China is amazing. For the visitor, planning can often involve either stressing endlessly about the language barrier and the potential to eat something horrific, or getting lost in a daydream of swaying bamboos and pavilions glistening in the mountain mist. Either way, it is a surprise to most people when you get off the plane and Google "how to get out of the airport in Beijing", only to find that Google doesn't work. That seems like a minor thing; until you realise that the only thing allowing you to keep your sh*t together enough to present a reasonable facsimile of a functioning adult to the world is the fact that you have Google on your smartphone accessible at all times. Cue meltdown 1. Then you think, "oh well, at least this will make for a funny Story on Insta", only to find that Instagram doesn't work. You frantically skip to your next-favourite social media app, Facebook, to complain about this... only to find that it too, doesn't work. So you try to WhatsApp people, like its the freaking stone age, only to find that WhatsApp doesn't work either. So, by this point barefoot and covered in dirt (no idea why, but for the purposes of this story just go with the mental image), you stumble into a nearby restaurant and scoff down a meal - probably dog meat, because your Google translate doesn't work so you can't even figure out what is on the menu - and go to pay, only to realise they don't accept cash and are trying to ask you to pay by scanning some sort of weird QR code and at this point you just FLIP OUT and try to go back to the airport, only you can't because no taxis stop and Uber doesn't work in China....
That stressed me out to write, but it is the truth. The Great Firewall blocks basically most of the apps and websites that allow the Western world to function. So it is a good idea to get prepared ahead of time, with the following:
Necessity #1: a good VPN
I'm not a doctor, so I don't know exactly what a VPN does. However, I do know that activating one on your phone prior to leaving for China will mean that you should be able to access Google, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp etc etc without trouble. You might be thinking "so what, I don't need Google, I'll use Bing, or Baidu". At this point I shake my head. Here's me: "Baidu, where can I find the nearest coffee shop in Shanghai". Baidu: "the nearest erotic massage shop in Shantou is on Shou Gong Road, number 99". That's right, Baidu for some reason is a massive creep. Or, they have just run some algorithms on my internet usage and come up with an eerily accurate response. Either way, unhelpful. And Bing? I'm sure whoever invented Bing has done some great things, but Bing isn't one of them. Using it makes me really sad.
The VPN I use in China is called ExpressVPN, a 1 month subscription costs around US$15. This is money very well spent. HOWEVER, just be aware to shut off the "auto-renewal" function if you only want the VPN for a month, as the clever folk at ExpressVPN have the subscription set to auto-renew so will keep charging you until you tell them to stop.
What: VPN app
Used for: accessing forbidden content like Google, the highly seditious Instragram, Facebook, WhatsApp
Recommended one: ExpressVPN
Cost: About US$15 for a month
Necessity #2: DiDi - Greater China
A few years ago in Shanghai I noticed a phenomenon: taxis taxis everywhere, but not a one to ride. Literally not a single taxi would stop on the street for you. After complaining about this to anyone who would listen (admittedly, not a lot of people), I was eventually told that it's all online now, bro. And no, Uber doesn't work in China. Luckily there is an app which is pretty much identical to Uber, called DiDi (I believe on the App Store it is called "DiDi - Greater China"). Usually I don't rate the Chinese apps which essentially mirror what already exists elsewhere but does it in a less user-friendly manner. However, DiDi is actually pretty rad. One of my favourite features is the Luxury car option, which in the right city (i.e., probably Shanghai or Beijing) could see you riding in the back of a Mercedes towncar like you're Jay Z on... well, probably any day, really.
What: DiDi - Greater China
Used for: the Chinese Uber
Recommended one: DiDi - Greater China
Cost: Per ride, generally cheaper than you might find in your home city
Necessity #3: WeChat
For all intents and purposes, it is impossible to function in Chinese society without WeChat. The app is like an amorphous conglomeration of Facebook, WhatsApp, ApplePay, email, YouTube... It is incredibly convenient, and if you plan on being in China for longer than a few days it is highly recommended. If you meet people along your journey and want to stay in touch with them, WeChat is the place to do that. If you want to call your hotel or apartment, they will usually want you to call on WeChat. If you want to pay for something, you can do it on WeChat.
What: WeChat
Used for: EVERYTHING
Recommended one: WeChat
Cost: Free
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