- For US Citizens: A tourist visa is required to travel to China. But for travelers coming from or going to a third country such as Japan before or afterwards: You can apply for a transfer visa upon arrival at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). This visa is valid for 144 hours and allows you to stay in the Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Jiangsu regions. - For Indian and Nepali citizens: A tourist visa is required before traveling. - For European Passport Holders: You may be visa-free, but please check to ensure eligibility.
Some things we recommend are: - BYOTP! Public restrooms in China typically do not provide toilet paper, so be sure to bring your own. Also, familiarize yourself with squat toilets. - No Converters Needed: China uses a 220V voltage system, but phone and laptop chargers are adaptable to this voltage, so no converter is required. - Carry a Small Bag or Fanny Pack: During the day, it’s recommended to carry a small bag or fanny pack, as passports are often needed when purchasing transportation tickets or sightseeing. - App Access in China: Certain apps and services, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Google, are blocked in China. You can access these websites and apps using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which you should set up prior to your arrival in China. Alternatively, we will have a group VPN available for your use upon your arrival in Shanghain on May 22.
We recommend having Chinese yuan (CNY), also called Renminbi (RMB), on hand. Although in recent years China has moved away from cash in favor of digital payments through WeChat Pay and Alipay, cash is still accepted in many establishments. Cash can be easily withdrawn from ATMs. Consult your bank's policy to ensure you are aware of any fees for withdrawing cash from ATMs in foreign countries. To facilitate payment for goods and services, we recommend downloading Alipay and adding your credit card to the wallet. Please note that foreign credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are more readily accepted in large cities and at hotel chains and restaurants catering to an international clientele. They may not be accepted directly in smaller towns like Huzhou.