Everyday China hacks

Popular tips

• Not every foreign card will link to AlipayTry cards from different banks and check that online payments are switched on.
• In WeChat many services live inside mini-programsTaxis, delivery, doctor’s appointments, services and even government forms are all there.
• Always keep your address in ChineseShow it to the driver, the courier and the waiter — it saves a lot of time.
• Paying through Alipay is easier in DiDiFewer problems linking cards, and payments go through more reliably.
• On Taobao, look at the real photos in reviewsThey are more honest than the pictures in the listing itself.
• Napkins and tea in a restaurant are sometimes chargeableThat is normal. Ask in advance so the bill holds no surprises.
• Amap is more accurate than Google Maps in ChinaIn China it shows more reliable routes and works far more steadily.
• Get to the station earlyEspecially around holidays. Document checks and security can take longer than you expect.
• When renting, clarify the deposit and the feeThe deposit, how it is returned and the agent’s fee are best settled before signing.
• Dianping is where reviews and discounts liveReal photos, ratings and offers — especially for restaurants and entertainment.
• WeChat lets you forward your locationIt is more precise than an address, especially for taxis and meeting up.
• Markets often quote foreigners a higher priceBargain calmly — it is expected, and the price can usually come down.
• Meituan and Ele.me are the food-delivery appsA wide choice, frequent offers and fast delivery.
• Verify your account on 12306 in advanceIt makes buying train tickets straightforward.
• Allow extra time for metro securityEspecially in large cities and at rush hour.
• Not every VPN is equally stableInstall and test several options in advance.
• A hotel may ask to register your passportThat is a standard legal requirement. Keep your passport with you.
• In a pharmacy, have your symptoms translatedShow the text in Chinese — explaining what you need becomes much easier.
• Check the pickup point when ordering a taxiThe pin on the map does not always land exactly where you are.
• Tipping is usually not expectedIt is not customary in China, though you can always leave something if you wish.
• Ask whether a service charge is includedSome restaurants and hotels add it separately.
• Beijing and Shanghai live differentlyFor example, southern cities are often humid, while northern ones are drier and colder.
• Bargain calmly with market sellersDo it with a smile — it is part of the culture and it usually works.
• Screenshots and an offline translator often save the daySave what matters in advance, while you still have a connection.