Even with China often being in movies, television and the news there is still a lot of this vast country that is mysterious and unknown to many who travel there for the first time. The country is very large and the landscape, culture, language and even the food change dramatically from place to place.
This is the traveller’s dream, to explore somewhere that is very different to what they are used to and possibly find a unique experience to share with the world along the way.
1. Learn the lingo
This is very intimidating for a lot of people as Mandarin can be a very difficult language to pick up. It’s tonal structure and character based alphabet make it a real challenge. This shouldn’t stop you from trying though. After all, you don’t need to master the language to get by for the time that you’re there. A few simple phrases will go a long way to helping you get around. This will also make the experience a lot more fun.
You should also make sure that you pick up a dictionary or a phrasebook that you can use in an emergency should you need to make yourself understood. This can really help you out in a pinch and the local people are generally very kind and will be patient as you try to communicate what you need.
2. Have a clear plan, and stick to it
China is one of the largest countries in the world. You can see mountain ranges, jungles and deserts all within its borders. The size of the country is both a blessing and a curse to the keen traveller that is looking to see it all. If you only have a couple of weeks you will have to pick and choose where you go and what you see.
You should try to get a nice mixture of city time and some rural experiences if you can. Cities like Beijing and Sichuan are a great place to start and to find your feet.
Also, you should make sure that you hit a few of the more notable tourist hotspots. These include the bamboo forest, Tiananmen Square and of course the Great Wall of China. There is certainly a lot to see and do in China. If you want to get to everything on your checklist, you’re going to have to stay on schedule during your China tours.
3. Keep an eye on the weather forecast
As a lot of the major attractions are outdoors, you should make sure that you’re travelling at the right time of year. Ideally, you want to stick to spring or fall to avoid too much heat or cold. It is advised that you have alternative plans and back up days to visit the highlights of your trip so that you don’t miss out. The last thing that you want to do is to travel all that way and not be able to see The Great Wall of China or The Forbidden City due to one day of bad weather.
4. Plan to use public transport
Taxis will be expensive and there is nothing like taking a local bus or train to really get a feel for the country that you’re travelling in. You will have more interaction with the local people and see possibly have a welcome unique experience on the way. This can be something that you can do periodically and only when you have planned your journey out in advance. If you get stuck then there are always a plentiful supply of taxis to help you get to where you need to be.
5. Enjoy the local food
This is a must for any travel experience. In China, you will be able to try many new and interesting foods. Some of them you will fall in love with as the flavours will be unlike anything that you have experienced before. Others you will probably enjoy less, but they will no doubt make for a good story when you get back home.
