Questions on Shenzhen/ China Travel

Pumpkin_rrr on 09/11/2017 - 11:23

Travelling soon and would like to ask my favourite Community, those who just came back from China recently, or still there now…
1) Is wifi easily available?
2) Gmail accessible?
3) Oz ATM card (CBA) - able to withdraw cash?
4) Oz money change into RMB -easily available?

Thanks heaps!

Travel

Comments

  • myusername on 09/11/2017 - 12:05

    is your phone unlocked? if so buy a local sim.
    i used PIA VPN on my phone when i was there and had access to gmail, facebook and all those things we enjoy in the west.
    if the ATM has the VISA symbol you will be able to make a withdrawal there with your atm card

  • maplenexus on 09/11/2017 - 12:32

    1) most restaurants and hotels have wifi, albeit passwords are usually their restaurant phone number. there are free wifi out in the public but you will need a chinese sim as they send the verification codes via sms. suggest cmcc for carrier.
    2) gmail blocked, use vpn (i've used tunnelbear, 500mb per month free)
    3) overseas atm may charge fees. if you have the time, you can try and go to a HSBC branch and make an everyday account, this way you can probably save some RMB into the account (not entirely sure if this works; i just know shenzhen have hsbc branches and atms) and use the card in china
    4）bank of china would be your best bet for changing AUD into RMB, may require passport when you exchange, also airport have exchange currency stations.

  • positEV on 09/11/2017 - 13:24

    1)Wifi is pretty accesible. But I do recommend getting a simcard there. At the airport (at least in shanghai) yo ucan get sims for about $20 AUD but only 2gb data. Outside airport you can get sims everywhere, I got one for $20 aud with 20GB data which is sick. Just make sure your phone isn't locked to a carrier here

    2) download a VPN. ExpressVPN has a 30day free trial and its real good, just remember to cancel it before 30 days. Also, make sure you sort the VPN app out before you leave.

    3) CBA card works fine to withdraw, I used my commbank travel money card.

    4) eeeeasy to get RMB in Australia. Dont exchange at airport, shit exchange rates, get it done before you go to airport. However, can be difficult to exchange AUD at a bank in China. I was lucky I had a local friend who helped me, but even then it was a stuff around.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/03/2018 - 21:30

      I was considering buying a SIM over there but was worried about the setup being in Chinese. Do they activate the SIM card for you?

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 09/11/2017 - 13:33

    Thanks all for your replies.
    Not good at Tech stuff so won’t try VPN.
    Hoping to get local sim, but will still have my Oz on roaming.
    Too lazy to open new bank account LOL, so will pay ATM fees. Don’t think I’ll withdraw that many times since it’d be almost empty when I fly back out,….

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