"Payment and Language Are Daunting," Foreign Tourists Say

Source: OT-Team(G),Sohu Travel; 路透财经早报

  Recently, "China Travel" has become a trending term online, attracting more and more foreign tourists to visit China. Reporters have explored Beijing's famous tourist spots to speak directly with foreign visitors and gather their genuine feedback on traveling in China.

01

Metro System Receives High Praise

  Paco (phonetic) from Mexico and his father Torres (phonetic) embarked on their first journey to China and were full of praise for the country's extensive metro network. They found that the metro covers nearly all major areas and popular attractions in the city. With just a transportation card, they could easily navigate to various corners of the city. Whether visiting historical sites or tasting authentic cuisine, the metro quickly and accurately brought them to their destinations.

  Paco particularly mentioned, "The bilingual signs in the metro are very well done, and every transfer is smooth." Moreover, Paco and his father were pleasantly surprised by the affordability of the metro tickets. In Beijing, a single ride starts at 3 RMB, in contrast to the starting prices in other major cities such as London (6.7 pounds, approximately 61 RMB), New York (3.25 dollars, approximately 24 RMB), and Tokyo (180 yen, approximately 8 RMB).

02

"Where to Find Timely Travel Information?"

  Marta(phonetic) and her friend Korina(phonetic) from Poland chose Xi'an and Beijing as their graduation trip destinations. To prepare for the trip, they used platforms like Google, TripAdvisor, and Trip.com to gather detailed information, including attraction selections, route planning, must-try foods, and specific transportation options.

  However, these seemingly thorough preparations encountered unexpected challenges during their actual travels. Marta and Korina soon realized that despite their extensive research, much of the information they found online did not match their experiences in China.

  Due to China's vast size and rapidly evolving urban development, many bus routes, schedules, and even attraction details were not updated in a timely manner on these international platforms. For instance, when they tried to follow directions to take a particular bus, they found that the bus route no longer existed, leading them to get lost for two hours.

  Marta and Korina expressed a strong desire for a comprehensive and authoritative official Chinese tourism website for international visitors. This site should provide real-time updates and detailed information on all attractions in China and support multiple languages. They believe such a resource would greatly enhance travel planning and convenience for foreign tourists.

03

Without Map Navigation: Difficult to Move Even One Step

  Why didn't Marta and Korina search for maps and change routes upon arriving in China? The reality is that familiar tools like Google Maps and Apple Maps are unreliable in China, often with outdated markers and lacking public transportation information. While Chinese navigation apps are accurate and reliable, they typically do not have foreign language versions, necessitating the use of translation tools.

  As a result, it's still common to see foreign tourists asking for directions in scenic spots. Sophia, a tourist from Italy, told Sohu Travel that she has asked over 100 locals for directions so far. "It's so frustrating and disheartening! I never expected using navigation apps to be this difficult," she exclaimed.

  Many foreign visitors expressed similar sentiments on camera, saying, "Without Chinese friends, I can't get anywhere!" However, some savvy foreign tourists have discovered that the Alipay mini program for Didi (the English version of the Chinese ride-hailing app) can not only call a car but also display location and maps. Still, tourists who prefer using public transportation like subways and buses must rely on additional map resources for route planning.

  Despite the challenges, using Didi through Alipay has become one of the best solutions for foreign tourists navigating travel in China.

04

A "Bumpy" Online Journey 

  For foreign tourists, communication issues pose another challenge during their travels in China. While free Wi-Fi is readily available in airports, mobile data becomes crucial once they leave the terminal.

  Foreign visitors have three main options for accessing mobile data in China: international roaming, eSIMs, and tourist SIM cards. However, the first two options only provide internet access and do not offer a Chinese phone number, which is necessary for app binding, ride-hailing, hotel booking, ticket purchasing, and food delivery.

  Tourist SIM cards, which require real-name registration, have become the preferred choice for foreign visitors. However, if tourists do not obtain a SIM card at the airport, they may face additional inconveniences. Most local service centers do not directly cater to foreign visitors, who must call official hotlines to find the nearest service point.

05

Frustrating Payment Systems

  "We usually withdraw cash from the Bank of China and then make payments," said a Greek couple, Papadopoulos (phonetic) and Katerina (phonetic). "We're older and not very familiar with downloading these payment apps. Even though the travel agency helped us download Alipay, we couldn't get it to bind properly."

  To enhance payment convenience for international visitors, Alipay and WeChat Pay have allowed the binding of international bank cards since July of last year. The process is straightforward: download and register the Alipay app, then link a major international bank card.

  However, practical issues such as difficulties with phone verification, slow real-name information authentication, failed card binding, and the 15-day cooling-off period often hinder smooth registration. These hurdles make mobile payment adoption daunting for many tourists.

  Liang Hongling, a Chinese scholar living in Glasgow, remarked, "I can't imagine how a foreigner who doesn't have Chinese payment tools and doesn't speak the language can cope with all this." She plans to return to her hometown in Xinjiang this month with her Irish husband.

06

"Booking Attractions is Crazy!"

  For many Chinese tourists, booking tickets through WeChat by searching for the official accounts of tourist sites has become a standard step before visiting. However, foreign visitors, accustomed to purchasing tickets through official websites, often find themselves struggling or getting dizzy from navigating OTA platforms, ultimately missing out on visiting opportunities.

  Jason, a fan of Chinese culture and history, was eager to visit the Forbidden City. He scratched his head in frustration, saying, "Why can't I get a reservation?" Leo from South America exclaimed, "Oh my God, the tickets were gone in a minute! I'll have to try again at 8 AM tomorrow. I don't want to miss it!"

  Currently, popular tourist cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou have canceled real-name reservation requirements for some attractions. This move undoubtedly provides more convenience for foreign visitors, allowing them to more easily explore and experience China's rich history and culture.

07

Visa Process to China Continues to Improve

  Since 2024, China has introduced a series of favorable visa policies, significantly attracting foreign tourists.

  Italian visitor Fred told us, "China has always been my dream destination, then the pandemic happened. A lot of things changed. Now I feel it's the right time to return to China. The visa policy is very friendly, especially since I can enter without a visa for a 15-day stay. Since China has reopened, I decided to seize this opportunity."

  Paco and his father shared their experience of obtaining a tourist visa (L visa): "It's very simple. You just need to fill out some basic information, which isn't difficult, and then wait 4-10 days to get the visa."

  China has been striving to make inbound tourism more friendly and convenient. However, there is still much work to be done to address the pain points and challenges faced by international tourists.

  "Of course, if you understand Chinese characters, everything becomes much easier," Fred added, seemingly already planning his next trip to China.