Howdy Howdy Howdy brace-dark-cowboy amerikkka

American here, planning on visiting China for the first time at the end of the year.

Specifically wondering if anyone here has any advice on the visa process for American citizens -- I've been researching myself but I keep finding either conflicting or outdated information since things seem to change rapidly.

From what I gathered, one needs to make an appointment window to the closest Chinese Consulate and apply for a travel visa in person-- which is then good for repeat visits up to 10 years? Or are there single use visas as well?

Also I'll be happy for any advice about visiting in general-- it's a huge country and a lot of ideas to sift through. Was suggested for phone (android) VPN, sim card, WeChat, WayGo, Baidu, 12306, Didi, MetroMan, and Trip.com (missing any?)

Mighty obliged folks, yeehaw deng-cowboy

  • the_itsb [she/her, comrade/them]
    ·
    8 months ago

    Can I ask you a question? How wildly expensive is this?

    I'm getting older, I've always wanted to travel abroad, but I've kinda just discarded the idea because I figured there's no way I'd ever be able to afford it.

    Edit: thanks for the replies - I was right, definitely can't afford that

    Oh well

    • LesbianLiberty [she/her]
      ·
      8 months ago

      2k round flight, 500 for a visa agency to process your visa if your assigned regional consulate isn't nearby (it must be done in person)

    • NPa [he/him]
      ·
      8 months ago

      Expenses while you're here: 20-50 usd for high speed rail tickets between big cities, streetfood/hole in the wall stuff is 1-2 usd, sit down restaurants usually 10-20 usd. Coffee is a bit expensive (4-5 usd usually, but if you just drink tea it's only about a dollar.)

      If you don't mind staying in relatively crappy hotels/hostels you can get by with paying 5-10 usd a night, but you have to make sure they actually have a license to host foreigners.