What things do I need to do or prepare before I visit China?

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max m

Do not feel paranoid. China is a fascinating country and well worth visiting. However, do NOT get mixed up in any free Tibet discussions, whatever your own thoughts on this - it can only lead to problems.

Your friend should be able to give you some indication of what it is like in his part of Chongqing - it is a very big city and metropolitan Chongqing has the largest population in China.

Chinese people are on the whole very friendly, but also curious, particularly if they do not see many westerners. They are also racist (in a non-agressive way) and believe that they are the most civilised people in the world.

You should not need any special vaccinations for Chongqing (nor for Beijing, if you fly in through there), although if you are going to the south of China, then precautions are generally necessary.

Food is generally very good, even though you may not know what you are eating. It is eaten with chopsticks only, but this is easy to get used to. It is not like the food you find in a western Chinese restaurant and there is usually no such thing as different courses. All food is placed in the centre of the table and you help others and yourself.

There are many things to tell you, but a good guide book is the Lonely Planet one. There is nothing like the experience though and you will love it. Have a great holiday :-)

Al Zymer

Going myself next month...... You do need a visa (£30) from the Chinese Embassy - you have to queue! Your friend should be able to help you, when you arrive. Inoculations depend on where you are going, but you should get an appointment with your doctor/nurse as soon as possible; they have the info for the areas you are visiting - some inoculations need time to be effective........

C****

Just your basic health check should do and Tetanus shot. Also, be prepared to put up with their communist culture and the fact that they have no problem eating dogs.
Soz, just a bit bitter about the problems Tibetans have been having do to the Chines government, obviously not its people.
As your going to visit a friend than they should be able to give you tips and go with you to places once there. Go for it and just enjoy any short comings!!

Obbytooo

Chongqing is a built up modern area so I don't think you'd catch anything if you're naturally healthy - the only thing you need is your adaptability to different climate and environmental conditions.

gillian55106

A "Free Tibet" T shirt

jeanmichel

always bring a calculator with you. you will need it to negiciate prices when you buy things, just tap and they will tap you back the amount. This is how chinese people make business or buy things, they communicate a lot through Calculators !! have a nice trip

Dinnaefashyersel................

well, if your staying in a tourist area you should be fine but if you are planning to travel a bit more and experience rural China for example then be prepared for very basic sanitary conditions, i mean like for a toilet there being just half a wall and a hole in the ground and a guy that comes to swill a bucket of water in it being the only cleaning it ever gets, so always stick a packet of pocket handkerchiefs in your pocket it comes in handy and only ever drink bottled water! If your staying in town, then as long as you've had all your jabs then you shouldn't have any problems you should just chill out and enjoy.

Tom

you need a visa to begin with.
then photocopy all you documents (passport visa tickets etc) before you go and keep a copy seperate with you and email yourself a copy just to be safe.
would also suggest you carry a few us dollars as almost anyone there will accept them in case you have any trouble.

i didnt need any injections before i went but best to make sure.

enjoy.

Johnny Decca

Don't have any further advice than already given, but my 16 yr old son just went on a college trip and loved it!
He found the long flight tiring, but the country was fascinating and he found the people they met very friendly.
Hope you enjoy it!

alan m

I have been in China last year. You need passport, visa, money and usual essential inoculations like tetanus, hepatitis, unless you are in a rural part where you need much more. Your friend is your key person. Otherwise china is difficult as nearly everyone speaks no english,. Even in Beijing its only in the tourist parts. I live in Beijing now. People are always incredibly friendly and I always feel safe. If you do not stay in hotel but with friend register at police staion. Also travel insurance !

Cynical_Student

You need to go to a doctors and ask what injections you need to have. What you've had at school, does not cover everything you need. I went to South America few years ago and had to have

Rabis
Hepititus B
Yellow Fever

You'll probably need those three, plus some extras on top. Be warned, some countries will not allow you to go if you do NOT have proof of having the required immunization

kitty_katt33

You'll need to get a visa before you leave as they do not issue them on arrival about £40 from chinese embassy. some people speak a bit of english in the touristy places but not many, its very useful to have a map so you can just point to where you wanna go. Also you cant get their money in this country so take travellers cheques or credit card and chance it when you get their. lots of people will try to rip you off so be aware, and book a hotel before hand so you know where you'll be going. i love china and the food is amazing, you should have a excellent time.

