10 cool tips for your perfect trip to China

Are you planning a trip to China? Here you will find useful China travel tips and recommendations.

May I have the courage to change what I can change

May I calmly accept what I cannot change

May I distinguish between the two

The so-called Serenity Prayer (see also Wikipedia Serenity Prayer ) is a good principle for traveling in general and especially for traveling in China. Now that I have been organizing trips to China for others for more than 15 years (while working at a China tour operator), I am very aware of the questions and overwhelming impressions of a first trip to the Middle Kingdom.

Without thorough preparation for the trip to China, it can happen that the culture shock knocks you down, that you stumble from one stupid to the next due to sheer ignorance and that the trip ultimately becomes torture.

So that you can enjoy your trip and enjoy your vacation in China, I have summarized 10 points for travel preparation.

Tip 1: preparation is everything

My recommendation: The book “China etiquette” by Petra Häring-Kuan, an excellent China expert, is an ideal preparation for all the curiosities and unexpected adventures of a trip to China.

Of course, studying a good China travel guide should not be missing! The main thing is to consider which places, which landscapes, which sights I want to see? Such a travel guide is very helpful to get a clear idea of ​​what to expect from your trip to China. That is why this is my most important China travel tip.

If you “only” have 3 weeks, then you have to make a pre-selection. In addition, a good travel guide gives an overview of history and culture. For China, I particularly recommend the DuMont Art Travel Guide China.

The beautiful China travel blogs also provide many China travel tips and insights into life in China. You can also be inspired by the exciting travel reports on your own adventures!

Tip 2: Security checks everywhere

In China, extensive security measures are taken at train stations, subway stations and also when entering museums and sights. At least one screening device for luggage and hand luggage is available, observed by more or less interested officials.

Put that down under “Things I can't change” and join in. Stupid jokes, complaining loudly or getting angry is of no use, can even lead to nasty clashes, which the officials definitely win. See also: Subway travel in China

Tip 3: you are the sensation of the day!

You will be stared at in China! Even if that has waned a lot in the big metropolises, it is still widespread. The further you move away from the beaten tourist path, the more clearly you will be noticed as a stranger by the locals.

Many a Chinese puzzles and stares after you with big eyes. Don't let this spoil your China vacation: smile, wave friendly! That could be the beginning of a nice conversation. Smile solves many language problems: Tips against speechlessness in China.

You become a photo object. Everyone (well: almost everyone) would like to be photographed with you. The selfie with foreigners is an absolute must for Chinese people. Background doesn't matter, the main thing with foreigners! It also plays a role whether you are small and narrow or tall and possibly a little extensive. Oh, the latter is just great for the Chinese!

I had a nice experience in southern China that can basically still happen, even if it was a long time ago.

Tip 4: Don't discuss with the Chinese

Speaking of contact with locals: You shouldn't have discussions with the locals about topics such as human rights, environmental protection and animal welfare!

Chinese love their country. You are well aware of the problems of the huge Middle Kingdom. But admitting that to a stranger goes against their pride. You don't want to lose face by admitting that your home country has problems. China is just great!

If you speak to Chinese, you should recognize the great successes in the social field at the beginning. Or the reforestation that is visible everywhere. This is the only way to prevent the Chinese conversation partners from closing up immediately and no longer wanting to speak to you.

Tour guides in particular suffer from the persistent inquiries and criticism of some guests. Let it be! Hold back! In time, there will be an intensive conversation all by itself.

By the way: The current air pollution is discussed very freely and openly in China. When talking about it, however, remember that the air in German cities is not without! Beijing and the smog

Democracy : On the occasion of the lively reporting on 30 years of the Tian'anmen incident, I heard the following sentence: “In China, democracy does not mean that everyone can have a say, but that it is ensured that everyone is doing well!” You should think about it! I have described my impressions of June 4th, 1989 here. Tian'anmen 1989

Tip 5: This is how you eat in China

When you go out to eat together in Germany, everyone usually orders for himself and only eats what he ordered. It is very different in China! You go to the restaurant together, sit at a large table, order together (or one for all) and take the dishes that are placed in the middle. This is a great community experience and a highlight of every trip to China! If at the end you really want to annoy the waiter, then insist that everyone pays individually! Eating Chinese - how does it work?

There are serving spoons in most tourist restaurants, but when dining with friends or in a Chinese family, everyone dips their own chopsticks into the bowls and takes what they like.

Don't be afraid that you will be served a dog or cat. That only happens if you really want it to. Or order the most expensive dish on the menu.

My China travel tips for eating: " Chinese eat everything ".

Chopsticks are used in China
No, you don't have to eat with chopsticks! But you should try it! If it doesn't work, ask for a western cutlery or spoon in the restaurant. Or just take your own cutlery with you.

In the beginning I always had a spoon with me, which I hardly ever used, unless I made an instant noodle soup . The art of eating with chopsticks.

Eating vegetarian in China
Special China travel tips for eating. However, the understanding of vegetarian food is not as widespread as one might think given the many Buddhists in China. It is helpful to pretend to be a Buddhist.

The fact that there is also an increase, namely vegan food, has not yet got around so far in China. Milk and cheese are not as common as in Europe, but eggs are often used as part of many dishes. It is then easier to look around the restaurant or maybe even in the kitchen and point out what you like to eat. When organizing a trip to China, you should inform the tour operator at an early stage that you are a vegetarian.

