Travelling to China: What You Need To Know
So you’ve decided to travel to China, a country full of rich history and culture. For travellers, China can be an exciting and exotic new land, quite unlike anywhere else in the world. For experienced and inexperienced travellers alike, however, there may be a culture shock when it comes to exploring and living in this great country.
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Cultural barriers
As China is a very densely populated place, you may find that you rub shoulders with people, or even get pushed or jostled in crowded space. This is a normal part of Chinese culture, and may feel strange from a western perspective where we have a much broader notion of personal space. In terms of the language barrier, unless you speak mandarin it may be very difficult to communicate in any other language. Take a phrasebook with you, or even better download a translation app on your smartphone or device. Above all, be respectful of the differences in culture, and try to be aware of the social and political state of the country before travelling.
Visas for china
This step is fundamental before you even begin to plan your trip to China, as they do not provide visas on arrival. If you apply for a tourist visa, you will need to show a detailed itinerary of your trip with flight and hotel bookings. Visas can be applied for in person at the Chinese consulate or can be done online using services such as Evisum Service which is quick and easy to do.
Environmental issues
Be warned that pollution in larger cities in China is a real issue. Cities like Beijing experience some of the worst levels of air pollution that require the citizens to use masks on a regular basis, and even avoid going outside when it is particularly bad.
Best time to visit
You can pretty much visit China all year round, with certain limitations during the cold winters and humid summers. It is recommended that you visit China in spring or autumn when the weather is usually warm and dry and Western China comes to life with beautiful flowers and hiking is at its best. As China is so large, you can usually work your way around the country, avoiding the regions that are experiencing extreme climates.
Using money in china
You will not be able to use any currency apart from Yen in China, so don’t bother taking anything other than your bank card, and cash. Remember to tell your bank that you will be visiting China so that they don’t end up blocking your card. Unlike many countries, Chinese people are not accustomed to tipping, and it is much more acceptable to haggle than it is in many other places.
Travel insurance
It pays to have comprehensive travel insurance with you wherever you travel. When you go further afield into unknown countries where you do not speak the language, this is especially important. Making sure that you are covered in the case of any unexpected health or other emergency is very important, and is just as important, if not more important, than booking the trip itself. Not being insured could end up costing you a great amount of money in medical bills, so it is worth covering your back for what is usually a small sum.