Mobile Payments

Most travellers visiting mainland China are required to obtain a visa before arrival. Tourist visas (L visas) are typically issued for stays of up to 30 or 60 days and must be obtained in advance from a Chinese embassy or consulate. Citizens of Japan, Singapore, and Brunei are permitted to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 15 days for tourism, business, or family visits. Keep in mind that travellers who plan to visit Hong Kong or Macau in addition to mainland China may require separate visas for these regions, as they have different entry requirements from mainland China. Visa and entry policies may change frequently. Be sure to confirm the latest requirements with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before travel.

Because of the internet security laws of China, certain websites and applications are not accessible from the mainland, which includes those very commonly used in the west (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google and Gmail, Skype and more). Some travellers have been able to gain access to those via a VPN service installed prior to arrival in China. Make sure you comply with local laws and regulations when deciding on whether or not to employ a VPN, and which one to choose. If you do, only use those explicitly allowed by the Chinese government, and only use them for authorised purposes to avoid any trouble. There have been reports of foreigners in China getting their cell service cut off in response to unauthorised use of VPN; restoring cell service required a trip to the local police station, where contents of the device were investigated and certain apps removed. Given that Google is banned in China, Google Maps might not be the most accurate and reliable source of information. Some local apps such as Baidu Maps tend to work better than Google Maps.

Ningbo, with an average annual temperature of 16°C (61°F), is a city that can be enjoyed year-round. For the most pleasant weather, plan your visit during the spring (March throughMay) or autumn (September through November) months. If you're interested in exploring the Zhoushan Islands, the summer months (June through August) offer the best conditions for enjoying these popular vacation resorts.

Ningbo offers a variety of transportation options to help you navigate the city and its surrounding areas. Within the city, the Ningbo Metro is an efficient and affordable way to travel. It currently has 4 lines that connect key locations such as the airport, railway station, Tianyi Pavilion and popular parks. The public bus network is also extensive and can take you to many attractions within the city. However, announcements and signage are primarily in Mandarin, which might present a challenge if you are unfamiliar with the language. If you are looking to explore areas outside the city, such as Xikou Town or the Zen Buddhist Temples in Jinzhou District, hiring a private car is recommended for greater convenience and flexibility.

In China, mobile payment apps such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay are widely used and accepted almost everywhere, including restaurants, shops, street food stalls and tourist attractions. To use them, you can link your international credit card or set up a local bank account. Both apps provide features in English and are user-friendly, making it easy to handle payments, split bills, and even pay for transportation. Download these apps before your trip and familiarise yourself with their functionality to enhance your travel experience in Beijing.

Country code: +86 Area code: 574

You'll likely encounter Type A, Type I, and Type C outlets in mainland China. Type A outlets accept two flat parallel pins, Type I outlets take three flat pins in a triangular pattern, and Type C outlets — two round pins. It's always a good idea to have a universal travel adapter that can handle all three types, just in case. Make sure your device is compatible with 220V power supply.