China Travel Tips: Facts About China That You Should Know Before You Visit
Greetings from the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China! After traveling through China for five weeks, there are a few China travel tips I wish I would have known before I visited. So today I’m sharing with you the things you should know before you come to China.
China Travel Tip #1: Water in China
Do not drink the tap water, and that goes for the ice as well, as the water in China is not good for travelers. When you go to a restaurant, they will often boil the water for you, and it will be served to you still hot. Drink this, or ask for bottled water.
China Travel Tip #2: Tipping in China
Tipping in China is not required or expected. The only people you should tip in China are your tour guides and the bus driver on your tour. However, tipping in restaurants or taxis is not part of the Chinese culture.
China Travel Tip #3: Taxis in China
You’ll probably take a lot of taxis in China, especially in the larger cities, but make sure you are using the official metered taxis. There are black cabs, or black taxis, which aren’t safe for tourists, as they might take you somewhere you don’t want to go, or just scam you on a higher fare.
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China Travel Tip #4: Time Zone
There is only one time zone in all of China, and it’s Beijing time. Even though China is larger than the US, which has four time zones, there are no different time zones within China.
China Travel Tip #5: Electrical Plugs
China has their own electrical plug, which looks like an upside-down “V” but in pretty much all of the hotels, there will be an additional outlet that accepts European or U.S. plugs. If you’re going into smaller villages, you might need to bring an adapter/converter, but if you are staying in modern hotels, you won’t need anything special to charge your electronics.
China Travel Tip #6: Air Pollution
Especially in Beijing and Shanghai, the air pollution can be so bad that advisories are issued for children and elderly to stay indoors. Air pollution in China is a serious issue, and you should bring a mask along for those days. Spend the money on a good face mask and it will be worth it, especially if you have asthma or any kind of breathing problems. The U.S. embassy website has a section that tells you each day if it’s safe to go outside. If you’re visiting China with kids, you will probably struggle to get them to wear their masks. Let them get used to wearing it before the trip, or try to make it fun for them.
China Travel Tip #7: Money in China
When it comes to spending money in China, Cash is king. Most sellers prefer you to pay in cash. ATM’s are widely available in big cities, but you can only exchange money at a bank or at your hotel. If you are visiting smaller villages, you might not find as many ATM’s, so stock up on cash when you can. The Chinese currency is the Yuan, and you want to try and get smaller denominations when possible.
China Travel Tip #8: Language in China
Obviously, Chinese is the official language in China. Unlike many other tourist destinations, there is very little English spoken in China. It can be very helpful to learn a few basic Chinese words before your trip. Even at the hotels, you won’t always have someone who speaks English. The hotel might say they have someone who speaks English, but that person may not always be there. A common travel tip is to have your hotel write things down for you to hand to taxi drivers, but that doesn’t always work in China. Likewise, eating out in China can be an adventure as you won’t always have menus available in English.
Check out our video of Basic Mandarin Phrases to get started!
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China Travel Tip #9: Hong Kong Travel
Going to Hong Kong from mainland China means border checks and multiple entry visas. You’ll need either a double entry visa or a multiple entry visa to China if you plan to visit Hong Kong and return to China during your trip. This is fairly easy to do when you apply for your Chinese visa.
China Travel Tip #10: Taboo Topics
There are some topics that are taboo in China. Don’t talk about Tiananmen Square, Tibet, Taiwan, Internet Censorship or Human Rights. In China, these are very sensitive topics and not open for discussion with foreign travelers.
China Travel Tip #11: Shopping in China
In China, you bargain for souvenirs. When you are shopping in China, the first price the shopkeeper tells you is not the end price. It’s the starting price for negotiation, and you’ll likely pay about 50% of that original price. However, supermarkets and restaurants have set prices, so you’ll get a break from bargaining in those locations.
China Travel Tip #12: Toilets in China
Toilets in China are just holes in the ground, and little kids just poop and pee wherever they want. You’ll get used to squatting when using the restroom in China, and toilet paper does not come in the stalls. Sometimes it’s on the wall outside the stall, but it’s always a good idea to carry your own toilet paper in China. Also, the toilets in China can be a step up or a step down, so watch your step when entering a stall.
Check out our video on Chinese toilets for more info!
Additional China Travel Tips & Resources
These 12 tips should be a good start to prepare you for your trip to China! For more China travel tips, check out some of our other travel videos: