Asia

7 Tips To Prepare For Your Trip To China

7 Tips To Help You Prepare For Your Trip To China

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7 Useful Tips For Anyone Heading To China!

7 Useful Tips For Anyone Heading To China!

Heading to China? Here are some essential tips to help you prepare for the exciting journey ahead!

Especially if you are from a Western country and have never been to China, you'll definitely want to ensure you read through this post as it covers the basics of this complicated, exciting, and very unique place in the world.

(Please keep in mind that I am writing this from the perspective of having visited main cities like Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai!)

1. Get your visa

If you need a tourist visa - chances are, you do - provide plenty of time beforehand to get one. You'll need to drop off or send in your passport to the embassy or consulate to get your visa inserted.

One of the cool things about being a U.S. Citizen is that the Chinese visa lasts 10 years! That makes the price not seem so bad, knowing you can return within the decade.

The Bund Shanghai Skyline during the daytime

The Bund Shanghai Skyline during the daytime

2. Know the address of the first place you're staying

You will need this for your departure card at customs. The woman sitting next to me on the plane was filling her card out and didn't know the location since she was going on a tour. Make sure you know the address so you can smoothly move through customs.

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Beijing at Night

3. Have the address of your hotel written out in Chinese characters, if possible

Not many people in China speak English, especially cab drivers. Having a printed out version of the characters will make it a lot easier to show a cab driver where your hotel/place of accommodation is upon arrival. You can find the character version on the hotel's website.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China

4. Learn basic Chinese phrases

Hello (ni hao) and thank you (xixi) go far in any country. Also try to learn the words for any foods you may have allergies to so you can communicate that at restaurants. Mandarin is an extremely difficult language to learn and pronounce for non-native speakers, so don't beat yourself up if you can't learn a whole lot prior to departure.

Hangzhou Monks

Hangzhou Monks

5. Prior to leaving, download VPN apps

Jokingly referred to as "The Great Firewall of China," you'll notice that many popular websites are censored in China. If you'd like to have access to blocked sites such as Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, etc. you will need to download a VPN prior to arriving in China.

There are a number of free or paid VPNs you can find. I used Hola on both my desktop and iPhone, and also SurfEasy on my iPhone. I recommend having a backup VPN on each device - my Hola stopped working on my desktop and there was no way for me to download a new VPN after that (because the sites to download a VPN are also blocked, obviously). I used the paid 1-month version of SurfEasy for $5 and then canceled my subscription after I got home.

Here is a full list of blocked websites in mainland China.

VPNs I currently use when traveling (updated 2017):

  • TunnelBear

  • SurfEasy

Also, since this post was originally published I am aware that Netflix and Hulu do not allow you to access their sites in other countries, even if you are using a VPN that changes the appearance of your country location (found out about this in Europe!). I personally haven't had issues with the other sites on VPNs, though.

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Forbidden City

6. Get plug adapters

China and Australia have same/similar electrical outlets, so make sure if you're not from there to get an adapter. The voltage in Chinese outlets is 220V, so also check your electrical appliances to make sure they're the correct voltage.

VIDEO: How To Use Travel Adapters!

Chinese Street Meat

Chinese Street Meat

7. Be open-minded

If you come across something completely different than what you're used to at home, try to be open-minded and go with the flow. For example, as an American I had never used a squat toilet or been to a public bathroom without toilet paper. However, there are both squat and throne-style toilets in China that may or may not have TP and soap. Instead of complaining, be prepared by keeping pocket tissues on hand as well as a small bottle of hand sanitizer.

If you've never been to China you may experience many cultural differences in China in terms of food, social norms, and communication. Embrace it and enjoy it!

GOING TO CHINA SOON?

Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

READ NEXT:

China Travel Guide

10 Foods You Must Try in China

A Few Things That Surprised Me About China

Visiting a Tea Plantation in Hangzhou, China

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I thought those photos of rows upon rows of green plants in an exotic setting were only reserved for rice fields in Southeast Asia or vineyards in Europe or Northern California. Then I went to Hangzhou. Little did I know, tea plantations look similar with rows of greenery, just a little shorter and bushier. I've been to vineyards in various places in the US, but never rice fields, and never a place as beautiful and relaxing as this.

Hangzhou Tea

Hangzhou Tea

Driving through the winding roads of lush, garden-like greenery set the scene.

Hangzhou Tree Scenery

Hangzhou Tree Scenery

As someone who doesn't really drink tea, I still enjoyed learning about how the tea was grown, how the leaves are hand-picked, and certain hot water pouring techniques.

Hand picking tea baskets

Hand picking tea baskets

Tea plantation China

Tea plantation China

Tea Demonstration Hangzhou China

Tea Demonstration Hangzhou China

Tea is very much a part of Chinese culture and learning more about it helps you understand more about China.

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Green Tea

Hangzhou Tea leaf

Hangzhou Tea leaf

After the demonstration we walked around and took photos of the surroundings.

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We stopped into their store to get some tea, but the salespeople were very pushy. We found that common in many stores in China though, perhaps it was because the gift shop was a "tourist" shop or maybe it's just the culture of shopping. I didn't do enough shopping in China to really understand this, though.

Overall, it was an interesting experience and something I'd definitely recommend to people visiting Hangzhou.

Location: Longjing Imperial Tea Garden

GOING TO CHINA SOON?

Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

READ NEXT:

China Travel Guide

10 Foods You Must Try in China

A Few Things That Surprised Me About China

3 Cool Things To Do in Beijing

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When one wonders of the top things to do in Beijing, trying fried scorpions on Wangfujing Street or seeing the giant pandas at the Beijing Zoo come to mind. And don't forget the nearby Great Wall of China! But what about some more unique things to try during your trip to Beijing? Here are 3 cool Beijing activities to do in between the highlights.

1. Get an Asian foot massage

Foot massage

Foot massage

When in Asia, you MUST try a foot massage. These massages are different than your typical massage as the style is very different. It's not just for relaxation and sore muscles, it's for your circulatory system and health.

The chairs are extremely comfortable and you keep your clothes on. Sometimes the massage will come with a glass of hot water and watermelon.

The pressure is usually much harder than an average massage and your limbs are lightly tugged in many directions. I often found that the pressure would be too much, though saying "ow" communicated to the masseuse to tone it down a bit. Also, while they're labeled as a foot massage, it typically includes other parts of your body, such as shoulders, arms, calves, and sometimes the head.

A couple of massages we went to also kept Chinese reality TV on in the background, which made for a humorous and entertaining note.

2. See Beijing from above at Jingshan Park

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Forbidden City

For unrivaled, panoramic views of the Beijing, head to the top of the hill at Jingshan Park. You'll see the city buildings, though the best view is perhaps of the Forbidden City behind Tienanmen Square - from above, you can truly see its enormity.

The park is quite large, though, so you'll be able to find beautiful scenery around the area as well. Perfect for photo ops or to simply get away from the hustle and bustle of the city!

3. English Corner on Friday nights

English Corner Remnin

English Corner Remnin

Remnin University of China is located in northwest Beijing. Every Friday night there is the English Corner, a place where anyone can gather to converse with others to practice English. There are no rules, just an open space for anyone to participate.

Our (all American) staff went to the English Corner and everyone literally flocked to us in under five seconds. We each had our own circle of Chinese people firing off questions, curious about our culture. I asked if they could teach me some Mandarin phrases, which they taught me a few, but they were like, "No! This is for speaking English! We speak Chinese every day!"

It was fun to converse and joke around with local Chinese people about everyday life, Netflix, dating, food, and culture. Definitely recommend this.

A Few Things That Surprised Me About China

The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China

While I only spent a couple of weeks in China, I'd love to return to spend more time in this fascinating country. From the culture to everyday life, China has so much to offer any visitor.

