Independent travel to China. Price, experience, reviews, advice

The state of the People's Republic of China is located on an area of ​​more than 9 million square meters. km and in terms of scale confidently ranks 3rd in the world, behind Canada and the Russian Federation. The rich cultural heritage of China attracts travelers from all over the world and does not leave any tourist indifferent.

Landmarks of China

How to travel to China on your own

China for a tourist is a world of contrasts, a combination of the splendor of a modern metropolis, a carefree and expensive life with a modest life of farmers and market trinket traders. Here the rapid pace of modern life is best combined with ancient history.

You can go to the Celestial Empire as part of a group, and then part of the organizational issues will be resolved by a travel agent. Sophisticated tourists who prefer to travel on their own should take into account some simple details of the trip:

Book accommodation or hotel rooms in advance.

Apply for a visa and buy insurance.

Buy plane tickets.

When traveling independently to China, you need to understand that 80% of the population does not speak foreign languages. To avoid problems with the language barrier, it is advisable to raise your level of Chinese to at least HSK1.

Registration for training

Free Trial Lessons

Every week we hold free trial lessons for adults and children. In the lesson, you will get acquainted with the basics of the Chinese language, its phonetics, hieroglyphs and learn your first phrase. We regularly hold presentations of programs for parents of students.

Level detection

If you or your child has already studied Chinese before, then before starting classes, you must pass an interview to determine the level. After that, we will select a suitable group and assign a trial lesson in it.

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Itinerary in China: where to go

Popular tourist destinations include modern and traditional recreational activities:

SPA resorts
There are many professional health centers in China, where the developments of modern Western medicine are effectively combined with the unique methods of Chinese therapy. You will be offered therapeutic mud baths, aromatherapy, acupuncture, herbal treatments, body wraps, moxibustion, balneotherapy, acupuncture, inhalations, various massages. People go to China to improve the functions of the musculoskeletal system, to treat cardiovascular and gastrointestinal pathologies, the respiratory and nervous systems, rheumatism and arthritis.

Ski resorts
Fans of active pastime will appreciate the infrastructure and high service of the ski resorts of Baydahe, Jinguetan and Yabuli. Modern tracks that meet international standards allow both professionals and amateurs to actively engage in sports.

Ecotourism
On the territory of China there are numerous historical monuments of architecture, ancient temples, pilgrimage sites on the Sacred Mount Huashan, national parks in the Sanqinshan and Jade Mountains with a huge variety of rare plants and animals, Wolong National Park with the natural habitat of giant pandas. Most of the areas are designated as World Heritage by UNESCO.

dive resorts
For exciting diving, the surroundings of the city of Sanya are suitable - Xiaodonghai, Yalongwan and Dadonghai bays, the islands of Wuzhizhou, Sidao. Among the variety of marine fauna you can find starfish, many bizarre fish, large jellyfish, more than 50 varieties of corals. The water of the South China Sea is so clear that underwater landscapes can be viewed at a depth of up to 25 meters.

Landmarks of China

the great Wall of China- one of the seven modern wonders of the world, the largest building on the planet. Climbing the wall will seem like an exciting walk only for physically prepared tourists. Evaluate the capabilities of your body in advance, as a large number of steps can take all your strength, and the tour will not be enjoyable. The funicular is an alternative.

Shaolin Monastery. Here you can watch the life of the monks with your own eyes, see their daily many hours of strength and spirit training, as well as a demonstration of martial arts.

Tropical island of Hainan. An ideal place for a relaxing beach holiday with white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Fans of diving and snorkeling will be able to admire the beauty of the underwater world with bright landscapes, unusual fauna and coral thickets.

Thermal springs of Nantian. There are more than 40 pools with warm water on the territory of the health complex, the available temperature range allows everyone to find their own comfort zone.

Oceanarium on Henkin Island. The world's largest oceanarium contains the rarest specimens of the deep sea. Here, tourists can feed the crocodiles, look at the most terrible and unusual animals up close.

Monkey Island. The journey to the island on the longest and most picturesque cable car in China can already be considered an additional excursion. And on the island, tourists will find a sparkling pearl museum and jewelry stores.

Shanghai. Arriving in Shanghai, tourists should definitely see the temple of God - the Guardian of the city and the Temple of the Jade Buddha, as well as take a walk along Nanjing Street (Shanghai Arbat).

Hong Kong. A cultural and historical center with many galleries, exhibitions and museums: horse racing, police, medical sciences, Madame Tussauds wax figures, Tsui Art Museum, Lau Wook Folk Museum, Pao Art Center and other attractions.

Important and useful little things for tourists

Additional information will facilitate your stay in the country and help to avoid embarrassing situations for both beginners and experienced tourists:

Time. The difference with the Moscow time zone is +5 hours.

Payment system. In modern shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, bank cards of almost all payment systems are accepted for payment. For small purchases, it is best to have cash in national currency. The best currency converter is at the airport.

Transport. Traveling in China is quite easy with high-speed trains (350km/h), tickets should be bought in advance, especially if the planned trip falls on a weekend or holiday. Car rental is only possible with a driver, as international driving licenses are not valid here. To travel short distances, you can use the services of a taxi, the prices are adequate. It is important to have an address written in Chinese with you, almost no one speaks English.

Shopping. The finest natural silk and world-famous Chinese porcelain are among the most popular and expensive souvenirs. From exclusive gifts, you can bring pearl jewelry, healing tinctures for ants, snakes, scorpions, Chinese Maotai vodka. Expensive gifts should only be bought in shops or factories. You can bargain and talk about price reductions not only in the market, but even in large stores.

