Anticipating a year without travel, we unexpectedly found ourselves planning a trip when J had some leave to clear. While scouring airfare prices in the region, we stumbled upon a remarkably affordable flight to Shanghai with JuneYao Airlines (吉祥航空), costing around S$400. Without hesitation, we seized the opportunity and embarked on a spontaneous journey to Nantong, China.
Located approximately 105 km from Shanghai, Nantong lies in the eastern part of Jiangsu Province, on the northern bank of the Yangtze River. Our plan was to fly to Shanghai and then take a high-speed train to Nantong. J's connection to the city, having been stationed there for the past few years, fueled our excitement as he eagerly anticipated reconnecting with friends. For me, it presented a perfect chance to delve into the city's culture, while also putting various payment methods and China apps to the test. Additionally, we intended to secure a China SIM card through J's ex-colleagues to ensure seamless communication during our stay.
Despite my previous visits to China in the pre-COVID era, this journey felt like navigating uncharted territory. China's rapid development had transformed the landscape, leaving me somewhat disoriented amidst the modernization. The familiarity that once guided me felt outdated, and an unexpected sense of uncertainty lingered, even with our proficiency in the local language.
Navigating the digital landscape posed its own set of challenges.
GPS Navigation Apps: Firewall restrictions rendered Google Maps outdated since the establishment of the Great Firewall of China. The primary map app in China, Baidu (百度), required a local China +86 number for verification, making it inconvenient as we couldn’t save the locations of places of interest. Fortunately, we discovered another application, 高德地图 (Gaode Maps), which allowed us to register and enhanced our navigation experience by marking places of interest and enabling GPS tracking.
E-Payment Wallets: China's rapid development in this area meant that electronic payments were the most widely accepted method in the country. WeChat and Alipay were the two main E-Wallet service providers. However, as foreigners, we faced difficulties verifying our identity through WeChat, so we opted for the more internationally used Alipay app. Surprisingly, this was a much easier process as we only had to upload a copy of our passport for registration and identity verification. With this E-Wallet, we were able to have J’s friend (from China) transfer some money, and we paid them back in cash.
Hotel Booking: Despite the rise of Airbnb, we discovered that foreigners in China are unable to check into Airbnb housing due to security issues. We could only opt for hotels that had systems allowing us to register with the local authorities. We found affordable hotels via the Trip.com App.
Researching Nantong's attractions became an intriguing prelude to our journey. As a non-touristy city, it promised a unique experience, devoid of the usual crowds. Despite this, we uncovered some appealing sites that ignited our excitement. Opting for a less touristy destination seemed like a wise choice, promising a more affordable and serene experience, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the local way of life—a prospect that we are eager to explore and contemplate further.
P
