Five Tips for Your Trip to China

China is a wonderful nation to visit, but its world-leading population makes it a hotspot for congested cities. The national capital, Beijing, is home to over 20 million residents, making it more populous than New York City’s metropolitan area. As a result, streets can become extremely crowded, and getting stuck in massive lines of traffic can spell a sour patch in any vacation. To avoid such difficulties, visitors to China should employ the nation’s sprawling public transit network, which includes high-speed trains, buses, and bicycles. Whether riding a bike between key points in a city or gliding by rail at hundreds of miles per hour from town to town, tourists will be pleased by their transportation options.

Many people around the world are accustomed to eating so-called “Chinese food” from take-out restaurants, but there’s nothing like eating in the country itself. The large East Asian country has culinary treats, which can change between regions and times of the day. Just like in the many “Chinatowns” found in the cities of other countries, Chinese street vendors can certainly offer some unique tastes to visitors. One thing that any visitor should remember is that, since they’re eating in another country, other customs apply, and chopstick abilities should be honed before a visit to China.

It may not be the world’s largest country, but China is certainly no slouch in terms of land area. For those planning a trip to China, the narrowing of travel focus is absolutely key to an enjoyable trip because it’s simply not possible to see everything in one visit. From the Great Wall of China to the capital of Beijing, it’s a relatively short trip, but to travel to the famed city of Shanghai, a journey of 13 hours must be undertaken (if driving). Just as a visitor to the United States would likely be forced to choose between visiting the Golden Gate Bridge and the Washington Monument; visitors to China should know what they want to see before they arrive.

It’s an age-old problem, but many visitors to China still don’t adequately prepare for the cultural barriers between them and the locals. Of course, travelers shouldn’t be expected to learn the complex Chinese language (or its many dialects), but learning key phrases may be helpful. Also, smartphone applications such as Google Translate will help foreigners immensely with the language barrier. In addition, travelers should exhibit politeness and make a concerted effort to research Chinese culture and customs before arriving in the country.

Part of the allure of China, especially for Westerners, has always been in the unique items purveyed by its native sellers. Much of the charm of items purchased on a visit to China comes from their local nature. For many travellers, the ability to buy a handmade item, from art to hand-carved combs, is one of the greatest things about visiting the country. For others, the prevalence of consumer electronics at reduced prices is more enticing, but this doesn’t capture the spirit of China in particular. Travelers should make sure that they truly cherish what they bring home, because many will only see China once in a lifetime.