Five Things You Will Love & Hate About China Travel
Greetings from the Great Wall! We’ve been traveling around China for five weeks, and we’ve loved our time here. There are so many great things to see in China, like the Great Wall, but there are also things you won’t like.These are the five things you will love, and hate, about China travel.
China Travel Hate #1: Pollution & Quality Control
If you are in Beijing on a bad pollution day, you really shouldn’t even go outside. Wearing a mask is critical so that you can breathe.It’s best to research the masks and buy one at home, although you can buy them in China as well. As far as quality control, it’s possible to find good quality in China, but the quality control mechanism isn’t there, so you might have problems with the food and the water. (Don’t drink the tap water!)
China Travel Hate #2: People Everywhere
There are 1.5 Billion people in China; it can feel claustrophobic at times. For comparison, there are five Chinese for every one American, so it’s five times as many people everywhere. Issues that come with crowds are just getting bumped into a lot, and no real personal space to speak of. Waiting in line can drive you crazy, because it’s crowded, not orderly and basically a mad rush. (There’s also a LOT of spitting)
China Travel Hate #3: Lack of English
English is not widely spoken in China. Your hotel may have one person who speaks English, and they may not always be available to translate for you. This results in some pretty entertaining translations that you might see around China. It helps to learn a little bit of Chinese before you come, a sit will go a long way.
Watch: Basic Chinese for Kids
China Travel Hate #4: Bargaining & Aggressive Salespeople
Everywhere you go in China, you are always bargaining the price.Never pay more than 50% of the first price they give you. It’s part of the culture to bargain things down, even if you just an want to buy a couple of souvenirs and move on. It’s very time consuming.
China Travel Hate #5: The Toilets
The toilets in China are squat toilets, so there’s no seat, you are squatting above a hole in the ground. For Western travelers, this can be a big adjustment. There’s also usually a step up into the toilets, so watch your step and don’t fall into the squat toilet! Toilet paper is usually outside of the stall, so you are meant to grab some on your way in, however, it’s never abad idea to carry your own toilet paper in China.
Watch: Chinese Toilets: What Westerners Need to Know
China Travel Love #1: History
China has so much history, and historic sites to visit. The Great Wall, Terra Cotta Warriors, Beijing’s Forbidden City and so many more! Chinese history goes back thousands of years, and much of it has been well preserved.
China Travel Love #2: Natural Beauty
We often think of China as crowded cities and factories, but China has a ton of natural beauty. There are beautiful mountain ranges and river cities to explore. If you can, try to join a tour that takes you out into the countryside so you can see more of China than what the cities have to offer.
China Travel Love #3: Chinese Culture
Chinese culture is so unique and one of the best things about visiting China. The food in China is so much better than the Chinese food you are used to in Europe or the U.S. The fruits and vegetables are so fresh; the street food is fantastic. (Don’t let your kids eat it, though)
China Travel Love #4: China is Cheap for Western Tourists
Your wallet is going to love China. It’s a very affordable destination. The food, tours, sites and hotels are all well priced and perfect for travelers on a budget. Our money goes almost twice as far in China as it does in Europe, hence why we are here for five weeks!
China Travel Love #5: The People
If you meet a Chinese person, you are instantly their friend.They will gladly share the history and culture of their country, and share their best tips with you. They are very kind and helpful. If you have kids,they will all want a picture with your kid, so be prepared for that.
For more China travel tips, check out some of our other videos and blog posts: