Disclaimer: Some of the links below are referral links, which means I may earn a bonus if you use them—at no cost to you. This helps support the site/channel and allows me to keep creating helpful content, thank you!
🏨 Hotels
- Beijing
- https://trip.tpx.gr/vDyJFoYn (~500yuan/night, small space but great location in middle of lively pedestrian street, 7 minutes to metro)
- https://trip.tpx.gr/8T2bgciI (~450yuan/night, very spacious and good value but bit further south near Temple of Heaven)
- Chongqing
- https://trip.tpx.gr/qEVq5Ics (~350yuan/night, 6 minutes to metro, nice spacious close to famous attractions)
- Hangzhou
- https://trip.tpx.gr/VtdtXaEj (~400yuan/night, metro on same block, nice spacious 5 star)
- Guangzhou
- https://trip.tpx.gr/guWJLNZE (~400yuan/night, 5 minutes to metro, nice spacious central location and value)
- https://trip.tpx.gr/HDWLrPfh (~400yuan/night, 1 minutes to metro, unique equestrian decor)
- https://trip.tpx.gr/9qYHpAFc (~400yuan/night, 1 minutes to metro, huge room and very close to Canton Tower/Fair)
- Shanghai
- https://trip.tpx.gr/zgHtltP1 (~900yuan/night, 1 minutes to metro, incredible location, new 5 star)
- https://trip.tpx.gr/FIM0CbB9 (~400yuan/night, 5 minutes to metro, nice spacious good location and value)
- https://trip.tpx.gr/rZbQZFBJ (~400yuan/night, 1 minutes to metro, spacious but slightly older option in Pudong)
- Shenzhen
- https://trip.tpx.gr/SkT0yCt3 (~400yuan/night, 5 minutes to metro, spacious and next to lively pedestrian street)
- Suzhou
- https://trip.tpx.gr/Bt0x5Ll3 (~300yuan/night, amazing location in the middle of a pedestrian street super lively)
- https://trip.tpx.gr/77mWDyqG (~300yuan/night, on same block as metro!)
🔋 China Travel Must-Haves
🔋 CCC (3C) Certified Power Banks
Non-3C certified power banks will be confiscated when going through security for China’s domestic flights, and sometimes even when going onto an international flight, so if you are bringing along a battery pack, best to bring a 3C certified one.
| Brand/Battery Capacity | Price (subject to change) | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Anker (10,000mAh) | $35-45 | https://amzn.to/4mAqlCz |
| Sharge (5000mAh) | $20-30 | https://amzn.to/4m98LWz |
| Belkin (10,000mAh) | $25-30 | https://amzn.to/45sytOE |
| Momax (5k and 10k mAh) | $50-$76 | https://amzn.to/4o8Jlt2 |
📱 Esims
Esims give you internet access while traveling. You can set these up before departure so that you have data as soon as you land at your destination. These will all allow you to access western apps (Google Maps, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) in China.
| Company | Link + Discount Code | Pros |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo | https://airalo.tpx.gr/DvrGks1h Use code WANDERLYN10 for 10% off | – Has 10 day unlimited plan in China for $35 – Great if you’re going to multiple countries and don’t want to keep buying different eSIMs |
| Trip ESIM | https://www.trip.com/t/zoUaaAXVpR2 | – Only $15 for 20GB of data (30 days) in China, super competitive rate |
| Trip Physical SIM (has a China phone number!) | https://www.trip.com/t/U7LDXrTaMV2 | – New option that comes with a local number. Pickup at certain airports only. |
| MobiMatter | https://mobimatter.com/#gowanderlyn Use code GOWANDERLYN to earn up to 50% cashback (Limit of | -eSIM marketplace with lots of competitively priced options |
✈️ Travel Essentials
Multi Charging Cable
- Amasuki (USBA/C to USBC/Lightning/Micro/Apple Watch Charger): https://amzn.to/42PzxeH
- Siqiwo (USBC to 4 USBC): https://amzn.to/46DvXqu
Universal adapter
- Baseus (2USBA +1 USBC, built in USBC cable): https://amzn.to/4gEwQlX
- Unidapt (4 USBA + 1 USBC): https://amzn.to/4njwMdX
- Epicka (2 USBA + 3 USBC): https://amzn.to/4mCcUBN
- Anker (2 USBA + 2 USBC): https://amzn.to/46Clquy
Luggage scale
- Travel Inspira: https://amzn.to/46UEVyj
In flight phone mounts
- Lisen magnetic: https://amzn.to/4mYxY5A
- Lisen with cinema light: https://amzn.to/4o5kxSc
- MiiKARE (manual + magnetic options): https://amzn.to/463TbWE
- Omoton Magnetic: https://amzn.to/48btQeM
Luggage tracker
- Airtag: https://amzn.to/4n9k7Kk
- Tile: https://amzn.to/4nwIqC5
- Smarttag: https://amzn.to/42mn7Ln
🗺️ Guides for each city
Super detailed and AFFORDABLE China guides!
Use code GOWANDERLYN at checkout for extra 10% off.
💳 No foreign transaction fee credit cards
These cards will save you on ~3% for foreign transaction fees.
| Brand/Battery Capacity | Annual Fee | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Capital Savor | $0 | bit.ly/3Gg9FR8 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | bit.ly/44hFtgF |