nah, what I meant was merchant have to pay a surcharge to Alipay when the received transaction is more than a certain amount.
I just want to exchange about 1000 RMB in Alipay to cash because I realized when I go to HK, I need use cash rmb to exchange it to HKD for emergency since HK partly still use cash.
I mainly use CC and Octopus card topped up by CC in HK, HKD in cash just for odd cases where taxi or street store don't take any card.

I believe TnG also have some fees? maybe much lower, but yea it'll be more convenient for your side for big item usage.
if small transaction (<100rmb), alipay just close two eyes for max conveniences

Check with hotel before booking, not all hotels accept foreigner.

I thought they already come out with rules that all hotels must accept tourists?

Apple Maps are useless- use the Amap/GaoDe app, its phenomenal


In principle yes, but like all countries, not all hotels are places that tourists would like to stay in,(prices excepted), as features and services are different from the international visitor expectations

Also to OP, be aware that China is a vast country and the seasons and weather can vary greatly from city to city. After October the North will get very cold very quickly so dress and plan accordingly.

If that is the case, I guess better stay in international hotel chains like Holiday Inn

Hi I tried Amap it is also in chinese. Can change to English?

Hi do you mean you ask the merchant to charge the card 6 times so to avoid the cc charges?

Also, can I ask about using the simcard in china? I read that fb, google play and some apps are blocked. Was wondering better to get a physical sim, or an esim? If physical sim, if I wan to access the apps can I just switch back and forth the carrier , my phone has 2 slots.

If e sim does it get blocked as well?

This post has been edited by @Adele: Sep 10 2024, 06:47 PM

1. Use data roaming. Doesn't cost much and you can use your Facebook, Whatsapp, Google service like normal

2. GPS cordinate. Put into Google Maps and Amaps, they should different location. So in China, use Amaps.

3. If you have problem with Mandarin, have a look at Trip.com. They are more China focused.

4. Didi aka Grab. You can access it from Wechat or Alipay. If not, download Didi China (not the other version)

Eh no, I already have RMB in my Alipay itself, so it was the merchant request that I make it smaller than 200RMB/transaction to avoid fees on the receiving end.

It’s similar if you want to use credit card to do the same thing, you want to avoid the 3% from Alipay sidle for more than 200RMB/transaction.

Er, just use data roaming or HK e-sim with data roaming, no need switch back n forth. Even for hotel WiFi, most likely u will be using your mobile data also due to the block sites/apps.

This post has been edited by quadcube: Sep 10 2024, 07:13 PM

What is bad about airalo? Connection? No chat service?

Nope, Chinese only as far as I know.
But their map app are the bomb, everything from the traffic light u are stopping how many second left also shown in the app

Unstable connection, when I was in Beijing time, keep no Internet..
I was there only for 24 hours so I just lived with it and never used it again.

Hi how to have the rmb in alipay already? Bank transfer?

Then don't need apply the wise card? I'm just about reading it now, they say wise better rates etc

Oh and.HK esim ok ke? I'm asking because I am using Umobile.. their date roaming really sucked, like so little and keep not working. I rmb when I was in Taiwan and sg just use for map reading only, less than 4 hours already tell me 100% quota..after that totally couldn't work. Sad

This post has been edited by @Adele: Sep 10 2024, 07:58 PM

I used Wise to convert JPY to RMB, direct “bank in” Alipay. But the issue is this direct bank in only works for Alipay acc that are actual China resident/citizen.
So I sent it to my China friends instead and they sent the RMB back to my acc
I guess some of the cheapest rate but need to have China contact that is willing to do such thing.

Maybe can link Wise card to Alipay? Not sure how they charge for the usage.

Had no problem with HK eSIM, line was great, internet speed was fast. I used the one from 3HK during my recent trip, 15GB ones

If you can’t read or speak basic standard 3 Chinese words, you’re really gonna suffer in China.

Same could be said in Japan but at least you can google your way out of situations.

In China, you’re at the mercy of Alipay (thank god they have English), Baidu/Gaode maps and Baidu itself for search engine. You can access Bing in China but results return are often less reliable.

No need for cash as I would say 98% of merchants accept WeChatPay and/or Alipay. TNG ewallet itself will be able to cover and pay 90% of QRs in China successfully. The remaining 10%, they are not part of Alipay+ network and require the Alipay app to scan and pay.

TNG ewallet will utilize Alipay conversion rates while Alipay app will utilize your credit card issuing bank rates on top of 3% charges if >¥200.

All the best. Remember to bring your passport wherever you go in China. Most places there need 验证 process.

Oo thanks a lot. So informative! I didn't want to register wise previously, coz I heard got ppl's money was stucked in the acc unable to withdraw or something, will look into this advise of linking wise to alipay

Ah how long were you there? 15gb enough for map reading for how many days? I tried using baidu map app, but like so much ad, afraid the ad eat into the data

Also, you mentioned even use the hotels wifi also cannot access googleplay and Facebook ke? Im actually more concerned on whatapps, afraid ppl msg while i was away and unable to check. Do I need a vpn, if yes any vpn would you suggest?

This post has been edited by @Adele: Sep 10 2024, 08:18 PM

So happy to see this thread. That day asked you, you still said not your cup of tea.

Have a blessed and fun trip to Beijing!

This post has been edited by MasBoleh!: Sep 10 2024, 08:18 PM

Thanks bro

I can speak just can't read. Can guess a bit here and there. Google translate doesn't work in china as well, I suppose?

Tng can be used? Then that's great. So tngo no such thing as 3% charges if >Y200? OK ma, then no need to fret. Do I need to allocate the cash into the tngo account first, or can do the transfer via bank or cc when I'm in china? Afraid bank app can't use

Yes. Guess abit here and there. Don’t be scared on day 1 arrival where you can’t understand their mandarin accent. You’ll acclimatize to their accent with time and start to understand soon enough.

Google wont load the moment you land on China soil.

Recommended to ensure your TNG ewallet has sufficient balance to avoid issues during payment in front of the cashier and cause a backlog queue to form behind you. If you use roaming, due to the network round trip latency, TNG ewallet payment is not as snappy fast as compared when you’re making payment here in MY. Those loading often takes alittle longer.

No probs

Was there for 10 or 11 days I forgot, 15GB more than enough for me. Everyday scroll insta, discord, reddit. Map don’t really use much data.
Amap has no ads

Ya, hotel WiFi cannot access fb, etc. can’t recommend any particular ones because I only use my own VPN servers that I hosted in MY, SG and JP.

I'm not sure about Touch n Go, but the best options would be Alipay or WeChat Pay.

1a. Alipay has two versions: the international version (which can link to your local credit card but incurs a 3% fee for transactions over RMB200) and the regular Alipay (which cannot link to a local credit card; the only way to top up is to find a China's friend in Malaysia who can transfer funds to your Alipay account in RMB).

1b. WeChat Pay is also quite handy, as some taxi drivers prefer WeChat over Alipay. The same process applies—finding a China's friend in Malaysia to transfer funds directly.

2. For maps, Baidu is a good option or you could use Gaode.

3. For internet access, it's best to sign up for roaming through your local telco. One of the benefits is that you don't need to install an extra VPN to access services like Facebook.

3a. If you're traveling for more than a week, it's better to get a local SIM card. It's a seamless process, and the SIM card can be used for many things, such as food delivery, buying tickets, and getting discounts. The data packages are quite affordable. Make sure to get a SIM that supports SMS, as you might need it to register on certain websites (e.g., for drones).