Essential Travel Checklist: Must-Have Items for Your Trip to China

 Assalamualaikum. 

Traveling to China? Don’t Forget These Essential Items!

From Adapters to Apps: Must-Have Items for Your China Adventure

Secara random hari ini nak kongsi quick checklist kalau korang nak travel ke China.

If stay less than 15 days in china tak perlu visa. 

Tapi kalau datang atas urusan kerja/ hadir persidangan, boleh confirmkan dengan penganjur, korang perlu visa atau tidak.

Cadangan apps untuk install: Alipay, WeChat, Google Translator, Apps utk solat (saya guna the nour)

1) Transaction kewangan:

ALIPAY - sangat penting kalau nak naik bas, train dan DIDI (e-hailing) kat china.

dalam ni ada semua mini program boleh guna nak rent bicycle, boleh guna nak shopping kat Taobao dan lain-lain

opsyen kedua kalau tak nak install ALIPAY, boleh topup touch n go. nanti boleh guna e-wallet TnG utk pembayaran di China. Tapi tak semua kedai terima TnG, so boleh standby cash.

masalah dengan cash ni pula ialah sesetengah seller/ taxi driver dengan sangat2 selamba cakap tak ada duit baki maka burn la baki korang.

TnG tak boleh digunakan untuk naik train/ metro. Ada sesetengan metro ada mesin boleh beli kad akses manual - tapi kena scan la bahasa dia

2) Communication.

Kalau anda roaming data plan sedia ada dari Malaysia - anda boleh akses kepada semua termasuk Google, whatsapps tanpa perlu vpn.

Beli raoming package sesuai dengan bilangan hari anda di China.

Kalau anda guna free wifi hotel - semua akses google/ whatsapps dan keturunannya tidak boleh diakses melainkan anda subscribe VPN.

Subscribe VPN ni kami guna mullvad VPN. RM25 sebulan. tapi kalau setakat pergi 2 3 hari, tak payah la VPN ni. aktifkan roaming sahaja.

Install la WeChat, seronok juga pakai WeChat ni - boleh beli macam2 kat china dengan harga diskaun. hahaha.

Tapi saya sarankan ada weChat supaya:

i) anda boleh ada networking dengan rakan2 conference di China. Boleh scan QR Code mereka dan build a network. sebab mereka memang tak boleh akses whatsApps etc.

ii) untuk cek Waktu solat, rujuk apps yang ada dalam WeChat - lebih tepat berbanding guna apps dari Malaysia.

3) Toilet management

Sila la beli dan bawa botol bidet (seperti yang saya kongsikan gambar ni) kat shopee RM11 sahaja.

Dan lapik toilet bowl. sangat membantu. Sebab 99% tandas kat china ni tak ada bidet. 1% kalau ada pun kat masjid.

Tapi biasanya toilet kat hotel bersih dan ada plastic lapik yang macam kat korea tu. kita flush je dia tukar plastic cover.

Tapi tak semua hotel ada. So better bawa la. Kalau boleh avoid public toilet, sila avoid. Hahaha.

4) Upper part china dah start sejuk. So check la suhu siap2 tempat yang korang nak pergi dan bawa baju yang sesuai.

5) Bawa food sendiri (especially sos cili/ sambal) kalau tak suka makan makanan cina. if nak try boleh, sebab p 2 hari saja kan. Give it a try la.

Bawa utensils sendiri set sudu garfu kalau tak reti guna chopstic dan sudu kecik kat kedai.

6) Bawa adapter - sebab kepala plug china ni ada macam2. kalau bernasib baik, dapat 3 pin macam Malaysia. tapi ada hotel yang tak ada 3 pin tu. So better bawa international adapter. Kalau ada banyak benda nak di charge, bawa la sekali extension wayar tu.

7) Bawa ubat sendiri - essential medicine kena ada - panadol, ubat sakit perut, charcoal, VITAMIN C - wajib ya dan lain-lain ikut kebiasaan sendiri.

China ni insha Allah selamat. Everywhere also have cctv.

Sekian, quick checklist must have item/ apps when visiting China.

Falling in Love with Xi'an: A Journey to Remember

Assalamualaikum…

It’s been ages since I last wrote a personal travel entry on this blog.

Phewww... (Blows scarf dramatically).

This post is a bit of a throwback, as I can’t help but reminisce about my time in Xi'an—39 days filled with incredible memories and the warmest local people.