Weather. When planning a trip to China, you must take into account that the weather in different areas can vary significantly even at the same time of the year. Depending on the location, some provinces may be cold, while other areas may be under the rays of the scorching sun.

A trip to China will allow you to immerse yourself in the ancient traditions and unusual culture of this country, see the bewitching landscapes of national parks and mountain ranges, visit the largest architectural monuments, palaces of emperors, ancient temples, pagodas and museums, as well as appreciate local cuisine that has preserved thousands of years of traditions and secrets. .

You need to arrive at the airport 2.5 hours before departure. Be aware of the free baggage allowance and excess baggage surcharge. Tickets indicate local time. To board a flight you need:

• Pass customs inspection, for which fill out a customs declaration. If you have less than 3,000 US dollars per person and you do not have items to declare, then you do not need to fill out a declaration. When filling out the form, do not forget to indicate the entire amount of foreign currency that you took with you. Keep the customs declaration until your return to Russia.
• Check in for your flight at the check-in counter and receive your boarding pass. The check-in desk number is indicated on the central board opposite your flight number. All questions about your seat number on the plane are resolved only at the check-in desk.
• Pass border control in any cabin.
• Board the aircraft through the exit number indicated on the boarding pass.

Passengers of international flights go through customs, passport control, as well as security control, after which they await the departure of the flight in the sterile zone of the gallery of international airlines. Passport and boarding pass are presented at the checkpoint.

When transporting animals or plants, it is necessary to pass phytocontrol / veterinary control.

Rules for conducting pre-flight and post-flight inspections

In accordance with Appendix No. 1 of the Rules for conducting pre-flight and post-flight inspections, approved by order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated July 25, 2007 No. 104 forbidden to carry on board the aircraft by passengers in the checked baggage and in the belongings of the passengers, the following hazardous substances and items:

Permitted to carry on board the aircraft by crew members and passengers, in compliance with the required conditions, the following items and substances:

• in checked baggage in the cargo and baggage compartments of an aircraft with isolated passenger access to baggage during the flight:
  • crossbows, spearguns, checkers, sabers, cleavers, scimitars, broadswords, swords, swords, bayonets, daggers, knives: hunting knives, knives with ejected blades, with locking locks, imitators of any type of weapon;
  • household knives (scissors) with a blade (blade) length over 60 mm; alcoholic beverages containing more than 24%, but not more than 70% alcohol by volume in containers with a capacity of not more than 5 liters, in containers intended for retail trade - not more than 5 liters per passenger;
  • liquids and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of not more than 24% by volume;
  • aerosols intended for use for sports or domestic purposes, the outlet valves of which are protected by caps from spontaneous release of contents in containers with a capacity of not more than 0.5 kg or 500 ml - not more than 2 kg or 2 liters per passenger;
• in things carried by passengers:
  • medical thermometer - one per passenger;
  • mercury blood pressure monitor in a standard case - one per passenger;
  • barometer or mercury manometer, packed in a sealed container and sealed with the seal of the sender;
  • disposable lighters - one per passenger;
  • dry ice for cooling perishable products - no more than 2 kg per passenger;
  • 3% hydrogen peroxide - no more than 100 ml per passenger;
  • non-hazardous liquids, gels and aerosols: in containers with a capacity of not more than 100 ml (or an equivalent capacity in other volume units), packed in a securely closed transparent plastic bag with a volume of not more than 1 liter - one bag per passenger.

Liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 100 ml will not be accepted for carriage even if the container is only partially filled. Transportation exceptions are for medicines, baby food and special dietary needs.

Liquids purchased at duty-free shops at the airport or on board the aircraft must be packed in a securely sealed (sealed) plastic bag that allows identification of the contents of the package during the flight and has reliable confirmation that this purchase was made at airport duty-free shops or on board the aircraft on the day(s) of travel. Keep your proof of purchase. Do not open the package either before boarding the cabin or during the flight.

The administration of the airport, airline, operator has the right to decide on the introduction of additional measures to ensure aviation security on flights with increased danger, as a result of which it is prohibited to carry the following items in the aircraft cabin:

• corkscrews;
• hypodermic needles (unless medical justification is provided);
• knitting needles;
• scissors with a blade length of less than 60 mm;
• folding (without latch) travel, penknives with a blade length of less than 60 mm.

Upon arrival at Sanya and Haikou airport

1. Upon arrival at the Sanya airport, you must go through passport control (a foreign passport is presented).
   From April 30, 2018, a new rule for passing border control at the Sanya airport is in force(Hainan Island China, international terminal). All tourists aged 14 to 70 who arrive on the island on direct charter flights on a visa-free list will additionally undergo the following procedures:
   1. Removal of fingerprints;
   2. Biometric face photo.
   Also, selectively, some tourists may have their mobile devices checked for prohibited materials ().
   If the tourist refuses to go through this procedure, the airport border control has the right to deport the tourist. All deportation costs are borne by the tourist.
2. Get your baggage. The monitors above the baggage belts indicate the flight from which baggage will be issued on this belt.
3. At the exit of the airport building, go to a TEZ TOUR representative and ask for the number of your transfer bus. To do this, name the hotel where you will rest. The name of the hotel is on your voucher.
   Our representatives are wearing yellow shirts with blue ties and blue trousers/skirt.
4. Go to the parking lot, find the transfer bus you need, check in with the TEZ TOUR representative accompanying the bus, giving your last name, put your luggage in the luggage compartment of the bus.
5. Listen carefully to the information that the escort (transferman) will report on the way to the hotel. Also, the attendant (transferman) will inform you about the meeting time with your hotel guide.

