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Planning a Trip to China - Need Your Advice!

Leo Sullivan

New Member
Hey everyone! I'm super excited as I'm planning my first trip to China. It's a country that has always fascinated me with its rich history, amazing food, and vibrant cities. But I also know that traveling to a foreign country can be a bit overwhelming, especially one as unique as China. So, I'm here to ask for your help and advice.
First of all, I'm a bit confused about the visa process. I've been looking into it, but the requirements seem a bit complex. Are there any tips on how to make the visa application go smoothly?
Secondly, I'm worried about cultural differences. I've read a bit about Chinese customs, but I'm sure there are still many unwritten rules. For example, how should I behave when dining with locals? What are some common taboos I should be aware of?
Transportation is another concern. I plan to visit several cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an. Is the high - speed rail system as convenient as people say? And what about getting around within the cities? Are taxis a good option, or should I use the subway?
Finally, I'd love to hear from those of you who have already been to China. What were the highlights of your trip? Any hidden gems that I shouldn't miss? And are there any things you wish you had known before you went?
I really appreciate any advice you can give me. Thanks in advance!
 
"What are some common taboos I should be aware of?"

This may be common sense, but be careful when expressing opinions especially about Tiawan, Dalhai Lama and other controversial topics! Best be safe and not say anything as there are people listening everywhere...

We heard a story about a group of people leaving China with copies of Lonely Planet which were confiscated as they showed Taiwan in a different colour to the rest of China....

They are also great sales people and in tourist shops you are likely to be subjected to the hard sell if you show any interest in something. Be prepared to haggle as the initial price is always set much higher and you can probably get it reduced by 33-50%.
 
"What are some common taboos I should be aware of?"

This may be common sense, but be careful when expressing opinions especially about Tiawan, Dalhai Lama and other controversial topics! Best be safe and not say anything as there are people listening everywhere...

We heard a story about a group of people leaving China with copies of Lonely Planet which were confiscated as they showed Taiwan in a different colour to the rest of China....

They are also great sales people and in tourist shops you are likely to be subjected to the hard sell if you show any interest in something. Be prepared to haggle as the initial price is always set much higher and you can probably get it reduced by 33-50%.
OK. Politically sensitive issues and sales promotion. Thanks for the reply.
 
Hi !
I don't know about the details of the complications of your visa application, so I am answering in the dark.
I too have found the visa application to be complicated. One way to get around it is: pay. Ask for an expedited visa. You pay double. You get it fast, with fewer questions asked.

Cultural differences: Table manners are. asubject that takesk pages to explain. You are a foreigner. People are open-minded toward you. perhaps too much so. :) What I mean is that when my husband, non-Chinese, and I, Hongkong-born, go to a restaurant togehter, often the waiter would bring him knife and fork automatically, even though he had not asked for them. And when I try to order authentic dishes with authentic flavors, like bitter cucumber and stinky tofu, more than once, the waiter would motion to my husband and say to me: "He no like."
(Calvin Trillin told me he had the same reaction in the restaurants he went to in NY Chinatown.)

Yes, it is common sense not to mention the Dalai Lama of Taiwan or a lot, lot of things. Sometimes you get a common-sense aid. Example: on a Chinese search engine, do not search anything containing the date June 4th. That date does not exist. The calendar only has 364 days. For many years you can still use the substitute date "May 35th", but that too has been caught up by Common Sense.
I heard from one French friend that when she was studying Chinese in China and she and her Chinese classmates wanted to talk about Taiwan, they would say "Corsica" instead. Tibet as "The Basque Country". Common Sense is probably on to that now.
All this is kind of funny but not really funny.

Allow me share some more proactive recommendations to make up for all the above iffy tips:

If yo are interested in Chinese cuisine, Hong Kong with its exemplary Cantonese cuisine is a must. Try to join a food tour and tour the more down-home street food kind of places, like the working class neighborhood of Sham Shui Po, which was Anthony Bourdain's favorite haunt.

And try to go to one destination that is geographically far from Beijing-Shanghai-Xian. I highly recommend the province of Yunnan and its capital Kunming. It has many thriving minority cultures and fantastic teas and distinctive cuisine.

And in general, avoid organized tours (again, common sense). They make you eat in hotel restaurants and force-shop in shops where only tourists go.
Anthony Bourdain had a romp in HK. His reports are as delightful as they are informative.
 

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