, food safety, air quality, a travel medical kit, pharmacies, and what to do if you get sick.
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Travel China with Confidence: A First-Timer's Overview
Nervous about your first trip to China? A warm, plain-English overview of everything you need — and links to the guides that handle each part for you.
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The Weirdest Food in China: Don't Try Unless You're Ready
China's most challenging foods for adventurous eaters — from century eggs and stinky tofu to scorpions and live shrimp. A light-hearted dare for the brave (and a warning for the squeamish).
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Which Airlines Fly to China? A Guide to Your Options
The major airlines flying to China from North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia — plus how to find the best fare.
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Arriving at a Chinese Airport: Immigration & Customs
What to expect at immigration and customs when you land in China.
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Beijing in 1–3 Days: A Self-Guided Itinerary
Forbidden City, the Great Wall and hutongs — a practical day-by-day plan you can follow on your own.
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My Recommended Hotels in China: Good Value & Great Location
Hand-picked hotels across China’s major cities that balance price, comfort, and a location worth staying in.
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The Black Pearl Guide: China's Own Fine-Dining List
The Black Pearl Restaurant Guide (黑珍珠) is China's home-grown answer to Michelin — covering far more cities and understanding Chinese cuisine more deeply. Here is how it works and how to use it.
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Booking Hotels in China: What Foreigners Need to Know
Which hotels accept foreigners, where to book, and what to expect.
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Can Foreigners Visit Xinjiang and Tibet? The Rules, Explained
Xinjiang and Tibet have very different rules for foreign travellers — Tibet needs a permit and an organized tour, while Xinjiang is open but heavily policed. Here is exactly how each works.
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Cantonese Cuisine: Dim Sum, Roast Meats & Fresh Seafood
A guide to Cantonese food — dim sum, char siu, roast goose and delicate seafood, and where to eat it in southern China.
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Chengdu in 1–3 Days: A Self-Guided Itinerary
Pandas, hotpot and a famously relaxed pace — your day-by-day plan for Chengdu.
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China’s Cultural Highlights: History, Temples & Traditions
The monuments, ancient towns and living traditions that make China’s culture so rich — and where to experience them.
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Leaving China: Departure & Airport Tips
How to handle your departure from China smoothly, from check-out to boarding.
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How to Use China's High-Speed Trains (Foreigner's Guide)
Booking tickets, finding your platform, and riding China’s bullet trains as a foreigner.
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China’s Natural Wonders: Mountains, Karst & Pandas
The most spectacular natural landscapes in China and how to visit them — from Zhangjiajie’s pillars to Guilin’s karst and Chengdu’s pandas.
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What to Pack for China: A Minimalist Practical Checklist
A no-nonsense packing checklist for a trip to China, season by season.
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Who Runs China Travel? An Insider’s Guide to the Players
A behind-the-scenes look at the companies that power Chinese tourism — the OTAs, hotel groups, airlines and super-apps — and what it means for your trip.
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Common Mistakes Foreigners Make in China (and How to Avoid Them)
Avoid the rookie errors that trip up first-time visitors to China.
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Souvenirs & Memories: Wrapping Up Your China Trip
The best souvenirs to bring home and how to keep your China memories alive.
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Your Complete China Trip Roadmap: From Planning to Departure
A step-by-step summary of a China trip — every stage from planning and visas through to departure and tax refunds, with links to the detailed guides.
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China’s Ancient Towns: Pingyao, Lijiang & Water Towns
The best preserved ancient towns in China — Pingyao’s walls, Lijiang’s canals and the Jiangnan water towns near Shanghai.
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A Beginner's Guide to Chinese Regional Food
An introduction to China’s regional cuisines and what to order in each.
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Chinese Opera & Performance: Peking Opera, Acrobatics & More
A guide to China’s traditional performing arts — Peking opera, acrobatics, kung fu and Sichuan face-changing, and where to see them.
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Chinese Street Food: What to Eat at the Night Market
A guide to China’s street food — jianbing, baozi, skewers, stinky tofu and more, plus how to eat safely.
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Chinese Tea Culture: Tea Houses, Ceremonies & Where to Try It
An introduction to China’s tea culture — the main types of tea, the gongfu ceremony, and the best places to experience it.
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Best Cultural Experiences in China: Tea, Opera & More
Memorable cultural experiences to book, from tea ceremonies to cooking classes.