Upon arrival at the hotel

1. Come to the TEZ TOUR counter to the hotel guides.
2. Fill out the registration card in English.
3. Hand over your passport and voucher (1 copy of 3) to the hotel guide. A passport is required for registration of mandatory registration of all tourists, it will be possible to pick it up in a day.
4. Expect settlement. Check-in at the hotel takes place at 15.00. Upon check-in, you will be given the keys to your room.
5. After checking into your room, check the information provided by the hotel. Pay attention to what services are paid and how much they cost (as a rule, the information is in a folder and lies on a table or bedside table).

Meeting with the hotel guide

The time of the meeting with the hotel guide will be reported to you by the accompanying person (transfer) on the way to the hotel. At the appointed time, you must approach the hotel guide, who will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. Take your passport, voucher, air ticket for the return flight with you to the meeting.

For all questions and problems, please contact the hotel guide or the hotel reception. The guide's coordinates (photo, name, mobile phone) and the hours when the guide is directly at the hotel are indicated on the TEZ TOUR information stand in the hotel lobby.

The day before the flight home

1. Go to the reception, check if you have unpaid bills for additional services (use of the minibar, telephone, etc.). If you have debts, pay them off.
2. In the evening, go to the TEZ TOUR information stand or the hotel guide and check the time of departure and departure from the hotel. To do this, you need to know the number of the return flight on which you are departing.

Departure from the hotel

On the day of departure, you must vacate the room before 12:00, return the keys and cards for towels.

You can leave your luggage in the hotel's storage room.

In order to avoid various complications, please do not be late and come to the transfer at the specified time.

Arrival at Sanya and Haikou airport for departure

1. Upon arrival at the airport, go to the check-in counter, where your flight number is indicated (the numbers of the counters will be additionally reported to you by the attendant (transfer) on the bus on the way to the airport).
2. Check in for the flight (provide your passport and ticket).
3. Drop off your luggage at the check-in desk.
4. Get your boarding pass. Pay attention to the exit number and the time for boarding the aircraft (in the boarding pass, the exit is indicated by the word GATE, the time is TIME).
5. Go through passport control (provide a foreign passport, a completed migration card for departure).
6. Proceed to the departure hall where you will be waiting for your flight boarding announcement.

Helpful information

Medical service

To receive free medical care, you must contact the numbers indicated in the medical policy of the insurance company. When contacting a medical institution without a referral from an insurance company, the tourist pays for the services on his own.

Vaccinations for travel to China are optional. You should not drink tap water. Use guaranteed safe water and drinks (boiled water, drinking water and drinks in factory packaging). Be sure to wash raw vegetables and fruits. Try to avoid food of "dubious origin", even if it looks attractive and appetizing, such as food prepared by vendors right on the street. Do not eat meat dishes that have not undergone heat treatment.

Traditional Chinese medicine is rooted in ancient times, is an independent system that includes the theory of the occurrence of diseases, diagnostic methods and methods of treatment. There are four main methods of diagnosis: inspection, listening, questioning and palpation.

As for the treatment itself, there are currently the following main methods. Firstly, it is the use of drugs of natural origin: 80% - of plant origin, the remaining 20% ​​- of animal origin and minerals. Next comes acupuncture and moxibustion. In addition to exposure to needles, cauterization or heating with wormwood is also used.

Well-known clinics in Sanya Yukang, Longevity Garden, Taiji.

first aid kit

Before the trip, form and take a first aid kit with you, which will help you with minor ailments, save you time looking for medicines and get rid of the problems of communicating in a foreign language, in addition, many medicines can have different names in different countries.

General information on China

Political system. The political structure of the People's Republic of China - the Communist regime.

Time. The whole country lives according to Beijing time, while being located in five time zones. Time difference with Moscow: in winter + 5 hours, in summer + 4 hours.

Language. The official language is Chinese. The common script is Chinese hieroglyphics.

General information on Hainan Island

O. Hainan is a huge tropical island located in the very south of China. Hainan is washed by the waters of the South China Sea. The average annual temperature is +24°С, the amount of precipitation per year is 1500 mm. The climate of Hainan Island is mild, tropical, summer reigns on the island all year round. In summer, the air temperature during the day is usually around 33 degrees.

The true gem of the island is the year-round resort town of Sanya. Most of the hotels and recreation areas are located in the three main bays of the city - these are Yalongwan (Dragon Bay), Dadonghai (Great East Sea) and Sanyabei.

Visa

Entry into the territory of China is carried out on the basis of a visa issued in advance at the Consulate of China or on the basis of a group visa-free list.

Time

Time ahead of Moscow by 4 hours.

Mains voltage

Mains voltage 220 V.

Tips

Tipping is not accepted in China, but it is enough to leave change in a restaurant. For drivers and maids, it is enough to leave a purely symbolic amount.

Customs

The amount of imported foreign currency is not limited. When importing more than $ 5,000, you must declare this in the customs declaration. The amount of RMB moved across the border should not exceed 6,000 RMB. Allowed duty-free import of 600 cigarettes, alcoholic beverages not more than 1.5 liters, jewelry for personal use.

Items prohibited for import:

• weapons and items imitating weapons;
• explosives;
• drugs and psychotropic drugs;
• pornography;
• religious literature with extremist content, political materials, audio and video materials related to racial discrimination, terrorism, military topics;
• materials that may harm the politics, economy and culture of China.

