Shanghai travel guide

1 Download all the apps you need and verify your accounts (Wechat, Alipay) before you board the plane. Internet in China has major firewalls that will prevent sites like Google and pretty much most international apps. Even if you have international roaming, the connection is not the best. l walked away from some eateries because Wechat just doesn't load sometimes. 2 Get international roaming from your telecom provider. Trying to get a Chinese number/ SlM card is a pain and once you do have a Chinese number, you probably cannot use most international apps like Google unless you have VPN (which isn't very reliable sometimes).l could use IG and whatsapp with international roaming, and l didn't need VPN. 3 Bring your portable charger. Everything happens with your phone. If your phone runs out of battery, you are pretty much dead. 4 You can get a transportation card at the airport to take the metro and buses. l highly recommend getting it because my Alipay wasn't working at the airport when l wanted to get a train ticket. 5 While China has resumed the 15-day visa-free travel for Singapore you still need to complete health declaration when you arrive at the airport and when you depart. l took China Eastern airlines and there were QR codes at the counter when l checked in. The stewardess onboard will go around with their devices to remind passengers to fill in the health declaration as well. Keep an eye out for those! 6 Once you are done with filling in the declaration form, screenshot the QR code generated, you need it when clearing the customs. You will also need to fill in an arrival card, the airlines will not give them out. You can get it at the airport when you arrive. #thingstodoshanghai