China is one of the most visited countries in the world. More and more tourists come here every year. In order to get only good impressions from the trip, you need to carefully prepare for it in advance. What documents are needed? How to communicate with the local population? What can not be done in China, but what, on the contrary, is welcome? You will find answers to all these and other questions about what you need to know when traveling to China in our article.
Documents
Russian citizens who want to go to China must officially obtain a visa. The cheapest visa, namely a single entry visa, will cost you about 1,500 rubles. If you have this document, then you can travel around the country for 30 days on completely legal grounds. How to get a visa? To do this, you need to provide the following documents:
- International passport. It must be valid for six months after obtaining a visa.
- A copy of the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
- A completed questionnaire with a color photo of a standard size.
- Insurance.
- Confirmation that you have enough money to stay in China. Your account should have an amount of $ 100 (about 6,700 rubles) per day spent in this country.
- Tickets there and back.
- Invitation.
A visa is the most important document when traveling to China on your own. What needs to be done to get it? This document can be executed in two ways: either by a citizen of the host state, or by a travel agency. In the first case, you will need to provide a copy of the passport of the citizen who issued the invitation, and in the second - a copy of the hotel reservation for the entire duration of the trip.
However, you can get to China without a visa. This opportunity is used by entrepreneurs to purchase various goods. However, there are restrictions: if you have not received the relevant document, then you can visit only Suifenhe. You will not be allowed to leave the city.
Transport
Sometimes people ask: “I go to China. What you need to know before such a trip? ” Follow our recommendation and decide in advance how you will get to China and how you will move around the country. Most often, tourists prefer air transport, but you can get to this state in other ways. For example, buses regularly run from Vladivostok that allow you to cross the border with China as soon as possible. If you decide to cover the distance to the state by plane, plan your route in advance so that the journey begins and ends in one city. Experienced tourists are advised to enter and leave the country from one airport.
What you need to know when traveling to China is how you can travel in this country. Inland, you can use airplanes, trains, ferries, buses, taxis. In large cities, underground transport is very well developed. You can buy a metro pass, and return it at the end of the journey. The cost of a local travel card - a compact plastic card - depends on how often you use it. You may need to replenish the balance.
Another thing to know when traveling to China is taxi pricing. If you turn to the advice of experienced travelers, you can find out that taxi prices in China are quite affordable. Therefore, if you are here for the first time, this transport is ideal for you. However, people who intend to spend more than a month in China will be better off renting a bicycle or walking.
Cycling
Not only tourists, but also the local population uses bicycles. Experienced travelers are advised to learn how to ride a bike before heading to China.
Renting this vehicle is very simple. Bicycles are on the streets. To access them, you must use the application for a mobile phone that reads a QR code. Money will be debited from your account (from 1 to 10 yuan, that is, 10-98 rubles), after which you will see the code that must be entered on the code lock of the bicycle frame. After use, the transport can be left on the street: at night, a truck arrives for it and takes it to the parking lot.
Housing
We continue the educational program about what you need to know when traveling to China. Tourists who have visited this country more than once are advised to take care of their place of residence in advance. If you use the services of a travel agency, a hotel room will be reserved for you. However, hotels in China do not always meet the expectations of tourists, so you need to look for a “backup option” in the form of another hotel or apartment in advance. On average, renting a room for the night costs $ 10-15 (approximately 670-1000 rubles). To rent an apartment for a month, you will need 400-500 dollars (from 27 to 33 thousand rubles).
Nutrition
How to eat in China? This is what every traveler needs to know on a train to China! Tourists note that traditional Chinese food is strikingly different from the dishes we order at home in Russia. Get ready for a bright taste and unusual combinations of products. Many people suffer from indigestion from the food they eat in China. Moreover, the aroma from street cafes may seem unpleasant to you.
You can eat at local cafes or establishments that have gained worldwide fame. The third way experienced tourists talk about is to buy groceries in supermarkets and cook their own meals. If you do not want to change your taste preferences, you can visit McDonald's. Tourists will not have to get used to the dishes served here, as the menu is almost the same as in European institutions. However, the prices here are quite high.
What you need to know about traveling to China on your own are places where you can eat cheaply. Only one and a half dollars (100 rubles) will cost lunch at local eateries. Tourists who have already been to China advise caution in such establishments, as they often do not have a menu in English, and the staff speaks only Chinese. Therefore, ordering dishes in such cafes is at your own peril and risk. In addition, in such institutions do not always comply with hygiene standards, which may adversely affect the health of tourists.
Here's another tip on what a tourist in China needs to know: get a pocket dictionary or install a translator on your phone. The fact is that even everyday situations can become a real quest while traveling in China, since a person who does not know the Chinese language will certainly have difficulties in communicating with the local population. Even a trip to the store can turn into funny situations and wasted time.
