A few things to know before traveling to China. China tips for tourists What should a tourist traveling to China know?

In China, you can feel the scale in everything: the Great Wall of China and the terracotta army with 8,000 warriors, a tea ceremony for half an hour, hundreds of Chinese dishes and four special regions: Hong Kong, Tibet, Macau and Taiwan. All about China: holiday and treatment tours, visa, maps and photos.

• Last minute tours To China
• Tours for the New Year Worldwide

As paradoxical as it may sound, China is a country for “moneybags”. It costs nothing for a tourist with absolutely any level of income to feel like Scrooge McDuck and the Stingy Knight rolled into one here. For example, by first buying a collectible Rolex for 10 bucks and a couple of Levis, but a little more expensive, for 12 dollars, and without any derogatory “made in China” marks. Then, having sufficiently stroked the self-esteem of a wealthy person, take care of yourself at the main health and recreation resort in China - Hainan Island. And make sure that the phrase “you can’t save on your health” was said by a person who has clearly never been there.

In addition, China miraculously combines two completely different architectural styles: huge concrete and glass monsters of skyscrapers, overwhelming in their size, and small houses with sloping roofs, lion figurines and incense. In general, paradoxical Asia in its most obvious manifestation - this is how China appears to inquisitive travelers.

Time difference from Moscow

5 o'clock

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• with Omsk

• with Krasnoyarsk

• with Irkutsk

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• with Vladivostok

• from Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

Climate

The climate in different parts of the country, stretching along three climatic zones, varies greatly: from temperate continental with hot summers and harsh winters in the west and north - to subtropical in the central regions of the country and tropical monsoon on the southern coast and islands. In many central and southern regions, air humidity is very high in summer.

The best time to travel to China is late spring (April and May), as well as autumn from September to October (in the south - from November to December). But you can go to Hainan Island all year round. The average annual air temperature there is +28 °C, sea water - +25.6 °C.

For the current weather forecast in the main cities and resorts of the country, see. Read also detailed information about the weather in China in spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Maps of China

Visa and customs

Citizens of the Russian Federation and the CIS require a visa to visit the country. You do not need a visa to Hong Kong if your stay does not exceed 14 days.

For those traveling through China to a third country, visa-free transits with access to the city are provided for 24, 72 and 144 hours, depending on the airport of arrival. More details on how to use them are described on this page.

The import of national currency is limited to 6,000 CNY. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited. If a tourist has not used up all the local currency during his stay in China, before leaving he can exchange it for the desired foreign currency by presenting a certificate of the original exchange (valid for six months).

Duty-free import of 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars or 500 g of tobacco is allowed; 1.5 liters of alcoholic drinks; household electrical appliances and other household items worth up to CNY 2000. Personal items, cameras, portable tape recorders, portable video cameras and laptops are imported duty-free - one item per tourist, if their value does not exceed CNY 5,000 (items must be presented upon departure). Citizens arriving and departing from Chinese airports must report their valuables and other goods in a special customs declaration. The rules do not apply to children under 16 years of age accompanied by adults and to persons not subject to customs inspection.

The import of weapons, pornography, explosives, drugs and poisons is prohibited. It is prohibited to export historical documents, valuable objects and works of art, as well as paintings and graphics without a store receipt confirming the legality of the purchase, or an export permit from the Chinese Administrative Department for Cultural Property under the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China.

In Macau, the import and export of foreign currency valuables, including casino winnings, antiques, antiques and art, gold and jewelry, and electronics is not limited.

Tax free

China has a tax free system, but using it in practice is not so easy. The refund amount can range from 7 to 20%, the scheme is the same as throughout the world. You need to make a purchase in a store where there is a “Tax Free Shopping” sign at the checkout or at a special counter, issue a special receipt from the seller and receive your money at the return points.

The difficulty is that there are few such stores in China (as a rule, they are located in large shopping complexes), employees often do not speak English and, no matter how strange it may sound, do not know how to issue such checks.

If you do manage to write a check, VAT refund points are located at Beijing Airport, at The Bank of East Asia in Hong Kong, at the Guangdong International Hotel in Guangzhou, and there are also several Refund Points on the streets of Shanghai (open only on weekdays).

• Is it possible to travel around China on your own with a group visa?
• Is a proof of employment required to obtain a visa to China?
• Is it possible to export from China the amount indicated upon entry in the declaration?

How to get to China

You can get to China from Russia by plane, train, bus and ferry.

By plane

Aeroflot operates regular flights from Sheremetyevo: to Beijing (7.5 hours in the air), Shanghai (9 hours) and Hong Kong (10 hours). You can also fly from Sheremetyevo to Beijing on regular China Airlines flights, and to Shanghai on China Eastern flights.

Es Seven offers direct flights to Beijing from Moscow Domodedovo, from Novosibirsk, Irkutsk and Vladivostok, as well as from Siberian cities to Urumqi, Shenyang and Dalian. During the season, charters fly from Moscow to Hainan. Since April 2015, the Russian charter flight program “IFly” started from Moscow Vnukovo to Xi’an, Tianjin and Shenyang three times a week.