• canned food (meat and fish)
• meat (fresh, dried, ice cream, sausages, frankfurters, poultry, etc.)
• fish (dried, smoked, etc.) and seafood
• vegetables fruits

It is forbidden to export historical documents, valuable objects and works of art, as well as paintings and graphics without a store receipt confirming the legality of the purchase, or an export permit from the Chinese Administrative Department for Cultural Property under the Ministry of Culture of the PRC.

Power Bank (charger) with a capacity of more than 10000 Amp (amps) cannot be exported from China. We recommend that you do not bring these chargers with you, as customs may not allow / seize the Power Bank at the departure from the country.

It is forbidden to take lighters out of China, even in luggage.

Medicines are allowed to be exported only in luggage, if there is a receipt with a seal and an export permit or a prescription.

Money

Yuan (CNY) (1 yuan = 10 jiao = 100 fen). Banknotes of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 yuan are in circulation. The yuan exchange rate is set by the state. In colloquial speech, when denoting the price, instead of the word "yuan", "kuai" is also used, and instead of "jiao" - "mao". Yuan is in circulation in the form of paper bills and coins.

Within the PRC, circulation of foreign currency and settlement in it are prohibited. Foreign currency exchange is carried out at the branches of the Chinese Bank (Bank Of China), which are available at all airports, hotels and large stores. Currency exchange in the markets and streets is not recommended due to the increased risk of banknote substitution. Major credit cards accepted are American Express, JCB, Visa, Master Card and Diners Club. However, many expenses within the country, including transport, are paid only in cash.

Please note that when paying by cardMastercardmay have problems!

The shops

State-owned stores are open seven days a week from 9:30 to 20:30, private ones from 9:00 to 21:00, and often even longer. Markets usually open at 7:00 (some even at 4:00) and work until 10:00-12:00.

Unit of weight in China - 1 jin = 0.5 kg, the price of the product will be reported to you exactly for 1 jin.

In large state-owned stores and food stalls, prices are fixed. You have to bargain in the markets. Even if the product has a price tag, it is nothing more than a “landmark” indicating the order of the purchase price. The choice of souvenirs is huge, but many of them are of low quality. Chopsticks, beautiful china, cups, lacquer boxes, seals and scroll cases can be bought at every turn. Hangzhou and Suzhou are famous for their excellent tea and silk. Real antiques are sold, as a rule, only in state-owned stores and are expensive. When buying it, you must definitely obtain an export permit from the seller.

What to bring from Hainan Island:

• Pearl. Pearls are the pride of Hainan Island. Hainan pearls are a variety of the most famous "Nanzhu" pearl, which means southern pearl. It is generally accepted that the best pearls are mined in the South China Sea, which washes the island of Hainan.
• Tea. Rare and elite varieties of tea grow on the island, in tea houses you can try different types of tea, learn about the art of brewing tea and buy various varieties of healing tea.
• Silk. Gifts purchased here for your relatives and friends, whether it be silk clothes, silk bedding or always fashionable silk paintings, will be remembered for a long time, because the art of silk has been living for more than one millennium.
• Crystal. Crystal in Hainan is rightly called the third treasure of the island after pearls and tea. The island has the largest deposits of rock crystal in China. Hainan crystal is considered the purest, so it is used to make jewelry and even glasses for glasses. Crystal carving is highly valued. For example, the sarcophagus of Mao Zedong was made from Hainan crystal.
• Shark oil. Back in the early 20th century, a Japanese doctor discovered a special substance in shark fat - squalene, which can act as a natural antibiotic. In addition, scientists have found that shark oil contains another important compound - alkoxyglycerides, which have a powerful effect on the immune system. Among other things, shark fat is the best supplier of valuable vitamins A, E, D - these are vitamins-fighters with age-related changes in the body. They improve vision, the condition of the skin, hair, strengthen blood vessels and bone tissue.

Hotels

Mandatory deposits in hotels in China (on the day of arrival)
When checking into most hotels in China, tourists may be charged a cash deposit for the safety of the contents of the room and minibar. Upon check-out from the hotel, the deposit is fully returned to tourists. The deposit must be paid on the day of arrival. The deposit can be made either in cash or blocked from a bank card*. Visa, Mastercard, Maestro cards are accepted.

*Attention! In the case of a bank card, when the funds are released by the hotel, the transaction does not go through immediately and in some cases can last 30 days (funds are returned to the owner's account within a month).

You are not allowed to bring your own drinks into the hotel restaurant.

It is not allowed to take food taken from the buffet outside the restaurant.

Beaches

All beaches in Hainan are municipal, when choosing a hotel, pay attention to the description, not all hotels have their own beach area with free sunbeds and umbrellas.

Tan. It is better to sunbathe before 11 am, otherwise overheating and sunburn threaten. Excessive exposure to the sun can ruin your entire vacation. Use sunscreen with high UV protection. Do not neglect hats, being in the sun for a long time

Transport

The main means of transportation in China are buses and taxis. To move around the city, it is better to use a taxi. On the roof of the car there is a sign "TAXI", and on the glass there is a payment for 1 km of the way, payment is made according to the meter. The fare for a taxi less than 2 km is 10 yuan, then 2 yuan for each kilometer. During holidays, the fare increases by 5 yuan.

The bus is the most economical mode of transport, bus routes provide connections throughout Sanya and the suburbs.

