Two weeks in China, and the whole trip had one theme: take the risk. Four cities, product samples for something I’m building, family roots on my husband’s side and one speakeasy night I’m still thinking about.
Now you may be asking, isn’t China complicated to plan? It CAN be. WELL, with a budget set in advance and the right apps on your phone, it’s a lot more doable than people make it sound.
Why this trip was life changing
- The product. I got to connect on samples for a future CPG (consumer packaged goods) product I’m aiming to launch. That was LIFE CHANGING. Emails and video calls are one thing. Seeing it up close is another.
- The family side. My husband’s family is from there, so this trip meant a lot to both of us. Seeing it together changed our perspective.
- The creative side. What China has to offer pushed me right into my creative side. My brain did not stop buzzing.
Our route
We were there for two weeks: 7 days in Shanghai, and the rest split roughly evenly between Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Hangzhou.
- Hong Kong
- Guangzhou
- Shanghai
- Hangzhou
Shanghai: centuries-old temples and a speakeasy night
Shanghai was the highlight reel. We explored centuries-old temples, and one of the most fun nights of the whole trip was a speakeasy bar night with my husband.
Between the galleries, the design-forward coffee spots and the old lane houses, my creative juices were FLOWING.
What it cost
Our trip was mid-tier. The two things that kept it there: we set the budget BEFORE we left, and we used Chinese apps to get discounts.
Our MVPs: Taobao and WeChat. Both were super helpful for scoring discounts.
Pro tip: book more than one hotel
Don’t park yourself in one hotel for the whole stay. Splitting your nights between hotels in different parts of a city lets you experience so much more of what it has to offer. Different neighborhood, different food, different energy.
First-timer tips (check the latest rules before you book)
Big sis, not a travel agent. Entry rules change often, so always confirm with official sources before you book anything.
- Visas: As of 2026, US citizens still need a visa for a regular round trip to mainland China. There’s a 240-hour visa-free transit option if you’re continuing on to a third country or region, and Hong Kong counts as one. Read the requirements carefully, because a round trip back home doesn’t qualify.
- Payments: Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay before you land and link your card. Some banks block the charges, so set up both apps and carry a little cash as a backup.
- Hong Kong runs on its own system. It has separate entry rules and its own currency, the Hong Kong dollar.
- Stay connected. A lot of the apps you use at home don’t work normally in mainland China, so figure out your data and messaging plan before you go.
- Budget in advance. Decide your number before the trip, not in the middle of a shopping street.
The real lesson: take the risk
Book the trip that scares you a little. Go see the samples in person. Say yes to the city you’ve only seen in pictures. Some of the best moves I’ve made started with being a little nervous.
Take the risk, Queens. And that product I mentioned? More on that soon. The Big Sis Letters will hear about it first.
xo, Malificent