All Guides
Our first-wave library focuses on the decisions that unblock a China trip: data, VPN, payments, and where to stay.
Airalo vs Holafly for China
Airalo vs Holafly for Mainland China 2026 — pricing model, hotspot caps, firewall routing, and which eSIM fits your trip.
PaymentsAlipay vs WeChat Pay for Tourists
Alipay vs WeChat Pay for foreign visitors in 2026 — which wallet to set up first, fee patterns, and why most travelers need both.
HotelsBest Areas to Stay in Shanghai
Best Shanghai neighborhoods for tourists in 2026 — Bund, Jing’an, French Concession, Pudong, Hongqiao, and expo-adjacent bases.
ConnectivityBest eSIM for China 2026
Best eSIM for Mainland China in 2026 — roaming vs local plans, Airalo vs Holafly, hotspot limits, and when you still need a VPN.
HotelsBest Hotels in Shanghai for First-Time Visitors
Best Shanghai hotels for first-timers in 2026 — neighborhoods, metro access, passport check-in, and foreigner-friendly booking tips.
PaymentsBest Cards and Money Tools for China Travel
Best travel cards and money tools for Mainland China in 2026 — no-FX cards, Alipay/WeChat binding, cash strategy, and backups.
ConnectivityBest VPN for China 2026
Best VPN approach for Mainland China in 2026 — when you still need one, how it pairs with roaming eSIMs, and traveler setup rules.
HotelsHow to Book Hotels in China Without Chinese ID
How foreigners book Mainland China hotels with a passport in 2026 — OTA filters, PSB registration rules, and private-stay caveats.
ConnectivityHow to Set Up an eSIM for China Travel
Step-by-step Mainland China eSIM setup for iPhone and Android in 2026 — install, dual-SIM settings, landing-day activation, troubleshooting.
ConnectivityGetting Mobile Data in China Without a Local SIM
Get mobile data in Mainland China without a Chinese-ID SIM in 2026 — roaming eSIM, airport SIMs, roaming passes, and pocket Wi‑Fi compared.
PaymentsChina Travel Budget and Payment Tools Guide
Build a realistic Mainland China trip budget for 2026 — hotels, wallets, eSIM, VPN, daily spend, and fee-aware payment tools.
ConnectivityEssential Apps for Traveling in China
Essential apps for Mainland China travel in 2026 — WeChat, Alipay, maps, translation, VPN, and a pre-download checklist.
HotelsBest Hotels Near Shanghai New International Expo Center
Best hotels near Shanghai SNIEC in 2026 — walkability, metro access, foreigner passport check-in, and booking filters on Trip.com.
PaymentsHow to Pay for Things in China as a Tourist
2026 tourist payment playbook for Mainland China — Alipay, WeChat Pay, cards, cash, fee thresholds, and a 72-hour action plan.
HotelsBest Hotels Near Shanghai Pudong Airport
Best hotels near Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) in 2026 for late arrivals, early departures, and transit overnight stays.
PaymentsHow to Set Up Alipay as a Foreigner
2026 Alipay setup for foreign visitors — direct international card linking, passport verification, fees, and why old Tour Pass guides are outdated.
PaymentsHow to Set Up WeChat Pay as a Foreigner
WeChat Pay for foreigners in 2026 — passport wallet activation, international cards, ¥200 fee waiver, and first-time promo rules from official notices.
ConnectivityComplete Guide to Staying Connected in China
End-to-end Mainland China connectivity guide for 2026 — roaming eSIM, VPN, WeChat, hotel Wi‑Fi, and day-one troubleshooting.
HotelsTrip.com vs Booking.com for China Hotels
Trip.com vs Booking.com for Mainland China hotels in 2026 — inventory depth, foreign-guest filters, and how to compare rates safely.
ConnectivityVPN Guide for Tourists Visiting China
Practical 2026 VPN playbook for tourists in Mainland China — install timing, daily habits, Wi‑Fi failures, and eSIM pairing.