4 handy tips for first time visitors to China

Are you planning a trip to East Asia? Are you planning on visiting China as part of your trip? Then, it is essential that you have a read of this.

China is a vast, beautiful and intriguing country, and a wonderful place to visit. However, it is a country with a very different way of life and culture, so it is important to be prepared for that before your visit.

To help you get the most out of your trip to China, we have put together a list of four helpful tips for first-time visitors. To find out more, have a read below:

1. Book with a specialist company

The best way to get a good deal on a trip to China is to book it with a holiday package from a specialised travel company, like China Direct Travel.

By booking your trip with a specialist company, you can choose from a range of holiday options, including various holiday and tour packages.

2. Be prepared to break the language barrier

As a visitor to China, the main problem will be the language barrier. However, in many urban places, like cities and towns, most people will speak at least a little English. So, if you speak slowly and clearly enough, you should be able to overcome the language barrier.

However, there is no guarantee that you will be able to find someone who speaks English, so it is important to be prepared. Many travellers consider learning at least some Mandarin before they arrive so that they can communicate more easily. Even if you just learn a range of terms, like ‘taxi’, ‘restaurant’, ‘hotel’, ‘bar’, ‘help’, etc., you will find your trip much easier to navigate.

3. Focus on tourist destinations

China is home to many diverse landscapes. Including the world’s highest mountain range, some of the largest deserts in the world and many distinctive, native settlements.

China is a vast place, and for visitors to experience all that China has to offer in a short period, is impossible.

For your first visit to China, it is a good idea to focus on the tourist destinations, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Guilin. These amazing locations offer everything from palaces and monuments to national parks and historic sites.

4. Be prepared to try new dishes

China has an amazing food culture, and every different region of the country has its own unique style of cooking. There are eight regions in China, and so there are eight distinct types of food on offer, most of which is delicious.

As a first-time visitor to China, you may have been warned to avoid eating street food, but street snacks offer some of the best food choices available. For first-time visitors, Beijing’s roast duck, Shanghai’s steamed pork buns and Xi’an’s dumplings are not to be missed.

While most of China’s food is incredible, there are also some strange food choices, such as cat meat, dog meat, bee pupa, snake, and scorpion. These kinds of delicacies would probably be best to avoid!