Originally posted by: dayg
Hi all,
Finally I am taking a 10 days vacation to China next Wed. It's been over 3 years since I step out of U.S. soil. Since this is my first trip to China, I was hoping that some of you who had visited there can share your experience(s). Dos and Don'ts, what you like or don't like about your trip etc. What to avoid and what not to avoid. What to see and what not, etc.
I'll be visiting the following places: Beijing, shanghai, Guilin, and Xian.
Don't eat food from street vendors unless you want to spend the vacation on a toilet.
Its not a good idea to use USD in china - the government doesn't like it, even if the people want your american dollars. Change them for Ren Min Bi first.
DON'T accept USD as change. its probably counterfeit.
if you buy something from a street salesmen, don't pay more than 1/10 of what he original asks you. Any clothing you buy from a street salesmen will be in shreds after the third time you wear it. I don't need to tell you that everything available on the street is a cheap knockoff of a cheap knockoff.
Movies: you can get them for about a dollar / DVD (5-10 RMB). Some of them work. Bring a laptop with a dvd drive to test them if you are serious about coming back with a suitcase full.
Massage parlors often double as brothels. So either avoid them or go running to them.
Taxis are very cheap. But its more fun to walk.
on any public transit, its a good idea to shell out for the equivalent of First class. Its ridiculous the conditions the chinese will endure in order to save money.
Practice pissing and crapping in a hole cut in the floor - thats how they do lots of their bathrooms.
Speaking of bathrooms . . . public restrooms DO NOT HAVE toiletpaper. So carry your own when you go out. I'm not kidding.
Be careful not to get pickpocketed. This is a real problem.
If someone comes up to you selling Rolexs or designer clothing, you already know that its not worth more than 5 dollars.
When haggling with folk about prices . . . aim for somewhere between 1/10 and 1/100 of what they originally ask. It may seem ridiculously low to you, especially at first, but it isn't worth a penny more than that. Also, when you give up and try to leave they'll leap over their counter and grab your legs . . as you try to walk away they shout lower and lower prices . . every foot you drag them takes a good percentage off the price.
Stay in relatively nice hotels (4 star or so). They are really cheap over there.
Bring a power converter.
Take pics.
In no particular order. I spent 3.5 weeks there last summer.
Originally posted by: LeadMagnet
If you are like me an over 6'3" and 240lbs then expect people to stop you and want to take pictures with you, but look out for pick-pockets.
hehe, yeah, if you're 6'6" with long hair people literally point and stare.
Did you know that some buildings in china have 6'4" ish ceilings. Looks normal for the chinese but then there I am unable to stand up all the way.
Also, expect to be approached by people that want to practice english with you. It can be fun if you have time.