hmm, recently just made two trips to Beijing and Guangzhou, shenzhen and HK.
1) better use Alipay international app, attach at least 2 CC to it incase one fails at random (rarely).
I feel alipay more convenient (all-in-one, transportation, payment, etc.).
I brought zero cash on both times, never needed them and if you bring large domination of cash, they also might not have change to give you, everything cashless

2) Amap is a good alternative also (can hail taxi, DiDi directly from app..probably baidu map can do it too)
if u plan to use the bicycle, having both meituan app and alipay would basically have u covered. for food, dianping

3) unless u need a mifi, just buy data e-sim more than enough. I tried airalo when i was in beijing and it was shit and unstable. so far I used 3HK data e-sim with china roaming, stable and fast connection, can access all website too

4) alipay app, set location to beijing, click the transport menu, and apply for a free metro card (aka QR code)

more details can check out my recent beijing and guangzhou/shenzhen thread
e.g.: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=5456981&hl=

This post has been edited by quadcube: Sep 8 2024, 09:39 AM

1) yea, not sure why, I don't think I changed anything but I was able to apply for guangzhou shenzhen metro cards without a problem on a later trip.
and I am now also able to apply for Beijing metro card




2) yea, need reservation a couple days in advanced, otherwise you cannot even get a spot at all i remembered it was some QR code to scan, it then redirects to use wechat to reserve/pay. probably you can find the reservation online?
think you can find it by following the beijing12345 wechat acc
https://english.beijing.gov.cn/12345hotline/index.html?src=4

This post has been edited by quadcube: Sep 8 2024, 10:31 AM

Oh if can’t read Chinese, then Apple map would be best.
But I felt Apple map is complete shit compared to Chinese map apps

Follow Maybank rate, but dont use CC in Alipay for more than 200 rmb per transaction, because it will add 3% charge to it..

Best is Wise transfer to the Alipay acc, not possible for non-Chinese due to their restriction. I have a couple of Chinese friends so I used wise to convert JPY to RMB directly into their Alipay and they transfer it back to me.

Use the Alipay QR code better tbh, for the physical card, not only u need pay deposit to get the card, u might need other stuff also like ID, etc.
The first time I was there (Beijing), every train ride that I take I must go manual counter show my passport and pay using Alipay and they give me the token to ride the train, very tedious.

This post has been edited by quadcube: Sep 10 2024, 07:22 PM

Typically CC isn’t a good rate for big value shopping but for public transportation, it’s insignificant, like rm2-4 for train rides.

U need your show ID pretty much everywhere, in tourist case is our passport

Another thing I did with the trader there is exchange Alipay -> rmb cash, like 1k RMB where I transfer over 150rmb like 6 times and another 100 rmb so that the trader doesn’t get surcharged by Alipay on their end.
Maybe you can do the reverse?

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

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

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.

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

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.