Travel to China: the 3 apps I used to get around, pay, and navigate like home
I went back to China for the first time since the end of the pandemic, actually it had been a long time [...]
China
I returned to China for the first time since the end of the pandemic, actually it had been a long time since I had set foot in the nation of the Dragon. And I must say that the situation compared to the "world before" seems to me definitely improved at the level of using the web and its declinations.
In this article:
It is always thought that the China imposes great limitations, but we often forget that not everyone sees the world from the same point of view as we do and that if even in South Korea there is no Google Maps, it is not surprising that our usual apps do not work here either.
The functions needed to survive are: data connection, smooth surfing, and finally managing travel and micropayments. Here's how I solved
Perfect data connection thanks to Airalo
The first thing to do, before leaving è download the Airalo app, to manage eSims on cell phones that support this technology. Having the data connection is critical from the moment of landing. Thanks to the discount code TFC20 for a limited time, all customers can get 20% discount on Airalo's eSIMs.
In my case, I took advantage of a regional eSim., that is, valid in several Southeast Asian states, from Japan to China, via Singapore, Thailand and many other countries. One thing I have noticed is that in some cases regional eSims are cheaper than those in the individual country where they can be used.
Forget everything, here is Alipay
Uber doesn't work, Deliveroo doesn't work, and neither do apps like Grab and other apps that are very popular throughout South Asia. Alipay does it all, just put in your credit card (does not accept Amex) and you will have the whole ecosystem at your disposal.
One can pay for public transportation, hail cabs, and share cars. You use them to get a bicycle, to order food, to translate, to convert prices in Yuan into euros.
I used it to rent bikes and ride as a "local" or as in a challenge of Beijing Express.
There was no function for which I could not use this App, which also works a little bit as a market place for other apps and adds an IMPORTANT function translates apps. I did not experience the quality of Italian, but I used it in English and it was perfect.
Express VPN to work like home
Yes google doesn't work, almost not at all, some apps not even. I for years when I move I use Express VPN on phone, tablet and laptop. I often find myself needing to access sites for work and have to forcibly be located in Italy. On top of that getting around blocks imposed by hotel firewalls, providers and Governments is sometimes a necessity.
Thanks to this subscription that TFC readers can take advantage of for free for 3 months, a way to test it, and a discount of almost 50% on the annual subscription.
