The China Travel Guide: A Beginner’s Checklist

🛩️🌏🧳 Travel China like a pro! Here’s a guide to prepare you for your journey:

🌟 Know the Culture:

• Be polite! Use two hands when receiving/giving things in formal settings.
• Don’t directly refuse invites or requests. It’s rude!
• Respect elders, give them priority in social situations.
  🍽️ Dining Etiquette:
• Wait for the host to start eating. Don’t dig in too soon!
• Don’t stick chopsticks upright in rice, it’s a no-no.
• Try all dishes to show respect to your host.
  👗 Dress Sense:
• Cover up! No revealing clothes near temples or govt. buildings.
• Dress smartly for formal occasions.
  🎏 Important Festivals:
• Chinese New Year: Late Jan/Early Feb
• Mid-Autumn Festival: Mid-Sept
• Qingming Festival: Early Apr
  🤝 Social Tips:
• People might ask your age, marital status, income etc. when meeting.
• Red envelopes with money are common gifts.

🗣️ Language Basics:
Say Hello: 你好 (nǐ hǎo)
Thank You: 谢谢 (xiè xiè)
Bye Bye: 再见 (zài jiàn)
Yes: 是 (shì) / No: 否 (fǒu)
I Don’t Understand: 我不懂 (wǒ bù dǒng)
Speak Slowly: 请说慢一点 (qǐng shuō màn yī diǎn)
Price Check: 这多少钱？(zhè duō shǎo qián?)

💡 Numbers & Directions:
1: 一 (yī) / 2: 二 (èr) / 3: 三 (sān)
4: 四 (sì) / 5: 五 (wǔ)
Left: 左 (zuǒ) / Right: 右 (yòu)
Front: 前 (qián) / Back: 后 (hòu)

🥘 Foodie Terms:
Water: 水 (shuǐ) / Rice: 米饭 (mǐ fàn)
Noodles: 面条 (miàn tiáo) / Dumplings: 饺子 (jiǎo zi)

📝 Document & Luggage Prep:

• Passport: Ensure 6 months validity.
• Visa: Get the right type for your stay.
• Tickets: Confirm return flights.
• Insurance: Cover medical & travel delays.
• Hotel booking: Keep the confirmation.
• Health Code: Required during the pandemic.
• Vaccination record: May be needed.

🧳 Pack smart:
Clothes: Season-appropriate, layer up!
Accessories: Sun & wind protection.
Toiletries: Essentials for the win!
Gadgets: Phone, charger, camera, power bank.
Apps: Download translators, maps.
Health: Meds, gloves, masks (pandemic), sanitiser.
Other: Reusable bottle, foldable bags, small backpack.

🔄 At the Airport:
🆃🅸🅳🆄🆂🆃🅰🆂: Have docs ready – passport, visa, customs form.
Fill in customs form honestly. Declare:

• Valuable items like jewelry
• Currency over a certain amount
• Prohibited imports (some meds, plant/animal products)
  Be patient at customs, answer officers’ questions truthfully.
  You must declare over 10,000 RMB or equivalent.
  Keep your customs form number safe, you might need it later.

📲 Visa Application:
Choose right visa type: L (Tourism), F (Visit/Business), Z (Work), X (Study)
Prepare: Passport, application form, photos, invites.
Apply: In person/agent, some countries online.
Pay fee, wait for approval, then collect your visa.

🤳 First Things First:
Check your luggage is all there and intact.
Connect to airport WiFi: Download apps like WeChat, Alipay.
Message your loved ones, let them know you’re safe.
Get a SIM card/mobile hotspot: From operators at the airport.
Change some local currency: RMB is the go-to.
Check your accommodation: Is your hotel booked? If not, do it now.
Map it out: Collect a physical map or download apps.
Set up your gadgets: Change time zones, enable roaming.
Take a nap if you’re tired, then explore!

🚀 You’re good to go! Stay sharp, stay aware and enjoy your adventure! 🌟🤩