Anyone got any tips or advice about China?

Question

Going there next year on holiday for 2 weeks. Going on an escorted holiday but wondered if anyone had any tips about what to see. What's the weather like there just general things. Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

For easier bargaining learn to count in Chinese.
0-ling (ling rhymes with ring)
1-yi (ee)
2-er (r)
3-san (sahn)
4-si (like sit without the t)
5-wu (like Wu in Wu Tang Clan)
6-liu (lee'o)
7-qi (chee)
8-ba (baa)
9-jiu (jee'o)
10-shi (like sh!t without the t)
100-bai (by)
1,000-qian (chee' en)
multiples are easy
20=2x10 - er shi
21=2x10+1 - er shi yi
99=9x10+9 - jiu shi jiu
100=1x100 - yi bai
105=1x100+5 - yi bai ling wu (you must say the zero 101-109)
110=1x100+10 - yi bai shi
120=1x100+20 - yi bai er shi (usually said yi bai er)
550=5x100+5x10 - wu bai wu shi (usually said wu bai wu)
999=9x100+9x10+9 - jiu bai jiu shi jiu
1,000=1x1,000 - yi qian
1,105=1x1,000+1x100+5 - yi qian yi bai ling wu
9,999=9x1,000+9x900+9x10+9 - jiu qian jiu bai jiu shi jiu

When bargaining expect to be told an outrageous price. The best thing is to figure out what it costs at home. Translate that into yuan (Chinese currency) and then start your price position lower than that. It's made here, it should be cheaper here. If they are still giving you a crazy price, walk away. They'll either pull you back and say ok or you can probably find it somewhere else. There are three different types of currency in China. Yuan (you'ahn), also called renminbi (RMB) or kuai (like quiet without the et). Kuai is said most often by vendors and it's like dollars. Jiao (jee'ow like in cow), also called mao (ma'ow), are like 10 cent coins. Mao is most often said by vendors. Fen (rhymes with hen), you probably won't see this, is like a 1 cent coin.

As for the weather, you should check the forecast for the cities you plan to visit. You could also try looking at expat sites for those cities and asking them their experience for the time of year you plan to go. Also, expats can recommend good restaurants, shopping, attractions, etc. in those cities since they live there.

Answer 2

Lucky you - have a great time! We went last November to Shanghai, Xian and Beijing. Shanghai and Xian are cold but Beijing and the Great Wall was freezing, take lots of warm clothes, layers are good and coats etc. Temperatures were about 4 degrees but the windchill was making it lots colder!
We did an escorted tour too so the food was okay but repetitive! People are very friendly though. Least with a tour you don't have the language problems so much.
Beijing do the Great Wall of course, Tiananmen Square, summer palace, Hutongs if you can for the riksaw ride! Xian obviously the terracotta army, city wall is good,Bell tower.
Shanghai is lovely, the goose pagoda and the waterfront area (cant think what its called sorry!). If you can see some gymnastics or shows they are worth watching, amazing what they can do.
Watch out for the street sellers they are very persistent - be prepared to haggle...or ignore and watch your pockets!!
Everything we bought was a good price, lots of bargains, great just before christmas.
Sure you will have a great time - enjoy! I would love to go back.

Answer 3

China is great for seeing the various tourist attractions. Don't miss the Great Wall and The Terra Cotta Soldiers. Very inspiring.
Translation problems are the biggest hassle in China. Many times a taxi driver will not even be able to assist you to the airport or train station. The only way to get your point across is to show them your ticket.
Its really daunting to turn a corner and see a solid block of neon lights and then to realize that there is not one English script character in the block. No English or foreign translations on most menu's and you end up wandering the restaurant till you see something that looks good to you and pointing at it.

Now I had a private tour with a guide that spoke fluent English. a private car and personal service at the various hotels I stayed in. It was still a pain at times but bearable.

Brushing up on a little Chinese before you leave can pay big dividends. You just can't believe how many people there are. many will want to have their photo taken with you.

Answer 4

Weather depends on the season and the area. In the Winter in the North (Jan) the temp can be as low as -5 and in Summer 35+ - May and October are usually similar to UK. In the South it's milder in Winter but can be VERY hot in Summer.
Chinese people have a constant preoccupation with food. In the North you must try Beijing kaoya (roast duck) and Jiaozi (kind of steamed bun with different fillings but traditionally pork. Also try kaoyangtui (roast leg of lamb - Muslim style) and huoguo - hot and spicy Mongolian food cooked by yourself.
I agree with the opinion about tourist sites but my favourite near to Beijing is the Summer Palace and the Great Wall at Mutianyu rather than Badeling where most tourists go. Also take a little trip by trishaw through the houtongs. They are fast being destroyed in the name of progress but retain something of the true character of lao Beijing (old Beijing)

Answer 5

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Answer 6

BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU EAT. I spent 4 days of my 2 weeks there vomiting all over my hotel room while everyone else went to shanghai and got to see the chinese circus :(

Dont talk about politics... you can get in trouble. Seriously. Its scary.

Youve got to see the chinese circus! I didnt see it because i was busy vomiting but everyone said it was the most awesome thing ever! The great wall is AWESOME too. I just like the cities most of all. There so big! Beijing and shanghai dwarf new york. There is SO MANY PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. They have scorpions for sale in the supermarket! Its amazing it really is like another planet. And becareful not to get runover. If you cross a street people WILL NOT stop for you. I came very close to getting run over a lot of times. In some places people will just drive up on the sidewalk, and expect you to jump aside! Its crazy! Youll love your two weeks!

Answer 7

China is stunning. I trust the previous responses, despite if there is yet another factor. from time to time as a foreigner, you would be respected, and in step with hazard even get preferential therapy, yet from time to time the locals look at you simply by fact the human beings who "stole" from them, it merely relies upon on the perspectives of that community. additionally, many stuff are unpredictable, fantastically farther faraway from the massive cities (Harbin for one), as an occasion, beginning and shutting circumstances of national parks, museums, halfway cities, and so on can get replaced on each and every occasion by surprise.

Answer 8

If you go to China and don't walk at least a few miles of the Wall then you're a disgrace lol

Answer 9

- there isn't any toilet paper or soap in most washrooms, so bring hand sanitizer with you
- bring meds like pepto with you, as the meds in china are not the same as what we are used to in north america
- be prepared to be immmersed in poor, stinky air
- your clothes/shoes will get ruined quite easily from the dirt

Answer 10

The Chinese are known for their sense of humour - they especially love Benny Hill's impersonations. With a little practice you'll have them rolling in the aisles.