Your Ultimate Guide to Independent Travel in China (Part 4)
Navigating China Without Speaking the Language
Embarking on an independent adventure in China is surprisingly achievable, especially with the insights I'm sharing. Even if you don't speak a word of Chinese, you can explore the country, visit every attraction, stay wherever you please, savor all the local delicacies, and indulge in some fantastic shopping. You'll be free from the constraints of organized tours, avoiding the feeling of being herded or rushed, which often leads to exhaustion and regrets upon returning home.
Embracing Ride-Sharing Apps
There will be instances where public transport isn't an option, making taxis or private cars your only choice. This is precisely where ride-sharing applications become your lifesaver! Sometimes, regular taxis can charge double or even triple the price of ride-sharing services, though prices can be comparable in certain cities.
DiDi is the undisputed king of ride-sharing in China, often recognized by its prominent logo displayed on vehicles. A remarkable feature for user safety is that the app records all in-car audio, providing a convenient way to resolve any potential disputes.
Previously, installing DiDi as a standalone app was impossible without a local Chinese phone number. However, I discovered a workaround: it could be integrated within Alipay. Thankfully, DiDi now allows Vietnamese users to register directly on their independent app, a real game-changer.
You can start by downloading the DiDi app and registering with your Vietnamese phone number, then linking your credit card, much like using Grab. However, after reaching a certain usage limit, credit cards may no longer be accepted, requiring you to switch to Alipay for payment. DiDi seamlessly redirects you to the Alipay app to finalize transactions, which is incredibly convenient.
Mastering Public Transportation: Buses and Subways
Buses and subways are the backbone of transportation across China, serving even the most remote, icy regions and arid deserts.
Alipay features a handy "Transport" function. Upon arriving in a new city, simply activate this feature and select the option to obtain a bus or metro card. Once connected to the local transit system, Alipay will generate a QR code representing your virtual transit card. From then on, you can confidently board buses or enter subway stations, presenting this QR code to pay, just like a local. Alipay handles all the payment processing for you.
When riding a bus, you'll scan your QR code once upon boarding. In China, bus fares are standardized across all routes, typically costing only 1 or 2 yuan. For subway travel, you need to scan your code when entering the station and again when exiting, with the fare calculated based on your journey distance.
In some particularly remote areas, Alipay might not be able to issue transit cards. In such cases, you'll need to use cash: on buses, inquire about the fare and deposit your money into the fare box next to the driver. For subways, purchase tickets from station A to station B at the ticket counters within the stations. The printed ticket is then used to scan and board the train, which is quite straightforward.
Unlocking Travel Information with Local Tools
Planning to explore a tourist spot but struggling to find any information or images? This is a common challenge when traveling in China, as many destinations remain relatively undiscovered by international travelers and haven't been widely shared online, particularly by Vietnamese visitors. You might find yourself unable to locate any information in Vietnamese, or even any pictures on Google or Bing, simply because no one has uploaded them.
This is where China's native search engine, Baidu, and its social media platforms become indispensable. These applications are exclusively in Chinese, which can be a hurdle. You'll likely need translation software to continuously screenshot and translate, a somewhat laborious process, but ultimately rewarding.
Dianping is a social media platform boasting comprehensive travel information for virtually every location, including hidden alleys and remote corners. Chinese users actively check in and share photos and details about these places on Dianping. You'll often encounter links to Dianping when searching on Apple Maps, but you must install the app to view the content, as there's no web version available.
Fortunately, you can install the Dianping app and register using your Vietnamese phone number. While the initial setup and registration process might be a bit challenging due to its entirely Chinese interface, the outcome is well worth the effort. Dianping transforms into your personal travel encyclopedia, offering insights into places that even other Vietnamese travelers haven't yet documented!
