Can you bring your phone from home to use in China? Yes, and there are a few options available to you.

• Use your home carrier’s International Roaming

• Buy a Chinese SIM Card

• Rent a phone

Wi-Fi in China

If you don’t have a Chinese phone number that can send/receive texts, you may not be able to log into the Wi-Fi everywhere. Here are some ways around that;

• Plan on only using the free Wi-Fi at your hotel, which only requires a password.

• Connect your phone to networks using the methods mentioned above.

• Use a neat device like Skyroam that provides international Wi-Fi service for your devices at a very low cost.

More about Internet

Having an internet connection in China is easy. However, you will not be able to use all the applications that you can use at home such as Gmail. Therefore, you need to have a VPN to connect to a server outside of China and evade censorship.

To learn more about using your phones and connecting to the internet in China, please visit - https://www.china-mike.com/travel-practicalities/phone-internet/

Sources: https://www.china-mike.com/travel-practicalities/phone-internet/

Using Cash in China

It’s easy to get cash at the numerous ATMs throughout every city (more on that below) or you could exchange your foreign currency at the airport.

Using Credit Cards in China

It is easy to find an ATM that accepts foreign credit and debit cards in China that will allow you to withdraw money from your account at home.

Mobile Payment in China (WeChat / Alipay)

Mobile payments can be used for large purchases or even to buy a piece of fruit from a street vendor. The 2 most popular mobile payment Apps are WeChat and Alipay.

Starting from July 2023, both WeChat and Alipay have introduced the option of accepting foreign bank cards. After completing the inputting of your bank card, you can use Alipay or WeChat to make almost all your payments during your time in China, which is very convenient.
 

To learn more about mobile payments in China, please visit -https://www.chinahighlights.com/expatslife/payment-methods.htm

Sources: https://www.chinahighlights.com/expatslife/payment-methods.htm

China further streamlines mobile payments for foreigners, to know more about mobile payments for foreigners, please visit -

https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202403/02/content_WS65e26742c6d0868f4e8e4881.html

Metros

To know more about the Metro Map in China, please visit -

https://exploreshanghai.com/metro/

Taxis

Taxis are the most convenient means of transportation in Shanghai. 

In busy areas like train stations, shopping malls, and major intersections, you’ll often find designated taxi stands where taxis line up to pick up passengers.

Below we have listed two options for booking a taxi in Shanghai:

Using Mobile Apps

• Didi Chuxing

• Meituan Dianping

Taxi hotlines in Shanghai

• Dazhong: 0086 21 96822

• Qiangsheng: 0086 21 62580000

• Jinjiang: 0086 21 96961

• Ba-Shi: 0086 21 96840

To learn more about taxis in China, please visit -

https://mandalingua.com/en/china-guide/live-in-china/shanghai/take-a-taxi-in-shanghai/

If your Google Translate is not working in China, you may check some great alternatives, such as WAYGO, Microsoft Translator, Deepl, Dear Translator (有道翻译官), etc.