NihaoPass
Navigating China's digital wall shouldn't start at the airport.
Set up local payments, get connected, and pre-book your airport ride before you fly.
- Flight-tracked drivers
- Free cancellation up to 48h
- 13 languages
How it works
1. Check your readiness
Answer a few quick questions about your phone, payment setup, and travel dates. Get a personalized checklist of exactly what to sort out before you fly.
2. Set up before you fly
Link a card to Alipay or WeChat Pay, arrange connectivity, and know what's blocked ahead of time — easier to handle with normal internet access than from a hotel room.
3. Land and go
Pre-book a private airport transfer so a driver is waiting when you land — no fumbling with a ride-hailing app you can't fully use yet.
Why prepare in advance
China's most useful apps work differently for visitors than for residents, and several apps you probably rely on every day — Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, most Western news sites — are blocked entirely inside mainland China. None of it is complicated once you know what to do, but figuring it out for the first time after a long flight is the hard way. NihaoPass exists so you sort it out before you leave, not after you land.
Common questions
Can I use Alipay or WeChat Pay as a foreigner in China?
Yes. Foreign visitors can link an international Visa, Mastercard, or JCB card to Alipay or WeChat Pay and use it like a local mobile wallet at most shops, restaurants, and transit systems — no Chinese bank account needed. A card linked this way has lower transaction and spending limits than a resident's own account, and verification can take a little time, so it's worth setting up before you fly rather than at the airport.
How do I get from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) to the city center?
You have three realistic options. A private transfer or taxi takes roughly 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic and your exact destination, door to door. The Maglev train to Longyang Road station is the fastest way to cover the distance itself, but you'll still need a metro ride or taxi from there to reach most hotels. The regular metro (Line 2) is the cheapest option but slowest with luggage, and involves at least one transfer. Pudong is roughly 45km from central Shanghai, so plan accordingly if you're landing late or jet-lagged.
How much does a private airport transfer cost in Shanghai?
A private transfer from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) is a flat $690.00, booked in advance — no meter, no haggling on arrival. That price covers destinations within Greater Shanghai; see the next question if you're headed further out.