@chienfou@mossygreen And if it is, are they going to try to talk you into buying things at all the required shopping district stops listed in the fine print?
I’ve never even thought to go to china before but lately I’ve been watching the youtube channel of Li ziqi … there’s no English in it but it isn’t necessary … and the area where she is and films from is beautiful (apparently her vids are quite popular).
@Barney@mossygreen And here I thought it was because there was that gateway to Oz in Kansas so you needed to go to build up to that by going to china first
I do travel to China often and I will be leaving again this Friday.
Do get a VPN as your devices will have issues. I have used NordVPN and it has worked for me so far.
If you have T-Mobile as your provider you can use messaging services for free, phone calls are expensive( I think 20c/min) but when you need it, it can be a lifesaver. T-Mobile has a reciprocal arrangement with China Mobile.
It might even be worth getting a temporary T-Mobile phone or a prepaid card, so that you do not have to get a SIM card in China. If you have Verizon, the devices are not compatible with the network there. You can get Skype on your devices, I have used it to call the US from there. Locals use Wechat for messaging.
Take screenshots of Google maps here on your devices, it can come handy.
Communication is a challenge. Don’t bother trying any Chinese that you may know. If you are not a local, the accents and inflections can make a big difference. Generally younger women are more helpful than men and some may speak some English. You can also use Google translate on your device.
While most people do wait in line, some will cut in if there is a small opening. There is no such thing as personal space.
Don’t bother shopping, except for souvenirs. US is the cheapest place to shop in the world (if you shop at sales or on Meh.com). Of course, you may find a few bargains, and if you like to haggle, start with a third of the price and negotiate.
The infrastructure is excellent, the long distance fast trains as well as the subway(metro) in cities are excellent and very punctual.
I have never had to pay a bribe anywhere. There are a few cabbies who may overcharge or take a longer route, but that happens anywhere in the world. Night fares are higher. Always make sure that they use the taxi meter. At the airports or train stations always take a taxi from the designated area. If you think you are being cheated, threaten to go to the police.
Tourists have encountered pickpockets occasionally, but the penalties are high and they target careless tourists.
ATM’s work great and are very fair(some may have a limitation of about 200USD per day, just go to another if you need more). Do not bother changing currency at any currency changing kiosks.
Local restaurants are plenty, however most will not have an English menu. If they have photos on their menu, you can point and order. Cary some plastic forks if you are not good with chopsticks. I always try to find a hotel with a KFC or McDonalds nearby. There are plenty of Starbucks around.
At the hotel, take a couple of their business cards from the counter. They have Chinese addresses on the back which is useful for taxis or if you get lost.
If you can tell me which cities you are visiting, I may have some local information. If you want I can give you my number as I will be there till the 29th.
Enjoy your trip!!
@asplus Wow, you really covered all the bases here. It’s a group tour, so I’m sure we’ll be herded from one place to the bus to another place very efficiently and doubt I’ll be taking any taxis (on the other hand, in Morocco we ended up taking a taxi to a mall on a free day, so maybe). I wasn’t sure about taking an ATM card, so thanks for that advice; I’ll call my bank and see what they recommend. There are probably a bunch of things for which I will be silently blessing you, but I can tell you now bringing forks is BRILLIANT.
@asplus I have google fi, in part because it’s supposed to work just about everywhere. So I’m not expecting any difficulties (which means nothing, I know).
@Pete_Conrad I don’t think @narfcake has my address to come and steal all my unworn woot shirts, but maybe he knows how to remove the actual day I’m leaving? That would be nice. I could bribe him with unworn woot shirts.
@Barney@RiotDemon For what it’s worth, your “cover your eyes” comment made my mom actually guffaw. She then complimented the cleverness of the entire community.
@Barney@Ignorant Thanks! Looks good. I don’t think any posts need editing, but hopefully someone will point out if I accidentally post all my personal information.
it looks like @asplus pretty much said everything i would have said (and a whole lot more). i will add the fried scorpions just taste like the seasoning they put on them.
Tipping is not required or necessary for taxis or restaurants. Only the tourists tip, so the tour guide now expects it. People can be a bit brusque and ignore you, but it is more that they do not know how to react and deal with foreigners.
Most humans are the same around the world. Everyone is trying to make a living. There a few bad apples that ruin it for everybody.
The elevator etiquette is something I have not figured out yet. When the elevator door opens, everybody rushes in without waiting for the people to get out. Then there is jostling between those who want to get out and those who want to get in. This can go on for a while.
I am sure you are carrying some anti-diarrhea medication for your trip.
For long haul flights, I take a low dose (half to a third of the normal dosage recommended). It holds you through the flight, so you do not have to deal with the lines and the tiny bathrooms on the flight. The low dose wears off by the time you reach your destination and you are good to go (literally).
