China has a long past and is popular for mixing its culture and history together. If visiting a crowded city or quiet area of China, ensure you have a bit of information with you. This discussion will focus on how to make your visit to China enjoyable.
1. You Should check if You Need a Visa
Ensure in advance how you must obtain a visa for a trip to China. The majority of people entering China from other countries are expected to have a tourist visa (L visa).
While applying for a visa, people should show their passport, complete the application, provide recent passport photos and display their travel or hotel reservation information.
Since processing a visa can take some time, you need to apply for it before you start organising your trip. The rules for the two places may not be the same, so remember to check the particulars for your location.
2. In China, people use the Chinese Yuan which is abbreviated as CNY.
In China, people refer to the official currency (called the Chinese Yuan) simply as the Renminbi (RMB). You should review how the Chinese use their currency before settling on a trip to China. You may trade your money at a bank, an exchange machine or an ATM in a larger town.
You should be able to use your card in the city, but be prepared to pay with cash where the locals shop. Always carry some cash when travelling through rural areas of the country.
Because mobile payments are popular in China, you can connect either WeChat Pay or Alipay with your credit or bank card.
3. One Should Be Aware That Only a Few People in the Nation Can Speak English
People in the major cities of China widely use English, while in the countryside, almost no one can understand it. Knowing some Mandarin sentences will make your journey in China more enjoyable.
It will help to learn a few common phrases in Mandarin.
- Nǐ hǎo is used to greet someone in Chinese.
- I owe you my appreciation (xièxiè)
- I am not confident — It’s not certain for me
- For what reason does this happen? (厕所在哪里？Where is the toilet here?)
Thanks to Google Translate, you can communicate and speak in a new language.
4. The Chinese control the Internet through what is known as the Great Firewall.
Be prepared, since Google, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram don’t work in China because of the Great Firewall. If you travel by messaging or on social media, it will take less time to get where you want to go.
Many people who use a VPN while travelling hide from the firewall to go to any blocked website. Use your VPN in China to check if it works, as not all of them are successful there.
If you need to communicate in China, go with WeChat; use Baidu to look something up online; and hire a taxi with Didi. If you have the apps ready on your phone, travelling in China will be simpler.
5. Which methods do you use to travel from one location to another in China?
Travel in China is convenient owing to trains, aeroplanes and city buses. Those are three ways you can arrange a trip:
- High-Speed Trains
These towns are easy to reach using the country’s high-speed trains. When you take a train, you enjoy their size, punctuality and a variety of seats. You may purchase tickets on the internet or at the station, but if many other people are travelling, buying them beforehand is the smarter option.
- Domestic Flights
Flying with a local airline will allow you to get to distant cities in China more quickly. People in these three cities have the advantage of flying by plane to other lesser-known cities and areas.
- Public Transport
It is cheap to use the subway in Beijing and Shanghai. It should be simple for people to find the stations since they are demonstrated by Chinese and English signs. Taxis are easy to find all over China.
While on the tour, you can ride on bikes or scooters.
Using bikes or electric scooters in Chinese cities is possible for just a limited period. You can use this technology to look at the city whenever you wish.
6. When you share their customs, you express respect to the locals.
If you understand Chinese traditions, you avoid insulting others and can impress them more easily. I believe there are a few things about culture that we shouldn’t overlook.
Greeting Someone and Saying Goodbye
Usually, people shake hands when greeting each other in China.
If the person you are meeting in China is male, include their last name before Xiānshēng and for a female, write Nǚshì before their name.
Generally, it is expected that you will bring something as a gift if you stay in another person’s house. Never give someone a gift of clocks, scissors or four of something, since they are believed to keep away happiness.
Table Manners
Remember, you should not spear a dish of rice with chopsticks, as it looks like eating at a funeral. Using chopsticks to lure someone’s attention is unbecoming.
Since food is served in the middle of the table, you should sample what others are eating.
7. Before going to China, check the weather forecast in the country.
In the north, regions of China do not have a tropical climate, but in the south the climate is tropical. Choosing where to visit will guide when is the best time to go.
People refer to April, May and June as spring.
The spring season attracts many tourists to China because they can enjoy nice weather and see all the splendid flowers. During this time, people find Beijing and Shanghai to be amazing places to explore.
During summer, temperatures are very high (in July and August). Normally, the weather in southern China during summer is both hot and very humid. Because the holidays occur in summer in China, the high number of tourists leads to raised prices at those places.
The period that lasts from September to November is called autumn. During the cool months of September, October and November, the weather and the trees are simply beautiful. Due to the large number of tourists now, you should book a place to stay ahead of time.
During December, January and February, the winter season takes place in Britain.
Going on a trip in winter is pleasant due to the lack of crowds. The temperatures in the north are sometimes so low that everything freezes.
8. People travelling to China should keep safety in mind.
Try to improve your physical fitness, as unexpected events could happen on your trip.
Vaccinations
Even without your vaccinations, your doctor should ensure all your usual shots are up to date. Sometimes, people on trips get vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid.
Safety
As a tourist, you can feel safe in China, though watch out for large groups of people. You should always be careful, as you could fall victim to petty theft in a busy location.
Travel Insurance
I advise you to buy insurance for any accidental health problems, shorter travels or lost or damaged possessions. Consequently, you get to have fun as you travel within China.
Context: Have the chance to experience everything Asia has to offer.
A trip to China could help you appreciate your surrounding environment, customs and inventions. Having gained knowledge about Chinese culture, visiting China will be easier.
Interact with the locals, keep everything safe and explore the culture unique to this area. Those visiting China will find, among other things, its ancient past, tasty food and lovely hills and fields.
