Tools Hub
Interactive Travel Tools
Essential offline utilities for taxi drivers, street markets, restaurants, and daily budgeting — every tool works even with a weak signal.
Offline Hotel Cards
Offline Audio
Offline Hotel Address Cards
Grand Hyatt Shanghai (Lujiazui Pudong)
上海市浦东新区陆家嘴环路1000号 恒生银行大厦附近 / 金茂大厦
Shànghǎi Shì Pǔdōng Xīnqū Lùjiāzuǐ Huánlù 1000 hào (Jīnmào Dàshà)
Jin Mao Tower, 88 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai
🚇 Lujiazui Station (Line 2 / Line 14)
The Peninsula Shanghai (The Bund)
上海市黄浦区中山东一路32号(近北京东路,外滩大昌洋行附近)
Shànghǎi Shì Huángpǔ Qū Zhōngshān Dōng Yī Lù 32 hào
No. 32 The Bund, 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Shanghai
🚇 East Nanjing Road Station (Line 2 / Line 10)
The Regent Beijing (Wangfujing)
北京市东城区金宝街99号(近王府井步行街)
Běijīng Shì Dōngchéng Qū Jīnbǎojiē 99 hào
99 Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
🚇 Dengshikou Station (Line 5)
Currency & Bargaining
13 Currencies
💱 Currency & Real Price Calculator
Real-time CNY conversion + speak-the-price bargaining helper
💬 Polite Chinese Bargaining Phrases
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Can it be a little cheaper?可以便宜一点吗? · Kěyǐ piányí yīdiǎn ma?
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Too expensive! How about [XX] RMB?太贵了![XX]块可以吗? · Tài guì le! [XX] kuài kěyǐ ma?
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What is your lowest price?最低多少钱? · Zuìdī duōshǎo qián?
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If I buy two, can you give me a discount?我买两个,能打折吗? · Wǒ mǎi liǎng gè, néng dǎzhé ma?
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I will look around elsewhere.那我再去别家看看。 · Nà wǒ zài qù bié jiā kànkan.
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Can I scan your Alipay or WeChat Pay code?可以扫微信或支付宝吗? · Kěyǐ sǎo Wēixìn huò Zhīfùbǎo ma?
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Do you accept a foreign Visa/Mastercard?支持刷外卡(Visa/Mastercard)吗? · Zhīchí shuā wàikǎ ma?
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No thanks, I am just browsing.谢谢,我随便看看。 · Xièxie, wǒ suíbiàn kànkan.
Allergy & Food Cards
Dining Flashcards
🍜 Allergy & Diet Cards
Tap a card to enlarge it full-screen and show it to restaurant staff, or tap 🔊 to hear it read aloud in Chinese.
Expense Tracker
Daily Budget
High-Speed Rail (12306)
12306 Matrix
🚄 High-Speed Rail (12306) Companion
Estimated fares & travel time for major high-speed rail (12306) routes.
Phrasebook
Offline Ready
🗣️ Essential Phrasebook
Tap 🔊 to hear any phrase spoken aloud in Chinese — hand your phone to whoever you need to talk to.
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Hello你好 · Nǐ hǎo
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Thank you谢谢 · Xièxiè
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You're welcome不客气 · Bú kèqi
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Sorry / Excuse me不好意思 · Bù hǎoyìsi
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Yes / No是 / 不是 · Shì / Bú shì
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I do not understand我不明白 · Wǒ bù míngbái
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Do you speak English?你会说英语吗? · Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?
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Can you help me?能帮我一下吗? · Néng bāng wǒ yíxià ma?
Weather
7-Day Forecast
Live Map
Amap/Baidu
🗺️ Live Map
Your saved hotel addresses, pinned — plus a one-tap "where am I" for taxi drivers.
Size & Units
Clothing/Shoes
Connectivity
eSIM/VPN
📶 Getting Online in China
Three ways to get connected — pick based on your trip length and which apps you need.
An eSIM plan that routes its data through an overseas gateway, so blocked apps (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google Maps) work automatically — no VPN app needed. Install it from home before you fly; most only activate once you land and enable roaming.
- Needs an eSIM-capable phone — check before buying
- Buy and install the QR profile BEFORE arriving in China
- Keep it disabled until landing, then enable data roaming
- It usually cannot receive a local Chinese phone number for SMS verification codes
Needed if you'll be on a local Chinese SIM, hotel Wi-Fi, or a friend's network. Install and pay for it BEFORE your flight — VPN provider websites and app-store listings are themselves often blocked from inside China.
- Set it up and test it before you depart, not after landing
- Have one backup VPN app installed in case your main one gets throttled
- Free VPNs are usually far too slow/unreliable for real use — budget for a paid one
- Avoid discussing sensitive political topics over any connection while in China
Needed if you want a real +86 number — required for some ride-hailing/food-delivery app verifications and hotel check-ins. Requires passport registration at a carrier store (China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom).
- Passport required in person at a carrier store or airport kiosk
- You'll still need a VPN for blocked international apps
- Cheapest per-GB option for stays longer than ~2 weeks
📱 Apps worth installing before you fly
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WeChat 微信Essential — messaging, QR payments, translating menus/signs via built-in scan
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Alipay 支付宝The other big QR-payment app; has a "Tour Pass" mode for linking a foreign card
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Didi 滴滴出行Ride-hailing — has an English interface for tourists
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Amap/Baidu Maps 高德/百度地图Google Maps does not have reliable China map data even over a VPN — use a local map app instead
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Meituan 美团Food delivery and local deals — has partial English support
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PlecoThe best offline Chinese-English dictionary app — download its offline data before you fly