There are no direct flights from St. Petersburg to China, but you can fly with one transfer in Moscow or Novosibirsk.

Find detailed information about airports in China on our page.

By train

Every week, two trains depart from the capital's Yaroslavl Station to Beijing - Chinese (via Ulaanbaatar, a transit visa is required) and Russian (via Zabaikalsk and Harbin). The first one runs on Tuesdays, the journey takes about 5 days, tickets cost RUB 38,074 one way. The train departs through Zabaikalsk on Saturdays, the journey takes about 6 days, tickets are 41,899 RUB one way. Prices on the page are as of November 2018.

By bus

Traveling to China by bus from Moscow is a long, expensive and therefore rather pointless task. But from Vladivostok you can: a bus runs daily to the city of Suifenhe, the fare is 900-1400 RUB.

By ferry

You can also get to China by sea. The first option is from Khabarovsk to Fuyuan. Ferries run several times a day, the journey takes about 1.5 hours. However, difficulties await independent travelers: you cannot buy a ferry ticket; they are sold only together with a voucher, which includes a hotel. This two-day tour costs from 4500 RUB.

It is much easier to cross the Chinese border from Blagoveshchensk. Every hour, boats depart from here across the Amur to Haihe. Ticket price is from 1650 RUB one way; when crossing the border, an additional fee of 120 CNY is paid.

Search for flights to China

Transport

Given the size of the country, the most convenient way to travel between distant cities is by plane. The country has 3 national and 4 regional carriers, as well as many Asian low-cost airlines, with ticket prices starting from 15 USD one way. Flight delays and cancellations are common, so it's worth checking the departure status before heading to the airport.

The train is also a convenient way to travel around China; the country has an extensive railway network. Trains - high-speed express trains (350 km/h) and regular electric trains. Accommodation - in a soft or hard compartment, on soft or hard seats or standing. Tickets can be booked 5 days before the travel date and only one way; a return ticket will have to be purchased at the departure station. Hard lying and sitting seats sell out the fastest; a soft coupe costs 2-3 times more than a hard one.

For tall people, traveling around China will cost more. For passengers up to 140 cm tall, there is a 50% discount on trains.

Short people (up to 140 cm) travel for half price, children under 110 cm are free if they do not occupy a separate seat. Service on Chinese trains is spartan, but there are ticket counters for foreigners where you can buy a ticket without queuing (queues in China are usually huge and very slow) with a surcharge for “special service.” For comparison: a train ticket from Shanghai to Beijing will cost from 510 CNY.

There are also intercity buses in China, and they are somewhat cheaper than trains. But the risk of traveling on an old bus without air conditioning in the company of Chinese peasants sitting on each other’s heads is much higher. However, new comfortable buses usually run between major cities.

Public transport in cities

Public transport in cities is overloaded. In Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Tianjin there are subways, buses and trolleybuses (operating from 5:00-5:30 to 22:00-23:00). Tickets for the metro are sold at the ticket office at the entrance, for buses and trolleybuses - from the conductor, and on suburban lines - from the driver. The cost of one trip is from 1 to 3 CNY, payment is often only possible in cash. In large cities there are magnetic cards, for example the Ikatong IC card (IC-card Yikatong). This is an analogue of the Moscow Troika, on which you can travel on buses, metro and trolleybuses. The card gives a significant discount on travel (up to 50%), costs 20 CNY and is sold at ticket kiosks, ticket offices and machines, and is replenished there.

The most convenient way to travel around large cities is the metro, since traffic jams on the streets of China are a common occurrence, and they are quite comparable to those in Moscow. Bus and trolleybus stops have information about routes and schedules, but only in Chinese.

Taxi is the most comfortable option for a foreigner. Each car is equipped with a meter, the cost of the trip starts from 10 CNY for the first 4 km and then 1-2 CNY for each next. The highest rates are for taxis that are “on duty” at hotels; if you go even to the next street, the trip will cost 1.5 times cheaper.

In addition to regular taxis, pedicabs (sanlunches) - tricycles - are popular in China. They are more expensive than cars, but they are colorful and can bypass traffic jams. The price depends not only on the distance, but also on the weight of the passengers. There are no meters in pedicabs; the cost of the trip should be agreed upon before boarding.

Bicycles for rent

Bicycles are a fairly popular form of transport in China. There are rental points at hotels and tourist offices. In rental offices, bikes are rarely new, and sometimes they don’t provide helmets and other protection at all. So be sure to check the technical condition of the bike, at least the brakes. An hour's rent costs approximately 5 CNY, a day - 20-60 CNY. In addition, depending on the model, you will be charged a deposit of 400-500 CNY. Bicycle parking in China is usually paid - 0.5-1 CNY per hour.

If you plan to ride a lot, experienced travelers recommend not renting a bike, but buying a new one. Prices for good mountain models start from 300 CNY. If desired, the bike can be sold at the end of the trip.

