Originally Posted by
DaileyB
When I was there last April, I couldn't download Astril or Express VPN. (I Believe I was trying to use those 2 by memory now) couldn't get to their websites. It was like trying to use gmail without a vpn.
Express no longer bills itself as a viable option in China (in fact, they told this straight up last month when I asked them about it), but there are still many ways to get it inside China. Meanwhile, A always maintains mirror URLs that are accessible from within China.
Originally Posted by
downinit
I just realized that Didi China is a separate app from Didi outside of China. I had the latter installed from my trip to Costa Rica a few weeks ago, but it didn't do me any good in Suzhou. Fortunately, Didi can be booked within Alipay, Wechat, and Amap, but I personally prefer avoiding the mini apps when possible, as they seem to be giving me more issues.
Overall, my experience is much better than my last trip to CN in 2018, thanks to everything moving to app-based purchasing. But definitely do what you can to get verified before traveling, as it feels like a neverending process for both Wechat and Alipay.
Another headache was when I tried to book a Didi at Suzhou railway station, from the clearly marked rideshare area. Apparently, there are several very similar-sounding Didi pickup spots in the same general vicinity/side of the station, as it turned into a royal PITA (I had the same issue at both the north and south exits).
I'm finally starting to regain some of my sense and sanity, but the first 24 hours in China can be quite bewildering and frustrating for a wide variety of reasons. I still have absolutely no idea how to order food at a restaurant. The first 10 I walked past near my hotel all have the menu on the wall behind the counter, so my typical approach of using Google translate and then pointing to what I want on the menu isn't an option. The last restaurant I went to only had their menu on a single tablet, which was probably more annoying, but at least I could select what I wanted. I really miss Japan and their gorgeous meal mock-ups. Fortunately, I will be heading back there in a few days.
As I've mentioned in other threads, locating your specific car/driver in busy areas is usually sufficiently annoying for me to pass. Fortunately, there are almost always other ways to leave airports and train stations. And, if you happen to be in the middle of People's Square, just walk ~500 meters to a less chaotic area before requesting a car.
Regarding restaurants, I dislike being forced to order from my phone or a tablet (this issue isn't unique to China), but I can't recall the last time I've seen one that didn't have descriptive pictures. Furthermore, many restaurants still make it easy to order the old fashioned way.