What to prepare for and what you need to know before traveling to China. Independent travel to China Free Trial Lessons

How to organize an independent trip to China in 2020! Visa, tickets, hotels, food, transport, security. How much does it cost to travel to China? Cost calculation, tips and observations.

The material is prepared on the basis personal experience independent travel to China by the author of the text: three months of living in Shenzhen, as well as trips to Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

China is huge and very diverse, so it is impossible to clearly say where prices and conditions are. I will start from Shenzhen - the center of all electronics, a young and rapidly growing city in the very south of China, which borders on Hong Kong. I will tell you what a tourist needs when planning independent trip to China in 2020, and I will also give my own observations about the country and tips for travelers.

How to get a visa to China yourself

A visa to China is required for Russians, except in rare cases. A regular single entry costs 1,500 rubles, a double entry costs 3,000, and a multiple entry costs 4,500 rubles. Plus a bank commission of 2.5% per person is charged.

Urgent single entry - 2400, urgent double entry - 3900, urgent multiple entry - 5400. There is also an express review, which costs more.

It is better to stay in chain hotels, as they care about their reputation. A night in such a hotel costs from $30-40 for a double room. Chain hotels in Shenzhen: Greentree Inn, Sheraton, Novotel, etc.

Adviсe:

Look for a hotel with good soundproofing - the Chinese are noisy.
Photos of hotels do not always correspond to reality.
Sometimes a room may be clean and comfortable, but have foreign odors, such as dampness. Or the windows look out onto the courtyard, where there is a landfill or a Chinese street cafe (which produces odors no better).

Rent. If you want personal comfortable housing, look for a room, apartment or house on Airbnb. The choice of housing is huge. Renting an apartment in Beijing costs approximately $30-50 per day, in Shenzhen - from $27. You can rent an apartment on Airbnb for $600-$1,500 for a month (rooms cost $500-$900). The price depends on the city, area and condition of the house. For example, in Shenzhen near the beach in resort area An excellent apartment was rented for $600. There are discounts for long-term rentals.

Entrance to Shenzhen Novotel Watergate (Photo: booking.com / Shenzhen Novotel Watergate)

Food and cuisine of China

Another challenge you will face when traveling to China on your own in 2020 is food. It is very specific here, so going to a cafe can cause problems, especially if you don’t know the language. But here McDonald's and KFC come to the rescue. There are also many well-known European chains where you can order food from pictures. However, their prices are much higher - for example, a side dish with meat costs from $6. Sometimes tea is included in the price. At McDonald's, a Big Mac (potatoes, cola, double cheeseburger) will cost about $5.

In general, you can eat in a cafe for $5 or more; in restaurants, a simple dish costs from $10.

Where you can eat inexpensively and deliciously in China:

Cafe for locals. You can eat a hearty meal there for $1.50, but no one guarantees the quality of the products and compliance with sanitary standards. The downside is that it is difficult to order dishes, since often there are no pictures or there are few of them, and if there are, it is not clear what it is.
"Muslim women"- This local cafes, which are held by Chinese Muslims. The food there is prepared in compliance with all standards and is really very tasty. I really love their noodles and recommend you try them. They cook it in front of you, and it’s interesting to watch this process. Cost from $1.5 for a huge portion.
Supermarket. A kilo of bananas costs $1-2, apples $2-3, tangerines $1-2. I do not recommend buying sausages. This is not at all what we expect: Chinese sausages are made from soy with a bunch of spices and additives. They taste sweet and have a specific smell, but for the sake of curiosity you can try them once.

(Photo: Jo@net / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)

Internet and cellular communications in China

All SIM cards are sold only with a passport in specialized places. Price mobile communications quite high - from $20 per month, plus they charge the same amount for purchasing a card and choosing a tariff plan. To purchase a normal tariff and understand everything, you need to know Chinese. If you need internet in China, it's easier to use Wi-Fi while traveling - in big cities it can be found everywhere.

There is another problem that many people face - blocking all Google services, YouTube, Instagram. To access them you need to install a special VPN program.

China Mobile is the largest mobile operator in the world (Photo: Open Grid Scheduler Grid Engine / flickr.com)

Transport in China

Transport in China is excellent. The infrastructure is very developed. Planes, ferries, trains (including high-speed), buses, subways and taxis. You can get to any point without any problems. Travel on buses - from $0.3, in the metro - from $0.5.

