4 Top Tips For Surviving China As A Backpacker
China is a wonderful destination for backpackers. There are plenty of cheap hostels, delicious street food, and an exceptional train network that makes getting around the country incredibly easy.
Exploring China is easy to do on a budget, too. Here are a couple of tips for travelling around the country.
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There Are Language Barriers – Be Prepared
One of the things that can make your travels around China difficult is the language barrier. People who work in the tourism and travel sector don’t necessarily speak English, but you may have an easier time in areas like Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai. It’s a good idea to download an app or even buy a phrasebook depending on where you are travelling to. You are going to depend on it!
Make Sure You Write Down Addresses
Always remember to write down your hotel or hostel’s address in Chinese characters. Most places will have little business cards with their addresses on them in both Chinese and English, and some even provide a map on the back of the card, so be sure to get one. These tend to come in handy if you have to take a taxi back to your accommodation or even if you get completely lost and have to ask someone for directions to get back.
Go to TheChinaTravelCompany.co.uk to check their itineraries. Their experts can even suggest fantastic hostels to you.
Avoid Those Common Scams
Unfortunately, there are some scam artists around the country. Taxi scams alone could see you spending over 100x the price of a bus ride, and that’s just one of the common scams. The tea ceremony scam is another renowned set up where two seemly innocent people will approach you to practice their English and then invite you to a local ceremony. Usually, they leave tourists stranded with a bill for several hundreds of dollars.
There is also the art school scam where young students invite tourists to an art gallery to check out their work and then pile on the pressure to buy a piece for an exorbitant amount.
These are just three of the common scams you may hear about. Just be alert and if something feels strange, or too good to be true, then get away. But, don’t let these stories put you off.
Keep Your Focus on One Region
Did you know that China is the second-largest country in Asia? It is humongous and it’s really hard to tackle it all in one backpacking trip. The best idea is to concentrate on one region and then try to explore that region as thoroughly as possible. Try to consider the distance from one city to another and then consider how much time you really want to spend getting there. If you prefer a more organized trip, you can discuss your travel plans with a travel and tour specialist which offers itineraries for independent tours.
China is a sensational country to explore as a backpacker. Use these survival tips for your travels and there is no doubt you will have the most memorable experience of your lifetime.
