This document provides information and recommendations for an upcoming business trip to China, including getting internet access, useful apps, language tips, cultural customs, food options, subscriptions on WeChat, shopping locations, and leaves time for questions. It recommends getting a China Mobile SIM card for internet access and using VPNs like ExpressVPN or AtrillVPN. Useful apps mentioned are Apple Maps, Baidu Maps, translation apps, Didi taxi, WeChat, and an air quality app. Etiquette tips cover dress codes, temple visits, greetings, and waiting for your host to eat first. Food suggestions include Asian cuisines if not in the mood for Chinese, and Michelin star restaurants in Shanghai and Beijing. WeChat

1. Your First Business
Trip To China
21/04/2018, Dublin City University

2. Agenda
❖ Internet Access and Sim Card
❖ Useful Apps
❖ Language
❖ Culture
❖ Food
❖ Subscriptions on WeChat
❖ Shopping
❖ Q&A

3. Internet Access
● Gmail, Google and most Western social media are blocked in China
● VPN recommendations: ExpressVPN (30-day money-back guarantee) and
AtrillVPN (7-day free trial)
● Register and install app before you go to China
● Use Bing to search, no VPN required
● A lot more data is consumed when VPN is on, and battery (recommend to get
5G or 10G data)
● Spotify can be accessed without VPN (it was the case last year at least)
● Highly recommend you get Internet on your phone in China as you can scan
QR codes with your Wechat everywhere, real taste of life in China

4. China Mobile - 5G data + 700 mins (one month)
There should be a
counter at each
airport. You’ll
need your passport
to get a sim card in
China.

5. China Mobile - 10G data + 700 mins (one month)

6. Apps
● Apple Maps or Baidu Maps
● Youdao (Netease) Translate-Voice & Camera
● Baidu Translate
● Didi Taxi
● WeChat (add me at heidik01024)
● Air Matters (check air quality)
● Bon app (recommended restaurants in Shanghai)

7. Learn Chinese
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese/real_chinese/
Pinyin and pronunciation provided

8. Culture
● There are dress codes for certain events you attend but there are no strict
rules for how you dress (sandals, tank tops, shorts are all acceptable)
● If you are visiting a temple, sandals and shorts (not hot pants) are OK but
wear a T-shirt instead
● Nodding is a sign of humility when Chinese are greeting you, showing
humility in response is key to being accepted in Chinese culture
● Wait for your host to eat first before you do, or wait for your host to invite
you to eat first before you can eat, don’t forget to say “hao, xiexie (that’s nice
of you, thank you).”

9. Food
● Asian food (Japanese, Korean, Thai, etc.) is generally good in China if you
don’t fancy Chinese food
● Michelin-star (Chinese) restaurants in Shanghai and Beijing. Book now!
● Practice how to use chopsticks to prevent food from bouncing around

10. Different forms of Chinese food
Dim Sum
Hot Pot

11. WeChat Subscriptions
Subscribe to newsletters on Wechat to follow local news in Shanghai and Beijing
● Time Out
● Shanghaiist
● thebeijinger

12. Shopping
● Xujiahui Shopping District in Shanghai
○ Address ： 徐家汇商业圈
● Electronics and Gadgets
○ Buy Now Shopping Mall Beijing address- 北京市朝阳区朝外大街99号
○ Buy Now Shopping Mall Shanghai address - 上海市徐汇区漕溪北路339号 (in Xujiahui)
○ Pacific Digital Plaza in Xujiahui, Shanghai
■ Phase 1 - 徐家汇漕溪北路41号
■ Phase 2 - 徐家汇肇嘉浜路1117号
● Custom-made Qipao dresses and suits - Fabric Market (Shanghai)
○ Address - 南外滩轻纺市场, 陆家浜路399号(近南仓街)

13. Thank you!
Q&A