China is like another planet, very different from the world we know. Therefore, preparing for a trip there should be thorough: bring everything you need, which may be difficult to find locally, and familiarize yourself with local etiquette. We offer tips that will help you feel almost at home in China.
1. China is the fourth-largest country in the world, so it’s not possible to quickly see all the main attractions. Plan your route in advance, keeping in mind that public transportation is excellent, but schedules can be difficult to understand due to the many Chinese characters.
2. The best time to travel to China is April, the second half of May, June, and September, when temperatures in the cities are more comfortable compared to the hot months of July and August.
3. Before leaving, carefully study the calendar of Chinese holidays and weekends to avoid traveling during peak tourist season. The Chinese themselves are avid travelers within their own country, and given their huge numbers, public holiday destinations in China are simply overcrowded on holidays and weekends.
4. In China, the rule is: those who rise early have a better chance of enjoying the sights without the crowds. If your goal is to visit sites like the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, or the Longmen Grottoes, it’s best to go early in the morning before they become overcrowded with huge tour groups and busloads of hundreds of visitors.
5. Travelers are often advised to learn a few phrases in the local language to better communicate with locals. However, if you’re traveling to China, this may not be the best idea. Intonation plays a very important role in Chinese, and even a slight change can lead to awkward situations when a word, seemingly used correctly, actually becomes obscene or even offensive.
6. In some cities in China, there are still hotels that do not accept foreigners due to registration requirements. For those traveling with organized tour groups, this isn’t a problem, as all formalities are usually arranged in advance by the organizers. However, for independent travelers, it’s important to confirm in advance that the chosen hotel is authorized to accommodate foreigners.