Travel to China

Rent a Car

International driver's licenses are not valid in China; only those issued in China are eligible to drive. You can get a temporary Chinese license valid for 3 months. As a rule, this service is provided by large rental companies, in particular Hertz. The whole process takes about a week and includes paperwork, a medical examination and theoretical training. The latter cannot be ignored, since the Chinese are not the most careful drivers, and you need to know what to be prepared for on the roads (exceeding speed, improper parking, etc.). The only documents you will need are a passport and a valid driver's license. Renting a car in such situations will cost from 300 CNY per day (or from 65 CNY per hour), you will additionally need to pay for insurance and a deposit.

In China you can also rent a car with a driver. Small local companies are cheaper (from 500 CNY per day). Large international rental companies offer cars at prices starting from 800 CNY per day, but almost all drivers speak English, and some speak Russian.

• Is a Russian driver's license valid in China?

Communication and Wi-Fi

Mobile communications in China are inexpensive and high quality. To save money, it makes sense to buy a SIM card from one of the local operators: China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom. All tariff plans are approximately the same, but many tourists note that outside of large cities, China Mobile has the best reception.

SIM cards are sold in communication shops and newsstands, they cost 30-50 CNY, the account will contain 10 CNY, in most retail outlets a passport is required for purchase. Cards for replenishing your account are sold there, in addition, you can top up your account with cash through special terminals, but without knowing Chinese, it is almost impossible to do this. Some SIM cards are equipped with instructions in English; when purchasing, you need to warn the seller that this is exactly what you need. It is also worth checking in advance whether the selected tariff plan supports mobile Internet (3G) - in China this is not provided by default. A minute of conversation with Russia will cost an average of 5 CNY; local calls, of course, are cheaper. Sometimes international communication needs to be connected additionally.

Prices for SIM cards depend not only on the tariff, but also on the number. The Chinese believe in numerology and are willing to overpay for “lucky numbers.” So if you are not superstitious, feel free to choose the cheapest card.

In China, telephone booths and telephone booths in post offices are still in use. You can pay for the call with a special magnetic card, which is sold at newsstands or at the post office.

There are no problems with Wi-Fi in large cities. There are many free points, the connection is quite fast. True, almost everywhere to connect you will need to register with a local phone number. Keep in mind that Facebook, Youtube and some other sites are blocked in China. Free access to them is only available in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

China Hotels

Consulate General in Shanghai: Huangpu Road, 20; tel.: 632-483-83, 632-426-82; Web site .

Consulate General in Hong Kong: 2106, 21/Fl., Sun Hung Kai Centre, 30 Harbor Road, Wanchai; tel.: 287-771-88, 287-750-24, 284-554-44; Web site .

Consulate General in Guangzhou: No.3 Linjiang Dadao, Zhujiang Xincheng, 26A, Development Center; tel.: 851-850-01, 851-850-02, 851-850-03; Web site .

Consulate General in Shenyang: Nan 13 Wei Road, 31; tel.: 232-239-27, 232-243-27, 232-244-08; Web site .

International information service (in English): 115, police and rescue: 110, fire service: 119, ambulance: 120, traffic police: 122, information: 114.

Foreigners Emergency Information Service: Shanghai 6-439-0630, Guangzhou 8-667-7422.

The telephone code for Beijing is 10, Shanghai - 21, Guangzhou - 20.

Beaches of China

All Chinese beaches are municipal and free, but hotels on the coast reserve the right to provide their own paid sunbeds and umbrellas (about 50 CNY per day). There are beaches with paid entrance; they are cleaner, better equipped and, as a rule, guarded. Entrance costs from 5 to 25 CNY.

Beach resorts in China are not considered the most popular in the world, so they are relatively uncrowded. The most famous of them is Hainan Island. There is clean air, sandy beaches and warm sea almost all year round. On the shore there is all the infrastructure for both adults and children, and under the water there are caves, grottoes and beautiful inhabitants, so Hainan also attracts divers.

Treatment in China

Chinese medicine is becoming increasingly popular, and the number of patients from abroad is increasing every year. The concept of Chinese medicine is a combination of medical teachings and the Chinese worldview. Man is the universe, any disease is a signal of imbalance, and it cannot be cured separately from the rest of the body. This teaching is based on the harmony of the feminine and masculine principles, as well as the 5 elements and the direct dependence of health on a person’s thoughts and emotions.

Acupuncture, massage, special diet, gymnastics and meditation are used for treatment. The largest and most popular sanatoriums and medical centers are located in Beijing, Dalian, Urumqi and on Hainan Island. Many of them have Russian-speaking translators.

More information about Chinese medicine can be found on the Treatment in China page.

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Shopping

The choice of souvenirs in the country is huge, but many are of low quality. Chopsticks, porcelain, cups, lacquer boxes, seals and scroll cases are sold at every turn. White and blue porcelain of the Ming Dynasty can be bought in specialized stores, art and antique salons, where it is also worth looking for classical Chinese paintings - originals and reproductions, as well as copies of world-famous paintings at a reasonable price.

