China

China is a digital-first society where a smartphone is your most essential travel tool. From hailing a ride on Didi to ordering lunch via QR codes, almost every interaction is digitized. To hit the ground running, ensure you have a Hello eSIM activated before you land. This allows you to bypass the hassle of finding a local SIM shop at the airport and provides immediate access to essential navigation and translation apps. While you're exploring the neon-lit streets of Chongqing or the ancient city walls of Xi’an, you can use the Hello budget tracker to log your expenses in Chinese Yuan (CNY). Most vendors, from high-end boutiques in Shanghai to small fruit stalls, prefer mobile payments like Alipay or WeChat Pay, which can now be linked to international credit cards. Whether you are spending 10 CNY ($1.40) on a street-side roujiamo (meat burger) or 200 CNY ($28) on a theater ticket, tracking these costs in real-time helps you manage your daily allowance without the guesswork.

Traveling between China’s mega-cities is surprisingly seamless thanks to the world’s largest high-speed rail network. Trains like the Fuxing bullet train can whisk you from Beijing to Shanghai in just over four hours, reaching speeds of 350 km/h. To keep your journey stress-free, use the Hello trip planning feature to organize your departure times, train numbers, and station names. Remember that your passport serves as your ticket; you simply scan it at the gates to enter the platform. Stations like Shanghai Hongqiao or Guangzhou South are massive, so arrive at least 45 minutes early to navigate security. If you are traveling with a group, the Hello expense splitting tool is invaluable for dividing the cost of shared taxis to the station or the 60 CNY ($8.50) meal trays purchased on board. With a Hello eSIM, you can stay connected throughout the journey, even while tunneling through the mountains of Guizhou, allowing you to research your next destination or book your next stay on the move.

Chinese cuisine is incredibly regional, far beyond the standard staples found elsewhere. In Chengdu, the UNESCO City of Gastronomy, you must experience a traditional Sichuan hotpot, where a meal for two typically costs around 150-200 CNY ($21-$28). In the south, the Cantonese tradition of yum cha (dim sum) in Guangzhou offers a slower pace, featuring delicacies like siu mai and rice noodle rolls. Dining is almost always a communal affair, making it the perfect opportunity to use Hello’s expense splitting feature to settle the bill fairly with your travel companions. For those on a tighter budget, local night markets like the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an offer incredible value; you can feast on various skewers and sweets for under 50 CNY ($7). Use the Hello budget tracker to categorize your dining spend, ensuring you have enough left for a splurge at a rooftop bar overlooking the Bund. Having a Hello eSIM ensures you can quickly translate menus or look up the ingredients of a mysterious but delicious-looking dish at a bustling wet market.