China 2009

A few hints to China

Travelling

Touts try to sell you guided tours. Don't be persuaded. There's public transport to any larger site. It is cheaper and quicker. You get what you are looking for. The guide's vocabulary is usually very limited anyway. Taxis are usually fairly cheap and drivers honest. The exception is Xian. The city is controled by a taxi mafia. Foreigners have to pay about twice as much or more for a taxi ride.

Money

Withdraw your money from cash machines. It's a one minutes job. If you go to a bank counter be prepared to queue up for at least half an hour. Be also prepared to fill in a large form. Cash machines were all out of service at the time we crossed the border in Shenzhen.

Language

It is difficult to communicate with Chinese people. Best English speakers are hotel receptionists. Buying train tickets is not easy. Some major stations have counters for foreign passengers. Ordering food in a restaurant is another adventure. It is not only the language which makes communication difficult but also the habits. In some restaurants you have to pay before you get the food. Chinese people usually eat something before they start drinking beer or wine. So you should be patient when ordering drinks, food might be served first. Ordering rice when dining out is taboo. Don't be surprised if rice is served at the end or not at all.

Crowds

If you don't bear crowds, don't go to China. You are hardly ever alone, neither on Tiananmen Square, nor in your train compartment, nor on Hua Shan, nor in front of the train ticket desk.

Pictures

Do you like taking pictures of foreign people, the more exotic, the better? Chinese might like taking pictures of and with you.

Food

Ordering food in China is luck of the draw. Usually you don't get what you actually wanted to order. It might not taste like you thought it should. The chicken might be served cold, might be too bony. Chinese people like bones and gristles. They pay more for that.

Advance booking

Book train trips about two to three days in advance. Hotels don't need to be booked in advance, not even during summer holiday season.