Services I Actually Use
I get asked this every week: "Which VPN actually works in China?" "What eSIM should I buy?" "What hotel site doesn't lie about accepting foreigners?" These are the exact services I use and recommend to friends. No sponsored content, no fluff.
Sort this out before you fly
Do these on your couch at home, 1-2 weeks before departure. These are non-negotiable — none of them take more than 15 minutes.
NordVPN
VPN · Bypass the firewall
The only VPN I've used consistently for years that doesn't randomly stop working in China. Download it, install it, and test connecting to a server before you leave — you can't download it once you're in China. The obfuscated servers are the ones that work. Keep a backup like Surfshark installed just in case one goes down.
Airalo
eSIM · Instant data on landing
Buy a China eSIM before you leave home. You activate it with a QR code when you land, and you have data immediately — no hunting for a SIM card at the airport, no passport photos, no registration. Works in every major city. Important: eSIM gives you data, it does NOT bypass the firewall. You still need a VPN for Google/WhatsApp/Instagram.
SafetyWing
Travel insurance
The travel insurance I use for trips in Asia. It's cheap (~$42/4 weeks), covers medical emergencies and trip interruption, and actually pays out (I know people who have used it in China). Way simpler and cheaper than the big travel insurance brands. If you already have travel insurance through your credit card, double-check it actually covers mainland China — many don't.
Booking hotels & transport
The only sites I use for booking in China. Everyone I recommend these to thanks me later.
Trip.com
Hotels · Flights · Trains · Attractions
This is Ctrip's international version, and it's the single best booking site for China for three reasons: 1) It has an "Accepts Foreign Guests" filter that saves you from getting turned away at check-in, 2) 24/7 English customer service that actually solves problems if something goes wrong, 3) reliable free cancellation on most rooms. Ignore Booking.com and Agoda in China — their inventory is incomplete and their "foreign guest" information is wrong more often than not.
Also use the Trip.com app to book high-speed train tickets. It's the easiest way for foreigners to book — just pick up your physical ticket at the station machine with your passport. Book 2-3 weeks in advance for popular routes (Beijing–Shanghai, Xi'an–Chengdu) during holidays.
Klook
Tours · Attraction tickets · Airport transfers
For skip-the-line tickets to popular attractions (Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City, Zhangjiajie), airport transfers, and day tours. The English interface works, you don't need to deal with Chinese ticketing sites that require a local ID. Often cheaper than buying at the gate, and you don't have to stand in ticket lines.
Apps to download after landing
These are free — no commission here, I just recommend them because they make your trip infinitely easier.
Didi
China's Uber. Download after landing, register with your foreign phone number. The English interface works. Always order through the app — never accept rides from drivers who approach you at airports or train stations, those are unlicensed scammers. The app shows you the driver's plate number and route, and you can share your trip with a friend.
Apple Maps / Amap (Gaode)
Apple Maps works perfectly in China with English directions — it uses Amap (the best Chinese map) data under the hood. Google Maps works over VPN but is less accurate and slower in China. Download offline city packs for your destinations before you leave home. If you read some Chinese, Amap has the most accurate real-time traffic and transit info.
Alipay
Download before you fly. Register with your foreign phone number, scan your passport, link your Visa/Mastercard. Full English interface. Call your bank before departure and tell them you'll be making Alipay payments in China — this prevents the #1 problem (card freezes after your first purchase). WeChat Pay works too but foreign card verification is slower and more hit-or-miss.
Baidu Translate / Google Translate
Baidu Translate's camera menu translation is better than Google for Chinese food and signs. Google Translate works fine when you're on VPN. Point your camera at any menu or sign, it translates instantly — this is how you order food when there's no English menu.
Have a question about any of these?
If something isn't working, or you want a second opinion on whether you actually need it for your specific trip, email me. I answer every email.
dominhlong23569@gmail.com