advice 4 china?

Sibeal

Im going to china in about a month for 2 weeks; beijing, shanghai, xian, yangtze & wuhan. has anyone been before, got any advice 4 me; what to expect, how to get the best out of it etc
please and thanks

Lenny

Might be worth your time checking out this.. someone had already posted up the same question like you..
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47490&highlight=china

Coyote

I spend 6 weeks backpacking across it last summer (would love to be doing it again this summer) if there is any Q you have that i can help with just ask. there are a number of others who have been as well around on this board.

do i search for China on this board I posted a lot of links that have a lot of info and a site that will book any thing from a hostal to a 5 star hotel if you want it (I never needed it)

Coyote

Hobbes

Just been!

Of the ones you listed I've been to Xian and Beijing (I was also in Chengde).

Beijing - Great Irish bar (well actually only one I could find) = Dirty Nellies. I think it's near or on Chai Chee road (IBM building was near it). If you are going to see any pubs/clubs I recommend you get someone to write the name and address out in chinese for you as otherwise you have great fun with the taxi drivers.

Xian - TerraCotta Army. Also check out city wall, I was impressed even though I had seen the great wall first. If you can get to the city gate as they have a free show there. Don't buy the terracotta soliders from the locals as they make them out of clay/mud and the first time water hits it, it will dissolve.

Everything is cheap except forigen stuff (most cash I spent on food was in the hard rock cafe). Forbidden City+Great wall is must see.

Warning. If you do have to buy something from street hawkers you will flooded by them, also haggle!. Do not establish eye contact with them (or in some cases even look in their general direction, especially at the great wall) and if they just will not leave you alone you can say "Boo Yow!" which is an impolite way of saying "I don't want it, **** off". If you do buy, also make sure you have exact change and don't have the money in the same pocket as the rest of you money.

The people varied on the city I was in.

Beijing - People in general are friendly and used to foriegners, except kids.

Xian - People were overly friendly. I was told because all the locals believe that all Europeans are rich. The hotel people I found rude until they realised I wasn't American (loads of Americans staying there, which TBH I had rude run-ins with them as well) after that they were very friendly. For some reason everyone kept thinking I was a student?

Chengde - I have to say I got the impression the locals saw me as a novelity. I saw very few if any forigen people there. I got on two occasions people coming up to me asking to speak English to me as they were learning and wanted to know how good they were (thought they were going to mug me )

Sibeal

Thanx - thats the kind of thing im looking fer.
there are a couple of things though
1 what's the standard taxi rate (per mile) in Beijing (to avoid getting ripped off) - ive heard the drivers rarely use meters
2 when your haggeling roughly how much should offer (below the asking price)
3 im a photo nerd & will be taking a lot while im there, any no-no's or advice regarding the locals? im well aware ill be attracting a lot of attention to meself in most places but i want to get candid photos of the ppl especially around markets/at work etc
4 any good everday phrases would be great (phonetically please!)

thanks for all the advice - very helpful.
i cant wait to go - got my injections at the weekend (actually hobbes & coyote - dya need malaria tablets? really dont want to take them cos they really made me sick b4) should be fun though

Sibeal

oh - i forgot
theres about 2000 net cafes in beijing xcept most are illegal (gov. red tape) and are all word of mouth - barred windows - locked doors
it was on the news the other night, loads of ppl died in a fire in one of them sat(?) cos they couldnt get out. they lock them up so the dont get discovered, poluting young ppl with all that internet crap. it being degenerative, immoral etc


(personally i couldnt agree more....

davros

Originally posted by Sibeal

2 when your haggeling roughly how much should offer (below the asking price)

Here are a few thoughts on haggling, based on a few years living in China...

- Bargaining is a skill that improves with practice. You know you can improve when the vendor accepts your first offer immediately. Give in with a good grace and do better next time.
- The fundamental trick is to know the value of the item. You can get an idea by looking in department stores where prices are fixed, on display and a little higher than you would pay on the street. Ask different street vendors the prices of similar objects.
- There is no hard-and-fast "percentage rule" for figuring out the real price compared to the asked price. But if you offer too little, the vendor will let you know very plainly.

- An easy way to bargain is to ask the price, look a little disappointed at the reply and start to walk away. Rather than lose a sale, the vendor will start to lower the price.
- Another easy way to get a reduced price is to ask "how much for two?"
- Or you can just ask straight out for a discount. "How much is this shirt?", "150." "Can you give me some discount?" "Absolutely... 140." (And then you offer, say, 120 and agree on 130)

- There is no need to haggle over food. Locals might beat down the price of a dozen apples but the difference is only cents. Remember these vendors work very hard and live in very poor circumstances.
- Smile and be nice. The bargaining system is the normal convention and it applies to locals and foreigners alike. It is not an attempt to fleece foreigners. I say this because I have seen Europeans behaving with shocking rudeness. I felt sorry for the sellers who were just scraping a living.
- Don't bargain until you are ready to buy. This is part of the etiquette of bargaining. You can always ask the price though.
- Don't expect to be cheated. I can only recall one case where I was asked an outrageous price for something (and that was in NW China).
- You get what you pay for. You might buy a nice carved stone for a song on the street but don't be surprised when the colour comes away in your hand later. Paying more can really make a big difference in quality. Remember that when buying paintings, carved stones, snuff bottles or other art objects.

davros

Originally posted by Sibeal
1 what's the standard taxi rate (per mile) in Beijing (to avoid getting ripped off) - ive heard the drivers rarely use meters

I can't remember the rate but the situation should be improving in that regard. The city authorities have been cracking down with an eye on the Olympic Games in 2008. Many of the worst taxis were swept off the streets and destroyed about 3 years ago.

