Discussion · VoyageForum

LO Locosurf34 Veteran ·2026-02-03

You need internet to pay with WeChat and Alipay. Free works well without a VPN—probably the same for the Sosh plan—but I don’t know about Orange. If you’re staying long-term, get a VPN (install a few before you leave) and a Chinese SIM card.

Airalo is expensive.

Pikadiren Regular ·2026-04-10

I was in China from February to March 2026. I’m heading back this Monday, April 13, 2026. I have a reservation. To use the Free mobile plan, you need to get a phone signal! I traveled with a Brit to some "off-the-beaten-path" villages in the Guizhou mountains. In some of those villages, we couldn’t get any signal at all. We had Chinese-brand phones (Xiaomi and Huawei) but bought in Europe—he even had a Chinese SIM card. The locals had no trouble getting a signal. So it seems that in some parts of China, the technology used isn’t compatible with our European phones. For payments, it’s best to have cash on you.

«Pourquoi voyageons-nous? Afin de rencontrer des êtres qui ne s'imaginent pas nous connaître une fois pour toute » Max FRISCH

«Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages... mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux» Marcel PROUST

LO Locosurf34 Veteran ·2026-04-12

In remote areas, yes. Since WeChat was quickly blocked, I also withdrew some cash. It’s reassuring.

Or in Guizhou?

Pikadiren Regular ·2026-04-13

In remote areas, yes. WeChat was quickly blocked, so I also withdrew some cash. It’s reassuring.

Or in Guizhou?

In Qiandongnan.

«Pourquoi voyageons-nous? Afin de rencontrer des êtres qui ne s'imaginent pas nous connaître une fois pour toute » Max FRISCH

«Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages... mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux» Marcel PROUST

LO Locosurf34 Veteran ·2026-04-17

Okay, but then it's really about isolated villages because in Kaili and the touristy villages, it works without any problem

Pikadiren Regular ·2026-05-07

Okay, but really only in isolated villages because in Kaili and the touristy villages it works without any problem

That’s exactly what I was saying. No problem in the touristy villages.

«Pourquoi voyageons-nous? Afin de rencontrer des êtres qui ne s'imaginent pas nous connaître une fois pour toute » Max FRISCH

«Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages... mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux» Marcel PROUST

Internet and Payments in China

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