Main shuttle buses:

• Bus number 2: East station - Dadonghai - city center - Technical school
  Dadonghai Square - Xiazhi Department Store - Luhuitou Square - Sanya City Hall (Shidai Hai'an Bar Street) - First Market Crossing (Sanya International Trade Square) - Yifang Department Store - General Parking (Pedestrian Street) - City People's Hospital - Mingzhu Department Store - Nongken Hospital
• Bus No.15: Yalongbei Bay - Dadonghai Bay - City Center - Sanyabei Bay - West Station
  Yalongbei Bay - Sea World Club Hotel - Yalongbei Square - LiuPang Village - TianDu Village - NonSha Village - Ojiayuan Village - East Station - Dadonghai Bay - Palm Hotel - Luhuitou Square - Sanya City Hall (Bar Street) - Gangmen Village - Practice Middle School - Company People's Insurance - Taixing Hotel - Central Asia Hotel - Chinese Medicine Hospital - Shuili Building - General Parking (Pedestrian Street) - Red Salt Restaurant - TianDu Hotel - Chinese Bank - ShenYi Hotel (Sanyabei Bay) - Zingwei Hotel - 425 Hospital - Friendship Street - Nongken Hospital - West Station

Rent a Car
Since the international driving license is not valid in China, car rental is only possible "complete" with a driver. This is all the more convenient because driving in China is, to put it mildly, specific.

culture

Behavior rules. China is a country with centuries-old traditions and culture, so it is better not to violate social and religious norms so as not to offend the locals.

• You can not photograph military, strategic objects and government buildings, as well as people without first asking their permission.
• In China, it is not recommended to argue about political topics, especially about Mao Zedong, student unrest, and so on.
• You can not express dissatisfaction with the culture and history of China, as well as show disrespect for them.
• You can't litter, you can be fined for it.
• Do not show aggression or irritability towards the Chinese.
• Most Chinese people are friendly towards tourists, so be prepared for the fact that many locals will greet you and maybe even point the finger - react to this calmly.
• It is not allowed to touch a woman, take her by the arm.
• It is not customary to open the door in front of a woman or give her a place, because. women and men in China have equal rights.
• You should refrain from smoking in hotels, parks, squares and on the street, and drinking alcoholic beverages is also prohibited in these places.
• Take food with chopsticks from a plate should be silent.
• Noodles need to be pulled in with noise - this is what all the Chinese do, this indicates how tasty you are.
• You can’t stick chopsticks (or appliances) vertically into a bowl of food - this resembles incense smoking in a temple, and therefore evokes thoughts of a transition to another world.
• In no case should you string pieces of food on sticks - this will offend every Chinese.

Phones

Upon arrival in China, it is most profitable to buy a local SIM card, because. calls will cost less than if you call from the hotel. Cellular communication is widespread in China in almost the entire territory. When buying a SIM card, you should make sure that the selected tariff plan has international roaming. In addition, it is better to ask the seller on the spot to activate it, because. doing it yourself can be difficult without knowing Chinese. You can buy a SIM card at China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom offices. You can also purchase cards for international calls with per-minute payment.

For calls to Russia, you need to dial 007 (Russian code) + city code + the phone number you need.

When dialing a Chinese landline number from your mobile phone, you need to dial: + 7 + 86 (China code) + area code + the phone number you need.

Useful Phones

• International Help Desk (in English): 115
• Police and rescue service: 110
• Fire department: 119
• Ambulance: 120
• Traffic police: 122
• Information Service for Foreigners in Critical Situations:
  in Shanghai 8-10-86-21-6-439-06-30,
  in Guangzhou 8-10-86-20-8-667-74-22

