NationStates Jolt Archive

Im less than 24 hours from getting on a plane to go China. Has anyone ever been? Have any tips of what to do, what not do to? What to see, eat, etc.? help me out if you can.

dont eat meat

unless you think puppy tastes good

I here they have a big wall thats supposed to be kinda cool.

Remember: China is not communist. Your money will be skillfully removed from you at every opportunity. :D

And you probably won't be able to log into NS, because it is a hotbed of subversion and preversion. :p

Beijing is nice. Visit one of the parks there early in the morning (Like 06:00) and enjoy the atmosphere.

The Forbidden City and The Great Wall are mandatory, of course... And the Temple of Heaven is worth a visit.

Eat some food. Peking Duck! Mmmmm...

Buy some silk.

Don't break the law. :eek:

And have lots of fun! Good journey! :)

Are we there yet? Oh, I mean, are you there yet?

*sends digital pie, flavor choice of receiver*

Have fun, we'll look forward to your stories when you're back.

Well for starters you could learn about China's atrocities instead of bagging on Israel. :p

Anyway, Great Wall!

If it has a gun and looks to be standing guard near something, go away.

If it has a gun and looks to be standing guard near something, go away.
Oh, that reminded me: Tianamen square and the Parliament-thingy. Go see! ;)

Also, if you look like a tourist, you'll probably be safe. If you look European, you'll be safe. If you're a tall blond woman, you'll be stalked... in a good way :p

dont eat meat

unless you think puppy tastes good
Whats wrong with eating Dog (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_meat)?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Dog_meat_hotpot.JPG/300px-Dog_meat_hotpot.JPG

Remember: China is not communist. Your money will be skillfully removed from you at every opportunity. :D

And you probably won't be able to log into NS, because it is a hotbed of subversion and preversion. :p
:D Thats what I was thinking. Its going to be hard to stay away from for a month, Im gonna have withdrawals:p Problem is even if this site is allowed Im spending most my time in the rural areas that most likely wont have internet anyway.

Oh, that reminded me: Tianamen square and the Parliament-thingy. Go see! ;)

Also, if you look like a tourist, you'll probably be safe. If you look European, you'll be safe. If you're a tall blond woman, you'll be stalked... in a good way :p
good to know. I'll certianly try to check those places out during my free time.

Are we there yet? Oh, I mean, are you there yet?

*sends digital pie, flavor choice of receiver*

Have fun, we'll look forward to your stories when you're back.

Grins evily.

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Hehehe... reminds me of this girl in my Science class who loudly bragged about going to China over the summer. When we asked her what part she replied: Japan.:p Priceless

why are you going to China?

I've never been personally.

Learn some Mandarin, or any other dialect, while you're there...

Awesome, which part are you going to? The language spoken will depend of the part you're in like Catonese or Mandarin. Beware of the smog, the air takes a little getting used to. Tell about the trip when you get back.

Well let's see... make sure to visit Tiennamen, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heavan and the Great Wall. When leaving said wall, DO take the bobsledy-thing down. It's worth it.

I'd also recommend visiting the Dirt Market(Beijing), if you're looking for souvenirs. Some locals may be willing to help you buy things, cause as any tourist should know there's a local price and a tourist price, usually to the tourist's detriment. Of course it's not entirely altruistic I'm sure - I tipped the nice old man who helped me and so should you.

Oh, and don't be alarmed at the attention you receive just for being non-chinese. I had several people want to talk to me, shake my hand, have a photo session - it seems to happen to many tourists.

Beyond that, I'd advise not breaking the law, and it may not be best to express your feelings on Tibet, the Square massacre or Falun Gong. That's just a dose of common sense though.

Enjoy your trip:)

http://voyage.typepad.com/lfc_images/Tiananmen_Tank_Man_Simpsons_2.jpg

I was there.

a) Don't worry about dog. It's considered quite a delicacy, and they'll think thrice before they give it to some long-nosed foreigner.

b) Unless you have a tough stomach, or some medicine with you, don't start off by eating from the many little stands and local kitchens on the roads. Work your way into it.

c) Finger signs are a bit different there, especially for numbers. If you hold down the wrong fingers in a shop, you could end up buying twelve instead of two loafs of bread. Almost happened to my grandma.

d) Always haggle. Especially for old commie stuff.

e) If you see one of those Russian fur hats - get one! Unless you live in Florida, you'll thank me for it. They look silly, but I have never had that good a hat for cold weather.

I was there.

a) Don't worry about dog. It's considered quite a delicacy, and they'll think thrice before they give it to some long-nosed foreigner.

b) Unless you have a tough stomach, or some medicine with you, don't start off by eating from the many little stands and local kitchens on the roads. Work your way into it.

c) Finger signs are a bit different there, especially for numbers. If you hold down the wrong fingers in a shop, you could end up buying twelve instead of two loafs of bread. Almost happened to my grandma.

d) Always haggle. Especially for old commie stuff.

e) If you see one of those Russian fur hats - get one! Unless you live in Florida, you'll thank me for it. They look silly, but I have never had that good a hat for cold weather.

Damn!

enjoy the ZHONGUARENMINGONGHEGUO

Don't do anything remotely political.

Make a regular contact schedule with your embassay - so they know someone is in trouble if they don't ring back within a set time. Some embassies have automated systems for this.

Im less than 24 hours from getting on a plane to go China. Has anyone ever been? Have any tips of what to do, what not do to? What to see, eat, etc.? help me out if you can.Do not bring any drugs.. they have ratter long terms (jail) for that...

while at the Market.. they will offer you Rolex and Gucci stuff for 50$.. smile and offer him 10$.

the deals are so good that the only issue will be suitcase room.

Don't do anything remotely political.

Make a regular contact schedule with your embassay - so they know someone is in trouble if they don't ring back within a set time. Some embassies have automated systems for this.
Dude, it's the PRC, not North Korea or Lebanon. They get millions of tourists every year.

Dude, it's the PRC, not North Korea or Lebanon. They get millions of tourists every year.

I thought they talking about being prepared for the risk of crime rather than political disappearances. :confused:

(Plus, China's not big on that kind of repression especially since tourism is such a major sector of their economy...)

I thought they talking about being prepared for the risk of crime rather than political disappearances. :confused:
Hmmm, I just haven't heard of anything happening. I'd think the government is after bringing everyone back home, if possible without filming too many poor people being bullied out of their homes to build a new mall.

I haven't been to China, but I have been on a plane. My advice is: don't bring nail clippers, but do bring plenty of entertainment. And, if you're not travelling with friends or family, ask for an aisle seat. There is nothing more uncomfortable than having to pee, but not being able to escape because some old guy is sleeping next to you. Except maybe having to pee, and not being able to escape because David Caruso is sleeping next to you.

Hmmm, I just haven't heard of anything happening. I'd think the government is after bringing everyone back home, if possible without filming too many poor people being bullied out of their homes to build a new mall.

At least it's a new mall and not a new chemical plant... China's finally got the memo that it's a bad idea to build those plants right in the middle of town near its major source of drinking water. I guess that's to be expected from a double-digit economy, though.

Im less than 24 hours from getting on a plane to go China. Has anyone ever been? Have any tips of what to do, what not do to? What to see, eat, etc.? help me out if you can.
Well, seeing as I live in Hong Kong, have been to Shenzhen, Guangdong, Guangzhou, Tibet, Yunnan, Lijiang and just got back (as in yesterday) Shanghai (which was awesome) and am planning to go to Guilin soon (google it, then look at the pictures - the place looks fantastic) I feel I can view myself as being somewhat more knowledgeable of the place than most on this forum.

What would you like to know?

Ooh, have fun. My friend went to China for three weeks, she's Chinese.

Beijing is very nice, I hear. That's where she stayed. She took a lot of pictures, the Forbidden City was beautiful.