TravelWise China Guide: 7 Practical Insights from Shanghai & Beijing Trip

 

"Wherever You Go, Go with All Your Heart" 🧡- Confucius

Great Wall of China - Mutianyu section

The allure of mystical China - it's ancient history, timeless tradition and legendary cuisine - has fascinated me for a long time.  Recently, almost by chance, I finally visited China and explored it's two megacities - Shanghai and Beijing.

Although my historical, cultural and culinary pursuits brought me to China, it was the digital advancement, people energy and seamless blend of tradition and modernity that left a deep impression.

Magnificent Shanghai skyline

Here are Top 7 Practical Insights gathered from traveling solo through Shanghai and Beijing.  I hope these help you plan a more effective and immersive trip to China. 

📌1. China is very digitally fluent & almost entirely Cashless 📲🔢💳💸

Every aspect of daily life in China is digital — travel, groceries, dining, tourist sites, even temple visits. Nearly everyone, from Gen Z to retirees, uses mobile apps confidently. From a street food stall to the high-speed rail, virtually every payment transaction is digital. Tourists must adapt quickly.

Online Payment Apps: Download these essential Online Payment Apps Before you go. Additional key features include messaging, eCommerce, Ticket Reservations, eCommerce:

• Alipay dominates online Payment & eCommerce transactions; Alipay is believed to better support the needs of foreign tourists, integration with international credit cards etc.

• WeChat is China’s all-in-one app for messaging, social media, shopping, bookings and e-Commerce; WeChat also has an in-app payment system called WeChat Pay that is extensively used, alongside AliPay, however, it is believed that foreign tourist may find some payment features restrictive

Foreign Cards & ATMs:

• Expect a 3% fee on foreign card payments in some places (more common in Beijing). ATMs are plentiful, and cash withdrawals are easy

 

📌 2. Language barriers can be broken by Translation Apps  🌍🔠  

My Mandarin barely extended beyond “Nǐ hǎo” and “Xièxiè”.  I must've met about 30 locals during the entire trip with whom I didn't use a translator.  Otherwise, for all daily interactions, a translation app was essential. 

• Apple Translate: I used the Apple Translate app, however, all features ordinarily available, weren't active in China. I was able to use the Apple app for basic queries though.  You can also use Google Translate, with limited features.

• Local Translation apps: The local folks used indigenous translation apps and these seemed to translate with better accuracy and had more advanced features like voice translation, image readers that were specially useful at restaurants and hotels.  Popular local translation apps include Baidu Translate and Youdao Translate. 

It was the first time I'd used a translation app so actively in any country.  Interestingly though, the translation apps helped us bond and laugh.  Each time either app translated something hilariously inaccurate, we'd burst out laughing and try to use signs and sounds instead of text to communicate.  Bargaining, however, seemed to work like a charm in spite of language barriers.

Menu from Chinese to English on local app

📌3. Global Apps can be accessed - with some limitations 🌎📱

I’d heard that Western apps don’t work in China - that’s partly true.  Here's the outcome from the apps I tried to access (without VPN): 

• Worked well: WhatsApp (for messaging, voice/video calls), Safari, Apple Translate, Google Translate
• Partly worked: Apple Maps, Google Maps (slow response, inaccurate and missing details), Apple TV+ (streaming latencies)
• Didn't work: Netflix and Prime Video

🔔[Explore more travel blogs in my TravelWise series, or discover blogs on business, communication, food and lifestyle at Avantiqa 360.]

📌4. Transport in China is World Class, Accessible & Budget-Friendly 🚅🚍⛴✈

Traveling in China, especially in the urban areas is easy.  I was impressed with the connectivity.  Signs are posted everywhere in Mandarin and English.  Primary transportation choices include trains, buses, taxis, private taxis, airlines, ferries, bicycles and scooters.  China’s railway network is enormous, efficient, easy to navigate through and budget-friendly.  It was my primary mode of getting around. 

Metro systems:
China’s metro networks are among the best in the world. In spite being much younger than some of the world's more established metro systems, Beijing and Shanghai metro now share the top two spots world-wide for the most number of lines, number of stations, number of riders. Shanghai’s and Beijing’s metros are vast, punctual, clean, and affordable (around ¥3 per ride, or 50¢).  Tickets can be purchased by Cash, AliPay or by tapping international cards at the exit gate).

Airport trains & buses:

• Shanghai: Take Metro Line 2 directly from/to PVG Airport to/from Downtown.  Interchange from Line 2 to other metro lines as needed to get to your destination.  You can use regular metro ticket to travel from and to PVG.
• Beijing: The Beijing Airport Express Train connects Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) with Three key downtown metro stations.  You'll need to buy a separate ticket to travel on the Airport Express from one of these three stations
• Here are links for additional transport for Beijing PEK airport, transport for Beijing Daxing (DAX) airport, transport for Shanghai Pudong (PVG) airport and transport for Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) airport  

Travel cards:
I used the Shanghai Pass (100 Yuan = 20 card + 80 fare). It works for buses, metros, ferries, and taxis. The best part was that it also worked on Beijing metro (though you can’t recharge it there).  It saved me the time and effort of buying a Beijing metro card and I was able to use the 80 Yuan card fare across Shanghai and Beijing.

