Core topic

Payments, connectivity and booking

Practical choices for payments, internet access, tickets and booking independent travel.

2 articles

China train booking · 12306 passport · China high-speed rail

How to Book and Catch Chinese Trains with a Passport

A practical guide to booking 12306 without a Chinese phone number, matching station names, collecting e-tickets, and planning the transfer from a busy rail hub to your hotel.

payments · china · hong kong

Planning a Payment Mix Across Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau

How independent travelers can build a realistic payments mix when moving between mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, from QR-code wallets and bank cards to cash, ATMs and small-currency reserves.