<p>I’ll be joining DH on his business trip to China next month along with two other couples. I think most everything will be planned for us (they’re taking care of the visas and already booked our airplane - business/first class - woo hoo!). So I don’t really need recommendations of what to do as much as what it’s generally like to travel in China.</p>
<p>We’ll be in Beijing at the News Plaza Hotel; also Liaoyang at what I believe is a company-owned hotel. They’ve tentatively listed the Forbidden City and Great Wall for touring, as well as another forbidden city in Shenyang. If we get additional choices, I’m voting for the New Summer Palace gardens and the Temple of Heaven.</p>
<p>So - general questions (we’re already looking into immunizations); I’m sure I’ll have more as I learn more! Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I’ve read that the best place to get yuan is at an ATM at the Beijing airport using a credit card. True?</p>
<p>What’s it like to fly within China re security procedures, etc.?</p>
<p>What should I bring with me other than the obvious travel stuff (DH has a converter) - bottled water, maybe?</p>
<p>Best souvenirs? I’m thinking cloisonne, silk, papercut, and maybe jade although I’m not a big jade fan.</p>
<p>Security - are pickpockets a big threat like in Europe (haven’t been but I’ve read)? Also, just out of curiosity, do they have western bathrooms everywhere?</p>
<p>Thanks - I’ve never been out of North America (which includes Hawaii and the Caribbean) so this will be my great adventure for one week!</p>
<p>They will have water bottles for sale everywhere and cheep-$.50 at the most. Pearls are a big souvenir item as well as Jade. Clothing there is practically free-at least compared to what you would pay here. Knock off designer items, Rolex watches, Coach Purses, etc. are prevalent and again, cheep.</p>
<p>Our son spent a couple weeks in China and he loved it. Comfortable walking shoes are a must and I would bring some medical masks. The air quality over there is horrible, especially if you have asthma or allergies.</p>
<p>ATM’s in the hotel lobbies for the most part. He used a debit card for larger purchases but cash works too. He just took money out as needed vs carrying a lot around. </p>
<p>He didn’t need any immunizations when he went and unless you are spending a lot of time in remote villages, you probably are ok.</p>
<p>You have probably been warned about water: drink only bottled stuff and even use bottled water for brushing teeth. That’s what D’s athletic team was told to do when they traveled to China a few years ago. I agree wih the poster who said pearls and jade would be relatively inexpensive and widely available souvenirs to bring back. Some of D’s friends came back wih fake Gucci bags, but I strongly advise against buying counterfeit goods!</p>
<p>I suggest a walk around Houhai Lake, a walk in the Wangfujing shopping area and the adjacent Donghuamen Night market - really cool but I wouldn’t eat anything -, Tiannemen Square and a tour in a hu-tong - if there are any left!
H and S loved the military museum but I have no personal experience.
Make sure the bottled water’s seal is intact. ;)</p>
<p>some of the food is downright gross (frog ovaries in gluten rice), so you might want to tuck a few energy/granola bars in your luggage for snacks.</p>
<p>Since labor is so cheap, personal services such as massages are cheap and quite nice.</p>
<p>I spent a month with my son traveling all over China . If you can arrange it ,visit ANHUI ,go up into the Yellow Mountains ,spend 1 night and watch the sun rise ! You will get a TON of exercise as there are only stone steps to climb . There are no roads ,so no cars ,and all the hotels are build by hand literally ,as everything to build hotels is carried by men wearing large yolks .They make 2 trips per day . Looking back ,it was a really exciting trip up the mountains . I would not buy any fakes as you risk them being confiscated at the airport . I survived on vegetables and rice ,bottled water -cheap and small bags of nuts .I am a prissy eater and overall, HATED the food in China .In Hong Kong I got some nice sharp cheddar and Granny Smith apples ,imported from Austrailia . They also had Quaker Oat Squares . I bought many gifts at the Dirt Market in Bei Jing -a shopping must . They have a day of shopping . I Hated the Ladies Market -people will literally grab you to show you endless fakes . I was not used to such aggressive tactics . Because you are probably a Westerner ,non -Asian ,be prepared to be constantly jostled to buy things . Outside of big cities ,be prepared for mostly disgusting swat toilets .Sometimes if you find a hotel ,the bathrooms are western.</p>
<p>Loved the food in China. Women are definitely at a disadvantage when it comes to using bathrooms. Make certain you bring toilet paper when you travel away from your hotel. I also would be careful of the really cheap bottled water - it may just be tap that is bottled from who knows where. Airport security is not an issue. You’re going to have to be more physically aggressive in lines than here - people will do anything to cut you off. Maybe bring earplugs especially in museums -LOL.</p>
<p>Apparently one of the other wives is even more of a food coward than me, so hopefully they won’t make us be too adventurous. I don’t think frog ovaries are kosher! DH was once in Japan for a month and was served live mini shrimp. (He said they wiggled when they went down.) I may be eating a lot of rice!</p>
<p>I couldn’t stand the aggressive vendors when we did a cruise that stopped in Cozumel; didn’t even want to go near the stores by the pier. I did read that one should offer from 10% to 25% of the asking price and negotiate from there.</p>
<p>It does sound like I should bring my own water along just in case - thanks for the tip on TP. I think we’ll only be in the big cities and major tourist areas. Looks like I need a trip to TJ Maxx to find a new oversize travel bag!</p>
<p>I’m not interested in name brand type stuff, but rather unique “made in China” products (although I realize that probably includes my new sneakers from Kohls). I collect cat souvenirs from everywhere I go so that will be one of my priorities. My college age nephew is quite a musician (mainly piano and guitar); is there any kind of small local instrument that he might enjoy? My 17 year old niece will be much easier!</p>
<p>Don’t take pictures of police or uniformed military personnel.
