[ITEM 3] QUESTION: East Asia: What should be considered regarding transport and payments?

Traveling through dynamic East Asian countries like China, Japan, and South Korea requires extreme attention to logistics and financial settlements. To ensure your trip goes smoothly and without unpleasant surprises, experienced travelers recommend using the tried-and-true 70-30 rule. According to this principle, 70 percent of your itinerary—including intercity tickets, hotels, and key excursions—should be booked and paid for in advance, while the remaining 30 percent should be left for spontaneity, relaxation, and on-site improvisation.

The transport system in the region is exceptionally well-developed, but it has its own strict rules. In Japan and Korea, intercity travel is represented by ultra-high-speed trains, tickets for which are best purchased online ahead of time. China features a developed network of high-speed railways and domestic flights, and purchasing tickets requires linking your passport, so booking through international intermediary platforms or official apps saves a lot of time and guarantees seat availability for the desired dates.

Paying for goods and services in East Asia has changed drastically in recent years, with traditional cash taking a back seat. In China, almost all payments are tied to the mobile payment systems Alipay and WeChat Pay, which you need to link your international bank cards to at home in advance. In Japan and South Korea, contactless bank cards and special reloadable transport cards are widely accepted, but having a small amount of cash in the local currency for small markets and street food is still necessary.