How do I get a SIM card in China as a foreigner?

You can get a local SIM card at the airport from China Unicom, China Mobile, or China Telecom. Bring your passport. Alternatively, buy an eSIM before arrival for instant connectivity. Prices range from ¥69-199 for 7-30 day plans.

How do I set up Alipay as a foreigner in China?

Download Alipay, register with your phone number, then link an international Visa/Mastercard. Since 2023, foreigners can use Alipay without a Chinese bank account. You can also use WeChat Pay the same way.

What is the best way to get from the airport to the city in China?

Most major Chinese cities have airport express trains (fastest, ¥25-35). Metro is cheapest (¥5-10). Didi (Chinese Uber) is convenient if you have the app set up. Avoid unlicensed taxis at the airport.

Do I need a VPN in China?

Yes, Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and most Western apps are blocked in China. Download a VPN before arriving. Popular options include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Astrill. Set it up before you land.

What are the must-try foods in China?

Must-try dishes include Peking Duck (Beijing), Xiaolongbao soup dumplings (Shanghai), Mapo Tofu and Hot Pot (Chengdu), Biangbiang Noodles (Xi'an), and Dim Sum (Guangzhou). Our food guide covers 150+ dishes across 8 regions.

Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2025

1. Information We Collect

Account data: Email address and name when you register
Chat messages: Your travel questions and AI responses, stored to provide conversation history
Usage data: Pages visited, features used, and session duration for service improvement
Device data: Browser type, operating system, and IP address for security and analytics

2. How We Use Your Data

Provide and improve the AI travel assistant service
Maintain your conversation history and saved itineraries
Send service-related notifications (with your consent)
Detect and prevent fraud or abuse

3. Data Storage

Your data is stored securely using Supabase (PostgreSQL) with encryption at rest and in transit. Servers are located in the United States. We retain your data for as long as your account is active, or up to 2 years after your last login.

4. Data Sharing

AI providers (MiniMax, Qwen): Your chat messages are sent to generate responses
Analytics services (Sentry): Anonymized error and performance data
Legal authorities: When required by law

5. Your Rights (GDPR)

Access: Request a copy of your personal data
Rectification: Correct inaccurate data
Erasure: Delete your account and associated data
Portability: Export your data in JSON format
Objection: Opt out of non-essential data processing

6. Contact

For privacy requests or questions, contact us at: privacy@travelerlocal.ai

7. Data Deletion

To request deletion of your account and all associated data, email privacy@travelerlocal.ai with subject "Data Deletion Request". We will process your request within 30 days. You can also delete your account directly from the Profile page in the app.