Bokang grew up in Beijing and studied information science and technology as an undergraduate, then completed a Master of Engineering in computer science at Cornell.
He now lives in Beijing, working as a software engineer. That background shapes how he writes about the technical side of travel here: how a foreign card actually behaves inside Alipay, what a QR code payment does behind the scenes, and why a VPN and an eSIM are not interchangeable.
He is the reason the payments and connectivity guides contain specifics rather than generalities. He sets up each payment app and eSIM plan on a foreign card, tests what works and what fails, and writes up the result. Plans and acceptance rules change often, so he re-tests and updates the pages.
Outside work he travels as much as he can, which is usually where the ideas for these guides come from.
What Bokang can vouch for
Payment and eSIM guides are based on first-hand testing in China. Bokang sets up each app and plan on a foreign card and confirms what actually works before it is published.
Writes about
- Alipay and WeChat Pay with foreign cards
- eSIM plans for China
- VPN and roaming options
- Ride-hailing and transport apps
- QR payments and cash
29 guides by Bokang Huang
Covering Payments, eSIM and connectivity, Layover logistics.
- PaymentsUpdated Oct 16, 2026Alipay in China for Foreigners: Step-by-Step Setup with a Visa or MastercardHow to set up Alipay in China with a foreign card before you fly, identity verification, fees, spending limits, and why a small test payment matters.
- LogisticsUpdated Oct 16, 2026China Airport to City: Transfers Compared for Every Major Layover HubHow to get from China’s main airports to the city center, costs, times, and the best option for PEK, PKX, PVG, SHA, CAN, TFU, XIY, and more.
- eSIMUpdated Oct 16, 2026China Airport Wi-Fi: Log In with Your PassportAirport Wi-Fi in China no longer needs a Chinese phone number: PEK, PKX, PVG and CAN all let foreign passports log in. Here is how each hub works, plus what to arrange before you land.
- eSIMUpdated Sep 16, 2026China Apps Checklist: What to Install Before You FlyThe apps you actually need for a China layover (payments, maps, ride-hailing, translation, and trains) plus what to set up at home versus on arrival.
- eSIMUpdated Oct 16, 2026China eSIM Setup: Do It Before You LandWhy a China travel eSIM keeps your usual apps working, how to choose a plan, and the exact setup steps to finish before your flight lands.
- LogisticsUpdated Oct 16, 2026China High-Speed Rail for Tourists: Booking with a PassportHow to book and ride China’s high-speed trains as a foreigner, passport ticketing, 12306 vs Trip.com, station procedures, and what it costs.
- LogisticsUpdated Oct 16, 2026DiDi and Ride-Hailing in China: A Guide for ForeignersHow to set up and use DiDi in China with a foreign phone number and card, plus the taxi alternative, price expectations, and the safety checks that matter.
- PaymentsUpdated Oct 16, 2026Do Apple Pay and Google Pay Work in China? What Tourists Should KnowForeign Apple Pay and Google Pay generally do not work at Chinese payment terminals. Here is what works instead, and the few places physical cards are accepted.
- PaymentsUpdated Oct 16, 2026Do You Need Cash in China? (Yes, Here’s How Much)China is nearly cashless, but RMB cash is still worth carrying. How much to bring, what it’s actually for, and how ATMs and the law work for tourists.
- eSIMUpdated Sep 29, 2026Does Google Maps Work in China? (And What to Use Instead)Google Maps is unreliable in mainland China. Here’s what is blocked, what still works, and the map and translation apps that actually get you around.
- eSIMUpdated Oct 16, 2026eSIM China: Best Plans Compared (Airalo, Holafly & Nomad)The best eSIM for China for most travelers, plus how Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad compare on data, price, firewall routing, and support, and why it matters on a layover.
- LogisticsUpdated Oct 16, 2026Hotel Registration for Foreigners in China: The 24-Hour RuleForeign visitors in China must register their accommodation within 24 hours. What hotels handle for you, what to do if you stay privately, and why it matters.
- PaymentsUpdated Oct 16, 2026How to Pay in China: Alipay, WeChat Pay & TenPayGo for ForeignersVisa and Mastercard acceptance is limited in China. Here’s how to link your foreign card to Alipay, WeChat Pay, and TenPayGo so you can pay like a local.
- LogisticsUpdated Sep 16, 2026Is China Safe for Tourists? Scams, Risks, and What to Actually Watch ForChina is statistically very safe for travelers. Here are the real risks on a layover (taxi scams, tea-house cons, and pickpocketing) and how to avoid each.
- LogisticsUpdated Oct 16, 2026Luggage Storage at China’s Airports: What It Costs and Where to Find ItWhere to leave your bags during a China layover, airport left-luggage, station lockers, hotel storage, and the option most travelers overlook.
- eSIMUpdated Oct 16, 2026VPN for China: eSIM vs VPN vs Roaming ComparedDo you need a VPN for China? How a travel eSIM, a VPN, and home-carrier roaming compare on blocked apps, cost, and setup, and which to use on a layover.
- PaymentsUpdated Oct 16, 2026WeChat Pay in China for Foreigners (and Where TenPayGo Fits In)How to set up WeChat Pay with an international card, why you need WeChat even if you use Alipay, and what TenPayGo is for foreign travelers.