Beijing, China
- Download word translator apps
- Book trains in advance – Backpacking China isn’t easy when it comes to transport. Unlike in Southeast Asia, transport needs to be booked in advance as seats get filled quickly. We recommend booking your train to your next destination at least 2-3 days before you want to leave. At peak times we recommend booking even sooner.
- Download a VPN – For social media addicts out there, you may want to download a VPN before entering China. A VPN will allow you to use your fave social media sites. The two free VPN apps that we used were VPN Master and VPN Robot, but the former has malware risks, while the latter no longer works in China. You may alternatively choose to consider paid VPN apps that tend to be safer and more reliable.
- Use Ctrip – Ctrip is a site where you can book flights, trains, and hotels in advance. However, there is a small charge for doing this. Even if you don’t book through Ctrip, you can use it to jot down the train code, to make it easier for you to book the train at the counter.