Paracel Islands (disputed)
Travel tips for Paracel Islands (disputed): safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cards work almost everywhere. Tourism is restricted to mainland Chinese citizens; payments operate almost entirely on Alipay and WeChat Pay. Travelers recommend carrying backup cash for fishermen's stalls on Yinyu and Yagong islands, as mobile internet connections can sometimes freeze.
Try the food
- Steamed Grouper: Freshly caught reef grouper steamed with soy sauce, scallions, and ginger.
- Braised Sea Cucumber: Locally harvested sea cucumber slow-cooked in a rich and savory brown sauce.
- Stir-fried Conch: Sliced fresh conch meat quickly wok-fried with garlic and mild peppers.
Essentials
- Plugs
- Type A / Type C / Type I
- Voltage
- 220V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Right side
- Tap water
- Avoid — buy bottled
- Emergency
- 110 (Police), 119 (Fire), 120 (Ambulance)
- SIM tip
- Mobile coverage is provided by Chinese telecom operators, so ensure you have a mainland China SIM card before departing on your cruise.
Etiquette
Tourism is highly restricted and mostly limited to approved cruise tours; always follow the strict instructions of your tour guides and military personnel.