It's definitely the most "different" place I've been to, but that's why I enjoyed it so much.

Experiencing new places with a completely different way of life allows you to look back at your own way of living, as well as ensure you don't take your "luxuries" at home for granted.

1. Pizza Hut is a fancy restaurant

In China, Pizza Hut is definitely not the fast food joint you'd see at your local strip mall in the US. No joke.

There are real plates, bowls, silverware, and candles on the tables. The servers wear bow ties and come to the table to take your order. The furniture and decor are of nice quality. The music is classical, what I'd expect to be hearing at a steakhouse in New York City. Dessert options include tiramasu.

Don't get too excited about western fast food in China, though...KFC is still your typical KFC.

2. The food is really, really good

Beijing Meal

Beijing Meal

I already expected the food to be good, but didn't realize how much I'd truly enjoy it. Dining in a circle and sharing every dish with the whole table makes for fun, social, and communal experience.

Also Read: 10 Foods You Must Try In China

3. The food is also really cheap

It's still good quality, though for a meal at a restaurant you'll be able to save plenty of cash, at least compared to the US and Western Europe. Many of my restaurant meals were between 15-20 yuan - about $3-4 USD - and typically included a main dish, side order, and a Coca Cola.

4. To compliment someone, you say, "it is big."

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China

Where I come from, a compliment would be "that's nice," or "that's cool," or "very interesting." In China, however, calling something "big" (even if it's not truly "big") comes from bigger being more expensive and of higher quality.

The exception to this is women...never call a woman big! Instead, one would compliment a woman by saying she is "white," since pale skin is the beauty standard for Chinese women.

5. Not everyone on the street wears face masks

Beijing Face Mask

Beijing Face Mask

Supposedly the air pollution in Beijing isn't as bad this year as it was last year, though I saw less people on the streets wearing face masks than originally expected. I never felt the need to wear one, though I definitely got the infamous sore throat a couple times that comes with spending all day outside in the air.

I also heard that one of the main reasons people wear face masks is if they're sick - they do it to prevent germs from spreading to others. Very considerate!

6. A ticket scalper is called a "yellow ox"

This one is random, though I found it interesting that the term for people selling last-minute tickets outside of event venues is an animal. Supposedly it doesn't have anything to do with oxen being bad, as the ox is one of the Chinese zodiac animals. It's just the term for them.

GOING TO CHINA SOON?

Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

READ NEXT:

China Travel Guide

10 Foods You Must Try in China

A Few Things That Surprised Me About China

You Need To Add Hangzhou To Your China Itinerary

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Even though Hangzhou has a population of 9 million, chances are you haven't yet heard of it. Which is a shame, because being in this city is like walking through a fairy tale. Though a modern city, Hangzhou still contains its traditional Chinese roots. It is the "capital of green tea," has the naturally beautiful West Lake, and famous Buddhist temples.

If a picture's worth a thousand words, here are a few thousand reasons why you need to add Hangzhou to your China itinerary:

Hangzhou Boat Lanterns

Hangzhou Boat Lanterns

Hangzhou Boat

Hangzhou Boat

Hangzhou Buddha Rock Carving

Hangzhou Buddha Rock Carving

Hangzhou Flower

Hangzhou Flower

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Hangzhou Lanterns

Hangzhou Lillies

Hangzhou Lillies

Hangzhou Monks

Hangzhou Monks

Hangzhou Pond

Hangzhou Pond

Hangzhou Tree Scenery

Hangzhou Tree Scenery

Hangzhou Trees

Hangzhou Trees

GOING TO CHINA SOON?

Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

READ NEXT:

China Travel Guide

10 Foods You Must Try in China

A Few Things That Surprised Me About China

10 Foods You Must Try in China

10 Foods You Must Try in China

Fried-Hot-Soup-Dumplings.jpg
Chinese Street Meat

Chinese Street Meat

One of the most exciting aspects of traveling is trying new food, typically different from what you're used to back home.

