C-Drama fans: How to travel to China step by step
‘A little preparation before departure can make exploring China a whole lot easier.’
Calling all C-drama fans who love exploring China and finding their “ni hao fine shyt”: this might be your sign.
Whether you want to walk the same palace corridors as your favorite leads or just eat your way through the cities you’ve binged, here’s how to make it happen.
This is written for Philippine passport holders. If you hold another passport, the visa rules may differ.
GETTING travel documents in order is the first step toward a smooth and hassle-free trip abroad.
Photograph courtesy of pexels/kenze
Start with your passport and visa
First, check that your passport is valid for at least six months and has blank pages. Then sort out your visa before anything else. Philippine passport holders need a visa to enter China, and there is no visa on arrival for tourism. You apply at the nearest Chinese embassy, consulate, or Visa Application Service Center. Expect to submit your passport, a photo, financial proof, and proof of employment. Standard processing takes around four to 7 working days, but fees and requirements change, so confirm them on the official visa center site before paying.
Book your trip and prepare payments
Once the visa is approved, book your flights and hotels. Hotels need to register foreign guests, so choose places that accept foreigners. Trip.com works well here, with an English interface and support for foreign cards.
Next, set up payments before you fly, because this is the biggest hassle for tourists. Link your foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay, and bring some cash as backup. Cash is legally accepted, though some places prefer mobile payment.
Photograph courtesy of pexels/jacob
A FEW essential apps and a reliable internet connection can make traveling around China easier.
Get connected before you land
Google, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are blocked in China. Get an eSIM or roaming plan before you leave, and install a VPN in advance if you want your usual apps, since many app stores and VPN sites are hard to reach once you’re inside. Download offline maps and translation packs too, and save screenshots of your hotel booking, visa, and return ticket.
GREAT Wall of China.
Photograph courtesy of unsplash/tom podmore
Arrival
At the airport, have your passport, visa, return ticket and hotel details ready. After the entry stamp and baggage claim, use the green channel at customs if you have nothing to declare. Carry your passport at all times, since you need it for trains, hotels and some attractions.
Apps worth downloading
Alipay and WeChat cover payments, and WeChat also handles messaging and restaurant ordering. Both include built-in metro QR codes for major cities.
Trip.com handles flights, high-speed trains, and hotels. DiDi is the local Uber and has an English version. For navigation, use Amap (Gaode) or Baidu Maps, since Google Maps doesn’t work well there. For language, Baidu Translate or Pleco will help, and the camera translation is great for menus.