5 MOST IMPORTANT TIPS BEFORE YOU GO TO CHINA – China Survival Guide

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1. VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK – VPN

Several sites used in the west are blocked in China, you will need to download a Virtual Private Network BEFORE you arrive in China. If you intend to Access Google and Gmail, or social media sites such as instagram and facebook you will require a VPN.
Generally, paid apps （eg. NORD VPN, express VPN）work better than free apps, though the free apps can still work in times of need （eg. Betternet VPN). Also,  if you are traveling as a group you can share the cost of the VPN as they usually allow upto 4+ devices.

Here\’s a good comparison of available VPNs:  https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403388,00.asp

2. KNOW YOUR DESTINATION

If you dont speak Chinese, always know where you are going. Write down the arrival station and time, Metro interchange, bus number and even take a screen shot of the hotel address in Chinese to show the taxi driver.

Once you arrive at the hotel ask for a business card so you always have their chinese address and phone number handy. 

This number – (010) 6513 0828 is a Beijing City tourist directory which you can call at any time for information, help and even translation services.  In Shanghai you may call – (021) 962288 for similar services. 

3. FOOD ALLERGIES

Be sure to look up, memorise or screenshot translations of anything you might be allergic to. This could save your life because not everyone in China understands allergies. There may be no peanuts in the dish, but likely it\’s cooked in peanut oil.

The word for allergy is Guòmǐn 过敏 – don\’t be afraid to use it liberally and loudly in conjunction with the food in question. 

4. TAKE TOILET PAPER EVERYWHERE

Generally in China, public toilets do not provide toilet paper. You never know where you might be stuck after a night of street food and need a few extra squares.

It is worth knowing you generally cannot flush toilet paper (and other hygiene products) down the toilet, except in 4/5 star hotels. These hotels are also the only places you will definitely find Western seat toilets, with even some of the large malls and almost all public toilets being squat toilets.

5. VACCINATIONS 

While no vaccinations are currently mandatory for travelling to China, it\’s wise to visit your doctor 4- 6 weeks to get any refreshers you might be due. Hepatitis, typhoid, tetnus are often recommended.

Entering China from particular parts of Africa or Central/South America, which are infected with Yellow Fever, you will require the Yellow Fever vaccination but it is likely you will already have this from before you began your trip. 

More information can be found at:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/china

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