These apps are great to have installed before you go so they are ready to use as you need a VPN to do so once you are there.

Make sure your VPN is installed and working before going to China  (see more about that here).

 

 

 

 

 

 

General apps that are very useful

• Google translate: translates Chinese to English in your phone’s camera –https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.translate
• WeChat: can be used to communicate in each person’s language and used for payments
  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tencent.mm
• Grab: similar to Uber but in much of Asia
  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grabtaxi.passenger
• trip lingo – phrasebook, translator, culture info, it’s all in here
  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.triplingo.enterprise

 

And if you are going to Beijing, these are wonderful to have on hand as there aren’t handout maps at places like this like there are in many other countries.

• Beijing metro planner
  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xinlukou.metromanbj
• Forbidden City tour
  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ttx.bjggenn
• Great Wall guide
  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.greatwallforum.guide
• Beijing Travel Guide
  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tripwolf.miniapp_2114_free

If you are going to other cities or attractions, just do a search on google to see if there are similar apps, as I found that many places do have these because of the lack of paper brochures in China.  You can also search out maps while you are home and load them to google docs, which really helped me a lot at many attractions in China.

CHINA VISA REQUIREMENTS

When you submit a visa application for visiting China, they decide the length of your Visa, but you can request different options, but they choose what they give you (if anything).  So, write in for 10-year visa, and hope for the best (as it costs the same as the shorter tourist visa).

They have an automatic passport photo booth at the visa application in downtown Chicago (so others probably have the same thing), that will give you passport photos for $10.  There was a line for it the entire time I was in the office, but it seemed to move pretty fast.  Also, they have a photocopier there if you forget to take a copy of your passport, and a computer so you can fill out the application.

I was 30th in line for visa submission when I came in, and I was out the door in under 45 minutes, so that’s not bad, and it seemed pretty busy (all the seats were taken and people were standing), so if it’s not that crowded, you’ll likely be seen faster.  The people working there seem quite efficient.

No food or drink is allowed in the room. CNN is on close-captioned TV. A few rows of plastic chairs and a handful of tables. Not much else, so bring a book or something to do.

Make SURE you have all the info they want PRINTED. The document is pretty long and you have to bring supporting documents like proof of flight and hotel. There are separate instructions available online that hello you through confusing questions online (e.g., am I a business person or a company employee?).  If you don’t have everything, they tell you to come back another day.  There is nowhere to print anything from your phone which would be very helpful, although there is the photocopier.

Woot! Got my visa – It takes up a full page in my passport, but it can be used with my next passport too (so long as both are current), so I have 10 years to go to China without paying again.

 

Also, you may want to check out: China travel: Helpful tips for Western tourists going to China (from a solo female traveler)