Comparisons
Which to choose, when you have two options: payment apps, SIM cards, trains or planes, booking sites.
Alipay vs WeChat Pay for visitors
Alipay vs WeChat Pay for foreign visitors to China. Both take foreign cards; Alipay is usually easier to set up, WeChat adds messaging. Get both.
eSIM vs Chinese SIM card vs roaming
Roaming and most travel eSIMs keep Google and WhatsApp working in China; a Chinese SIM gives a local number but needs passport registration.
High-speed train vs flying in China
High-speed rail usually beats flying in China for trips of a few hours; fly when the train takes most of a day, such as Shanghai to Chengdu.
Trip.com vs 12306 for train tickets
Trip.com vs Railway 12306 for Chinese train tickets. 12306 is official with no booking fee; Trip.com is easier in English with foreign cards.