Fengshui.Land
Beijing is modern to the point that it might make some travelers feel… a bit left behind. Everything — from payments, transport, maps to daily services — runs on a seamless digital system. It’s truly a “tap-and-go world.”
One of the first things you’ll notice is the physical order and safety in public spaces. Most sidewalks and pedestrian lanes are equipped with barriers that prevent cars or motorcycles from encroaching. As a pedestrian, you feel remarkably safe. As a passenger in a car, you’re reassured that you won’t be cut off by scooters or bikes weaving through lanes. While these physical controls may seem rigid, they are impressively effective — especially in a city this large.
Yet, Beijing operates like a self-contained digital ecosystem that takes some getting used to:
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Payments: Almost everything is paid through Alipay (Zhifubao 支付宝) or WeChat Pay. Visa/Mastercard and Apple Pay are generally not accepted.
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Navigation: Google Maps doesn’t work reliably. You’ll need Baidu Maps or Gaode Maps (高德地图).
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Ride-hailing: Done mainly via Didi (滴滴出行) — the local version of Uber or Grab.
📌 Important tips for travelers:
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If you buy a Chinese SIM card, you’ll need to register it with your passport. But once connected, you won’t be able to access Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, ChatGPT, etc. due to national restrictions (the “Great Firewall”).
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If you use a global data SIM or pocket Wi-Fi (e.g. from Klook or Airalo), you can access Gmail and Google services — but you won’t have a local phone number, which means you can’t register for apps like Alipay or Didi, limiting your access to services like taxis or mobile payments.
💡 Pro tip:
International travelers can link a foreign bank card via the international version of Alipay — though not all vendors accept it. Still, having some cash on hand is wise, along with patience as you navigate this self-contained system.
🎒 Final Thoughts
Traveling in Beijing feels like stepping into a future that already exists — but one with its own rules. As a visitor, you’ll need to relearn how to walk, pay, move, and live. But once you catch the rhythm, you might not want to leave so soon.