FAQs

Question

Wedding Dates! Saturday, April 7, 2018

Answer

The wedding is Saturday, APRIL 7, 2018! We are planning welcome dinner Friday evening for the early birds with energy, looking into a morning activity on Saturday, and Sunday morning breakfast for those who are still sticking around Hangzhou. These events are optional, so don't feel stressed if you are going to miss any of them. Room rates should be guaranteed until end of January.

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Payments: Cash Money

Answer

Prepare yourself that US credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) aren't accepted in many places. Most hotels will take them, but restaurants, markets, and even the airport might not accept them. At the Hangzhou Airport McDonald's I couldn't pay with US credit cards. Shanghai and Beijing should be more accommodating because of the international foot traffic. Most places take Chinese cash... So, exchange a lot of USD for RMB. Or, most ATMs will accommodate the Mastercard or Visa networks to access cash with a debit card. Or you can take a stab at a preloaded debit card at the airport that you can link to accounts. Most places accept Union Pay credit card, Ali Pay (Alibaba direct mobile payment), or WeChat pay (Chinese facebook for mobile payment). Alipay and Wechat pay require some type of local Chinese credit card. Supposedly Discover has a partnership with Union Pay that may also allow transactions in China.

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Alipay / WeChat Pay - How a foreigner can use

Answer

https://intl.alipay.com/ https://walkthechat.com/alipay-foreigners-create-account/ https://walkthechat.com/wechat-payment-5-reasons-tencent-might-kill-alipay/ http://www.smartshanghai.com/articles/smsh/yes-foreigners-can-use-alipay-this-is-how http://www.smartshanghai.com/articles/tech/how-to-use-wechat-pay-wallet-and-link-a-bank-card See if you have success setting up in the US. If you get this working, you will be able to pay vendors with your phone and take Chinese Uber (Didi)

Question

Google, Facebook, Uber don't work!

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For most, Google/Gmail/Google Maps/Google Store, Facebook, or Uber apps will not work in China. Whatsapp worked for us on the last trip, but since it is owned by FB, there is risk it might not work either. Download translation, communication, and travel apps ahead of time. Recommended apps: Wechat Trip Advisor - download maps and tourist attractions Maps.Me - map alternative Pleco - Chinese-English translation app Experiment with translation speaking apps Didi is the Chinese Uber Alipay

Question

Provided TRANSPORTATION

Answer

There will be a bus from Shanghai Pudong to Hangzhou around 3pm, Thursday April 5. We are working on car service to pick up at Hangzhou Airport to the hotel around 3pm and 8:30pm on Thursday, April 5. For Friday night's event, the restaurant is a short cab ride away. On Sunday, we will have one large bus leave around 2:30 or 3pm for Shanghai and make a few stops.

Question

General Transportation

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Shanghai and Beijing have a very good and safe subway system that traverses the key areas of the city. You don’t hear much of pickpocketing, but you should still be mindful and paying attention, especially with phones. Hangzhou and Xian also have subways. Hangzhou is a very safe city, but the subway doesn’t get to the hotel area by West Lake. While I never felt unsafe in Xian, it is a big city with lesser foreigners and has a little feeling of sketchiness in certain parts. In general Didi, the Chinese Uber, is reliable and very inexpensive. I think the most we spent on a Didi was around $25 to go 1.5 hours to the airport. Taxis in general are cheap, but will cost a little more than Didi. Tuk Tuks and 3 wheeled cars are at your own risk. They will get you where you need to go, even if traffic is standstill. You just have to be prepared for a very adventurous ride that will seem like an accident is possible any second. And you driving in China could be the last time you drive.

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Translation App

Answer

Plecco is highly recommended. Wechat is super useful there, but doesn't have a great English meets Chinese platform. Whatsapp should work, but may have risk as it is owned by FB. Duolingo is good to learn Chinese...

Question

Communication Devices (i.e. phones)

Answer

To communicate with others within China, there are a couple of options. 1) You can get an inexpensive sim card in the airport with a local number 2) You can buy a mobile hot spot / power charger for your mobile device, which will allow you on a network where you can message through the China-friendly apps. WeChat is the app of choice. Whatsapp and Skype currently work too. 3) Verizon in the US has an option for Travel Pass, which is $10 per day unlimited data plan and texting. We used it on the last trip, and it was perfect. Not sure about the other providers. 4) You can get an international plan with your cell provider, but it probably will be expensive. 5) You may be able to buy a prepaid phonecard on Amazon or Taobao.