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Culture Shock in China: What to Be Prepared For
The everyday culture shocks first-time visitors to China meet — toilets, staring, crowds, spitting and more — and how to take them in stride.
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Dental Care & Health Check-ups in China for Visitors
Why travellers get dental work and health screenings in China — quality, costs, and how to book safely.
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Didi for Foreigners: China's Uber, Explained
How to set up and use Didi, China’s ride-hailing app, as a foreign visitor.
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Booking Domestic Flights in China
How to book and fly domestic routes within China as a foreign traveller.
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The Forbidden City: Visiting Beijing’s Imperial Palace
How to visit the Forbidden City — tickets, timing, what to see, and tips for China’s grandest historical site.
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Getting Help in English in China: Who to Ask When You're Stuck
Where foreigners can find English-speaking help in China — airport volunteers, hotel staff, the police and tourist hotlines — and why it is easiest in the big cities.
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Seeing Giant Pandas in Chengdu
Where and how to see giant pandas in China — the Chengdu breeding base, best times to visit, and tips for the perfect panda morning.
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Glasses & Optical in China: Cheap, Fast Eyewear
How to get prescription glasses in China — often made within an hour for a fraction of home prices.
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The Great Wall of China: Which Section to Visit
A practical guide to visiting the Great Wall near Beijing — Mutianyu vs Badaling vs Jinshanling, and how to get there.
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Guangzhou in 1–3 Days: A Self-Guided Itinerary
Cantonese food, colonial islands and southern energy — your day-by-day plan for Guangzhou.
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Guilin & Yangshuo: China’s Iconic Karst Scenery
The dreamy limestone hills and the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo — how to cruise, cycle and see the famous ¥20-note view.
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Hainan Duty-Free: Luxury Bargains on China’s Tropical Island
How Hainan’s offshore duty-free shopping works — luxury cosmetics and brands at 20–40% off, and who can use it.
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Hangzhou in 1–3 Days: A Self-Guided Itinerary
West Lake, tea plantations and classical gardens — your day-by-day plan for Hangzhou.
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Healthcare & Medical Tourism in China: A Visitor’s Guide
What to expect from healthcare in China as a visitor — emergencies, pharmacies, and the affordable dental, check-ups and TCM that draw medical tourists.
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How to Find Halal Food in China
A practical guide to eating halal in China — spotting the 清真 sign, the best halal cuisines, dishes to order, key phrases and useful apps.
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How to Order Food in China Without Speaking Chinese
Practical tricks for ordering in restaurants when you don’t speak the language.
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Huangshan (Yellow Mountain): Peaks Above the Clouds
How to visit Huangshan — China’s most famous mountain, known for granite peaks, twisted pines and a sea of clouds at sunrise.
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Is China Safe for Tourists? An Honest Guide
What to expect around safety, scams, and staying healthy as a foreign visitor in China.
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Jiangnan Cuisine: The Sweet, Refined Food of the East
A guide to Jiangnan cuisine — Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou cooking, from soup dumplings to red-braised pork.
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Jiuzhaigou: China’s Valley of Turquoise Lakes
A guide to Jiuzhaigou — the Tibetan valley of multicoloured lakes, waterfalls and snow peaks in northern Sichuan.
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Longji Rice Terraces: The Dragon’s Backbone
A guide to the Longji (Longsheng) rice terraces near Guilin — sculpted hillsides, ethnic villages and the best viewpoints.
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Markets & Bargaining in China: How to Haggle Like a Local
A guide to shopping China’s markets — silk, pearls, souvenirs and more — and how to bargain without stress.
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Michelin Restaurants in China: A City-by-City Guide
Where to find Michelin-rated dining across mainland China — which cities are covered, the three-star tables, and the budget-friendly Bib Gourmand gems, with tips on booking.
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Must-Have Apps for Travelling in China
The essential apps for maps, translation, taxis, and payments in China.
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My Favourite Chinese Dish: Xiaolongbao & Where to Eat
Shanghai soup dumplings explained — how to eat them without burning yourself, and my favourite places in Shanghai to find the best xiaolongbao.
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My Favourite City in China: Shanghai (and Where to Go Nearby)
Why Shanghai is the city I keep returning to — what to see, and the best weekend and day trips within an hour or two by high-speed rail.