High Speed Rail (HSR) Bullet train to Beijing:
Comfortable, punctual, and efficient. Prices range from 670 Yuan (2nd class) to 1000 Yuan (1st class). Food options onboard are limited so bring your own meal if possible.  

Both, Shanghai Railway Station (departure) and Beijing South or Beijing Nan Railway Station (destination) are massive and teeming with thousands of people.  Plan to arrive early for departure. There are multiple check-in / check-out points at the departure and arrival stations. 

Bikes & Scooters:
Bikes and Scooters are everywhere, riding alongside cars on multi-lane roads, everyone moving in an orderly manner (traffic is remarkably organized despite the volume).  Sharing programs are immensely popular. Simply use a rental app to locate, book, pay (via AliPay or acceptable options), unlock and ride. Afterwards, you can check-in and drop off the rental near your destination.

Bike Sharing in Shanghai

 

Ferries, Taxis & Buses:

I used the ferry service in Shanghai across the river downtown a few times, for an unbelievably modest 2 Yuan per ride! Two-wheelers were allowed on the bottom deck. The upper deck was crowded with passengers, including myself, looking for perfect Insta shots against the spectacular Shanghai skyline.  Interestingly, I went for a boat ride in Beijing too - at the Summer palace - although this ride cost 100 Yuan per person (a grand sum, compared to the Shanghai ferry).  

I didn't use Taxi or Bus services but here's a recap from my observations - Taxis are metered in both cities and based on distant observation, looked neat and well-maintained.  Buses are modern and very much on par with the buses in the western world.

Huangpu river ferry, Shanghai skyline behind

📌5. Food is abundant, delicious & affordable 🍲🥘

Dining in both cities is delightfully affordable, although Shanghai dining seemed more reasonably priced than Beijing. You can find everything from vibrant street food to elegant restaurants serving regional specialties.  In Shanghai, I enjoyed the local soups, noodles and some delicious whole fish (priced around 50 Yuan). In Beijing, I enjoyed the Peking Duck accompanied by pancakes and the trimmings, the famous hotpot which was frankly a lot of food but I thoroughly enjoyed, baked oysters that were out-of-the-world delicious and in the old city, I ate the most amazing double-egg & chicken steak flatbread sandwich ever (for an unbelievable 9 Yuan!).

As for drinks, fresh juices from multiple varieties of Asian fruits were very popular.  Additionally Beer was widely available.  Wine was almost always sold by bottle (large size) only and it was invariably Chilean, Spanish or Australian.

    

📌6, Security is thorough, Passport works like National ID 🛂👮

Police presence is strong in public spaces, and bag scanners are common at transport hubs and tourist sites. In places like Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, High-Speed Railway Stations, expect multiple checkpoints.

Carry your Passport.  For foreign tourists, their passport functions like a National ID for citizens.  It’s required to buy bullet train tickets and check-in/out of the HSR stations, for museum ticket purchases, gaining entry into sites such as Tiananmen Square, The Great Wall of China & other important activities.

📌7. Friendly People, blending tradition & modernity 😊😊

The people made this trip unforgettable. Despite language barriers, locals were patient, warm, and often went out of their way to help.  The overriding experience was one of Patience and Kindness.

In Beijing, I loved watching locals gather in parks to dance, exercise, or play music together. In Shanghai, the Bund and Nanjing Road were lively, social hubs. The intergenerational gatherings were especially heartwarming - young adults spending time with grandparents, reflecting China’s deeply rooted respect for elders.  This deep cultural respect for the elderly, actively practiced in daily life, was the most endearing observation of the trip.

But make no mistake - there's youth energy everywhere! Thousands and thousands of young, fashion-forward young men and women darting in every direction on the busy streets and metro interchanges. Ladies' favorites, Labubu & pals dangle from almost every purse, pouch, bag and backpack while young men show off their man bags.  Coach & Chanel appeared to be the popular brands of choice. 

Street Performers, Beijing

Spending time with senior family members

               
  

Young women in traditional attire

Modern couple in Shanghai city center

🔖Final Thoughts

Despite language challenges, traveling through China was surprisingly smooth.
Public transport is excellent, food is affordable, and people are helpful. 

For an easier travel experience, make sure to have Alipay, WeChat, and a translation app downloaded before you begin your travel to China.

If you’ve visited Shanghai, Beijing, or any other city in China, I’d love to hear your experiences. 

Until next time — Xièxiè!🙏🪭

Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China

Until next time, folks. Stay sharp, stay curious. 🎯🌍✨

🔔[Thanks for reading! Don't forget to explore more travel blogs from my TravelWise series, and discover blogs on business, communication, food and lifestyle at Avantiqa 360.]