What to bring with you?
What you need to travel to China on your own is a pre-prepared list of necessary things. We will not list how many pairs of jeans you will need when traveling in this country, but we will name the most unobvious things without which Europeans will not be very comfortable in China.
- Cutlery. The presence of a fork, spoon and knife for food depends on the level of the establishment. But eating in restaurants can be very expensive, so it's best to bring a set of cutlery with you. However, they should be cheap, as they will have to get rid of when boarding the return flight.
- An allergy remedy. It is unlikely to be able to predict in advance what you will be allergic to. In China, plant pollen, seasonings, local food, and insect bites can become its cause.
- Medications to normalize digestion. Asian cuisine uses a variety of ingredients that can cause indigestion or poisoning.
- Coffee. This drink is not popular among the Chinese population, it is quite rare on store shelves. Therefore, coffee lovers are advised to bring it with them.
What can not be taken?
We have listed above what you need to take with you for a trip to China. But there are objects that are not worth transporting to the territory of the state. Tourists do not recommend taking expensive lighters with you. On the way back to Russia they will be seized, since they cannot be carried aboard. Therefore, get a lighter from which it will be easy for you to part. The same goes for penknives and Swiss knives.
In addition, it is not necessary to bring adapters for sockets to China. The most popular there are universal sockets, which are suitable for a variety of items.
Obsession
Consider the peculiarities of the Chinese mentality in order to understand what awaits you while traveling in China. First, be prepared for constant talk about food. Even at the first meeting, you will probably be asked questions about whether you are a vegetarian or a meat-eater, what food you like. Based on your taste preferences, the Chinese can make their impression of you as a person.
Unusual appearance
What you need to know about the train to China yourself? If you are the owner of high growth and a Slavic or European appearance, then you will become a bit of a sight. Passers-by will not hesitate to look at you, they will even ask you to take a picture. In no case do not want to offend you. The fact is that a large part of the population of China cannot afford to travel to far abroad countries, so a meeting with a foreigner is a real event for the Chinese. Experienced tourists are advised to restrain themselves and not be rude. If you do not want to be photographed, just smile and step aside.
Face loss
Asians are very sensitive to public opinion about them, so the worst thing for the Chinese is the loss of face, that is, public humiliation. If you allow yourself rudeness in a tête-à-tête conversation, most likely, the interlocutor will not attach any importance to this. However, if you publicly insult an Asian, consider yourself to have made an enemy.
Bargain
What you need to know about holidays in China to people who do not want to incur extra expenses? You can bargain in the market. Note that prices in China are very high, so you can safely bring down prices several times. If you have already entered into a dispute with the seller, you will certainly make a purchase, otherwise he will be offended.
Communication
What do you need to know when traveling to China for a modern user of mobile devices? Internet is better to use over Wi-Fi. You can find wireless sources almost everywhere. But mobile Internet is very expensive. Only the purchase of a local SIM card will cost $ 40 (2,600 rubles), while knowledge of the Chinese language is necessary at least at a basic level, otherwise it will not work out with the terms of its use.
Security
Many people travel to China on their own. What you need to know so that time spent in China is not overshadowed by troubles? First, remember that pickpockets operate in cities, so you need to carefully monitor your belongings. Moreover, if you intend to travel around the country by air, do not use the services of Air China. She ranks first in the world in the number of technological disasters, experienced travelers say.
Talk about history
Imagine that you are going on a business trip to China. What you need to know about such a trip? Of course, you will have to communicate with the local population. To get only a pleasant experience from these conversations, follow a few simple recommendations.
During the dialogue, do not raise topics that relate to the politics and contemporary history of the PRC, especially if you hold a different point of view than your interlocutor. Do not participate in the discussion of events such as Uyghur and Tibetan separatism, the cultural revolution, the Nanking massacre, as well as the civil war of 1947-49. You will not be able to change the opinion of the interlocutor, but the relationship with this person is likely to deteriorate.
the Internet
There is another important nuance that you need to know before traveling to China. What is this nuance? On the territory of the PRC, the majority of Internet services familiar to Europeans, including browsers and applications, do not work. Therefore, if you want to download something on your mobile, do it in advance. Here you will not be able to use the services of Google and Dropbox, as well as most social networks, for example, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
To access the above sites, you need to install anonymizers on VPN gadgets. How it works? The application changes your IP address and hides the location. At the same time, your anonymity remains. You will be able to use the Internet, but the network will think that you are in the USA, India or, say, the UK. However, such applications contribute to the rapid discharge of the mobile, so they should not be used for a long time.