You can get “safe” bottled water at KFC, McDonald’s or 7Eleven in Beijing.
Take little packs of Kelenex to use as TP or napkins in restaurants.
Take wet wipes and Purell.
Be prepared for sandstorms in/around Beijing.
You will not be allowed to try on clothes in boutiques, you will lay them over your body for sizing.
Anything over a size 4 women is considered XL.
Men pants over 32 waist not available or impossible to find.</p>
<p>^^Yes this is true. S who has lived in Beijing and Shanghai for almost 2 years is 6’6" and cannot find decent clothes in his size. I send a care package every 6 months.</p>
<p>Consider buying and having shipped back home a spun silk-filled comforter. The one thing I wish I’d bought when I was in China. Keeps you toasty warm in winter and delightfully cool in the summer, and weighs far less than down. Yes, I can find one online now, but when I was at the silk farm, the prices were unreal (cheap).</p>
<p>Silk fabric by the yard. At wonderful prices, in exquisite colors. If you sew, or know someone who does.</p>
<p>I liked the night markets, mostly for photography. </p>
<p>The vegetable dishes are delicious (I ate mostly vegetarian while there - 3 weeks) as I’m not an adventurous eater. The Chinese eggplant and mini bok choys are amazing! </p>
<p>Never had a problem finding bottled water.</p>
<p>Squat toilets (as long troths - some with separators) were the norm, however as noted by another poster, westernized bathrooms can be found in most restaurants, and all hotels. </p>
<p>Definitely walking shoes. </p>
<p>No worries about pickpockets there, they do not tolerate petty crime in any way, shape or form. </p>
<p>Have a blast, and enjoy! I loved my 3 weeks in China.</p>
<p>My d has had clothes made for her when traveling. She liked supporting local workers as well as getting to choose the fabric. Isn’t that an option for your son Woody?</p>
<p>H has gone on business trips to China. He said that when your host takes you to a restaurant and orders a “delicacy” for you–BEWARE! It’s probably is going to be something way out of the American comfort zone.</p>
<p>“Squat toilets (as long troths - some with separators) were the norm, however as noted by another poster, westernized bathrooms can be found in most restaurants, and all hotels.”</p>
<p>Yes to the hotels but not to the restaurants that we went to. Then again we went to restaurants that cater primarily to Chinese not Westerners. As far as delicacies, you’ll find the scorpions on a stick to be quite tasty.</p>
<p>Darn, I lost a big long post … If you are planning to travel outside the big cities </p>
<ul>
<li>remember to bring your own toilet paper. </li>
<li>Consider using a backpack that could be easily slipped to the front of the body, that way you can assess the tissue, wipes whatever you need easily. Chinese toilets are cramped and usually have no hooks etc. Some even have no latches, the most rudimentary have no doors. :eek:</li>
<li>I suffer from constant stomach upsets in China, no matter how careful. I take the strongest probiotic I can find and that helped. Imodium is my friend. </li>
<li> Consider bringing an antibiotic - I caught the worst case of e. coli infection while traveling in China.</li>
</ul>
<p>DocT - I was on a tour. We ate at many places that didn’t particularly cater to westerners and found a variety of toilet facilities. From the troth style to traditional western flush toilets and even (literally) holes in the floor. I perfected my squat technique! Agree about bringing TP (several in our group would carry a full sized roll, but that was somewhat overkill.</p>
<p>What a lot of great help! Yes to a jade cat, and hopefully cat cloisonne. My SIL and niece sew but I don’t; how many yards would make a nice dress?</p>
<p>I don’t think we’ll be outside the big cities except for major tourist attractions so hopefully won’t have too many issues. DH says the reference to toilets remind him of his trip to Japan, and the toilet paper of his trip to Russia.</p>
<p>Does anyone know the Chinese customs rules for taking American dollars out of China? The guys may be getting repaid all expenses in cash, which can end up as quite a bit. I know we can bring up to $10,000 each into the US, but have seen references to only $5000 leaving China. Does anyone have personal knowledge of this?</p>
Agree about bringing TP (several in our group would carry a full sized roll, but that was somewhat overkill.</p>