This video is a little bit different because I’m doing a GRWM while I chat through my China survival guide—aka the apps I relied on, what actually worked, and the random lessons I learned the hard way. If you’re heading to China soon, the biggest takeaway is: set up your apps before you land. I used Alipay pretty much the whole time across three cities (with a couple of WeChat moments), and I linked it to my credit card and also Wise. China is super cashless, and they really prefer QR payments over physical cards, so getting Alipay/WeChat Pay sorted early will save you so much stress. I also break down the practical apps: Amap for navigation (it’s insanely detailed—traffic lights, countdown timers, everything), Didi booked through Alipay for fast and smooth rides, and Meituan for food delivery and random essentials (yes, even batteries and a spatula). Dianping was my “Chinese Pinterest” for up-to-date local recs like fireworks/drone shows and better food reviews than TikTok—just be ready to screenshot and translate. I also share my warning about buying too many pharmacy items on Meituan (I got blocked after stocking up on cough syrup), plus my honest toilet tips (squat toilets are still common, bring tissues) and what it’s like traveling with kids—especially finding baby changing facilities.