Howdy,

Just came back from Abu Dhabi for F1 last week, that racing withdrawal is rough, so I am exploring options for next year, and China happens to be after SXSW and I have PTO available lol.

Anyone has any experience in going there? I saw a Visa is required but I am unsure if I can do everything online or if I have to go to an embassy, with the closest being Houston (and it appears to be closed).

I also saw people say most major apps are banned there (FB, Instagram, etc) but an e-sim/vpn might get around that?

I am just exploring options right now, but any insights or past experiences are helpful. If it helps, I would only do Shanghai (where the racetrack is located) and a day/two day trip to Beijing for Universal Studios.

I went to the race in 2010 (Jenson Button won). It was a good time, but it was only a short flight for me since i was living in Dalian at the time. I wouldn't go just for the race. The track is very far from the city center, but they have a rail line that will take you.

a few photos from then:

e-sim will work with vpn, but your phone has to be compatible with esims. If you need a real sim, Amazon sells them. Or if you'll just be there a few days, you can just pay through your carrier. This may be your only option if you have a locked phone.

Yes you need a visa
I used Let's VPN. The only one that worked. None of the big name VPN's work there. Att service on international day plan.
Get Alipay as lots of cards don't work there.

aggiejumper said:

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Yes you need a visa
I used Let's VPN. The only one that worked. None of the big name VPN's work there. Att service on international day plan.
Get Alipay as lots of cards don't work there.

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I added my credit card to Wechat. Also have been told that Express VPN works. However, I'm hoping my SIM will make it unnecessary, purchased from Happy Telecom. But I just need data and apps, no phone #.

Yes WeChat works too if you have it set up. It's probably more popular than Alipay actually.

Highly recommend WeChat pay… frankly it's hard to survive without it as using cards of any kind diminished greatly during Covid shutdown. You can only really use them via something like WeChat.

No hard and fast rule on this as it seems to vary but I can usually access everything while roaming on day pass with AT&T. Believe they unlock it because most locals would not pay to roam nor have access to phones it would be possible. I also find some western hotels have unlocked WiFi. They want to encourage visitors and business as much as they can and the "wall" is there for locals.

My last visa had to be done in person at DC embassy as that was only way when China reopened but we now use local service in Houston that handles it all… sending to DC, visa, return to Houston. It's been taking about 2-3 weeks.

And yeah… why anyone would do Universal Studios when there is so much incredible stuff to experience is perplexing but you do you. At least be sure to get some authentic Beijing KaoYa (Peking duck) while you're there.

When were you there? Is cash okay, or hit & miss?

I'm there several times a year… mostly Guangzhou. I have some cash I keep on me but they've moved to a near cashless society thus find it increasingly hard to use. I head back again just after the new year

Are you in the apparel/textile business?

I have family that lived there several years and went back in 2019, I'm sure a lot has changed since the rona but the advice posted so far lines up with my experiences at that time.

We used ExpressVPN in 2019. We got our Visa from the embassy in Chicago, my wife was able to get mine without me going in person.

Visa Express works well if you want to pay for it and not deal with the Embassy.

No… Transportation/Shipping.

I live in the DC Metro area and needed to the Chinese Embassy (really the satellite office off of Wisconsin Ave) for my visa. It was a business trip so was a bit different than obtaining a tourist visa.

The entire two weeks I was in China I never saw physical currency exchanged. It was as cashless as can be in 2019.

I also would discourage you from visiting some American-themed tourist trap. Beijing has a million things worth seeing and experiencing.

JJWAGGIE said:

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I'm there several times a year… mostly Guangzhou.

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The first time I was to go there I had to look it up. Never heard of it. 30 million in the urban area. Wow.

OP. It does take a Visa. Even with an expeditor it can take a month. Plan ahead.

So has anyone else heard that you never take your own cellphone, laptop or tablet? The assertion is that there is a near 100% chance that it will be hacked and invaded. So you get "burner" electronics, and keep as little private info on them as possible.

True or Urban Legend?

CanyonAg77 said:

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So has anyone else heard that you never take your own cellphone, laptop or tablet? The assertion is that there is a near 100% chance that it will be hacked and invaded. So you get "burner" electronics, and keep as little private info on them as possible.

True or Urban Legend?

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Work has taken me to some places, China, Russia, Africa, Australia, Middle East, Europe... Never been hacked, that I know of. Never had a problem with any financial account. I never log onto my financial accounts on a hotel network. If I ever need to, I use my phone as a hotspot. It can be hacked but it is one step better than a public network.

Same here.... been everywhere for 20 or so years now. Never had any issues but be smart with what you access. As stated above, I don't touch anything financial overseas.

CanyonAg77 said:

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So has anyone else heard that you never take your own cellphone, laptop or tablet? The assertion is that there is a near 100% chance that it will be hacked and invaded. So you get "burner" electronics, and keep as little private info on them as possible.

True or Urban Legend?

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Depending upon the sensitivity of one's occupation and/or the data stored on your mobile devices, I can imagine a scenario where keeping them stateside would be prudent. I took mine along with me.

Urban Country Boy said:

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JJWAGGIE said:

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I'm there several times a year… mostly Guangzhou.

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The first time I was to go there I had to look it up. Never heard of it. 30 million in the urban area. Wow.

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I thought the same thing when we landed in Chongqing, thinking it was a small Chinese city.

I was told by someone in a position that would know the answer, that most of us "commoners" are not of any value to be hacked/spied upon. Remember, China is capitalist's on business and wants us to keep buying things

Who is of value are high up business executives, government employees, military Contractors, etc. They know you are coming and focus on high value targets. Those are the people that have burner accounts/devices daily to be as hard to trace as possible.

Someday Starlink might change a lot of communication restrictions over there.

Thanks for all the replies.