Xi'an has left a lasting impression on me, and I still find myself reflecting on the ups and downs I experienced there. From battling a fever alone, feeling surrounded yet solitary, to dealing with some less-than-pleasant people in my team. Ah, those days were a test, especially when you’re being "bullied" by people who should know better. It was far from enjoyable.

But here's the silver lining: Allah protected me. He guarded my tongue from retaliating, kept me from responding to their bad behavior with more of the same. In the most miraculous way, I could still smile, speak kindly, and carry on with grace. And this wasn’t out of force—it was sincere, a conscious decision to not let bitterness or anger take over.

Masha Allah, Allah is indeed the Most Merciful. He replaced those moments of hardship with unforgettable experiences and made the rest of my time in Xi'an incredibly smooth and enjoyable. Truly, He is the best of planners.

In Xi'an, I met so many kind souls, from the friendly people at the mosque on Muslim Street, who welcomed me with open arms, to my wonderful experience studying at XIDIAN University, which truly expanded my knowledge and skills. The thrill of cycling around the historic City Wall was also a highlight—an incredible way to take in the ancient architecture and feel the city's vibrant energy. And, of course, I can’t forget the breathtaking Huashan trip, where every step of the challenging climb was worth it for the stunning views.

It was a blessing to be surrounded by such goodness. But it's been so long since I’ve written a blog post, I’m not even sure how to start anymore. Haha... how sad! 😂 

Well, let me begin by sharing a video of my outing with Kak Fitri and Lim to Muslim Street. 

I'll find time later to write more about my Huashan adventure, my cycling experience at the City Wall, and my study at XIDIAN University.

Stay tuned!

Breaking Boundaries: A World More Populated Online Than Offline

Breaking Boundaries: A World More Populated Online Than Offline

by Huda Sani

In a world that is increasingly becoming digitized, the lines between the virtual and real blur into a vibrant dance of data and connection. Imagine a place where the number of digital denizens surpasses the populations of entire countries – a realm where Facebook's friend count outshines the people strolling the streets of India. 

In the world of social media, big players like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram are like the cool kids on the block with the most friends. They're basically the rulers of the online hangout, where everyone gathers, sharing memes, videos, and messages. They're the A-listers making the internet buzz.

Around the world, everyone's hooked on social media. The top social media platforms have a global user base, with platforms like Facebook and YouTube exceeding 2 billion users. This highlights the widespread adoption of these platforms on a global scale. 

The user counts for platforms like WeChat, Douyin, Kuaishou, and Sina Weibo suggest popularity in specific regions, such as China. Understanding regional preferences and cultural factors can provide insights into the platform's success. It is like each place has its own social media stars. Exploring these trends helps us see what people love in different parts of the world. Social media isn't just global; it is a wild ride through cultural hotspots as well. 

The user counts for major social media platforms, especially Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp, are comparable to the populations of large countries like India and China. This suggests the immense scale and impact of social media on a global level.

Multiple accounts and overlapping users are common occurrences. 

It's like wearing different hats for different occasions, but all in the same online world!

Engagingly, the phenomenon of multiple accounts extends even within the same social media platform. Notably, when some platforms host user counts comparable to entire country populations, it hints at individuals juggling multiple accounts.  People often have more than one account on the same social media site, like having different profiles for different things. Think of it like having separate spaces for work and play. When a social media platform has loads of users, it's like a whole country is on there! So, having a few accounts might be because people want to use the platform in different ways – like chatting with friends or following trends. 

Besides, the observation that some social media platforms have user counts approaching or exceeding the populations of large countries may indicate that individuals have accounts on multiple platforms. This could be due to different platforms serving distinct purposes, user preferences, or regional popularity. In essence, people are navigating the social media landscape with a multifaceted approach, engaging in different corners for different experiences.

Evolving Social Media Landscape!

The presence of newer platforms like TikTok and Telegram in the top ranks reflects the dynamic nature of the social media landscape. Emerging platforms can quickly gain widespread popularity, reshaping user preferences and behaviors.

The popularity of messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger highlights the increasing role of social media in communication. These platforms have become integral parts of daily interactions for a significant portion of the global population.

Businesses and marketers can leverage the popularity of these social media platforms for advertising, brand promotion, and customer engagement. Understanding the user demographics and preferences on each platform is crucial for effective marketing strategies.

In conclusion, the findings suggest that social media platforms have become central to global communication, with user counts rivaling or surpassing the populations of large countries. The overlap in user counts between social media platforms and world populations may indicate that individuals are active on multiple platforms, reflecting the diverse and interconnected nature of the online social landscape.