Agree, we know not so much about China. This is a rather closed socialist country with its own specifics. China is unlike any other country in the world, including Asian ones. The Chinese are completely self-sufficient - they do not know English, they have their own rules of life, their own characteristic mentality, their own Internet, search engine, their own social networks, their own payment system. The whole world uses Made in China things - from towels to phones, but no one knows what China really is .. You don't need to know Chinese to travel in China. Moreover, many live there for years without knowing Chinese and feel great. Yes, not all Chinese speak English, and far from everywhere. Most often these are young people living in large cities. But - for travelers this is not a problem, because you can always use such means of communication as: Gestures in China Facial expressions and gestures are a universal international language that is understood by most peoples of the world. In fact, people perceive a huge part of the information non-verbally. It doesn't even need language. Where to find a place to sleep, where you can eat, how much a product or service costs - all this can be explained, literally, on the fingers. Translators and communication apps in China Mobile applications for online and offline translation. If there is no internet, you can use offline-GoogleTranslate and any other dictionaries and translators, such as Pleco Chinese Dictionary, Chinese-Russian Dictionary and others. But the best option if you have mobile Internet is Baidu Translate. You substitute the microphone, speak the necessary phrase in English, and it is immediately translated into Chinese in writing. It is best to download this program, although all Chinese, even in not very large cities, have such a translator on their phone, and if they do not understand what you are trying to convey to them in English, they will definitely use it, they will not even ask for it necessary. Drawings If neither gestures nor Google Translate helped, and there is no Internet on the phone, and your interlocutor does not realize that you can use Baidu Translate, that is, the best tool is a schematic drawing. If you need to find out where and at what time the bus runs to the place you need, just draw it on paper. For example, when I needed to know how to get to Huangshan National Park, I drew mountains, a bus, and a clock with a question mark. Everything became clear. Preparations for hieroglyphs These are magical pieces of paper that open all the doors, you just have to show them and poke your finger at the right word. All the words and names of settlements that you may need on the road, it is advisable to prepare in advance, print or save screenshots with them on your phone. For all other words and names that become necessary along the way, it is best to ask to write the first Chinese who more or less speaks English and who you meet on the way. I did this all the time, and it saved me a lot. No long explanations, silently show a piece of paper, and they give you a ticket or show you the way. →In this note you can see and download pictures with some hieroglyphs: Connection. Internet and mobile communication SIM card So, the simplest thing is to buy a Chinese SIM card in China mobile still at the airport. If it was not there, then find a store in the city and buy it there. For this you only need passport and 70 yuan for the simplest tariff with 2 GB of Internet. Do not buy SIM cards in private shops - they cost 2-3 times more expensive there. Ask to call If you didn’t manage to buy a SIM card or spared money, it doesn’t matter ( I, for example, could not buy it, although I really wanted to, and I do not regret). The Chinese are not Russians, and when asked to call, they do not shy away from you, but, on the contrary, they always respond willingly, it is even an honor for them that you are a foreigner, he turned to them with a request, and for them to help you is a joy. Just walk up to any person on the street and ask him to call from his phone. Maybe with gestures. I did that all the time. And they will not only give you a call, but they will also find all the necessary information and give you money ( it happened a couple of times). WiFi in the cafe In China, in fact, you will never be truly disconnected. Almost everywhere, even in a remote province and in the most godforsaken cafes there is wi-fi. Therefore, if you need to find out something, contact someone urgently, chat with your parents via Skype, go to almost any cafe and ask for a Wi-Fi password, and you don’t even have to order something there. Ask to share WiFi If there are no cafes on the horizon, and you are traveling by train or bus, and you urgently need to get some information about the place where you are going or contact those who are waiting for you, the easiest solution is to ask your neighbor to distribute you the Internet from your mobile phone. At first, the Chinese themselves often offered me their Internet and always distributed it to me without any problems. When I realized that for them it was in the order of things, I began to use it constantly. I need the Internet, I ask, they give me. Everything is very simple. And don't be afraid to ask. This is not Russia, no one will look back at you with a stern look, saying: “Dude, are you crazy? Can't you dance a lezginka? Blocked websites in China and VPN As you probably know, resources such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, Wikipedia are blocked in China. But many Chinese, like people around the world, are getting around the bans with VPNs. I used different programs (for example, Super VPN), but the best for me in China was VPNRobot. You download it, open the application and press the connect button below, wait a bit for it to connect, and then calmly post your photos on Instagram. Money Exchangers So, in large cities there are always currency exchange offices, and there are even with a very favorable rate. They meet in the center and at stations. Friends told me about it. I myself, honestly, did not find such, although I was actively looking for them. I found only one at the station, where they offered me such a predatory course that I refused. Until the end of my trip, I never changed a single dollar of mine. Maybe you'll have better luck. ATMs ATMs are everywhere in China. And they all accept regular VISA bank cards. In all the cities where I have been, and in all ATMs from different banks, I have always withdrawn money without any problems, and at a good rate. Only once did the ATM refuse to read my card, but at the nearest store, the sellers on a moped took me to another bank - it was faster and easier than explaining to me where it was. And another businessman told me that his platinum VISA card was not accepted by ATMs, so it’s better to use regular cards and don’t show off. Transport Trains. How to travel by train in China There are several types of trains in China, they can be distinguished by the letter in front of the train number. So, The main types of trains in China Category "K". This is a long distance train with seats. The ticket says it's a hard seat. In reality, these are quite soft chairs, on which you can lean back and sleep peacefully if you drive at night ( pictured below). The train rides quite simple and friendly people. They will feed you and share Wi-Fi. The ticket for it is the most inexpensive. For example, I paid 172 yuan (1548 rubles) for the 16:00 trip from Guangzhou to Zhangzajie (about 1,000 km). In this video you can see how such a train looks from the inside. Category "Z". The so-called "sleeper". Almost a copy of our reserved seat. Only there are no sides, but instead of them there are 3 shelves in a compartment on each side, the most convenient in the center. There are small half tables and seating in the hallway. The ticket said "hard sleeping car" and I prepared for the worst, but it turned out to be a new, clean, modern train with a soft mattress on the shelf, a snow-white pillow and a blanket, but no bed linen. Everything looked so clean that I did not even disdain