So I'll be spending about a week in China for work. I know nothing about China except for a few Kung Fu movies and Yao Ming. I'll be in Beijing and Chengdu... and I hear from friends that they're pleasant and pandas. I've been told that the locals don't speak English there so I'll be doing lots of gestures and such. Any advice/tips on the do's and don'ts (cultural things)? I hear it's winter there, so I should be packing some thicker clothes. I've already got some pills ready for my motion sickness. Also, I don't know why I've added a poll.
In Shanghai for Vacation myself. dianping.com is like Yelp for China, don't know if you can navigate it without knowing Chinese. http://www.smartbeijing.com - The shanghai counter part has being good at pointing me to few swanky locations. Other than that just have fun. If you're there for work, get some local co-workers to show you around.
I agree with curve, eat lightly first few days, maybe find some chips or something that reminds you of home a bit but man eventually be adventurous. I ate nothing but streetfood and never got sick. Your first hour the culture shock is going to be awesome. Before you take a cab understand your route via a map. The cab drivers will go in loops to **** you. Ignore people asking you to come drink tea with them in a traditional setting they are just going to charge you an outrageous amount and try and intimidate you to pay. There is no tipping at restaurants so dont try it. Always stand to the right on escalators unless you are passing someone. You are probably going to see people pissing and in the streets.
My suggestion? Fake a major illness and do not go. Prepare for bed bugs in your hotel (which you will bring home). There are virtually no standards when it comes to food, roaches are very prevalent in restaurants and be prepared to accept that what you are eating is not remotely sanitary and you may well get sick. If you are in a major city expect horrible air conditions that can cause sickness, dizziness, short breath and actually stain your clothes. Also accept that people will be rude to you, people will urinate and crap in the street. One of the worst places I have been.
Best thing you can do is spend all your time in one of those half constructed uninhabited cities that they have. You'll be able to avoid this:
Watch this video <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1kB_OGFY968?showinfo=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> And then watch all his videos (the three about the Shanghai Sharks are the best)
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=256930 Someone asked 3 months about tips for a China trip. I'll copy and paste what I told that OP. And my post from a thread regarding China's smog problem:
Well shett brehs... now I'm not looking too forward to the trip. Looks like I will be staying in my hotel as much as possible in my free time. I get sick easily. Not a problem breh, I don't have any problem with censored stuff. Also I will be bringing my own collection in my laptop. :grin:
Eh, don't listen to these guys. I bet most of them have never been to China. I on the other hand have and it's great. I don't remember pollution being a problem last time I went (years ago), but it might be bad recently. I never found a roach or bug in my food or drink, can't say the same about that here in Houston. Best thing to do is hook up with someone who knows the area, so they can take you to the good spots in town. It's basically like any other city, you have to know where to go to find good food and good entertainment. I'm itching to go back, but I've been busy with other commitments. Might go next year, but not sure yet since I want to purchase a nice vehicle soon.