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KIDS: Babysitting / Entertaining

Answer

Finding a reliable babysitting service has proven to be difficult. We will update in the next few weeks.

Question

Are you required to attend all events?

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Nope. We are hoping you make it to the wedding ceremony Saturday night, and everything else is just to fill the time and get a chance to see us.

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Safety and Common Concerns

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From my experience and friend's experience, China is very safe. As advised with all big cities, be careful with pickpockets and pay attention to the cabs to make sure they have a radio dispatch or medallion (especially at airports and central train stations). What you may encounter: 1) Tourist menus with varying prices. In some heavy tourist areas, the English menu will have different prices. Unless you speak Mandarin, not sure how you can get around this :). 2) Check prices of tea and coffee before you order. For some reason these products have the potential of costing a lot in China, and the price isn't always presented to you ahead of time! We were offered one cappuccino for 96rmb at a 5 star hotel...that's $16! 3) Overtly friendly locals who speak to you in English may have an ulterior motive in what they sell you, store they bring you to, or special trip they can organize for you. Just be cautious of locals who speak English too easily. I ended up eating Peking duck for $80.

Question

More Common Concerns Continued

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4) Currency - watch out that vendors don't hand you bills missing edges or are damaged. For some reason other merchants will not accept them, so you feel like a sucker carrying a bunch of imperfect bills. Fortunately, the bank will take them back and trade you with good RMB at no cost to you. Apparently, there is fake currency, which I wouldn't know how to detect nor what to do. 5) If you get a phone call from an unknown person asking for money, don't be so generous. 6) Chinese market prices could start as high as 10x the price willing to sell. Take your stab at street negotiations. If there is a chance the vendor will bring down the price, usually you can walk away and see if they keep talking to you. 7) Taxis should have a meter running. 8) Tipping isn't required. Some round up the change. 9) If you are running between places lost trying to look at a map or contact someone you can try to get wifi at restaurants, bars, hotels. You may have to order before they give you the pw.

Question

More Common Concerns Continued...

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10) VPN is a good way to access your American apps like Facebook. But, the Chinese government is always blocking them, and I am not sure how to research and set up myself, so good luck. 11) Bathrooms - always bring your own napkins, wet wipes, and / or sanitizer because you can't be guaranteed toilet paper anywhere. 12) Talking about bathrooms, if you really got to go, best to use "American" or fancy hotels. Otherwise, you have a 50% chance or greater of encountering the hole in the ground, which I have managed to avoid at all costs! 13) Water... don't drink it. Only drink bottled water. The hot tea in restaurants is safe. 14) Food menus might not have photos, in that case you are on your own with Mandarin or interpreted English. You will find many delicacies that you are unaccustomed to in the US (fried insects like scorpions, animal feet, tongues, livers, kidneys, hearts, intestines... anything) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294211-c173670/China:Tips.For.Traveling.In.China.html

Question

IMPORTANT to REMEMBER: TOILETS

Answer

For me who is a bit apprehensive about using bathrooms around the world, China will give you the mixed bag of emotions of good toilets with bidets in nice places and mini torture chambers with holes in the ground with a place for your two feet. Hangzhou tilts more to the side of the holes in the ground. So, to survive this piece of the adventure, pack your own mini tissues in your pocket/purse. You might want wet naps too. And, carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer. If you need best practices on how to use the hole in the ground (colloquially known as "Turkish toilets"), look it up on YouTube because I still don't trust myself to do it right :). Public places are most likely to have holes. I was lucky once to encounter a toilet with seat in a handicap stall. That was a miracle. Most 3 star+ hotels will have the toilets with seats.

Question

Recommended Itineraries

Answer

If you have never been to China, you should consider visiting the following cities: Hangzhou (the wedding is there and famous for the lake, silk, and tea plantations); Shanghai (near Hangzhou and one of the biggest most international cities in the world); Beijing (China's heartbeat), Xi'an (home of the terracotta soldiers), Hong Kong (the pearl of the orient), and then you can go down the list of biggest Chinese cities and you will find something interesting. I believe Los Angeles is the only city with a direct flight to Hangzhou. Most will have to fly into Shanghai. Because of the general distance and time to get to Shanghai, we advise spending 1-2 days there first, and then head over to Hangzhou, and then return home via Beijing. If you plan to see other cities, the final destination should probably be Beijing or Shanghai for the highest likelihood of a direct connection to a major city. Kayak, CTrip, or Google will show you :).