One should also be aware that Chinese like to vegetarian to equate with "without visible meat". So vegetables are (rarely) cooked with broth and still called “vegetarian”.

Tip 6: allergies and intolerances

Glutamate is used quite naturally in Chinese cuisine. If you don't like it or can't take it, you can have the sentence written in Chinese: "I don't want glutamate in food." That should help. In the meantime, there are also scientists who assume that glutamate should not be rated so negatively.

Please always inform the organizer of any intolerance and allergies in good time. I can still remember how difficult it was a few years ago to make it clear to a colleague in China what a gluten intolerance is. If you have problems with gluten, you should just stick to the rice dishes in China.

Tip 7: China is not for sensitive minds!

Toilets
In China, the “squat toilet” variant is preferred. Personally, I am a big fan of squat toilets because I find them much more hygienic than western sitting toilets.

A peculiarity of the public toilets in China: Usually the toilets have no doors to the corridor. The individual compartments are separated from each other only by a low wall. That fits into the “I can't change” category.

Don't forget to take your own toilet paper with you! Public toilets in China usually do not offer this or for a small fee! More China travel tips on the topic: Toilet in China - center of harmony

Markets are not just colorful and lively
The lively and colorful markets also offer some challenges. Prepare yourself for the shocking sight of fresh, defenseless meat lying in the blazing sun ! Or also to the stupid (less and less) Chinese habit of smacking and spitting ( more ). Other countries other manners! Can not do anything about it! But don't see it too one-sided. Not every dog that you see on the street is intended for consumption.

Tip 8: Tour guides get tips

The rumor persists that you don't tip in China. That was once a noble goal of ubiquitous communism. But that has changed a lot with the increasing opening to the west and the increasing number of visitors from America and Europe!

Tour guides and drivers on the go on an organized trip to China expect a tip. My recommendation: 3 to 5 euros per person per day for the tour guide and about half for the driver. Of course there is less tip if you have not used the services of the tour guide and driver for the whole day or if you are not satisfied with the performance.

Tipping is not common in restaurants or taxi drivers. In particularly touristy areas it may be that this group of people is increasingly expecting a tip. Some taxi drivers don't mind if you round up the amount. You need a sure instinct and good observation skills!

Tip 9: China travel tips for internet access

Access to some websites that have become dear to us is not possible in China. Above all, this includes everyone who is somehow related to Google, including email addresses with hotmail, gmail etc. Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp are unfortunately also blocked. Currently (November 2019) Skype is no longer possible.

That is constantly changing. If there is a national holiday or important conferences are coming up, the Internet block will be handled more strictly than usual. Otherwise it can happen that a page that was still easily accessible today will no longer work tomorrow. Inquire at short notice in the usual forums (e.g. in the lively Facebook group China Reisen ) about the current status!

What can you do? Either you do without these pages for a short time while traveling to China, do a “digital detox” or you upload a VPN program (Virtual Private Network) BEFORE the trip. By the way: News magazines like Spiegelonline usually go. But all of this can change quickly.

There is a very good and detailed article on VPN on the blog Tingtingsnest.com. more

There is another very comprehensive article from Sinographen: VPN in China

Tip 10: Indispensable in China - the cell phone

A Chinese without a cell phone? You can hardly imagine that today! In any case, you should get a Chinese SIM card when you arrive in China.

The main app is WeChat. Without this app, the cell phone will be almost useless in China.

In addition to all the usual possibilities of a messenger, WeChat offers a payment function. There are now restaurants and shops where you can no longer pay with cash. All that's left to do is pay with a cell phone and WeChat.

Recently (Nov. 2019) non-Chinese people can also use the payment function of Alipay or WeChat.

As a rule, however, all traders and restaurants that want to make money with tourists accept cash. You can in many Geldautmaten (ATM) with a credit card (VISA or MasterCard) cash draw .

These were the most important things you should know when planning your first trip to China. Does anyone have any more ideas? Most of it is already in the above-mentioned China etiquette and all the other “instructions for use” for trips to China.

My ultimate China travel tip

Travel slowly! Take your time!

All of China in three weeks is not possible. Sure, most of them want to see everything when they are in China. Because what chances do you have to travel to this fascinating country again?

Nevertheless, if you are planning your first trip to China and only have 3 weeks to do it, think carefully about what and how much you want to see! Check out which highlights you pick out what interests you the most. If you liked it, you can plan a next trip to China with intense experiences.

China is huge:
The north-south extension of China is 4,500 kilometers; the east-west extension is 4,200 kilometers.

It is around 3,340 kilometers from Kiruna in the north of Sweden to Palermo in Sicily. And what's all about this route! What should you have seen: Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hamburg, the Rhine, Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich, Tyrol, the Alps, South Tyrol, Florence, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Capri, Sicily ... Would you want to see it all in 3 weeks? No! But many in China do that!

Take your time!
Get up early in the morning and watch the locals doing their morning tai chi exercises. If you feel like it, you can join. Enjoy a cup of tea in a tea house, just have a look at what's going on around the next corner. So you experience authentic China without any great effort.

By the way : If you take your time and don't rush from place to place, you can save a lot of money. Because the trips (or even flights) contribute significantly to the cost of a trip to China.