Apps to Download Before Departure
Look for these exact icons in the App Store or Google Play to avoid fake apps.
Alipay
Blue “支”
WeChat
Green bubbles
Didi
Orange smile
Trip.com
Orange dolphin
Amap
Blue paper plane
Translator
Blue translate
- Alipay (blue icon, white “支”) — primary payment app. Essential.
- WeChat (green icon) — backup payment and messaging.
- Didi (orange smile icon, “Didi Greater China”) — ride-hailing.
- Trip.com (orange icon) — trains, hotels, attractions in English.
- Amap (blue icon with red marker) — navigation; Google Maps does not work well.
- Microsoft Translator — download the offline Chinese pack.
Phone Requirements
- Phone must support 4G/LTE Bands 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41.
- iPhone 8+ and Samsung Galaxy work fine.
- Ensure the phone is unlocked if using a Chinese SIM.
- iPhone users: set region to “China mainland” in Settings.
Phone Tip
Buy a Chinese SIM at the airport for one adult (the “primary account holder”). The other adult can use international roaming or eSIM for data.
Register Alipay (Tourist Version)
Alipay's Tour Pass is a prepaid card for foreign visitors — the easiest way for Indian passport holders to pay.
Registration Steps
- Open Alipay and tap Me at the bottom right.
- Select Sign Up and choose country code +91 (India).
- Enter your Indian mobile number and verify with OTP.
- Create a 6-digit payment password.
- For ID verification, select Passport and upload clear photos of your Indian passport data page.
- Take a selfie for facial recognition.
- Verification is usually instant, but can take up to 24 hours.
Activate Tour Pass
- Search Tour Pass in Alipay and tap Activate.
- Top up with your Indian Visa/Mastercard (minimum 100 RMB).
- You receive an equivalent RMB prepaid balance.
- Top up multiple times, typically up to 2,000 RMB total.
- Unused balance can be refunded after leaving China.
Indian Passport Tip
Use your full name exactly as on your passport. HDFC and ICICI cards work best with Alipay. SBI cards may have issues — test before travel.
Add Your Indian Card to Alipay
- Go to Me > Bank Cards in Alipay.
- Tap Add Bank Card and enter your Visa/Mastercard details.
- Enter expiry date and CVV.
Card Reality Check
Tour Pass is more reliable than direct card linking. Keep Tour Pass topped up as your primary payment. Some merchants only accept Chinese bank cards — Tour Pass solves this. Your bank may charge 2–3.5% foreign transaction fee.
Using Alipay for Payments
Method 1: Scan Merchant QR
Open Alipay → Scan → point camera at the merchant's QR → enter amount in RMB → confirm with your 6-digit password.
Method 2: Show Your QR Code
Open Alipay → Pay/Collect → show your QR code to the cashier. Small amounts deduct automatically without a password.
Method 3: In-App Purchases
- Didi rides: automatic payment after the ride.
- Subway: use Alipay transit QR code.
- Food delivery, movie tickets: all within Alipay.
WeChat Pay Alternative
Some vendors only accept WeChat Pay.
- Install WeChat and sign up with your +91 number.
- An existing WeChat user must verify you — ask the hotel concierge.
- Go to Me > Services > Wallet > Add Card.
- Enter your Indian Visa/Mastercard details.
WeChat Warning
Registration requires an existing user to scan your QR code. Some Indian cards are rejected. Monthly limit: 5,000 RMB for foreign cards. If verification fails, rely on Alipay + cash.
Cash Withdrawal (Backup Plan)
ATM Withdrawal with Indian Card
- Look for ATMs with Visa/Mastercard/PLUS logos.
- Bank of China, ICBC, and China Construction Bank are most reliable.
- Airports, major malls, and bank branches have ATMs.
- Daily limit: ~10,000 RMB; ATM fee: 20–30 RMB per withdrawal.
- Your Indian bank charges a foreign ATM fee (150–500 INR).
- Strategy: withdraw large amounts at once to minimize fees.
Currency Exchange
- Airports have 24/7 exchange counters — rates are worse.
- Bank of China branches offer the best rates (Mon–Fri, 9AM–4PM).
- Bring your passport for all exchanges.
- USD gets better rates than INR — bring USD cash.
- Keep exchange receipts to convert leftover RMB back.
Cash Strategy
Day 1: Exchange USD 200–300 at the airport.
Day 2–3: Visit Bank of China for better rates.
Always keep 2,000–3,000 RMB as backup. Use Alipay as primary payment.
Didi — China's Uber
Didi works exactly like Uber/Ola and is the dominant ride-hailing app.
How to Register
- Download Didi — Greater China app (orange smile icon).
- Open the app and select English.
- Sign up with a mobile number (+91 works; Chinese number is better).
- Link Alipay (recommended) or add an international credit card.
- If neither works, select Cash Payment — widely accepted.
How to Book a Ride
- Open Didi and enter your destination (English works).
- Select ride type: Express (cheapest), Premier (nicer), or 6-seater (for families).
- For a family of 4 with kids, choose 6-seater or Premier for more space.
- Tap Confirm to see estimated fare and wait time.
- Check the license plate matches before getting in.
- Payment is automatic (Alipay/card) or pay cash to the driver.
Didi Tip
Save your hotel address in Chinese (ask concierge to write it). Most drivers don't speak English — use in-app message translation. Fares: 30–80 RMB for typical distances. Avoid rush hours 7:30–9:30 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM.
Beijing & Shanghai Subway
Using Alipay Transit QR Code
- Open Alipay and tap Transport.
- Select city (Beijing or Shanghai) and Metro/Subway.
- Generate a QR transit code.
- Scan at the gate turnstile to enter and exit.
- Fare is calculated automatically and deducted from Tour Pass.
Buying Physical Tickets
- Go to a station ticket machine (English available).
- Select destination on the touchscreen map.
- Pay with cash or Alipay/WeChat QR.
- Collect single-journey card (plastic token).
Fares & Kids
- Fares: 3–10 RMB in Beijing, 3–15 RMB in Shanghai.
- Kids under 1.3m (4'3") ride free — no ticket needed.
- Your 5–10 year old kids likely qualify for free subway rides.
- Operating hours: ~5:00 AM – 11:30 PM.
Shanghai Maglev
Don't miss the world's fastest commercial train at 431 km/h. Route: Longyang Road Station to Pudong Airport. Price: 50 RMB one way, 80 RMB round trip. Kids under 1.3m ride free.
High-Speed Rail: Beijing to Shanghai
Distance: 1,318 km in 4.5–6 hours. One of the world's best train journeys.
How to Book
- Use Trip.com app (English) — book 15–30 days ahead.
- Enter passport details for all travelers, including kids.
- Classes: Second Class (~550 RMB), First Class (~1,000 RMB), Business Class.
- For families, First Class is recommended — wider seats, less crowded.
- Kids under 6: free (no seat, on lap). Kids 6–14: 50% off.
- Payment: international cards on Trip.com or via Alipay.
At the Station
- Arrive 30–45 minutes before departure.
- Bring passports — tickets are linked to passport.
- Main terminals: Beijing South (北京南站) and Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥).
- Security check required (like airport) — no liquids over 100ml.
Beijing Shopping
Silk Street Market 秀水街
Yong'anli Subway Station, Line 1 · 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM daily
What to buy: Silk scarves, pearls, tailored clothing, souvenirs.
Tip: Sellers speak English; bargain heavily. Start at 30% of the quoted price.
Wangfujing Street 王府井
Wangfujing Subway Station, Line 1 · 10 AM – 10 PM
What to buy: Mix of international brands and local shops; famous snack street.
Tip: Touristy but good for a stroll and snacks.
Hongqiao Pearl Market 红桥市场
Tiantan Dongmen Subway, Line 5 · 8:30 AM – 7 PM
What to buy: Pearls (freshwater and saltwater), jewelry, watches.
Tip: Get pearls certified at a gem lab if buying expensive items.
Sanlitun 三里屯
Tuanjiehu Subway, Line 10 · 10 AM – 10 PM
What to buy: International brands, trendy fashion, nightlife.
Tip: Visit Taikoo Li, an upscale outdoor shopping complex.
Beijing Shopping Tip
For electronics, visit Suning or Gome. For tea, try Maliandao Tea Street. Always bargain at markets — final price is often 30–50% of the first quote.
Shanghai Shopping
Nanjing Road 南京路
People's Square Subway, Lines 1/2/8 · 10 AM – 10 PM
What to buy: Everything from budget to luxury — China's most famous shopping street.
Tip: East Nanjing Road has historic department stores; West Nanjing Road has luxury brands. Visit in the evening for neon lights.
Shanghai Disneyland 上海迪士尼
Disney Resort Station, Line 11 · 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM (hours vary by season)
Tickets: Adult 475–719 RMB · Child 356–539 RMB (peak vs. off-peak pricing).
Closed: Open daily.
Book via: Disney Shanghai app, Trip.com, or Klook.
What to buy: Park tickets, Disney merchandise, character goods, Mickey/Minion souvenirs.
Tip: Arrive before 8:30 AM opening. Must-do rides: Tron Lightcycle, Pirates of the Caribbean. Book weekends well in advance.
AP Plaza (Yatai Market)
Science & Technology Museum Subway, Line 2 · 9 AM – 6 PM
What to buy: Replica bags, watches, clothing, electronics.
Tip: Famous underground market. Extreme bargaining required. Quality varies massively.
Xintiandi 新天地
South Huangpi Road Subway, Line 1 · 10 AM – 11 PM
What to buy: High-end boutiques, designer goods, art galleries.
Tip: Beautifully restored Shikumen architecture. Pricey but great atmosphere.
South Bund Fabric Market 南外滩轻纺面料市场
399 Lujiabang Road, near Nanpu Bridge Subway, Line 4 · 9 AM – 6 PM
What to buy: Custom-tailored suits, dresses, qipao, shirts.
Tip: Choose fabric, get measured, pick up in 2–3 days. A tailored suit costs 800–1,500 RMB. Bring a photo of what you want.
Shanghai Science & Technology Museum Zone
Pearl Market inside the museum complex · 9 AM – 6 PM
What to buy: Pearl Market with better quality pearls than Silk Street and certification.
Tip: Good for certified pearls and souvenirs near the subway.
Shanghai Shopping Tip
Best souvenirs: customized qipao from South Bund Fabric Market, Disney merchandise from Shanghai Disneyland, certified pearls from the Pearl Market, and traditional tea from Yu Garden shops. For kids, visit the Disney Store on Nanjing Road.
Shopping Tips for Indian Travelers
- Bargaining: Expected at markets. Start at 30–40% of quoted price. Walk away — they'll often call you back.
- Fixed prices: Department stores, supermarkets, chain stores (no bargaining).
- Tax refund: Foreign tourists can claim VAT refund at airports on purchases over 500 RMB from designated stores. Ask for “Tax Free” form.
- Best souvenirs: Silk, tea, pearls, jade (from reputable stores), calligraphy supplies, qipao.
- Electronics: JD.com and T Mall (via Alipay) deliver to hotels — often cheaper than stores.
- Quality check: Examine items carefully before paying; most sales are final.
- Payment: Alipay/WeChat preferred. Some markets accept cash only.