Before you go

Everything you need to get there.

Read through the guides to understand what to expect and prepare before arriving in China — the visa, the train, the apps, the payments, and the small habits that make the first day feel familiar. Treat it as your travel pack.

Trains

4 min read

Shanghai Hongqiao to Quanjiao Station, end to end

Hourly G-trains, 1h45 door to door, and a driver waiting at the forecourt. The cleanest way in from the city.

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Apps

5 min read

The five apps to install before you board

Five apps to install at home, while your phone still behaves the way you expect. Skip these and the first day gets harder than it needs to.

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Payments

6 min read

Setting up AliPay with a foreign card

Visa and Mastercard now link directly. A short walkthrough so you can pay for tea, taxis, and trains from the moment you land.

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Apps

4 min read

A practical VPN guide for China

Which providers tend to hold up, what to install before you fly, and how lightly to lean on it once you're in.

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Visa

7 min read

China visa, in plain language

What most guests need, plus the new transit-free routes through Shanghai that can save you the paperwork entirely.

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Packing

4 min read

What to pack for a retreat in Anhui

A short, honest list. Layers for the cool mornings, slip-ons for the floors, and a notebook you'll actually use.

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Culture

5 min read

What to expect during silent practice

If you've never sat in held silence, here is the shape of the days — what tends to surface, and what eases.

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