The pharmacies are fine there if you need medication. Just tell them the name of the western medication that you know of and they will look it up.
You will go to a 7-eleven to buy drinking water. Liquor is available at any 7-eleven, not much of a variety though. Avoid popular brands like Black Label.
Security at the airports is very strict. They have made me pull out a travel sized shave cream foamy from my checked luggage, but a whole bottle of booze in the checked luggage is fine.
Another tip is to take zinc for sniffles and plane related infections. Get the Optizinc by Life Extensions from Amazon. It is cheap and a life saver. Store bought stuff is not effective. Since you do not have much time, you will need to have Prime to get it. You can sign up for a 30 day trial and then cancel it. Vitamin C gummies from Costco are also a great help.
Paging @carl669
Can I hide in your suitcase and go too? Pretty please? "laughing:
Check out ADVChina for 2-wheel travel tips and glorious drone shots.
Have fun!!
Is this one of the packages I see on TravelZoo all the time? SWMBO and I have always talked of going on one of those…
@chienfou @mossygreen And if it is, are they going to try to talk you into buying things at all the required shopping district stops listed in the fine print?
I’ve never even thought to go to china before but lately I’ve been watching the youtube channel of Li ziqi … there’s no English in it but it isn’t necessary … and the area where she is and films from is beautiful (apparently her vids are quite popular).
Man, I’m pretty jealous. I want to visit China.
Why would I want to go to China when I have Kansas?
@mossygreen I hope you have a wonderful trip.
@Barney I bet you can’t even watch NCAA basketball there.
@Barney Obviously Kansas is next, it’s just good planning to start small and build up.
@mossygreen I understand; Kansas can be a bit overpowering to the uninitiated or maybe that’s just the smell of our cattle.
@Barney @mossygreen And here I thought it was because there was that gateway to Oz in Kansas so you needed to go to build up to that by going to china first
@Barney I wonder how many people in Kansas have a dog named Toto? hmmm…
@lseeber I’ve lived in Kansas most of my life and I’ve met quite a few gals named Dorothy, but I’ve never seen a Toto doggy.
@Barney Oh man… you’re kidding!?! I guess if I lived in Kansas I’d have a dog named Toto.
@lseeber You might be the only one.
@Barney All the better! If everyone were doing it, I wouldn’t. Got to be You Neek!
Why though?
I haven’t been, but my wife went there in the 80’s. Judging from her experience, you should carry some local cash on hand for bribes.
@macromeh I think China might have changed a bit since the 80s.
@Fuzzalini I’m sure it has changed a lot. But I’d be surprised if that particular custom has completely disappeared. Just saying.
I do travel to China often and I will be leaving again this Friday.
Do get a VPN as your devices will have issues. I have used NordVPN and it has worked for me so far.
If you have T-Mobile as your provider you can use messaging services for free, phone calls are expensive( I think 20c/min) but when you need it, it can be a lifesaver. T-Mobile has a reciprocal arrangement with China Mobile.
It might even be worth getting a temporary T-Mobile phone or a prepaid card, so that you do not have to get a SIM card in China. If you have Verizon, the devices are not compatible with the network there. You can get Skype on your devices, I have used it to call the US from there. Locals use Wechat for messaging.
Take screenshots of Google maps here on your devices, it can come handy.
Communication is a challenge. Don’t bother trying any Chinese that you may know. If you are not a local, the accents and inflections can make a big difference. Generally younger women are more helpful than men and some may speak some English. You can also use Google translate on your device.
While most people do wait in line, some will cut in if there is a small opening. There is no such thing as personal space.
Don’t bother shopping, except for souvenirs. US is the cheapest place to shop in the world (if you shop at sales or on Meh.com). Of course, you may find a few bargains, and if you like to haggle, start with a third of the price and negotiate.
The infrastructure is excellent, the long distance fast trains as well as the subway(metro) in cities are excellent and very punctual.
I have never had to pay a bribe anywhere. There are a few cabbies who may overcharge or take a longer route, but that happens anywhere in the world. Night fares are higher. Always make sure that they use the taxi meter. At the airports or train stations always take a taxi from the designated area. If you think you are being cheated, threaten to go to the police.
Tourists have encountered pickpockets occasionally, but the penalties are high and they target careless tourists.
ATM’s work great and are very fair(some may have a limitation of about 200USD per day, just go to another if you need more). Do not bother changing currency at any currency changing kiosks.
Local restaurants are plenty, however most will not have an English menu. If they have photos on their menu, you can point and order. Cary some plastic forks if you are not good with chopsticks. I always try to find a hotel with a KFC or McDonalds nearby. There are plenty of Starbucks around.