londongate11

A Visa and some injections

JUDY Y

We had tetanus & typhoid injections before we went to China at the beginning of this month. These last about 10 years but you will need to have a booster 6 months after you return.
If you are travelling straight to China from the UK, you will need to apply for a visa before you go which can take upto 3 days the quickest and cost £30 per entry into China.
Everything is dead cheap and when you buy things (clothes etc, you can haggle (bargain) to get a better deal even tho its still cheap)
Can you not stay at your friends for the 2 weeks as this will save you money? Not sure how much accommodation will be but we stayed overnight in a hotel in Guangzhou and it cost about a tenner. Even tho we were in China 5 days (we spent the rest of the time in HK), we only spent £300 (fam of 4)
Foodwise - just don't expect luxury even if you pick the best restaurant as what you are used to here in the UK is diff over there. Worse comes to worse, you will find Mcdonalds and they do a lot of diff meals to that of UK
We went to a place in Guangzhou called Chimelong resort and it was the best. There is a zoo there and they had a circus performance in the evening and the performance was breathtaking that I would like to go again. The zoo and the circus cost about £30 altogether and I would recommend you to go visit. There are hotels in the resort and like a bus terminal there.
I hope this is of use to you and hope you have a good time

caz

i'm a meat eater but there still loads of veg stuff to eat try some of there food.

Paddy B

You should prepare a response to those, like me, who will ask you why you would wish to go to a country which has none of the freedoms which you take for granted. Where there is repression of their own people as well as peoples they subjugate (e.g. Tibet). Where there are none of the checks and balances that in the West we take for granted (e.g. Democracy and Freedom of the Press). Where there are corrupt and evil leaders out of touch with their people. Where people work in sweatshops to make goods for a dollar a day whilst businessmen look to order their next Mercedes...

If you can visit China whilst aware of the iniquities of the governing regime there all I can suggest is that you prepare by at least researching the background thoroughly. If you do this properly perhaps you will decide to stay away. I hope so.

Mike B

Visit www.cdc.gov (or similar government site) for the latest on travel shots and get them at your local clinic. China in a large country, what part are you visiting? If you are visiting the major cities like Beijing or Shanghai, you don't really need to know the language as many people speak English. However, for the small cities, a simple travel dictionary will be useful. If you are traveling to Canton or HK, note that the primary language there is Cantonese, not Mandarin. It will also be helpful for you to purchase a China travel guide.

Ashley R

get a vacine

Dave G

just do as you are told. Otherwise you might get ' roughed up'. Bye the way ... you will be followed. that is not a joke!!!

ice.topaz

I'm going in the summer. It really depends where you are going but make sure your immunizations are up to date, talk with your friend to see what the climate will be like and what you'll be doing. If you're not living with your friend there are many cheap but ok quality hotels and such. And most importantly, guard your money and important documents well, there are lots of thiefs. Don't be scared, just go and enjoy another part of the world. Have fun!

lutwani

Suggested immunisation would be for,yellow fever, typhoid,cholera and certainly start taking malaria pills and keep taking then for about 4 weeks after your return. You have left it a bit late the above program you should have started at least 6 weeks before departure rather postpone the trip and get proper immunisation. You can get all the info from either your local health centre of the passport authorities.
Food wise don't worry about having to eat meat, if your not into meat I would strongly recommend you stay away from it, there are plenty of vegetable and fish dishes.

michael m

wash ur sack

♥♫Ms. Super-Dooper.♫♥

All I can suggest is being prepared for the fact that life there is different than many other places in the world. For example, they don't treat animals the same way as most "civilised" societies do. So be prepared for some potentially unpleasant sights.
I know that's not the answer you're looking for, but it's all I can think of.

Boss Master D

Glue your eyes so they look chinese, paint yourself yellow and shout: HONG-YAAAAAH TY-WAY YANG YOR!!!!

Jun

Your friend is your local guide. I think this answers all your worries. This is one person you need when in China
Your money is more than enough, bring your cards though
Immunization is not necessary

eugenenious

A little red book

Lisa M

get some injections to stop u getting diseases

Eyes of Seaweed

make sure you can distinguish between chicken and dog

Simon

well have a nice time i think you need to practise using Chop-Sticks...:)

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