China Travel Forum

[mical]

Heading to China in late August. The usual tour/tourist route Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin. Have a few questions. How are the mosquitos? Is this a big problem? Do I need 100% DEET or will t he regular family version of Off with 6% DEET suffice? ATMs and travelers checks sound like the way to go from reading others messages. Any concerns about pickpockets, purse snatchers? Good walking shoes have been mentioned. My Easyspirit sneakers are quite comfortable?does this sound doable, New Balance sneakers better? Hiking boots seem too hot and too heavy. Will I need jacket for the evening? Are the hotel pools safe generally? And massages?do you usually arrange through the hotel for this? Any other tips for a first timer to China in the summer.

[ILHAM]

How are the mosquitos? Is this a big problem? Do I need 100% DEET or will t he regular family version of Off with 6% DEET suffice?
Mosquitos are not big problem unless you are visiting countrysides.

Any concerns about pickpockets, purse snatchers?
Yes,you have to careful, but it is not very serious.

Will I need jacket for the evening?
No,

Are the hotel pools safe generally?
yes,

And massages?do you usually arrange through the hotel for this?
It is safer but not cheaper to arrange massages through the hotel.

[Aynur]

Mosquitos are not a big problem. No need to worry too much. ATMs are everywhere, better than travelers checks. If you go with a group, it's pretty safe. Purse snatchers do exist, but it's no worse than any other places. It's hot in summer everywhere in China. You don't need a jacket for the evenings normally. Hotel pools are generally safe if you stay at 4 or 5 star hotels. Massages are safe too, especially those within the hotels. They are generally more expensive than massage parlors on the street, but safer. Advice to first time visitors to China in the summer: be prepared for the heat. And don't trust strangers.

[Guest]

Hi there,

Yes, there are great concerns with pickpockets/purse snatchers as we were just in Beijing this past November and while shopping in the back streets near Tiananmen Square, and few young boys were scoping me out and I felt very uneasy and watched them as much as they watched me and somehow they ended up behind me while I was looking at hats and gloves (b/c I was so cold) and they were trying to open the front pocket on my backpack to which I whipped around and started yelling at them and they ran.

Of course, that pocket was empty b/c I know better but that's the first time, in nearly a decade of travel, that someone tried to take something off my person. It was eye-opening.

Keep anything and everyhing in your front pants pockets or in a money-belt. Tourists are very much targeted in the heavy traffic areas where it's easy to snatch and run.

I highly recommend the massages, at least at the Best Western Beijing (see my hotel tip). I'm sure arranging through your hotel would be an easy option, if your hotel doesn't offer the service.

We did not travel with travellers checks, actually, never have. The US dollar was widely accepted by vendors but it was easy to change that money into yuan at the hotel for a reasonable rate as well and ATMs weren't an issue b/c they're in all the major hotels.

My New Balance shoes were just fine for climbing the wall at Mutianyu and walking, what seemed like 100 miles, around the city. ;P

Not sure about the mosquitos as we were there in November which got extremely cold at night, brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

No matter what you've read...the spitting is still very prevalent and be aware that you too may start doing it!

Happy travels,
Dawn

[green]

One more thing...if your aren't fluent in Chinese or travelling with those who are, make sure you have your destinations written in English-for yourself, and in Chinese by the hotel staff for your taxi drivers to read. That way you know you both are on the same page about the destination. MOST of the taxi drivers do not speak any English and will smile and nod like they do but they do NOT. I highly recommend: Hiking the Great Wall at Mutianyu Shopping in the back alleys, now that the Silk Market is gone Touring the Lama Temple and surrounding hutong area by foot Strolling through the Forbidden City and lastly Jingshan Park, climb up to the pagoda for a surprise budha and incredible view of Beijing and the Forbidden City. We picked up a few fake Rolex watches that are still working...can't be beat when they're only $3-12usd. Happy travels, Dawn

[lorra]

HI! You are welcome to take a look at my muztagh Shanghai page. Do watch out for pickpockets especially around the busy areas in the big cities such as Beijing & Shanghai. If you stay at a good hotel, the pools are usually fine. No worries. Never really encounter mosquitoes in China before so no advice. Massages are cheap & good generally in China but there are plenty of sleazy ones (of various kinds) so do use your judgement. Brace yourself for culture shock and the hordes of people you will encounter - this is China - land of a billion people and some of the quirky habits! Have fun in China though and yes, bring along a pair of good & comfortable walking shoes.

[albert]

I agree with what others have said above, but don't agree on the don't trust strangers' part. Poeple in Beijing are extremely friendly when you're lost and asking for directions. Especially if you're a foreigner..not so much so to their own people!!! Around Qianmen area which is at the back of Tiananmen Square where there is a wonderful outside market yes, the people there are very dodgy! You must be very WARY of people around there, nearly every time I go there, there are suspicious looking people hanging around! I've also been told by the vendors to keep my bag safe with me.... Ref. massages there are many wonderful places around town now which are not dangerous in any way whatsoever!One that I've been going to a lot recently for fott massages and body massages is called Bodhi, and is opposite the Workers Stadium. Their prices are very very good and their service and environments are spotless...I'm taking all my new friends to Beijing there!!! Hotel pools are of course safe..one thing people need to remember about China is that they are supportive of their tourism industy, not trying to wave people away! Of course its safe! And rememebr, you're coming to a new country...experience the life here whilst you're touring the place..dont rely on home comports, let your hair down, and leave all your New Balance, DEET, Easyspirit sneakers worries behind! HAVE FUN!!!!

[chinafunky1]

Better beware of the strange Chinese individuals that approach you asking if you want to join them for tea or if you are interested in art. Both are popular sales scams to avoid and are rampant in the wanfujing area. They at first simply try to strat a conversation which will quickly lead to asking if you like tea or art. At that point say you have no money or 'mei Chien' and they should quickly dissapear.....If not you should.