China Survival Guide
The essentials every Southeast Asian traveler needs before landing in China: visa-free and 144-hour transit rules, paying with Alipay & WeChat Pay on foreign cards, staying connected with a VPN, and the must-have Chinese apps.
Visa-Free Travel to China for Southeast Asians (2026 Guide)
Do Singaporeans, Malaysians and Thais need a visa for China? A clear breakdown of China's 30-day visa-free policy, the 144-hour transit visa, and the pitfalls that catch travelers at the airport.
Must-Have Apps for China Travel (2026): Maps, DiDi, Meituan, 12306
The Chinese apps every Southeast Asian traveler needs: Amap for navigation (not Google Maps), DiDi for rides, Meituan for food and hotels, and 12306 for trains — with English setup tips and the right install order.
Paying in China with Foreign Cards: Alipay & WeChat Pay (2026 Guide)
Can you use Visa or Mastercard in China? Yes — here's exactly how to bind a foreign card to Alipay and WeChat Pay, the TourCard shortcut for tourists, where cards still fail, and how much cash to carry.
Internet in China: VPN, eSIM & What Actually Works (2026)
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and Gmail are blocked in China. Here's how to stay connected: which VPNs to install before landing, the roaming eSIM trick that bypasses the firewall, and the legal reality travelers should know.