12 surprises that await tourists in China

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It turns out that China is among the five most popular tourist countries. As a person living in China, I can responsibly say: this is true. More and more people dare to travel on their own in China.

The Internet is full of information about how to get there. But there are things that are rarely mentioned, and they are better to know and be prepared for unpleasant surprises.

We Site made sure to ease your travel to this wonderful country.

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A crowd of passengers at the railway station in Zhengzhou on the first day of "Golden week»

• NEVER, EVER plan a trip to the Chinese national holidays. In China there is no official leave, and the only way to travel for residents of China is a state weekend. And... they travel. All at the same time! This show is not for the faint of heart.
• All the tourist places in that time, literally teeming with people. Even if you manage to book a hotel, there is no guarantee that you'll see something over a crowd that knows how to push better than you. So first find out whether the fall on the scheduled dates of any holidays. Because the Chinese calendar is lunar, 4 of the 6 major holidays all the time shifts in time. However, once can cross off the first week of may (may day) and first week of October (independence Day of China), which is also called "Golden week".

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Business class high-speed train Beijing — Shanghai

• Train in China is a good way to get to the desired point, however, there are some nuances. Better to buy tickets in advance (at least a month), otherwise you have all chances not to go. In fast trains, the difference in price between 1st and 2nd class may be small, but comfort is much more, so 1st class is always sold out quickly. In the reserved seat for 3 shelves on each side, without side. Do not be afraid. The third shelf is very convenient. If you really need to go, as usual there are no tickets, there is always the option "no." A couple of hours on the floor to sit. The local population is quite scary.
• And one more important thing. The station building is let in only if there is a ticket and passport. You have to first stand in line that you have checked the tickets, and then go through security. Allow enough time to train.

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Passenger train among blooming canola, near the city of Guilin

• And Yes, the bed linen between end stations do not change. If you, say, go on the train Shanghai — Chongqing and boarded in Shanghai, then you svezhezastelennuyu linen. But if you get on this train somewhere in the middle, for example in Xian, you will be neatly folded sheets but with the same clothes, which laid in Shanghai. In General, there are things in China, about which it is better not to think for your own peace of mind.
• In China, a great public transport system. Virtually any place can be reached by bus. You must have the exact amount of change, because change you will. The only negative — typically, the bus and metro, get off work early enough. For example, in the Shanghai metro closes around 22:30. Decent Chinese in the evenings sleeping, but for everyone else there is a taxi is relatively inexpensive.

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Great idea: pedestrian crossing with automatic turnstiles in Wuhan to wean people to cross on red

• The good news: in China, never leave a tip. Generally. Never. No taxis, no restaurants, no hotels. It is not accepted. If you really liked the service, then you can try to leave some money, but if after 5 or 6 attempts to give you refuse to take it, then, is not destiny.
• If the Chinese invite you to lunch or dinner, with a 99% probability that you will pay, it works in the opposite direction. If you invite a Chinese restaurant, they expect you to pay for them. And keep in mind that as there is to eat strictly by the hour, you may have problems to find "krupke's" outside the usual schedule.
• Be prepared that NOBODY speaks English. Nobody. Even in hotels. And for God's sake, don't waste your time and money on Chinese phrasebooks. The hardest part of Chinese is the pronunciation: sounds and tones. Without the correct formulation of the question you will not understand. Better to spend time on memorizing the main characters (mostly related to food), to somehow navigate the menu. And download to your phone app that can translate Chinese.

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Robot cafe Dinning Hall in Ningbo, where robots "serve" as waiters. Robots can take orders, understand and respond to simple phrases

• Facebook in China is not. Like all Google services that is the search engine , Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube. The owners of phones based on Android will have problems with the download of applications. So either get ready for some social exclusion or make sure in advance of access via VPN.
• Not all hotels have the right to take foreigners. In China there is a law on compulsory registration of foreign citizens, and not all hotels have the opportunity to register you. By booking your hotel through the Internet, carefully look, it is written, where in the small print "Only for mainland Chinese citizens".
• In China whenever and wherever possible to find the hot water: at railway stations, in airports, in parks, in restaurants. This means that if you have a thermos, you can always make your own tea or coffee and eat instant noodles. Very convenient for budget travellers.
• The Chinese are very friendly. It just might be a problem, especially when you asked the way. That is, you show the way, even if they don't know him. Simple: a) you really want to help; b) some may describe this situation as "losing face". Treat this with understanding, but rather will download itself to your phone card.

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The female Chi Lin monastery in Hong Kong

China — the country is amazing and beautiful. Independent travel will require from you additional efforts, but in return you get so many unforgettable impressions, which in the end will be sure: it was worth it.

Masha Pipenko specifically for Site


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