Symptom Index
Plain English: Something is broken or confusing. Type a word (payment, passport, train…) or tap a filter chip, then open the matching guide. Works without knowing our category names. Without JavaScript, the full list stays visible — use browser find.
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Payment & money
| Symptom | Open this guide |
|---|---|
| Alipay / WeChat will not accept my foreign card | Alipay & WeChat Pay (foreign visitors) |
| Payment works then suddenly locks / asks for selfie | VPN, eSIM & Payment Setup (Payment Recovery) |
| I need cash, ATM, or invoice (fapiao) | Money Runtime · Landing Protocol |
| Hotel / card pre-auth freeze will not clear | Money Runtime |
| Lost bank card / need to freeze cards | Lost bank card |
Phone, data & apps
| Symptom | Open this guide |
|---|---|
| Google / WhatsApp / Instagram will not load | VPN, eSIM & Payment · Network outage |
| Need a Chinese number for SMS / apps | Mobile number & activation · SIM options |
| Which apps to install / WeChat might lock | China App Stack |
| Phone lost or stolen | Lost phone |
| Maps or Wi‑Fi fail; I am offline | Network outage · Maps & toilets |
Arrival, hotel & language
| Symptom | Open this guide |
|---|---|
| First 30 minutes after landing — what order? | Landing Protocol |
| Digital arrival card / visa-free confusion | Visa & entry |
| Hotel will not check me in / police registration | Hotel check-in · Stay beyond hotel |
| Homestay / apartment / refused as foreigner | Stay beyond hotel |
| Nobody understands my English | Translation tools · Phrase card tool |
| Cannot read metro / toilet / facility signs | Visual signs guide |
| Leaving Shanghai for other cities | Beijing · GZ & SZ · Chengdu · Hangzhou · Xi’an · Chongqing |
| Need offline paper for first 3 days | 72h survival pack · Print hub |
| Staying months — work/banking grey areas | Long-stay risk boundaries |
Transport
| Symptom | Open this guide |
|---|---|
| 12306 rejects my name | Train ticket trap · MRZ tool |
| International → domestic flight connection | Transit protocol |
| Taxi / Didi issues or cash vs QR | Taxi & payment |
| Metro, bus, ferry basics | Public transport |
| Want to drive / rent a car | Car rental |
| Luggage delayed or lost | Lost luggage |
| Power bank taken at airport security | Power bank rules |
Health & safety
| Symptom | Open this guide |
|---|---|
| Need a hospital / clinic with English help | Hospital access |
| How to pay hospital / use insurance / claim | Insurance & hospital bills |
| Need OTC medicine / pharmacy phrases | Pharmacy & medications |
| Chronic meds / prescription refill | Prescription refill |
| Possible scam (tea, taxi, QR) | Safety & scams · Shanghai safety |
| Need emergency numbers on one card | Emergency contacts card · Phrase card tool |
| Passport lost or stolen | Lost passport |
Food & daily life (Shanghai-heavy)
| Symptom | Open this guide |
|---|---|
| Where / what to eat | Shanghai food guide |
| Vegetarian / vegan ordering | Vegan guide |
| Weather, AQI, typhoon prep | Weather guide |
| Local apps and resident tips | Shanghai local hacks |
| Sightseeing nodes | Attractions |
Region note: Many daily-life guides are Shanghai-first. Payments, trains, and emergencies are mostly national.
Traveling with kids
| Symptom | Open this guide |
|---|---|
| Formula batch / recall worry | Milk safety / recall · SafeFeed Action |
| Diapers and baby supplies | Diapers & stores |
| Food allergies at restaurants | Food allergies · Print allergy card |
| Need a nursing / pumping room | Nursing rooms |
| Full baby/toddler playbook | Baby survival runbook |
| Need weight-based dose reference (mg) | Dose calculator · Pharmacy |
Holidays & peak travel
| Symptom | Open this guide |
|---|---|
| CNY / Golden Week crowds, closures, tickets | Holiday survival |
Still stuck?
- Browse the full library by category.
- Report a gap: GitHub Issues.
- Email: miles.x.dev@outlook.com.