Introduction
You can’t possibly plan for a vacation to China without going through an article about tips for travelling to China; here in TastyTourist we will bring you a complete set of China trip tips to help you plan better and settle more comfortably in the land of the dragon.
Also, you don’t want to miss out on our China Travel Guide after reading the 13 Important tips for travelling to China you will shortly be presented with, you might want to know more about the China landmarks and the historical places you can visit there.
1-Don't expect the people to know English
In China, unlike some Southeast Asian countries, there are few people who can speak more than a simple hello and goodbye in English. There may be some students who have taken an English course and can speak to you to some extent. You can ask them for help. Some of these students will be happy to practice their language with you.
But be aware that there is a type of scam in China that is related to this issue. They will accompany you under the pretext of helping you and practicing your English. They will come to a cafe or restaurant and you will be responsible for the entire meal they eat.
2-Learn a few important Chinese phrases
You can’t claim that you wrote an article about China trip tips or Tips for travelling to China and move past the vast language barrier, where as mentioned they aren’t really familiar with the English language, not only that there is a variety of types of Chinese, Simplified Chinese , Mandarin and many more.
The Chinese really get excited when foreign tourists speak Chinese. The locals really appreciate it too. Even if it’s just simple words like nihao (hello) and xiexie (thank you). Using basic Chinese words can help you in unfamiliar environments and may even help you avoid potential misunderstandings.
When you learn the language of a country during your foreign travels, even at a basic level, your effort shows your interest in the culture and a kind of respect for the country you are traveling to. Of course, being familiar with some terms gives you a certain advantage, especially in transactions.
Here are some of the useful phrases:
How are you? (Nee Haow ma)
Good (Hun haow)
Good morning (Dzow shung haow)
Good afternoon (Wun shung haow)
Good night (Wun-un)
Thank you very much (Fay chung gun shyeah)
Excuse me, I’m sorry (for a gentle apology) (Boo haow yee srr)
Excuse me (more emphatic apology) (Dway boo chee)
Menu please (Wor shyung kun yee shyah tsay dun)
Bill please (Mye dun)
How much is this? (Dwor shaow chyen)
Can I use my card? (Kuh-yee shak-a ma?)
3-People might seem rude
You may bump into someone while walking or bump into them. You may expect them to apologize, but they may not. But don’t mistake their behavior for being rude to a foreign tourist. This happens to many people in China every day, and there are so many things to do and see in China that they can’t always be positive and friendly. However, you should always have a friendly smile on your face and treat Chinese people with respect. Smiling is the key to your success in dealing with Chinese people or any other country.
4-Be aware of the population density and personal privacy
China is the most populous country in the world. When traveling to this country, especially when visiting the sights of China, one thing you should expect is long lines. Traffic in the big cities is also very heavy. Public transportation is very crowded, this congestion will be especially overwhelming during Chinese New Year. So don’t be surprised if you get pushed around in these crowds and lines. They don’t mean to offend. They might just want to give you a warning for getting too close to them. Therefore another important point you have to bear in mind among the tips for travelling to China.
5-Don't Point with your finger!
For example, when dining, if you feel the service was exceptional, you are not expected to react in any particular way. Or if you leave a tip on the table as a thank you and leave, the waiters may be upset.
In big cities with lots of tourists, Chinese people don’t react badly to seeing someone “pointing with their finger.” This action may seem like a reaction to a certain attraction to you, but in general, this action, called laowai in Chinese, is not a welcome gesture in China.
6-Chinese Hotels may not accept you
Large, international hotels usually have no problem accepting foreigners, although they will charge you more.
However, in all cities in China, the local government has its own rules and regulations regarding the acceptance of foreigners in hotels. Even in large cities like Beijing or Shanghai, be sure to check the results of your online hotel booking before traveling and book your hotel room through a reputable travel agency.
7-Carry paper tissue with yourself
This may seem like a trivial point, but in many Chinese restaurants, there are no paper towels on the dining table or in the restrooms. So it’s a good idea to keep some in your pocket when you go out. The good news is that you can buy paper towels in small, inexpensive packages at most stores.
8-Don't rely on your credit card when traveling to China
You can’t write a list of China trip tips and forget about mentioning how financial transactions usually work there.
Most stores and restaurants do not accept foreign credit cards, so it is best to carry cash. If you are planning to stay in China for a long time, you can apply for a credit card from a Chinese bank. Just go to a local bank and get a bank card in less than 30 minutes. With a Chinese credit card, you can easily make payments through WeChat Pay and DiDi. You can also use Uber.
9-Restriction of Internet and online privacy
One of the most important things to have when traveling to China is to have a proper VPN. You will need a VPN to use Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Gmail, and other Google business features in China.
In China, there are many restrictions on the use of many web pages. Sometimes even VPN services are blocked, so one of the most important China trip tips is for you to have a decent VPN (preferably buy a subscription) so that you can have an ad blocker, protect your online data and access the internet freely.
10-Haggle for a bargain
This is a rule for every vacation, not just one of the tips for travelling to China. Usually local markets and stores try to up the price when they see a tourist approaching. obviously a traveler isn’t familiar with the average prices and what local things actually cost so they will be presented with a higher price.
Bargaining is not possible in large stores. But it works well in small boutiques and carpet shops. Always bargain when shopping. Now, how much discount you can get and save more depends on your bargaining skills. Sometimes, if they don’t give you a good discount, don’t buy and leave the store. They will probably come after you to sell you the product at a better price. If that doesn’t happen, don’t worry. You can certainly buy the same product a few stores higher up.
11-Don't be afraid to ask for help
Throughout the tips for travelling to China we went through many factors which may have scared you of the Chinese people but just like any other place in the world there’s bad and there’s good. In the land with vast culture and history there will be a lot of people willing to lend you a hand and help you out, Policemen are there to guide you as well.
12-Do NOT forget your Visa and passport
If you want to buy a train or plane ticket for domestic travel in China, don’t forget your passport. Ticket offices will not sell tickets to foreign tourists without a passport which is why I included it in this tips for travelling to China.
