Originally Posted by
lsquare
I haven't decided yet. I've been looking at airfares more than anything else. Most likely it'll be a Hyatt like a UrCove. Really want to try the GH Shanghai though. That would be really appreciated. I'm hoping to get enough info from you and then I can post back with details on how I set things up later. I don't mind getting a more expensive plan first, but that ¥8/month plan sounds really good. You have confirmed that you can receive SMS anywhere in the world? I think you said China Mobile also has a similar ¥8/month plan? So why Unicom over CM?
Slightly OT, but I guess I'm better off using an iPhone in China since Apple Maps works well? So I should also set up a Chinese app store account just so that I can get Chinese apps? Although I think I'll only need Didi, we get, and Alipay. Anything else to cover my needs?
1. I suppose you should be willing to go anywhere in SH to pull off this mission, but ideally, let's find a location on the side of the river you choose. IIRC, there is a big Unicom store on Tianmu Road, which is kind of close to the Wuding Rd URCove.
2. I switched from Mobile to Unicom when Unicom first launched 5g in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong. I'm pretty sure that Mobile has now caught up in this department. My girlfriend uses China Telecom; their coverage/quality is the worst among the three, but I gather that she gets more bang for her buck. I haven't asked her about this though.
3. 2/3 of my friends use iPhones here, but I love my Huawei. Its main drawback is that it doesn't work with Google apps or the play store, so I have to sideload apps (a drill I've gotten used to). I think Huawei is the only brand that Google blocks.
4. You certainly want a map app that isn't Google; we have a few threads on this topic. Baidu has tons of annoying ads, but it is still my favorite (e.g. it presents specific subway station exits nicely). Other than that, Alipay, WeChat, Taobao, Eleme, and Didi are the only Chinese apps I use.
lsquare I tried to PM you, but you've exceeded your quota. Please PM me after you rectify or email me (seaneric gmail). I really just want to know where you are staying before I call my Unicom contact. I know she will provide complete information to us. In the event that you need more paperwork than your passport and the hotel temp residence form, we can pull it off.