Hangzhou and Suzhou are famous for their excellent tea and silk. It is also worth checking out jade items (from rings to sculptures), carpets, silk fabrics, jewelry with pearls and silver coins. Well, the fair sex is guaranteed to be interested in natural cosmetics and products with pearl extract. Siberians prefer to go shopping in nearby Manchuria.

In large state stores and grocery stores, prices are fixed. You should bargain skillfully in the markets. State stores are open seven days a week from 9:30 to 20:30, private stores from 9:00 to 21:00, and often longer. Markets usually open at 7:00 (some even at 4:00) and are open until 10:00-12:00.

When purchasing tea and bulk products, you need to keep in mind that the measure of weight in China is “jin”, equal to approximately 500 g, and the indicated price corresponds exactly to it.

Counterfeits are everywhere here. A university graduate student, a specialist in Chinese history, tried to pass off a Buddhist temple as a Taoist one - to a tourist, they say, who cares? I found this advanced compatriot via the Internet when, before my trip, I was hanging out on the forums of Russian Beijingers. From there a certain Tolya also appeared, who amused my friends with boring emails about the high cost of gasoline and a comical distortion of our sayings...

Chinese cuisine and restaurants

Chinese cuisine is a very vague concept. By and large, this is a set of dishes that are dissimilar to each other, differing markedly from region to region. The country has 4 main “gastronomic regions”: Shandong, Sichuan, Canton (Guangdong) and Fujian - however, the boundaries between them are very arbitrary and are constantly being violated. For example, the cuisine of Beijing, although it belongs to Shandong, also has a number of typically Sichuan dishes. However, there are certain differences: Shandong cuisine is characterized by saltier dishes and an abundance of light sauces. Szechuan - a lot of strong seasonings, spicy and fiery. Canton is distinguished by its light preparation of dishes and the variety of ingredients. More details on the page “Chinese Cuisine”.

China is the birthplace of ice cream. The recipe for this beloved dessert came to Europe along with the noodle recipe thanks to Marco Polo.

Rice, soy and vegetables are commonly used in Chinese cuisine. You should definitely try the original Chinese noodles: the rubber spirochetes from the “instant” packets cannot be compared with it. Numerous types of dumplings are also popular in China. More exotic dishes: swallow's nest soup, fried bear palms and "longhudou" ("dragon-tiger fight") - a dish made from wild leopard cat and snake. Light and strong rice beer is widespread in the country - cheap and of high quality. The best varieties are considered “Qingdao” and “Wu-hsing”.

In China, it is not so much tea drinking that is important, but an ancient ritual - the tea ceremony.

“Buddha jumps over the wall” is not a koan, but the name of a popular Fujianese dish. According to legend, Buddha was so seduced by its aroma that in one leap he jumped over the fence that separated him from the plate - while forgetting about the principles of vegetarianism.

Due to unusual food, tourists sometimes experience stomach upsets, so it is recommended to always have medications with you. This risk is not related to the quality of cooking - it's all about the unusual cuisine.

The main test that awaits a foreigner in a Chinese restaurant is “stick” etiquette. The code of traditional food consumption “in China style” is very extensive and detailed, but, unfortunately, not written. Firstly, you should take food silently: banging chopsticks on a plate is the lot of begging people (but the actual process of eating food, especially noodles, does not have to be quiet at all, on the contrary: anyone who has ever been in an authentic Chinese restaurant with aborigines , will understand what we are talking about). Secondly, sticking utensils into cups of rice is strictly prohibited, as this is reminiscent of incense being smoked in a temple, and therefore evokes thoughts of moving to another world. Thirdly, stringing escaping pieces of food onto sticks is a terrible bad manners: it means that you have never learned how to handle them. However, for welcome guests (which are all tourists in the Middle Kingdom) there are also pleasant bonuses. For example, in a fish dish you will certainly be offered the head - this is the most delicious part!

The best photos of China

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was built to protect the country from Mongol raids. But there are also structures for which there was no practical need, for example, the Terracotta Army. It was sculpted in order to honorably see off one good man into the next world - the first emperor of the Qin dynasty, who managed to accomplish two grandiose things at once: to unite China and connect all the links of the above-mentioned wall. Appreciate the scale and attention to detail: to date, 8,099 full-size statues of warriors, horses, officers, musicians, acrobats and even officials have been excavated, and no two of them are alike! Presumably, Qin Shi Huang was pleased.

Active holidays in China

Fans of extreme tourism will also have something to have fun in China. There are excellent mountaineering bases on the eastern slopes of the Himalayas and Karakoram. Fujian, Xiaman coast (also in the east) is a great place for kiteboarding. Tibet is perfect for mountain hiking; there you can meet the Himalayan bear, wild yaks and other animals. You should only go there as part of an organized group. Firstly, otherwise they won’t let you through, and secondly, it’s unsafe. It is better to ride mountain bikes in Yunnan: there are mountain trails specially adapted for such trips and many local beauties: river canyons and an icy jade mountain.