to sleep like that, without bedding. Washing area with three sinks is located separately from the toilet, which is very convenient because you do not have to wait in line to wash. No toilet paper, no soap. There are a couple of outlets where you can safely leave your phone on charge, no one will pull it off. The train is cheap. I bought a ticket from Shanghai to Guangzhou (16 hours on the road - 1200 km) for 365 yuan (3285 rubles). Here's what a "sleeper" is: Category "G". This is a speed train (2nd class). A fast, comfortable, ultra-modern train that travels at a speed of about 350 km/h. The place is seated, comfortable, if desired, you can recline and sleep. It took me 4 hours to cover the journey from Changsha to Huangshan (700 km). Ticket price 331 yuan (2979 rubles). But in this video, again, you can feel like a passenger of such a train. How to buy train tickets in China It is better to take train tickets in advance, because good places for a convenient time are quickly sold out. And there is one great site where you can buy tickets for Chinese trains from your country - CTRIP— english.ctrip.com Of course, you will have to pay a small commission for such a purchase, but you will already have tickets in your hands. It is most convenient to use the mobile application of the resource, on the site you can immediately see how many seats are left, and you can also receive bonuses for each purchase. E-tickets must be printed at the box office before boarding the train. At large stations, this is done at the long-distance ticket office, so before getting in line, it is better to clarify whether this is the ticket office. Otherwise, you will stand in vain and you may miss the train. When your turn comes up, you can silently hand the cashier through the window a mobile phone with a screenshot of an electronic ticket and a passport. It is always better to come to the station in advance, because at the entrance you need to go through several checks, so there are usually huge queues. It also happens that tickets are bought and printed in a separate station building, and it is not always easy to find it. Therefore, it is better to be at the station at least 1 hour, and even better 1.5 hours before departure. Buses in China Everything is easier with bus tickets. You can just come to the bus station, name the destination or show a piece of paper with the name, and choose a convenient date and time when asked. Buses run in completely different directions and very often, so the nearest bus, most likely, will not have to wait long. The prices are tolerable, about the same as in Russia. How much money should I take with me to China? What can you eat from Chinese cuisine, and what is not worth it? How not to get caught in a tourist scam? And also about the specifics of the Chinese mentality and the attitude towards foreigners, read here: What you need to know when planning a trip to China? Part 2 So, you are going to go to China. And they did it right! This country is famous for its centuries-old culture, inventions, natural landscapes, food and much more. Now there are many offers on the tourist market, but they are all of the same type and run along the same well-trodden routes. In addition, they don’t give freedom: look to the right, look to the left ... How about entering the country where they look at you with genuine childish interest, like an alien, where the whole car gets up when they see you)). Or chat with the locals and get to know the life of the country from the inside. All this is provided by independent travel. Below are the main practical issues related to independent travel in China. 1. Visa to China The first thing you need for such a trip is a Chinese visa. Visas are of several types, respectively, require different documents, different costs. The simplest is a one-time tourist. You can issue in a travel agency, which naturally will take an additional fee for their work. You can make a visa yourself by taking the documents to one of the consulates of the PRC: in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok. 2. How to get to China and move around within the country? There are several ways to get to the Celestial Empire from Russia: by plane, train or bus, and hitchhiking. It all depends on your budget, where you are going from and what places in China you are going to visit. China, as you know, borders on Russia in the Far East, from there the path to Beijing is the closest. You can cover this distance by train. From Moscow, St. Petersburg, the European part of Russia, the easiest way is to fly by plane. There are both direct flights and with transfers in Astana, Almaty, Dubai, depending on the airline. Cheap tickets can be found on the website . Inside China, you can also move in different ways, which is more to your liking. We traveled on trains, bought tickets ourselves at the box office a few days before departure. 3. How much money to take to China? It is difficult to give an unambiguous answer here - everyone has their own requirements and preferences. I can only provide a link to our It is better to exchange cash in advance in Russia for dollars, since rubles in China are not changed. Dollars to yuan are changed mainly by the Bank of China, the exchange rate in the spring of 2013 was 6.1 yuan per 1 dollar. You can also use Visa and MasterCard bank cards. A fee will be charged for withdrawing money from the card. It is different for different banks, check with your bank before traveling. Anya and I applied for ISIC youth cards, and in some places they give a good discount. For example, we saved 90 yuan (450 rubles) on Mount Emeishan. 4. What to take with you to China? Experience is the son of difficult mistakes)) It’s not clear why we dragged sleeping bags with us, but it turned out that China is full of cheap and comfortable housing. When collecting, pay attention to what kind of weather awaits you in China. For example, in the spring in the southwestern regions there is a lot of rain and dampness, while in Xinjiang it can be cool but dry. From here, choose what to take. For an independent trip, a backpack is an indispensable and convenient thing that you must have =). In extreme cases, buy what you need in China, all the clothes are made there anyway! 5. Accommodation in China - where to sleep? As mentioned above, the choice of accommodation is huge, especially in places popular with tourists. And competition keeps prices affordable. You can book a hotel or inn in advance - this is easy to do on the site. If you prefer to improvise, you can decide on housing already on the spot. I just strongly advise you not to do this if you are traveling on holidays: in early May and in the first half of October. If you want to stay in an apartment or rent a room from the hosts (often cheaper than a hotel), try Airbnb (follow and get a free $25 on your first booking). 6. Where to go in China, attractions Here the choice is simply endless, China is an amazing country! At every step waiting for the discovery =). We visited 4 provinces, or rather , and province , Yunnan and Manchuria. The rest of the districts were simply passed by train. 7. Food People in China love and know how to eat! Local residents have adopted the rule "War is war, but lunch is on schedule")). The choice of food is very large, although the main products for the Chinese are rice and noodles, as well as additives to them. You can have a bite to eat in local chifans or by buying products in the market or in supermarkets. It should be noted that Chinese food is very spicy - be careful, especially in the early days. When organizing an independent trip, mobile applications are very helpful. We wrote . That's all I wanted to say about traveling to China on my own. Come to China, you will definitely be satisfied! Easy roads! The main thing you need to know a tourist in China If everything is usually simple with traveling to Europe, since the life of Europeans is very similar to ours, and even if you don’t know the language, you can navigate in housing and transport, as well as buy something in the store. But with trips to eastern countries, the situation is more complicated, since in many countries they don’t speak at all and don’t understand not only Russian, but even English, it’s impossible to guess what all these local hieroglyphs mean, plus there are some local features , which should definitely be taken into account by those who decide to go on an independent trip to China or any other from the eastern countries. 