10 Things I wish I knew BEFORE visiting CHINA 🇨🇳 in 2024

A few more tips from someone who lived in Shanghai for several years. Shanghai is not China, just as New York is not the USA. You can do a lot in Shanghai as foreigner much more than elsewhere in China. Alipay phone payment is pretty much essential but to find a taxi they have their own equivalents to Uber ( all in Chinese) for which may need a Chinese bank account. You might have wclongvwait if you want to flag down a taxi in the street. In Shanghai take the metro, it is efficient and cheap and you can still buy tickets with cash or use almost. Foreign credit cards may not work except in major hotel and dept store so you should check and make sure your home bank enables your card for transactions in China. Photography and filming are safe in most places in Shanghai coz its a tourist city but use your common sense obviously don't film military or police buildings if you want to avoid trouble. If you want to photograph a person in a specific place better to ask permission. If you are going to bargain at stores you can start at 50% of the asking price. You cant bargain at department stores or at food stall. Please remember if you come from a wealthy country remember that Chinese small shopkeepers generally don't earn that much so don't grind them into the ground for fun and then walk away. They have to make a living as well but of course they won't sell unless they make a profit. First customer of the day usually gets a good bargain as losing the first customer is often considered bad luck. Beware fakes everywhere, if the price is too good to be true then it will be a fake. Shanghai and most places in China are safe or tourists but pickpockets and scammers a plenty in tourist areas. Correct people don't tip in China, especially restaurants. In bigger international hotels staff appreciate very much a tip if you appreciate the service so that's where I mostly tip. If you don't have an e -sim card you can get a local China Mobile or Telecom prepaid sim at both Pudong and Hongqiai airports but you will need your passport ID.

Having lived in China for 5 years I'd say Shanghai represents China about as much as NYC represents the US. Both are unique and not found anywhere else in their country. Much has changed since I left in 2015. Glad I experienced China at that time.

Looking forward to your China trip round 2!

The content is very helpful

For Alipay can you tie two cards on it so you can select which to use so you are no overusing one card?

What VPN's would you recommend?

Wow, very insightful, thanks 🙏

​@NomacGuides Is Tip #8 missing?

Thank you for making such an informative video on your travel experiences in China. 👍👍👍👍

"30 mins" - ah cool 3 mins

The essence of bargaining is lost abroad so quickly 😂

Bro visit Aizawl NE india

they betta have a dolla store ,$75 for a pen 😂

china is cool

Buddy, do not ask "have you eaten" again to Chinese people, it looks so weird in nowadays China, keep in mind buddy!

With Airlo esim, whattsapp in shanghai are functional?

🇨🇳

Tipping is a bad habit from the US

Do not go to these area sell shoes bog，underfoor，It is to forigner，citizens will not go these area

卖鞋的阿姨坑你们，这双鞋150人民币，妥妥给他拿下