Going to CHINA!

[Literati]

I'm going to China for the next two months.

I'll be leaving tonight and was wondering if anyone has any last travel tips before I go.

I'll be in the Zhengzhou / Dengfeng area, and Xi'an, HK, Beijing, and Shanghai.

 

[xanis]

Beijing is totally insane, don't attempt to drive or ride a bike there unless you're feeling like an action junkie.

 

[harobikes333]

I currently sell fireworks but I'm not big enough yet to go direct through china so nvm on my first tip


um.... Ooo look for brand name items that have been made there and are for cheap

 

[iversonyin]

Bargain for everything or else you get dupe.

 

[xanis]

I'm not going to get myself in trouble here, so I'll just say that China is famous for having tons of pirated software available for purchase.

 

[Kaieye]

Drink only bottle water and stay clear of vegetables fertilized with "night soil"...

 

[thirdlegstump]

Don't eat the yellow snow

 

[Literati]

Thank you all for the tips.

I've heard the drink only bottled water, but never the veggie tip. I've also heard beer is cheaper than water and to not eat anything off the street vendors.

I've also heard about the software and dvds etc. and name brands, and as far as bargaining I've heard if someone asks for 100 you offer 30, and end up buying at around 40.

Basically the rule of 1/3rds. Whatever they selling it for, you haggle it down to a third of the price.

 

[PoPPeR]

check out pudong when you're in shanghai

 

[Semidevil]

I read somewhere in the news that only 57% of chinese people who live in the countryside brush their teeth, and of those, 97% have gum disease.

So if you go to near countryside of china....plug your nose.

 

[doze]

bring a book, magazine, mp3 player, psp etc... on your flight b/c it's gonna be long.

 

[dighn]

watch your stuff when in crowded areas

 

[Imdmn04]

Countryside China and citylife China are night and day.

Cities like Shanghai and HK are very modern and futuristic, the metropolitian feeling is just as equal if not more than typical U.S. cities.

On the countryside, it is a whole nother story, although nobody is starving of hunger, the living condition is horrible compared to western standards.

But most tourists tend to visit the cities and tourist areas, so it shouldn't be too big of a problem.

 

[ballmode]

count how many people look like yao ming like 7+ tall

 

[jagec]

Start screaming "FREE TIBET!!" in front of the government buildings. Wave signs. Post pics.

 

[JSFLY]

1) watch your wallet: lots of pickpockets in crowded places
2) Only drink bottled water
3) don't eat in restaurants that look small and dingy, often they cook with spoiled vegetables and meats. NEVER eat anything cooked on the street.
4) no need to tip!
5) don't ask beijingians or shanghaians for directions, they will almost always give you directions going in the opposite direction. My advice is: ask at least 6 people, and if two or three of the directions given are the same, then they are probably true.
6) when buying things from sellers who allow haggling, always make sure the product your buying is REAL. that includes computer hardware, cigarettes, food products, even bottled water!
7) when taking a taxi, discuss pricing FIRST! otherwise the taxi driver will take you on a tour that will cost you plenty
8) don't trust ANYONE!!!

 

[Literati]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
check out pudong when you're in shanghai

I will thanks!

 

[Literati]

Originally posted by: JSFLY
1) watch your wallet: lots of pickpockets in crowded places
2) Only drink bottled water
3) don't eat in restaurants that look small and dingy, often they cook with spoiled vegetables and meats. NEVER eat anything cooked on the street.
4) no need to tip!
5) don't ask beijingians or shanghaians for directions, they will almost always give you directions going in the opposite direction. My advice is: ask at least 6 people, and if two or three of the directions given are the same, then they are probably true.
6) when buying things from sellers who allow haggling, always make sure the product your buying is REAL. that includes computer hardware, cigarettes, food products, even bottled water!
7) when taking a taxi, discuss pricing FIRST! otherwise the taxi driver will take you on a tour that will cost you plenty
8) don't trust ANYONE!!!

Thanks for these, seriously.

The effort taken is very appreciated.

 

[blustori]

stay alert! you don't want to come back with a missing kidney.

 

[josh6079]

Are you taking a dog?

 

[Literati]

3 of them and a sick fish.

 

[tyler811]

Stay away from live chickens and dont go into the square yelling "Freedom for all" "Down with communism"

 

[NanoStuff]

gas mask, many tanks of compressed air.

 

[bennylong]

Don't marry that fat country girl

 

[josh6079]

Originally posted by: Literati
3 of them and a sick fish.

You might only have one dog left if you're lucky when you return. Dog taste good down there.