At the hotel, take a couple of their business cards from the counter. They have Chinese addresses on the back which is useful for taxis or if you get lost.
If you can tell me which cities you are visiting, I may have some local information. If you want I can give you my number as I will be there till the 29th.
Enjoy your trip!!
@asplus Wow, you really covered all the bases here. It’s a group tour, so I’m sure we’ll be herded from one place to the bus to another place very efficiently and doubt I’ll be taking any taxis (on the other hand, in Morocco we ended up taking a taxi to a mall on a free day, so maybe). I wasn’t sure about taking an ATM card, so thanks for that advice; I’ll call my bank and see what they recommend. There are probably a bunch of things for which I will be silently blessing you, but I can tell you now bringing forks is BRILLIANT.
@asplus Not sure if it helps, but I see VPNs and such for sale on Slickdeals fairly often. Might be useful to you or someone in the future.
Check with T-Mobile, if your plan or card will work in China, mine does.
@asplus I have google fi, in part because it’s supposed to work just about everywhere. So I’m not expecting any difficulties (which means nothing, I know).
@asplus @mossygreen my brother switched to google fi for his month long trip to CHINA last year
it works
but
calls are expensive
texts are free and data is still $10 a gig,
@mossygreen
Take me with you!
Take me with you!
Take me with you!
/giphy Take me with you!
You really shouldn’t tell The Internet when you are not going to be home
@Pete_Conrad I know! It’s so dumb and I didn’t think of it until afterwards. Shhh.
@Pete_Conrad I don’t think @narfcake has my address to come and steal all my unworn woot shirts, but maybe he knows how to remove the actual day I’m leaving? That would be nice. I could bribe him with unworn woot shirts.
@RiotDemon? In the meantime, everyone cover your eyes.
@Ignorant?
@Barney I don’t think anyone here knows the address of @mossygreen, but if @mossygreen would like the day removed we can do that.
@Ignorant You didn’t get a copy of the Mehtizen telephone and address directory? Wow, that’s strange.
@Barney @Ignorant I think I would like that, please and thank you.
@Barney @RiotDemon For what it’s worth, your “cover your eyes” comment made my mom actually guffaw. She then complimented the cleverness of the entire community.
@Barney @mossygreen done.
Let me know if you want it changed to something else or if there are any posts that need editing too.
@Barney @Ignorant Thanks! Looks good. I don’t think any posts need editing, but hopefully someone will point out if I accidentally post all my personal information.
@mossygreen I
your mom.
/giphy jealous
it looks like @asplus pretty much said everything i would have said (and a whole lot more). i will add the fried scorpions just taste like the seasoning they put on them.
@carl669 No. Just, no.
@lseeber but it’s just like eating a kettle chip. texture-wise at least. visually, not so much.
@carl669 @lseeber Gee, thanks, I’ll never eat another kettle chip without thinking of fried scorpions.
@carl669 Shoot… I can’t even look at shrimp which I consider the scorpion of the ocean.
@carl669 See this ad for my favorite grocery store?
All I can see is that they are selling fried scorpions.
Shame on you!
@Barney
Shame on you!Thank you for introducing me to new protein sources!
There, fixed that for you.
@carl669
Tipping is not required or necessary for taxis or restaurants. Only the tourists tip, so the tour guide now expects it. People can be a bit brusque and ignore you, but it is more that they do not know how to react and deal with foreigners.
Most humans are the same around the world. Everyone is trying to make a living. There a few bad apples that ruin it for everybody.
The elevator etiquette is something I have not figured out yet. When the elevator door opens, everybody rushes in without waiting for the people to get out. Then there is jostling between those who want to get out and those who want to get in. This can go on for a while.
I am sure you are carrying some anti-diarrhea medication for your trip.
For long haul flights, I take a low dose (half to a third of the normal dosage recommended). It holds you through the flight, so you do not have to deal with the lines and the tiny bathrooms on the flight. The low dose wears off by the time you reach your destination and you are good to go (literally).
The pharmacies are fine there if you need medication. Just tell them the name of the western medication that you know of and they will look it up.
You will go to a 7-eleven to buy drinking water. Liquor is available at any 7-eleven, not much of a variety though. Avoid popular brands like Black Label.
Security at the airports is very strict. They have made me pull out a travel sized shave cream foamy from my checked luggage, but a whole bottle of booze in the checked luggage is fine.
Another tip is to take zinc for sniffles and plane related infections. Get the Optizinc by Life Extensions from Amazon. It is cheap and a life saver. Store bought stuff is not effective. Since you do not have much time, you will need to have Prime to get it. You can sign up for a 30 day trial and then cancel it. Vitamin C gummies from Costco are also a great help.
Please be sure to post here when you return to let us know how it went!