If you are going to China for a month, buy a travel pass. The plastic card can be topped up and used in the metro and buses, and then returned and received money back. Cost $4. This is very convenient: you don’t need to find out the cost of tickets, buy tokens, or stand in lines. Accordingly, the problem of language disappears. For trips within one city, $10-30 per month is enough.

A very common type of transportation is electric mopeds. Essentially this is a taxi, only less comfortable, more extreme and cheaper - from $2. The main advantage is the absence of traffic jams, since mopeds go wherever they want. The only negative is the language. You need to agree on the price and destination.

(Photo: Lαin / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

ATMs and cards

Be prepared that many stores may not accept your Visa or MasterCard card, since in China there is another payment system - UnianPay. This card can be issued at any bank for free. If you need to withdraw money from yours, there are many ATMs for this.

Chinese mentality

Don't be surprised if in China you feel like a monkey that everyone wants to take a photo with. For a Chinese, having a photo with a European is an indicator of coolness and status, so you will always be the center of attention. They will always turn around at you and, without hesitation, look straight at you. In addition to increased interest, the Chinese will try to make money on the “white man”. For them, we are walking money, so bargain in all stores. For example, we once reduced the price of a shirt from $35 to $5.

We can talk for a long time about the culture and upbringing of the majority of Chinese. Giving way to a girl, letting her go ahead, letting people exit a vehicle, throwing garbage in the trash bin - this is not about them. They also have no sense of tact. Don’t be surprised if at the first meeting you are asked about your personal life, salary and health. The Chinese themselves are very cunning and enterprising, but at the same time good-natured.

Useful words in Chinese for a traveler:

Security in China

Do you know where the tradition of wearing a backpack on the front came from? From China. Petty theft is very common there. In big cities you can find a policeman everywhere who will gladly help in any situation. Also on all buses, metro, shopping centers, and there are simply cameras hanging on the street, so in big cities there is nothing to be afraid of when walking along the streets in the evening. From personal experience: I walked with photographic equipment, and not once did anyone try to pester me.

Also in China there is an unspoken rule that animals, children and laovayam(for foreigners) anything is possible.

(Photo: Today is a good day / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

How much does an independent trip to China from Russia cost?

Let's calculate how much a trip to China costs for two for 10 days when departing from Moscow:

Single entry visa - $52.
Flights from Moscow to Beijing and back - from $586. Find a ticket >>
Hotel in the center of Beijing in low season - $130. Find a hotel >>
Meals in eateries for locals - $120.
Insurance - $23.
Transport and attractions - approximately $200.

So, how much does it cost to travel to China on your own? The minimum cost of the trip, if you are ready to save, is approximately 1111$ for two for 10 days.

If you are used to living comfortably, then the trip will cost approximately 1711$ for two (accommodation in a 3* hotel - $250 and meals in cafes and restaurants - $600). We spent $1,500 a month for two of us.

Fragment of a 100 yuan bill (Photo: super.heavy / flickr.com)

Take advantage of our useful tips on an independent trip to China in 2020:

Before you travel, watch how the Chinese count on their fingers. The match with our score is only up to 4, then everything is different.
Be sure to download a translator to your phone.
Take the necessary medications, as you are unlikely to find anything familiar in Chinese pharmacies. You are more likely to encounter dried toad than activated charcoal.
Download the Baidu program and maps of the cities where you plan to live on your phone. This program will help you choose the route, time and type of transport, determine the best option ways. You won't get lost with her. I highly recommend it!

I hope you have a general idea of prices and conditions. And the problem of language, as you see, is not so terrible. Travel, because there are so many interesting things in the world!

(Photo: monkeylikemind / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

First photo: mandylovefly / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

The Chinese mentality is very different from what we are used to. Of course, the Chinese are ready to turn a blind eye to many of the peculiarities of the guests, but the guests, for their part, must take into account the logic of a foreign country. So we have put together 10 tips for you, following which you can spend your time in China comfortably and not get into trouble:

1.Traditions of eating in China are centuries old. Popular all over the world, rice sticks are a real art, behind which there are many features. Moreover, with the help of all kinds of rituals associated with eating, respect for each other is conveyed. For example, you cannot pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks. You cannot stick chopsticks into rice; the Chinese associate this with sudden death. Why is that? But because it resembles smoking sticks in temples, which are precisely associated with all sorts of funeral rituals. A large piece of food must be held with chopsticks and bitten off. You also cannot point at something with chopsticks or move plates with them. After eating, they should be placed on the edge of the plate or on coasters, but not just on the table. And even without chopsticks, there are many peculiarities of food culture. For example, if someone hands you something, including a plate or cup, take it with both hands. Keep in mind that the dishes here are large and not designed for one person. However, they can cost very little, and it will be a shame to leave two-thirds of a huge portion of food on the plate.

2.Photo and video shooting in churches and museums is prohibited. In some places, filming is only permitted for an additional fee. Photograph government agencies and strategic objects (even bridges and dams) are not recommended. Follow the icons; most often there will be a symbol of a crossed out camera, but even without it you should be careful.

3. There are no firm rules for vaccination before traveling to China. But we recommend prior vaccination against cholera, Japanese encephalitis, polio, typhoid fever and hepatitis A and B. There is a risk of contracting rabies, tuberculosis, diphtheria and bilharzia (blood schistosis). And if you decide to visit the southwestern regions and Hainan Island, you should get vaccinated against malaria.

4.Drinking water from the tap and, especially, from sources and reservoirs is highly not recommended. In any hotel, your room will have either a thermos with boiling water or an electric kettle. Use for drinking mineral water from plastic bottles. When ordering chilled drinks, avoid ice. There is a risk that water for ice will be taken from the nearest river, and no one will boil it.

5. Most regions of Tibet are closed to tourists. And not only because there are nature reserves here. The main reason for this is religious issues. To travel to Tibet, a special additional permit is required, which is issued by the receiving party in advance. It is possible to visit Tibet with a group along a pre-agreed and agreed route; for this purpose, separate tours are created.

6. A foreigner in China should always carry with him a hotel business card with an inscription in Chinese or a card with his data filled out by any Chinese translator. The more such guidelines you have with you, the easier it will be for you in any situation, and the faster they will help you.

7.CNY, or yuan, is the only official means of payment in China. In general, some stores may also accept USD, but it will be more profitable for you to exchange currency. This can be done at the main branches of the Bank of China, hotels, international airports, railway stations, in large shopping centers. You should keep the receipts received during the exchange; the return exchange of the remaining yuan at the end of the trip can only be done upon presentation. American Express, JCB, Visa, Master Card and Diners Club credit cards are accepted in international hotels and restaurants, and large state department stores. You can withdraw cash from them only at branches of the Bank of China (commission is about 4%). Credit card purchases are subject to a fee of 1-2% of the purchase price and are not eligible for discounts.

8. Take with you what you will need on your trip. This is especially important for the prevention and treatment of diseases. If you use any injections, take syringes with you; if you need antipyretics, stock up on all these medications in advance. It’s better to plan for everything, including a possible upset stomach and a cold, than to then try to explain to local pharmacies what you need. This also applies to other items related to hygiene, nutrition, and travel comfort. Think through everything as much as possible so as not to look for goods in huge supermarkets with Chinese signs. It’s not a fact that they will be dubbed in English even where there are a lot of tourists.

9. It is not customary to tip everywhere in China, but a maid or porter at a hotel will not refuse 1-2 CNY. By the way, in restaurants there are two menus, one for the Chinese, the other for you, and prices here will be 2-3 times higher. It's hard to do anything about this if you don't look Chinese, but you can try to ensure that they bring you the Chinese version of the menu.

10.China, as a more than densely populated country, can hardly be called safe for tourists. And this is especially true for megacities, of which there are a great many. Try to provide yourself with all hotel contacts, transport lists, maps and atlases of the city, contact numbers of translators and guides. Take care of your belongings and try not to walk alone, especially in unfamiliar areas and away from the hotel. Focus on your tourist group, and don't move too far away from her. Of course, nothing particularly terrible will most likely happen. China is quite civilized, and they will help you if you contact the police or just passers-by, in most cases. And, perhaps, even with joy and interest, the Chinese are responsive and curious. However, it is better to be on the safe side here.

You need to arrive at the airport 2.5 hours before departure. Remember about the free baggage allowance and additional payment for excess baggage. The tickets indicate local time. To board the flight you need:

Go through customs inspection and fill out a customs declaration. If the amount of money you are exporting is less than $3,000 per person and you do not have items that must be declared, 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 counter number is located on the central display opposite your flight number. All questions about your seat number on the plane can only be resolved at the check-in counter.
Go through border control in any booth.
Board the plane through the gate number indicated on your boarding pass.

Passengers on international flights undergo customs, passport and security control, after which they await departure in the sterile area of the international airlines gallery. When going through security checks, you must present your passport and boarding pass.