Question

WEATHER

Answer

Weather is in transition between winter and spring. By April it should be in low to mid 20C. March weather ranges from 15-22C. April should be a little warmer and small chances of rain, so bring small umbrella just in case.

Question

Cheap Flights

Answer

Most major US cities will have direct flights to Shanghai or Beijing. Los Angeles is the only one with direct to Hangzhou. Scott's Cheap Flights has some really good deals right now. https://scottscheapflights.com/ Google Flights, Momondo, Kayak, Ctrip are other sites to look. Also, Groupon and travel packages have some interesting adventures. With Groupon I noticed a great 10 day trip with airfare and lodging, but the side trips were additional. Those side trips like the Great Wall are where they will get you if you follow along with the guide as they seem priced quite higher than what I paid. You may consider attending those on your own if you figure out how. https://www.groupon.com/browse/austin?lat=30.2687&lng=-97.7452&address=Austin&query=china&locale=en_US.

Question

CHOPSTICKS vs. FORKS

Answer

Some of you will have not mastered using chopsticks ahead of this trip. Don't worry. We are packing 24 Chorks (chopsticks / forks) available on a first come first serve basis.

Question

How do I get a physical invite?

Answer

Simple. RSVP and add in your current mailing address!!

Question

Getting Around

Answer

1) If you don't speak or write Mandarin, ask the hotel or a helpful person to write the name of the location you'd like to go in Chinese on a business card or paper and show it to the taxi driver. 2) We will create some photos of popular tourist destinations in Hangzhou with the name and address in Mandarin and English that you can print. We will try to bring some hard copies to Hangzhou for those that forget to print.

Question

China Voltage 220v (different than US!!)

Answer

China uses generally 220V, 50HZ, AC (Hong Kong is 200V; Taiwan is 110V; Japan is 100V; US is usually 110-120v). So pack adapters to charge your phones and electronics. We will have some extras too. https://www.amazon.com/Ceptics-Australia-Zealand-Travel-Adapter/dp/B01MR9D7VJ/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_23_tr_t_2/132-3541731-3605929?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=11W09H2V81XJBXQN4AZW

Question

Tone's Name and how is it pronounced

Answer

A common question! Tone's name in Chinese is Tong, and its closest pronunciation in English is Tone, like the tone of your voice. She accepts either spelling :).

Question

Medical Doctors and Doctors of Philosophy!

Answer

I just realized a huge chunk of you have medical degrees and Ph.Ds. The wedding invite etiquette is to designate the title of Dr. for both. If I have forgotten a graduated doctor out there, please let me know. If you have one of those degrees and don't want anyone to know, feel free to also let me know.

Question

Hand Delivered Visas to the Embassy

Answer

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/zmzlljs/t84229.htm Based on where you live, you will need your documents hand delivered to a Chinese Consulate. Each state has a respective Consulate: Washington DC, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago. If you aren't planning to make a trip to any of the those cities to hand deliver your documents, there are courier agencies across the country that have a relationship with the Chinese Embassy. We have a contact in Austin who lives in Houston, and we'll help you coordinate through him (charges $80 fee per person). You can use our home address, and he will generate an itinerary for you to appease the Chinese government. If you want to do everything by the book and need help booking your room at the hotel where the wedding is, just let us know.

Question

Visa Info

Answer

For VISA details, you can check the US department of state, Trip Advisor, or Google search. Watch out for ripoff handling services. In Austin, we have the fortune of knowing the Chinese community and a courier service of someone who will take the paperwork personally to Houston. I'm sure every big city has something similar, but not sure how you specifically locate these people. That fee is $80. You want the L-1 travel visa. You can choose for a one time visit or 10 year visa, which I believe you have to fill out under "other" in the form. I think all the visas are the same cost of $140 plus whatever handling fees. Make sure to read all the details of the form because there could be "gotcha" questions. https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/china.html http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ 144 hr travel with no visa: https://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/free-transit-144hour.htm Good for Shanghai (+ Hanghzhou according to site)

Question

More Chinese Visa links

Answer

Best handling service that UofM recommends: http://uschinavisa.com/default.asp Seems like you have to be in transit to other countries to not need a Chinese visa and use the layover as an excuse to see some cities. Excellent Q&A here: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-144hour-visaexemption-transit-policy/shdaily.shtml http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2017/07/29/beijing-transit-without-visa-144-hours/

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More Questions

Answer

Please email dhcepeda@gmail.com and we will help you!