Whether it's completely new or the authentic version of the replicas in your home country, eating in China is definitely an experience.

Here are 10 foods you must try while in China:

Hot soup dumplings (xiao long bao)

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Fried Hot Soup Dumplings

The most famous are in Shanghai, though you'll find them at many restaurants. I especially enjoyed a lightly fried version I had (pictured above) in Hangzhou!

To eat the dumplings without having the soup explode everywhere, simply take a small bite of the dumpling to make a hole, suck out the soup, and then eat the rest.

Black rice crackers

Black Rice Cake Crackers

Black Rice Cake Crackers

These light, airy black rice cakes (this kind is actually purple) are some of the best snacks I've had! Both sweet and salty, they satisfy any snack craving.

Hot pot

Hot pot is great any time of year, but this would be especially good in the cold winter months. The pot is full of boiling broth, to which you add meat, noodles, and vegetables and let them cook. Then you take out what you'd like from the pot and dip it into some sauce.

Lychee-flavored popsicles

Chinese Popsicle

Chinese Popsicle

You'll find these all over the streets and see a ton of people eating them on a hot, summer day.

If you're a foreigner, the street seller will most likely try to charge you a higher price - our Chinese co-worker told us that the seller literally told him that if he weren't with us, she would've charged us many times what we paid!

We got these for 1 yuan each (super cheap, that's about $0.16 USD).

Peking duck

Peking Duck Carving

Peking Duck Carving

Beijing is known for Peking duck and you are bound to stumble upon restaurants specializing in it. Take freshly carved duck slices and wrap them up in a small, thin rice "tortilla" with a small selection of vegetables or even rice.

Ice Monster (shaved ice)

This is not your average dessert. Originally from Taiwan, the shaved ice is not like a snow cone, rather it is much lighter and sweeter.

The shaved ice tops ice cream and fruit - we tried the most popular mango version, which came with mango shaved ice, mango sorbet, and actual slices of mango.

Here's a photo of what it looks like. It's huge, so make sure to share with a friend or two (or get a container to have leftovers).

Sweet and sour pork

The Chinese eat more pork than every other country in the world combined, so you'll find no shortage of it in this country.

Sweet and sour pork is a safe option for those less adventurous, though very delicious all the same.

Green tea

Green Tea

Green Tea

Green tea originates from China so you are bound to find the best, freshest green tea here. Visit a tea plantation (they're incredibly beautiful!) to learn more about the process of green tea.

Watermelon

Chances are you've already tried watermelon in life and it's not a surprising food to see in many places. However, you're bound to find watermelon served at many,  if not all, meals of the day, and even served sliced fresh in bowls on the street.

It makes for a sweet break from spicy, sauce-heavy options during a meal.

Frozen froyo popsicle

Froyo Popsicle

Froyo Popsicle

Okay, so this froyo shop is originally from Australia (Melbourne) but if you find yourself at the Jiuxianquao Indigo mall in Beijing you HAVE to try it. Seriously such a great invention.

For the extra adventurous...

Fried scorpions, frog legs, and chicken feet are a few other food options you may come across. If that's new to you and you're willing to try it, then go for it! Who knows, you just might find your new favorite food.

Also, some restaurants serve smelly tofu. This is literally labeled "smelly tofu" on menus because of its supposedly strong, unbearable stench. Order only if you dare!

These are just a few of many foods to try in China. Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments below!

10 Foods You Must Try in China

10 Foods You Must Try in China

GOING TO CHINA SOON?

Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

READ NEXT:

China Travel Guide

10 Foods You Must Try in China

A Few Things That Surprised Me About China

7 Tips To Help You Prepare For Your Trip To China

Around The World On A Budget

Is traveling expensive? It can be, but it doesn't have to! Instead of getting discouraged immediately after checking the price of flights, start to think outside the box when it comes to planning your next trip. If your dream destination is somewhere warm on a beach, look into Southeast Asia - there are hoards of beaches there. If it's classic European architecture, check out the castles and cathedrals of old-world Eastern Europe. If it's something adventurous or outdoors-y, look into Central or South America. For somewhere totally exotic and different, head to Central Asia.

Below are a few destinations around the world on a budget that will still satisfy your desire to travel that won't drain your bank account. This list can help get you started when thinking about where to go!

Also read: Where To Find Cheap Flights

Asia

Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, etc.

Countries in Southeast Asia are extremely inexpensive to travel to. This region is often called a "backpacker's paradise" due to being safe, cheap, and with multiple countries that are easy to get to. Get started with a Full Moon party in Thailand, waterfalls in Laos, pristine beaches in Cambodia, delicious fusion food in Singapore, or bright green rice fields in Indonesia.

South Korea

For an Eastern Asian adventure without the Tokyo price tag, head to South Korea. Sing karaoke, eat Korean barbecue, and take trips through the lush countryside to see this stunning country.

Europe

Eastern Europe and The Balkans: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania

This region of Eastern Europe is far cheaper than its western counterpart. While London and Paris are amazing cities, you can find accommodation for days in parts of Eastern Europe that cost the same as one night in the former two. You'll get a more in-depth experience and set foot in parts of Europe that many travelers never get to. The castles and architecture are gorgeous, too!

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Turkey

Istanbul is one of the most interesting cities in Europe, partially due to its influences with both the West and East. It's really cheap, and the farther east you go, the cooler it gets. Hot air ballooning in the Cappadocia region is a popular activity these days, as is taking a cruise along the sparkling Mediterranean Coast.

Greece

Greece is a European country that many people assume is outrageously expensive but is far more affordable than you'd think. Read the Greece section on this post for more reasons why.

Africa

Morocco

Morocco tends to be more on the inexpensive side for tourists, especially if you're getting there from Western Europe (in which case, it will seem very inexpensive). Avoid tourist scams to save your money, and enjoy the beauty and exotic flavor of this country.

Madagascar

If you can get to Madagascar, you'll notice that prices are on the lower range for accommodation, transportation, etc. You never know, it could be worth it to see the Avenue of Baobabs in person, where baobab trees reach heights of about 100 feet.

The Americas

Peru

Peru has Machu Picchu which is already awesome, but you'll also find jungles and beaches in this South American country. Go to Lima or Cuzco for a city vibe, or head out to Lake Titicaca to marvel at this huge lake that sits over 12,000 feet above sea level.

USA

North America in general can get pretty pricey, but if you want to go to the US, shave down the cost of seeing big cities in different parts of this large country by driving instead of flying. This will significantly cut down your costs and allow you to stop at unexpected spots on the way! Popular routes include:

-Historic Route 66 (California-Arizona-New Mexico-Texas-Oklahoma-Missouri-Illinois)

-Deep South (Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama-Georgia)

-Pacific Coast Highway (Washington-Oregon-California)

-California to New York

-Florida

-I-90 (East-West interstate highway along northern states)

-Southwest loop (Los Angeles-San Diego-Phoenix-Grand Canyon-Zion NP-Las Vegas)

Panama If you're craving Central American beaches but aren't digging the idea of Costa Rican prices, go a little further south to Panama. Rainforest, tropical birds, beaches, diving, and surfing are a few of many great things to see and do in Panama.

Oceania & The Pacific

Islands: Fiji, Northern Mariana Islands

Aside from Australia and New Zealand, which are both notorious for being pricey, look into islands in Oceania. Fiji is a great alternative to the Caribbean if you're looking for a beach getaway. Also check out some other islands, such as the Northern Mariana Islands - Saipan is on the US dollar and is relatively inexpensive (read more about Saipan here and here)!