China Travel Tips
My experiences in China have been humbling. China taught me that I’m not a great traveller. I rely on technology completely, when my phone dies everything is over! I don’t plan enough. I focus too much on the destinations, I want to learn to focus on the journey more... When I travel with my partner, being so spontaneous is fun as I always feel safe, however since travelling alone I need to be more aware, especially in the evening.
I used to feel a particular strength of mine was communication even when conversing with someone who has limited vocabulary, China has dispelled that for me. Body language rules are completely different and even with my knowledge of Mandarin, I was frustrated that I couldn’t hold a sustained conversation with my taxi driver without technology to help me. This lead to a realisation that one of the best motivations for learning is frustration at our inability to communicate in immersion environments. Just like a baby that wants its ideas to be known to parents, we learn the important things first.
One thing I am good at is keeping calm when in unexpected situations and working out solutions. The main reason I love travel is because it reminds you that people are ultimately good; when you throw yourself into the world and are rewarded by the hospitality of complete strangers time after time.
DO:
Take a copy of the Chinese address for all hotels/places you want to visit
Visit Shanghai & Xi’an
Download Express VPN on your mobile and laptop before arriving in mainland China
Google common scams before you go Eg. Tea Ceremony scam/Taxi fake notes
Buy a Lonely Planet Phrasebook and learn some basic phrases before you come over
Get a free SIM from China Mobile
Carry your passport everywhere, it’s used to enter museums
Arrive early to tourist sites to avoid the notorious queues
BYO toilet paper for public bathrooms
Accept that you will need cash, foreign bank cards such as VISA or Mastercard are not widely accepted. Do wait until you are in China for better exchange rates, each bank has the same rate. Taxi drivers do not give change ALWAYS carry small notes, like several 10 RMB notes. Coins are hardly used since they have a 1 RMB note
DO NOT:
Hire a car, not possible for tourist visa travellers.
Try to pay with Wechat/Ali pay like the locals. You also won’t be able to download most apps unless you have a Chinese bank account (not possible on tourist visa).
Judge loud voices: In China, when you’re having fun or expressing your point, you raise the volume of your voice. Foreigners may interpret the volume and strong tones as Chinese speakers being angry or rude, however it is more likely the tones of Mandarin that you are hearing. It is necessary to use the strong intonation to give the right meaning to each sound.
Blow your nose in a tissue. Snot & spit: better out than in - spitting on the street is not rude. On trains, you are provided with a spit bag, it looks like a vomit bag so I guess it has two uses.
Expect English everywhere: other than major hotels/companies, exposure to foreigners is limited and people on the streets do not know how to help if you do not speak their language. The will not attempt to play international mime. If they speak English, they will be extremely helpful but don’t place bets on finding an English speaker! Learn some Mandarin words like hello - Nihao, How much is this - duo xiao tian, thank you - xiexie and receipt - fapiao.
Expect toilet paper: In public toilets byo toilet paper. Don’t be surprised when you see toilet paper goes in the small bin next to the toilet - in hotels the piping can deal with toilet paper in the system. Be aware that public toilets may not have a western toilet, get ready to squat.
Catch the Metro in peak hour: Only take the metro outside of peak hour (7-9am, 4-7pm) otherwise you may be stuck in a queue of 30mins+. English signage everywhere is a godsend. You get a token from a machine as a ticket.
Get used to personal privacy: Entering the metro, train station or airport involves a security scan of all your bags. Police checkpoints for cars and cameras every 50 metres. Every two meters smile for the camera - even in rural areas where there are no houses you will see security cameras on light posts. Each building, hotel, cafe has a security person employed to watch these screens. It personally made me feel claustrophobic and paranoid. It also gives me a feeling of distrust in the local authorities. Imagine the potential dangers of ‘technological dictatorship’. People in China do not challenge authorities.
Expect photos: overall, unless you have really blonde hair, very dark skin or curly hair, the overall attitude to foreigners is respectful indifference. I go about my plans for the day without too much attention. If you see an older person give you the stink eye, they may be a little insular and, let’s be honest, every country has some individuals like that. They are not a majority in China, in fact some of the young generation are incredibly welcoming to foreigners.
Expect cheap hotels to give tourist advice: If you’re in a cheap hotel and they aren’t helping you with tourist information, stop trying. Walk into a five star hotel reception and ask away - you’ll get more respect and information than you expect! Or look up Tourist Information for that city.
