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Mars

Mars is a Shenzhen-based writer with over two decades of firsthand experience living in mainland China and traveling regularly to Hong Kong. He specializes in practical travel prep for China — including eSIMs, VPNs, mobile payments, and cross-border logistics between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

How to Use Taxis and DiDi in China as a Foreigner (2026)

September 18, 2026August 5, 2026 by Mars
Passenger using a smartphone while riding in the back seat of a car

Learn how to hail taxis and use DiDi in China, enter destinations, pay, communicate with drivers, and handle common trip problems.

Categories Transport & Booking Tags Amap, China Taxis, China Transport, DiDi China, Ride-Hailing in China Leave a comment

China Hotel Check-In for Foreigners: 2026 Guide

September 18, 2026August 5, 2026 by Mars
International traveler presenting a passport and booking confirmation at a hotel reception desk in China

Prepare for hotel check-in in China with the right documents, booking details, address information, payment backup, and registration expectations.

Categories Transport & Booking Tags Accommodation Registration, China Hotels, Foreigners in China, Hotel Check-In Leave a comment

How to Book Hotels in China as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)

September 18, 2026August 3, 2026 by Mars
book hotels in China

Book accommodation in China as a foreign visitor and verify guest acceptance, location, payment, cancellation, and check-in requirements.

Categories Transport & Booking Tags China Hotels, Hotel Booking in China, Trip.com Leave a comment

First Trip to China Checklist: What to Do Before You Fly (2026)

September 22, 2026July 28, 2026 by Mars
China travel checklist for first-time visitors

Everything you need to do before flying to China — visas, apps, payments, and SIM cards.

Categories Before You Go Tags Alipay setup, China eSIM, first time china, visa-free China, VPN China Leave a comment

How to Book China Train Tickets as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)

August 26, 2026July 28, 2026 by Mars
China high speed train

How to book high-speed train tickets in China as a foreigner, step by step, using Trip.com.

Categories Transport & Booking Tags 12306, China rail booking, China train tickets, china travel, China travel tips 2026, foreigner China travel, G train China, high speed train China, Trip.com Leave a comment

Internet Access in China for Tourists (2026 Guide)

August 26, 2026July 28, 2026 by Mars
Internet access in China for tourists: eSIM, SIM and roaming

How to get online in China — the best eSIM, SIM card, and VPN options for tourists.

Categories Internet & Apps Tags China internet, china travel, China travel tips 2026, eSIM China, Google Fi China, Great Firewall, roaming China, VPN China Leave a comment

How to Pay in China as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)

August 26, 2026July 27, 2026 by Mars
How to Pay in China as a Foreigner

How to use WeChat Pay and Alipay as a foreign visitor — setup, tips, and what to do if it fails.

Categories Money & Payments Tags Alipay foreigner, China cashless, china travel, China travel tips 2026, paying in China, RMB cash China, WeChat Pay foreigner, Wise card China Leave a comment

Apps to Download Before Visiting China (2026 Guide)

September 17, 2026July 27, 2026 by Mars
Apps to Download Before Visiting China

The essential apps every China traveller needs — WeChat, Alipay, DiDi, Amap, and more.

Categories Internet & Apps Tags alipay, china travel, didi, wechat Leave a comment

China Travel Checklist: Your First 72 Hours in China (2026)

September 8, 2026July 24, 2026 by Mars
first 72 hours in China travel checklist

A practical arrival guide — what to do in your first 72 hours in China, from the airport onwards.

Categories Before You Go Tags alipay, china checklist, china travel, esim, first time china, visa, vpn Leave a comment
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