Once in a lifetime

China Travel Made Easy - Tips to Prepare You For Your China Trip

China is a country with a long and illustrious history, colourful ethnic traditions and sumptuous cuisine, besides its breathtaking natural and architectural sites. These are some of the reasons why China is a very popular destination for visitors from all over the world.
Regardless of what is the purpose of your visit to China, it is important that you get yourself well prepared so that you know what to bring and what to expect during your exciting trip. The following useful information and advice about China travel would help inform you about how you should go about preparing for your trip.


What to bring

Packing the right essential items has never been more important as you prepare for your exciting China trip. To prepare for walking long distances in attractions such as the Great Wall of China, a good pair of walking shoes would help you traverse difficult terrain such as long flights of steps.
To shield yourself from the elements in exposed areas like the Forbidden City, have an umbrella or raincoat handy. The sweltering summer might see an increase in insects which you can keep away with insect repellent. The most important thing to remember is to dress appropriately and adequately for the season and destination.

Shopping in China

If you are planning a trip to more than one region in China, you can buy specialty goods that are unique to a particular region to get a taste of these different regions. Hence it is a good idea to spread out your purchases. Some examples are the mounted butterflies in Yunnan and the carpets in Xinjiang. Bargaining in China is your best way to get the lowest prices in most places except for major malls and departmental stores.

Diverse cuisines and flavours

No other country elicits strong reactions in its cuisine like China. With a diverse array of regional cuisines that utilize the different parts of plants and animals, be prepared for a gourmet experience like no other. Nonetheless, the many different styles of cooking and preparation result in gourmet masterpieces that are unique to each region. That is the alluring appeal of Chinese cuisine. Tipping is not necessary for most cases, although a service charge will be levied in some restaurants.

How to keep yourself safe

You may be able to enjoy safety in most of China and expect hospitable treatment by the locals. However, as in any other country, do beware of pickpockets in crowded places by not showing off your flashy accessories and by securing your bags and pouches prominently where you can see them. As a foreigner, you also have to take precaution not to fall for scams by being alert and walk away if somebody who looks suspicious tries to approach you.

What you should know when getting around by yourself

Exploring by yourself without getting lost need not be hard if you follow these tips. Keeping your hotel room card with you wherever you venture is helpful in getting directions back to your hotel should you get lost. Taking a taxi need not be a chore even though taxi drivers are generally unfamiliar with the English language. You just need to have your destination and its address written down and show it to your driver.

There is no better time than now to embark on China travel; which is why it is equally important to book your China hotels through a user-friendly and reliable website. Chan Brothers Hotel Portal is the best solution to your hotel needs in China, with a comprehensive selection of hotels in different regions of the country. You can even get to enjoy promotions on selected hotels, as well as instant confirmation of your booking.