What is it like for an American to visit China?

Question

I am planning a trip to China sometime in 2007 (maybe in the Spring). I have to admit, I am both excited and nervous. I will be going with my boyfriend, who is Chinese-American and who knows and taught me Chinese. So when it comes to language, I'm not concerned. This will also be my boyfriend's first time visiting China. I was just wondering as an American and Caucasian, how will I be treated there? Will this be a good experience for me, as well as my boyfriend?

Thanks. : )

Answer 1

No, ppl dont look alike here , they also think we look alike :), and no need for guns here , i work in china , nice country with alot of ppl mostly respect the low ,
if u wanted to enjoy a walk at 3:00 am then go out walk alone in the streets is completely safe . china ppl respect the outsiders , and the super nice thing here is :
you are American or African , white or black , all is same , respected outsiders,
problem come with the food , only the food ,
when you walk on the streets you will hear alot of "hello's" here and there ppl will try to communicate with u alot . first you will like it , " make u feel like a famous person , then will will like it less because it is alot .
i dont think that outsiders can ever have better respect than here in china , and this experience comes after 6 years working here.
i dont want to talk about the nice places here , because your Q was clear , how will you be treated ,
visit and dont worry .

i think it will need alot more than $1500 ,
i know many good places to visit , you need anyhelp or info just mail me ,
[e-mail]


( THANK YOU VIRGINIA , NOW 100 USD = 780 RMB WHICH WILL BUY YOU A MEDIUM QLTY JACKET AND MAY HAVE SOME CHANGE TO BUY SOME FOOD , SO BRING MORE MONEY NEXT TIME :) )

Answer 2

China's different for the different provinces. If you are buying things, they will increase the price atleast by half. Even if in small shops and their goods have a price tag, you can still bargain. Things should be cheaper than in the US, unless its imported, den it's more expensive. Bring toilet paper along with you cause they dun have it in toilets. And dun be shocked when you go into the public toilets. Oh, if you want to know where to find toilets, just follow the smell. When your walking down the streets, people are bound to star at you, unless you are going to big cities like shanghai or beijing. the old people will still stare anyway. You should be concerned about language even if you know chinese. i'm from china and when i go back to china, i fear talking to the natives. they speak very fast and different provinces have differnt accents. not all of them speak mandarin. even tough from what i've said it seems a horrible place for a holiday, it's still a very good experience. If you open your heart and eyes wide enough and be understanding and kind towards people, you might see alot that you may never see in any other countries.

Answer 3

LOL, you make it sound like you are visiting north Korea.
China is quiet adapted to foreign visitors these days regardless of ethnic origin. So the experience will depend highly on the places you are planning on visiting and the activities you are planning to do.
In the cities like Shanghai, Beijin, and Tianjin etc. You'll probably draw no more attention than a glance. But if you are planning on backpacking throught the rural areas. It's not uncommon that a little crowd of children ended up following you around just to see a pale skinned blond and blue spectacle. But all in all, it's not dangerous.
I would be more worried about the petty thieves and pick pockets if I were you visiting for the first time.

Answer 4

I thought China was amazing. I was able to go in 2000 through my university and Church. Talk about enlightening!!! We stayed in 5 star hotels and were on a govermental tour, so we saw the best of what China had to offer. I did see the "real life" of every day living too.Men on bikes carrying heavy carrying loads of pig food miles each day to and from work through areas roaded with rice paddy farms, and the stands are super markets with authentic fruits and foods indicitive of the region.
We went in Feb. and saw the Temple of Heaven, an Opera show, went to the Forbidden city, saw the 5000 Buddah, THAT WAS SO NEAT! You cannot take pictures there though. The zoo is good. The Pandas were playing about. Nee How- is How are you. She She- is thank you. they will respond with Boo ka she. ;) I really liked the people and would go back in a second. The food is quite good too.
Bring lots of toilot paper as it is hard to come by there. ;) in public.
Have a great time and be open minded.

Answer 5

Visiting China is nothing to be afraid of!!!I have been to China and I have relatives their too!!!All you need is to earn at least $1,500.00 To take usually!!!You might need a guide with you about China!!!China is a beautiful place!!! The best place to go is to the Great Wall of China!!!If you want to go shopping all day!!!The $1,000.00 is for the plane ticket and the $500.00 in China money is $4,000,000.00 (4million) in China!!!Don't get lost or you will be in some danger!!!Live in a house with someone .Take a book with letters that teach you letter Chinese!!!That is all I can tell you for now!!!There are thousands of Buddha!!!The people there treat you like great kind visitors!!!Don't harm them because they are good. If you do anything bad they will do something to you that you will regret for doing for the rest of your life!!!They do not treat you like king or queens and don't take a gun with you because they will check you before you do anything!!!Take a camera and a camera-corder!!!It is very neat to take pictures of flowers and their garden!!!I am going to go back this summer!!!I have to admit that mild 9779 is correct!!!

Answer 6

You will be treated well.. Where will you be travelling? You can expect some surprise stares from the Chinese folks observing your relationship but its harmless.. Enjoy yourself!

http://z-visa.com - China Visa Service
http://allthingschina.com - Business and Education Directory

Answer 7

yeah....dont worry about that.. u have ur bf ...and he can speak chinese...
enjoy and explore china

china...

vast ,ambitious , proud and transforming like never before .
speed down alleyways on ur beijing bicycle , slurp streamning noodles in the shadow of a shanghai skyscraper and wake up speelbound to the desert of xinjiang . whether you seek the terracotta warriors of ancient xian or a few moments with the pandas of chengdu

FYI : beijing , shanghai , xinjiang , xian , chengdu is a city from china

Answer 8

I think it will be a great experience. You will be stared at a lot as a caucasion, but i don't know how about with a chinese boyfriend, probably just as much.

Answer 9

if it were me I woudn't be worried cause I heard they treat you like kings and queens ive not been there but thats my opinion.