• Which sections of the Great Wall of China have the least number of tourists?

  The first day of the year according to the lunar calendar falls from January 21 to February 21. Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is celebrated very colorfully and on a grand scale. The entire population of the country goes on a week-long vacation and celebrates the rebirth of life after winter. The housewife always serves “jiaozi” (Chinese dumplings) on the table, and the next day - noodles, which symbolizes a long and “smooth” life in the new year. As night approaches, everyone goes out into the streets with firecrackers and fireworks and walks until dawn.

  In about two weeks, the Lantern Festival arrives, marking the end of the New Year's celebrations. The streets are decorated with colorful lanterns, entertainment events with songs and dances take place, and guests are usually treated to “yuan sao” cakes made from rice flour.

  Another important national holiday is the Dragon Festival, which occurs about a month after the New Year (2nd day of the 2nd month of the lunar cycle). The Chinese believe that they owe everything they have to a dragon who lives imprisoned under a mountain. Once a year he raises his head to look at the world.

  It is considered good luck not to cut your hair from the beginning of the year until the Dragon Festival - he will like it and will certainly send good luck for the whole year. That's why hairdressing salons are empty for two whole months.

  May Day is a borrowed holiday, but very respected by the Chinese. As in Russia, on the May holidays they rest here for 3 days, sometimes working days are postponed to weekends to get a full-fledged “extra” vacation. Also on this day, the best workers are awarded with certificates and prizes, and demonstrations and entertainment events are held in cities.

  Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in China on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and usually falls between mid-September and mid-October. It also has a second extremely romantic name - Evening of admiring the full moon. On this day, or rather the evening, it is customary to look at the full moon and dine on “moon cakes” with a sweet filling - “yue bing”.

  One of the most important national holidays in China is not tied to the lunar calendar, but to a specific date - the Founding Day of the People's Republic of China is celebrated every year on October 1. In 1947, on this day, the Communist Party led by Mao Zedong won the final political victory, and a completely new milestone in Chinese history began. In terms of significance for the Chinese people, this holiday is comparable to the New Year, so it is also accompanied by a week off. City streets are decorated with compositions of fresh flowers; dragons, elephants, peacocks and much more are made from plants. Concerts and other entertainment events are held everywhere in the squares, and very spectacular military parades are held on regular dates.

  A relatively young and funny holiday is celebrated on November 11 in China by all unmarried people - Singles' Day. This particular figure was chosen, since two units in a row (11th day of the 11th month) symbolize two singles. Traditionally, on this evening, Chinese youth go to discos, treat themselves to brushwood (because it is made of stripes and also looks like units), and at exactly 11 o’clock in the evening and 11 minutes all the loners need to howl like a wolf together so that those around them notice who is in the group definitely free.

  On Singles' Day in China, it is customary to go on blind dates. Many people even go on several of these dates.

  • Is it worth going on vacation and shopping to Beijing during Chinese New Year?
  

If you dream of going on a trip to China, then it is worth knowing some of the features of staying there. For us, China is associated with the disciples of Shaolin, Tibet, cheap goods and a population of one billion. Remember that China is a special country with its own subtleties and laws. And if you decide to discover China, then you need to know a few things so that your trip goes without problems and failures. In this note I will share my observations about the characteristics of China and its inhabitants.

Chinese

The Chinese language is a collection of many dialects. In total, there are about 10 dialect groups. Most of the population speaks a dialect of the northern supergroup. The literary language is based on northern dialects. But of course, common colloquial phrases are similar across all dialect groups. In Chinese writing, each character represents a separate syllable and a separate morpheme. The total number of hieroglyphs exceeds 80 thousand. But you don’t need to know all 80 thousand hieroglyphs! Knowing the 500 most common characters is enough to understand 80% of ordinary modern Chinese text.

If you decide to travel around China on your own, then you need to learn the basics of the Chinese language. To learn Chinese, we recommend the video course “Chinese Language Course for Travelers.”

The fact is that only in Beijing various signs at airports, train stations and on the streets are translated into English. In the province, as a rule, all names are only in Chinese. In addition, employees in the service and trade sectors can speak English, mainly only in Beijing, and even then in establishments aimed at Europeans. In the provinces, it will be difficult for you to find a person who will understand English. On domestic airlines in China, aircraft crew members will communicate with you in English. I would like to note that on all central highways in China, names are dubbed into English. In cities bordering Russia you will also find duplication of names in Russian.

But still, in most of China, without knowing the basics of the language, you will not be able to communicate and navigate the area. If you do not know Chinese, it will be better if a professional translator or guide who understands Russian travels with you.

Chinese cuisine and catering

I’ll say right away that Chinese cuisine is very specific. If you have problems with digestion, then take your medications with you and do not get carried away by excessively eating delicacies.