I used to have problems with taxis coming from the airport. Make sure you agree the price in advance.

Avoid the more professional looking taxis that wait outside hotel entrances. They are expensive. Look just outside the gate instead and you'll see smaller, cheaper ones (assuming it all hasn't changed in the last two years).

One other thing to note is that taxi drivers in Beijing often go the "wrong" direction initially in order to get onto one of the ring roads. So don't worry about it.

im a photo nerd & will be taking a lot while im there, any no-no's or advice regarding the locals?

Chinese people love having their picture taken. But they will appreciate you asking first if you want to take someone, say, selling in the market. You can easily ask by pointing at your camera and asking [kuh-yee ma?] which means "May I?"

One last thing on Beijing: there is a department store in the Lufthansa Centre beside the Kempinski Hotel. On the top floor, they sell Chinese arts and crafts. It is top quality stuff and very expensive. I recommend looking here before you go shopping elsewhere just so you know what the genuine article looks like.

Sibeal

cool - thanks a million. cant wait to go (2 1/2 weeks). im trying to get to hong kong too if i can change my dep. flight.

to everone - thanks a million - that stuff isnt in the guide books

apiou

Hi, other than the info that I posted on the other board :

Taxis : it is better to discuss price before you take the taxi no matter whether it is from the airport or not. This is not just a good habit in China but in any foreign country where you may go.

Vacinations : no pblm for China. Just follow doctors orders on that or the Irish foreign ministry advice.

Addresses : take the Irish Embassy address and tel number and a name if possible. It is also a handy thing no matter where you may roam.

Barganing : I agree with Davros, these people are making a living. Respect them. I love barganing with the Chinese (I speak the lingo so that makes it more interesting still) but only start to bargin when you want to buy and do not go overboard.

Photos : be careful, if you can bring your films with you. In some parts of China you do not get what you think that you have bought (12 role of film instead of 24 or 30 as they can cut the film).

Phrases : She She like Tà She in Irish. means thank you. And better still She She Nii (knee) which is more polite.

One thing to know, when Chinese ask a quetion you always have part of the answer, for example: are you well or not well, do you want to eat or not want to eat, you watch or not watch film..... which makes it quite easy to get by - but bring a phrase book - there are some good small airline phrase books that you should be able to get in Ireland before leaving.

Enjoy China, I love it It is a fantastic place.

Sibeal

She She Nii - thanks

Etiki

Spent some time in Beijing earlier this year and had a
fabulous time, would recommend anybody to visit.
So much to see and do. You should have a great time.

When you visit the Great Wall would recommend you
go to he Mutianyu section rather than the Badaling section.
Its a little bit further from Beijing but less crowded and
fewer people trying to sell you souvenirs.

Arriving at Beijing airport found officialdom very polite
and efficient, no delays at immigration or customs.
I tool US dollars but found they also accepted the Euro.
Also my Bank of Ireland Pass card worked there in the
ATM'S! Handy if you are running out of cash.

In Beijing there are two types of taxis, the price depends
on the type. The difference is the size of car, and the
smaller cars have a cheaper rate. Had no problem with them
and they all used meters. If you are staying at one of the
larger hotels in Beijing they will by prior arranagement
provide transfer from airport to hotel, but you have to pay for
this.

Have a great time!

Sibeal

Just back witha couple of days. its a facinating country and i loved it - id really like to go back. the ppl were lovely and really friendly - didnt have one bad experience (xcept getting shouted at in Tianamen sq) would really recomend it to anyone.

thanx for all the advice

oh and does anyone know any places in dublin that do good parttime/evening language courses? either intermediate french or italian, advanced spanish or (now that ive tried it) beginners mandarin??
ta

Lex_Diamonds

Trinity College do a range of evening courses, Mandarin is among them, but dont quote me on that. Further information available at www.tcd.ie

Sibeal

ta - ill check it out

IrishGuykokoJin

Did you try Canton, Harbin and Nanking???

It's a huge and amazing Country
so one may have to fly a little more but taking the train is great.


People told me:


Try not to act like an American as some Chinese are still suspicious of the Bush gov. They don't seem to mind the Aussies or English though.

Countries Size

Biggest One
1 Russia
2nd Canada
3rd China

Taking the Train is great, but tiresome

By the way the foods great and so are local people & women

IrishGuykokoJin

One of my Aussie friends is still living in Canton.

Its a very modern looking city and everyone should visit it.

IrishGuykokoJin

Personally I've tried many language courses before.

I like Lex's idea but it's just not for me.

Language Courses are more geared to business talk and formal speech.


I studied German in School for 5 years and couldn't speak a word until I moved to Germany to Work for a while.


I've had friends and Personal Tutors that have taught me foreign languages.


I now speak, A little German, French ( good ), Japanese & Spanish.

My advice : If you have any friends of Chinese heritage then get them to teach you some of the slang, phrases , pronunciation and Chinese Characters.

Remember Chinese has some 5,000 Alphabetical Charcters, but you don't need to know them all.

I was told that 300 characters was enough to get by in everyday life.

TetsuoHashimoto

Anyone ever work in hong Kong?

Lex_Diamonds

Yes, for ten years.....

BJJ

Hey, Lex What's HongKong like I'm think of going there for the NewYear.
Is it expensive? Is it hard to find work?Do you need to know any Chinese?

BJJ

Work in China for 6500 Euro a month??
http://211.5.219.233/job_view.php?jid=1754&PHPSESSID=1e718812f8a0f059d44d0858ec5da97b

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2233.html
http://www.eslfocus.com/joblistCh.html

http://www.teach-in-china.com/view.php?job_id=27

http://www.chinajob.com/E003/E003_001.htm

http://www.bunac.org/uk/workrussiachina/index.asp