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My Favourite Cultural Experience in China: Yue Opera
Yue opera (越剧) and the famous Zhejiang Xiaobaihua troupe — China's all-female opera tradition, often called the Chinese Takarazuka. Why I love it and how to see a show.
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My Favourite Hidden Gem in China: Taizhou, Zhejiang
Taizhou (台州) is a coastal Zhejiang region almost no foreign tourist visits — ancient walls, sacred mountains, dramatic cliffs and superb seafood. Here is why I love it.
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My Recommended Apps, Bookings & Services for China
The tools and services I personally recommend for a smooth China trip — eSIM, VPN, trains, hotels, tours, insurance and visa help, all in one place.
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Where Next? Asian Destinations Within 5 Hours of China
Use China as a launchpad — an overview of where Chinese airlines fly across Asia within about five hours, from Tokyo to Bangkok.
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Northern Chinese Cuisine: Peking Duck, Noodles & Dumplings
A guide to northern Chinese food — Peking duck, hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, and hearty, affordable Dongbei (Northeastern) home cooking.
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Can Foreigners Rent a Car in China? Rules & Alternatives
Foreign driving licenses and IDPs are not valid in China — here is how the temporary driving permit works, whether self-driving is worth it, and the alternatives that usually beat renting.
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Roaming vs eSIM vs Local SIM in China: Which to Choose
The three ways to get online in China compared — international roaming, a travel eSIM, or a local SIM card — including which ones bypass the Great Firewall.
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Self-Guided vs Package Tour in China: Which to Pick?
An honest comparison of travelling China independently versus on an organised tour — cost, freedom, language, and who each suits.
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Shanghai in 1–3 Days: A Self-Guided Itinerary
Skyline, colonial charm and water towns — a practical day-by-day plan for Shanghai.
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Shopping in China: Markets, Malls, Tech & Duty-Free
How to shop in China — from haggling in markets to Shenzhen tech, luxury malls and Hainan duty-free, plus paying, tax refunds and getting it home.
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Sichuan Cuisine: Bold, Numbing-Spicy & Unmissable
A guide to Sichuan food — the málà tingle, hotpot, mapo tofu and what to order, plus where to eat it.
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Tech & Electronics Shopping in China: Shenzhen & Beyond
Where to buy gadgets and electronics in China — Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei, what to know about prices, warranties and bargaining.
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The Terracotta Warriors: Xi’an’s Buried Army
A guide to visiting the Terracotta Army near Xi’an — what to see, how to get there, and tips for one of the world’s great archaeological wonders.
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20 Essential China Travel Tips for First-Timers
The most important things to know before your first trip to China, from internet to etiquette.
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Traditional Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture, Cupping & Herbs
An introduction to experiencing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a visitor — acupuncture, cupping, massage and where to try it.
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Do You Need Travel Insurance for China?
Whether travel insurance is worth it for China, and what to look for in a policy.
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Travelling in China as a Vegetarian (or Vegan)
How to eat well as a vegetarian or vegan in China — the dishes to order, the hidden meat traps, key phrases and handy apps.
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How to Use the Metro in Chinese Cities
Buying tickets, paying by phone, and navigating China’s metro systems in English.
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How to Claim Your VAT Tax Refund in China
Who qualifies for China’s tourist VAT refund and how to claim it at the airport.
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Xiamen in 1–3 Days: A Self-Guided Itinerary
Gulangyu Island, seafront temples and laid-back island life — your day-by-day plan for Xiamen.
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Xinjiang Cuisine: Smoky, Central Asian Flavours
A guide to Xinjiang food — cumin lamb skewers, big-plate chicken and hand-pulled noodles from China’s Muslim northwest.
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Zhangjiajie: The Real-Life Avatar Mountains
How to visit Zhangjiajie — the towering sandstone pillars that inspired Avatar — with tips on the park, glass bridge and best time to go.
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Best eSIM for China in 2026: Stay Connected Instantly
An eSIM gets you online the moment you land — and some even bypass the Great Firewall. Here are the best options.
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China Visa Requirements by Nationality (2026 Guide)
Who needs a visa for China, who qualifies for visa-free entry, and how to apply without the stress.
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Best VPN for China in 2026: What Actually Works
The VPNs that reliably get past the Great Firewall, plus how to set one up before you arrive.
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How Foreigners Pay in China: Alipay & WeChat Pay Setup
China is nearly cashless. Here is how to set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you go.