Chinese cuisine is as diverse as its language. For example, in the south of China they prefer spicy food, in the coastal regions they like to cook seafood, and in the northern regions they eat more Mongolian dishes. Common to all regions of China are sauces (sour, sweet, hot, salty, bland, etc.), rice, noodles and tea. As you already understood, the methods and recipes for their preparation depend on the region.
It should be noted that the Chinese love to eat freshly prepared seafood. For example, in restaurants and cafes they place a small stove on the table, on which live crabs, shrimp and other sea life are boiled in a saucepan.

The food consists of small pieces to make it easier to pick up with chopsticks. Please note that not all restaurants and cafes have spoons, forks and knives!
Each region of China has its own signature dish, which they are very proud of and invite guests to try.

In large hotels, as a rule, you can eat dishes of both Chinese and European cuisine. And when choosing a hotel, be sure to pay attention to whether there is European cuisine there.

In Beijing, catering is represented by both the world-famous chains McDonald's, KFC, Starbucks, restaurants serving European cuisine, and Chinese food establishments of various levels. In Chinese restaurants the level of service is much lower than in European ones. The dishes will be brought to you quickly, everything will be tasty, but the waiters will be a little sloppy and unceremonious. Tea from the kettle may be spilled near you, or food scraps may be dropped near your plate. This is all in order.

In business life, the ceremony of sharing food plays a very important role. At the first meeting, a Chinese entrepreneur will definitely invite you to a restaurant and feed you and give you plenty to drink. This is an “iron” rule of Chinese business. In this case, you cannot refuse, otherwise your new business partner may be very offended. Of course, you don’t have to get extremely drunk and eat your fill; you need to praise your Chinese friend for a delicious lunch and try all the dishes he ordered.

If you dream of tasting real Chinese cuisine, then take a Chinese guide with you, who will be happy to introduce you to the dishes!

Communication, morals and customs

Know that there is a huge stratification of society in China. This concerns not only the difference in income between the poor and the rich, but also the cultural stratification between residents of provincial villages and large cities. This is worth considering when communicating with residents of China.

The Chinese also idolize money and worship people who have a higher status than them. If you introduce yourself as a businessman or a rich person, then the attitude towards you will be different than if you identify yourself as an ordinary clerk.
When you serve something to a Chinese, do it with both hands! Don’t trust the Chinese with all your secrets at once, first find out what kind of person he is, talk to him for several years.

Trade

If a Chinese sees that there is a foreigner in front of him, then he can easily “rip” more money from him than the product is actually worth. Remember this. When making payments, count your money carefully! It is customary to bargain in markets in China. The seller may initially set a price 10-50 times higher than it is. Bargain to your heart's content, don't be fooled! If the Chinese seller does not reduce the price, then just leave. Believe me, you will find another seller who will give you a discount on the same product.

As a rule, this is not accepted in stores of global brands. For each product there is a price tag with a price. In addition, tea sellers also, as a rule, immediately tell you the real price of their goods. Remember the exchange rate clearly, and convert all prices from yuan to rubles. This way you will have a better understanding of prices. The price level for 90% of goods in Russia and China is the same!!!

Chinese hotels, transport, communications

In China, all hotels can be divided into those that are aimed at the Chinese and residents of other Asian countries, and those that are built for Europeans. In “European” hotels, the staff speaks English, they offer European cuisine and the level of service is a couple of points higher. Stay only in these hotels!

It is better to travel around China by plane or high-speed trains. Traffic jams on highways are very common in China. Inside cities, take a taxi, having previously agreed on the price with the driver.

Keep in mind that Chinese airports have very strict screening of people and luggage. They may check not only your suitcase, but also pat down your clothes and force you to take off your shoes.

When arriving in China, buy a local SIM card, so it will be cheaper for you to make calls and have access to the Internet. By the way, the Chinese are simply obsessed with mobile devices and gadgets. In transport, 50% of people are on their mobile phones. And every Chinese has a “cool mobile phone”!

What can you see in China?

China is a country with a rich history. Of course, the most famous symbol of China is the Great Wall of China. The Forbidden City (or Imperial Palace) in the center of Beijing, the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the “terracotta army”, Kung Fu monasteries, Tibet, numerous Sacred Mountains of China, fortresses, palaces and mausoleums will also be very interesting.

I hope that my short story helped you get some ideas about the country where you dream of traveling.

China is not just a country, it is a completely different world, a world with its own incomprehensible laws, huge anthill cities, flooded meadows, endless deserts, mysterious caves in the mountains, the ruins of once existing civilizations.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

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Prices for holidays in Dalian. June 2019.

tour cost

At the beginning of summer, we decided to diversify our daily routine and go on vacation for a couple of days, but not far away. The choice fell on Dalian. We live in Harbin, China, so for two people this was a very cheap option. We decided to go by train. There are 3 train options from Harbin to Dalian. Express = 403 yuan (about 3-4 hours on the road), Regular (9-12 hours on the road): from 120 to 350 yuan. The cheapest tickets are a 12-hour seated ride on a regular train for 120 yuan. We chose a reserved seat for 230 yuan, the ride lying down took 9 hours. Since this train was at night, it was just right. The hotel was booked through booking.com. We came across a discounted option for 500 yuan for 5 nights, so we took it. The room wasn't very good, but we only came there to sleep, so it didn't matter.