1. Difference in time zones Immediately count that China has a different time zone. The first few days will be spent on adaptation to new conditions. Therefore, you should take care in advance to set your internal clock to the PRC time. Long flights and a sleepless night at the airport “help” me - I arrive without getting enough sleep, go to bed in the evening local time, wake up in the morning, and then I have no problems with another time zone. A sleepless night at the airport is the best cure for jet lag. 2. Other air Air. Due to the fact that China has a large number of factories and a fairly high population density, the air is noticeably different from the usual European and CIS countries. Smog is clearly visible in the cities of the northern zone of China. In the southern zone, due to the fact that there are fewer factories, it is not so clearly visible. But the consequences are being felt. Among them, high drowsiness and problems in people with respiratory failure can be noted. You can catch clean air only after rain. 3. Language barrier The language barrier. Firstly, in China they do not speak English well. You can face this problem both at the airport and in a taxi. The only place where you can count on knowledge of the language is in high-class hotels. Or among people professionally studying foreign languages. Some take an interpreter - it helps, but you need to be careful. For example, often all the interpreter does is to ask “Iga dosha chen?” (How much does it cost?) and they ask $50 a day. Drive such people right away, even if they were imposed on you by the company. Secondly, all signs, names, signs, stops are written only in Chinese (i.e. hieroglyphs, no English transliteration). The main advice is to write down phrases on a piece of paper that may come in handy: the “destination” for a taxi, the necessary stops for public transport, currency exchange, a store, a pharmacy, and so on. An important nuance is that you will not be able to read the name of the stop, that is, you will have to compare the inscriptions externally. Therefore, writing should be as legible and close to the original as possible. Important! If you do not speak Chinese at a sufficient level, do not try to speak it. Features of the language - each sound has four tones of pronunciation, radically changing the meaning of any word. One word in different keys can have different meanings, including offensive ones. Each province in China has its own accent. A Chinese from the north will not always understand a Chinese from the south. So don't be surprised by the difference. 4. Food in China Food. Dine in big cafes in China is unprofitable. Even ordinary tea exceeds average European prices. So there are a few food options. The first is small eateries, where the main nuance is the uncertainty of the conditions in which food is prepared. No one can guarantee compliance with sanitary standards. On the other hand, if you are not afraid for your stomach, then the pricing policy of such places will pleasantly surprise you and will match the wallet of any tourist. When you place an order in a restaurant or cafe, be sure to specify the degree of spiciness of the food. The second is buying food in the market. Here the prices will be half as much as even in eateries, but again the question arises of sanitary conditions and the impossibility of guaranteeing your further health after eating this food. Therefore, the best option, if your hotel does not provide meals, is to buy food in the store and cook it yourself. Solving problems with unsanitary conditions: Buy at the market only those fruits that need to be peeled - bananas, oranges, mangoes, etc. Do not eat exotic food on the street. Such as insects, scorpions, spiders of various kinds. The Chinese themselves hardly eat this, it is made specifically for tourists, and is not always safe for an unprepared stomach. Get ready in advance that when buying food in the store there will be no dairy products or it will cost quite a lot of money. There may be problems with bread, because. The Chinese do not eat baked goods, so if you want to replace it with something, steamed flatbread is the best. The closest you can find in China is bread. 5. Transport in China Transport within the country. The most popular means of transport within the city are buses and taxis. When traveling by bus, be sure to remember which stop you need. The main thing is not to forget that buses run strictly until 23:00 and not a minute later. Important: in China, any transport, including taxis and buses, is not late, and no one will wait for you! In some places, you can try out some exotic transport, for example, in floating villages, look at boat houses and ride a small boat along the market in this village. If you use taxi services, order it to a specific place and at a specific time, you should not be late for more than five minutes. The taxi driver has the right to leave if the client is late for the required time. Look carefully at the counter and pay only for it. Don't take drivers at their word. The most popular means of moving around the country is trains. When buying tickets, be very careful. There are three categories of tickets - seated, standing, on the floor. Depending on the category - a different pricing policy. The most expensive places are sitting. When buying, be sure to specify which place you need. Be careful when traveling on holidays. 6. Buying souvenirs Souvenirs. Never buy souvenirs in places of interest. Their price is usually one and a half to two times higher than outside cultural places. I also want to separately mention the shopping streets with souvenirs. It is believed that it is important to bargain with the Chinese on prices. When you are on a shopping street, this is a mistake. Since souvenirs are almost identical in all shops, their prices are also identical. Therefore, if you buy souvenirs on a shopping street - do not argue with the seller and do not disgrace yourself, but buy at a set price. If you want cheap souvenirs and a chance to bargain, look for a unique product that has no competition, or look for small shops outside the shopping streets and attractions. Then you can bring down the purchase price by one and a half to two times. 7. Hotels and accommodation in China Housing. When you look for accommodation on Booking or another site, immediately close the cheapest offers. Yes, in major cities in China you can find rooms for 150 yuan, but you won’t want to live in them - dirt, torn linen, no refrigerator and fan, no bathroom, with windows overlooking the corridor, and even in some hole. You will find more or less normal rooms in which you can live only for 200-300 yuan. It will already be, though poor, but clean, tidy, with a shower, hairdryer, towels, normal beds, and so on. And for 350-600 yuan you will already get excellent rooms with beds with orthopedic mattresses, silk sheets and mattresses, air conditioners, coffee with Chinese buns in the morning and other pleasant things. Cheap doesn't mean bad, but it doesn't mean good either. Choose a hotel by photo, rating and feedback from visitors. Be sure to print the hotel business card with Chinese characters, otherwise you risk not getting to the place (how else to explain to the taxi driver where you need to go?) These seven tips apply to traveling to China on your own, but don't forget to consider general travel tips as well. For example, read the article about . An incredible choice of formats, designs and the ability to create your own unique style. Recommend other articles Fishing rod Tips on how to prepare for an independent trip to China General questions regarding the preparation of a trip to China Feeder Price, experience, reviews, advice