Zoo = 120 yuan per person. Tickets were purchased at the box office at the entrance.

Shell Museum = 50 yuan per person.

Wedding theme park = 15 yuan per person entry = 20 yuan photo in traditional clothes.

Chinese Venice = free entry and boat ride = 25 RMB (price may vary depending on the season and number of tourists nearby)

Modern museum = free, you just need to have your passport with you.

Labor Square, Friendship Square and others - free.

Food and products

Bottle of water 0.5 in a supermarket = 1.5 yuan

Cola 0.5 in the supermarket = 3.5 yuan

In the cafe, on average, we spent 40-70 yuan for dinner for two (Chinese cuisine). McDonald's for two = 70-80 yuan (two sets). Pizza Hut from 120 yuan for two (1 medium pizza, but in fact it is big and enough to fill you up + two soft drinks).

Souvenirs and other goods

Gone are the days when everything in China was incredibly cheap. Good quality clothing does not cost much less, and sometimes even more. If you buy at the market (the quality leaves much to be desired), you can buy a bag for 30-40 yuan, and if you buy it in a store, then from 100 yuan.

We can talk a lot about China for a long time. He is different. And he is also different. We will tell you in this article what to be prepared for and what to consider when planning your first trip to this country.

Internet

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The Internet in China is a challenge. Firstly, the internet connection speed is very slow. Secondly, Google services are not available in most of China, including Gmail, Maps, Photos, Drive, Play, etc.; YouTube is blocked accordingly. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are also banned. No access to Dropbox or Flickr. You cannot access many Western news resources, such as Reuters, Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. The saving grace is that Yandex, VKontakte and Skype still work.

The problem is partially solved by using VPN services. You can bypass the Great Firewall of China by installing one of the following programs on your phone or laptop:

• Astrill VPN - the service can be used for free for a week;
• ExpressVPN is the simplest (the interface consists of a single button!);
• TunnelBear - stable, efficient, unpretentious;
• HideMyAss - the logo depicts a detective donkey, that says it all (the developers have an excellent sense of humor);
• VyprVPN - the creators claim that this is the fastest VPN.

The Great Firewall of China or the Golden Shield does not cover , and .

cellular

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Be prepared for the fact that without a Chinese SIM card it will be difficult. For example, many free Wi-Fi hotspots may require verification via SMS. However, SMS to numbers belonging to operators in other countries are not accepted.

There are only three mobile operators in China: China Telecom, China Unicom and China Mobile. Their branded branches, where SIM cards are sold, can be found in any city or province in China. The cost of a SIM card depends on the set of services provided in the kit, as well as on the digits of the number. The numbers 7 and 8 are considered lucky in China, as they are consonant with the words “happiness” and “wealth.” Therefore, rooms with them are more expensive than others. Numbers with numbers 4 or 14 will cost less than others, since these numbers are considered unlucky due to their consonance with the word “death.”

If you need to call another country, you should add two zeros before the phone number. It is better to check the availability of roaming when purchasing a SIM card. If this option is not enabled initially, then it can only be activated through the support service, which is quite problematic if you do not speak Chinese.

Read about how to save significantly on international negotiations.

Public transport

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In all major cities of China there is a single card for travel on public transport (metro, buses, trams, ferries). The difference from our “Troika” is that it can be used to pay at 7-Eleven and Family Mart stores, as well as at McDonalds, Starbucks, etc. It is very comfortable. Traveling with such a card is much cheaper than using one-time tickets. Before departure, you can return the card and the remaining money in your account will be returned to you.

Road traffic

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Be careful when crossing roads. China has a peculiar driving culture that can be described as complete chaos. And even the zebra crossing does not guarantee you complete safety. In addition, in China, cars are allowed to turn right at red traffic lights. Pay attention to how the locals behave, and remember that it is better to cross the road in a crowd of people.

Smoking

Photo: Vadim Petrakov / Shutterstock.com

Be mentally prepared for the fact that smoking is everywhere in China. In restaurants and bars, in nail salons, in hairdressers. Even in elevators.

Buying groceries

Photo: vichie81 / Shutterstock.com

Buying gifts

Photo: Marisa Estivill / Shutterstock.com

Bargaining in China is possible and necessary. This way you can buy the item you like for 40-50% cheaper. This is especially true for street vendors. In general, do not buy souvenirs in China at markets or shops. Prices in such places are usually outrageously inflated. Especially for tea. If you are not ready to waste time and bargain until you are hoarse, visit chain supermarkets, where all prices are fixed and no one will deceive you.

The unit of weight in China is jin. 1 jin = 0.5 kg. The price of products (vegetables, fruits, etc.) in stores and markets is indicated exactly for 1 jin.

Student discounts

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When purchasing museum admission tickets, always present your student ID to receive a discount. A little trick: if you have not been a student for a long time, try presenting any other document under the guise of a student document that contains your photograph - a license, a work pass or a library card. Since the level of proficiency in Russian (as well as any other foreign language) in China is low, there is a chance to get a ticket at a discount.

The Chinese mentality is very different from what we are used to. Of course, the Chinese are ready to turn a blind eye to many of the peculiarities of the guests, but the guests, for their part, must take into account the logic of a foreign country. So we have put together 10 tips for you, following which you can spend your time in China comfortably and not get into trouble:

1.Traditions of eating in China are centuries old. Popular all over the world, rice sticks are a real art, behind which there are many features. Moreover, with the help of all kinds of rituals associated with eating, respect for each other is conveyed. For example, you cannot pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks. You cannot stick chopsticks into rice; the Chinese associate this with sudden death. Why is that? But because it resembles smoking sticks in temples, which are precisely associated with all sorts of funeral rituals. A large piece of food must be held with chopsticks and bitten off. You also cannot point at something with chopsticks or move plates with them. After eating, they should be placed on the edge of the plate or on coasters, but not just on the table. And even without chopsticks, there are many peculiarities of food culture. For example, if someone hands you something, including a plate or cup, take it with both hands. Keep in mind that the dishes here are large and not designed for one person. However, they can cost very little, and it will be a shame to leave two-thirds of a huge portion of food on the plate.

2.Photo and video shooting in churches and museums is prohibited. In some places, filming is only permitted for an additional fee. It is not recommended to photograph government institutions and strategic objects (even bridges and dams). Follow the icons; most often there will be a symbol of a crossed out camera, but even without it you should be careful.

3. There are no firm rules for vaccination before traveling to China. But we recommend prior vaccination against cholera, Japanese encephalitis, polio, typhoid fever and hepatitis A and B. There is a risk of contracting rabies, tuberculosis, diphtheria and bilharzia (blood schistosis). And if you decide to visit the southwestern regions and Hainan Island, you should get vaccinated against malaria.

4.Drinking water from the tap and, especially, from sources and reservoirs is highly not recommended. In any hotel, your room will have either a thermos with boiling water or an electric kettle. For drinking, use mineral water from plastic bottles. When ordering chilled drinks, avoid ice. There is a risk that water for ice will be taken from the nearest river, and no one will boil it.

5. Most regions of Tibet are closed to tourists. And not only because there are nature reserves here. The main reason for this is religious issues. To travel to Tibet, a special additional permit is required, which is issued by the receiving party in advance. It is possible to visit Tibet with a group along a pre-agreed and agreed route; for this purpose, separate tours are created.

6. A foreigner in China should always carry with him a hotel business card with an inscription in Chinese or a card with his data filled out by any Chinese translator. The more such guidelines you have with you, the easier it will be for you in any situation, and the faster they will help you.

7.CNY, or yuan, is the only official means of payment in China. In general, some stores may also accept USD, but it will be more profitable for you to exchange currency. This can be done at the main branches of the Bank of China, hotels, international airports, railway stations, and large shopping centers. You should keep the receipts received during the exchange; the return exchange of the remaining yuan at the end of the trip can only be done upon presentation. American Express, JCB, Visa, Master Card and Diners Club credit cards are accepted in international hotels and restaurants, and large state department stores. You can withdraw cash from them only at Bank of China branches (commission is about 4%). Credit card purchases are subject to a fee of 1-2% of the purchase price and are not eligible for discounts.

8. Take with you what you will need on your trip. This is especially important for the prevention and treatment of diseases. If you use any injections, take syringes with you; if you need antipyretics, stock up on all these medications in advance. It’s better to plan for everything, including a possible upset stomach and a cold, than to then try to explain to local pharmacies what you need. This also applies to other items related to hygiene, nutrition, and travel comfort. Think through everything as much as possible so as not to look for goods in huge supermarkets with Chinese signs. It’s not a fact that they will be dubbed in English even where there are a lot of tourists.

9. It is not customary to tip everywhere in China, but a maid or porter at a hotel will not refuse 1-2 CNY. By the way, in restaurants there are two menus, one for the Chinese, the other for you, and prices here will be 2-3 times higher. It's hard to do anything about this if you don't look Chinese, but you can try to ensure that they bring you the Chinese version of the menu.

10.China, as a more than densely populated country, can hardly be called safe for tourists. And this is especially true for megacities, of which there are a great many. Try to provide yourself with all hotel contacts, transport lists, maps and atlases of the city, contact numbers of translators and guides. Take care of your belongings and try not to walk alone, especially in unfamiliar areas and away from the hotel. Focus on your tourist group, and do not move too far away from it. Of course, nothing particularly terrible will most likely happen. China is quite civilized, and they will help you if you contact the police or just passers-by, in most cases. And, perhaps, even with joy and interest, the Chinese are responsive and curious. However, it is better to be on the safe side here.