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

Rules for pre-flight and post-flight inspections

In accordance with Appendix No. 1 of the Rules for pre-flight and post-flight inspections, approved by order of the Ministry of Transport Russian Federation dated July 25, 2007 No. 104 prohibited from transporting on board the aircraft by passengers in checked baggage and in things carried by passengers, the following dangerous substances and objects:

Allowed to transport on board the aircraft by crew members and passengers in compliance with the required conditions the following items and substances:

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

Liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 100 ml are not accepted for transportation, even if the container is only partially filled. Exceptions to transportation include medications, baby food, and special dietary needs.

Liquids purchased from duty-free shops at the airport or on board an aircraft must be packaged in a securely sealed plastic bag that allows the contents of the bag to be identified during the flight and has reliable confirmation that the purchase was made at airport duty-free shops. or on board the aircraft on the day(s) of travel. Keep your receipt as proof of purchase. Do not open the package either before boarding 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 high-risk flights, 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 lock) travel, pocket knives with a blade length of less than 60 mm.

Upon arrival at Sanya and Haikou airport

Upon arrival at Sanya Airport, you must go through passport control (present a foreign passport).
From April 30, 2018, a new rule for passing border control at Sanya Airport is in effect.(Hainan Island, China, international terminal). All tourists aged 14 to 70 years who fly to the island on direct charter flights According to the visa-free list, the following procedures will additionally be completed:
1. Fingerprinting;
2. Biometric facial photo.
Also, some tourists' mobile devices may be selectively checked for prohibited materials ().
If a tourist refuses to undergo this procedure, the airport border control has the right to deport the tourist. All costs of deportation are borne by the tourist.
Receive your luggage. The monitors above the baggage belts indicate the flight from which baggage will be issued at this belt.
At the exit from the airport building, go to a TEZ TOUR representative and find out the number of your transfer bus. To do this, name the hotel where you will be staying. The hotel name appears on your voucher.
Our representatives wear yellow shirts with blue ties and blue trousers/skirts.
Go to the parking lot, find the bus you need for transfer, check in with the TEZ TOUR representative accompanying the bus, saying your name, put your luggage in the luggage compartment of the bus.
Listen carefully to the information that the accompanying person (transferman) will provide on the way to the hotel. Also, the accompanying person (transferman) will inform you about the time of meeting with your hotel guide.

Upon arrival at the hotel

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

Meeting with the hotel guide

The time of meeting with the hotel guide will be informed to you by the accompanying person (transferman) 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. To the meeting, take with you your passport, voucher, and return flight ticket.

If you have any questions or problems, please contact your 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 your flight home

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

Check out from the hotel

On the day of departure, you must vacate your room by 12:00, hand in your keys and towel cards.

You can leave your luggage in the hotel storage room.

To avoid various complications, please do not be late and arrive at the transfer at the specified time.

Arrival at Sanya and Haikou airport for departure

Upon arrival at the airport, go to the check-in counter, where your flight number is indicated (the counter numbers will be additionally given to you by the attendant (transfer person) on the bus on the way to the airport).
Check in for your flight (provide your passport and ticket).
Drop your luggage at the front desk.
Get your boarding pass. Pay attention to the gate number and time for boarding the plane (on the boarding pass the gate is indicated by the word GATE, the time - TIME).
Go through passport control (provide your foreign passport and completed migration card for departure).
Proceed to the departure hall, where you will wait for the boarding announcement for your flight.

Helpful information

Medical service

To receive free medical care, you must contact the telephone numbers specified in the insurance company's medical policy. When visiting medical institutions without a referral from an insurance company, the tourist pays for the services independently.

Vaccinations are not required for travel to China. You should not drink tap water. Drink 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 questionable origin, even if it looks attractive and appetizing, such as food prepared by street vendors. Do not eat meat dishes, not subjected to heat treatment.

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

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

Famous clinics in Sanya Yukang, Garden of Longevity, Taiji.

First aid kit

Before your trip, prepare and take with you a first aid kit, which will help you with minor ailments, save your time searching for medicines and eliminate the problems of communicating in a foreign language; in addition, many medicines can different countries have different names.

General information on China

Political system. Political structure PRC - Communist regime.

Time. The whole country lives according to Beijing time, 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 generally accepted writing system is Chinese characters.

General information about 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°C, the amount of precipitation per year is 1500 mm. The climate of Hainan Island is mild, tropical, on the island all year round Summer reigns. In summer, the daytime temperature is usually around 33 degrees.

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

Visa

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

Time

The time is 4 hours ahead of Moscow.

Mains voltage

Mains voltage 220 V.

Tips

Tipping is not accepted in China, but nevertheless, in a restaurant it is enough to leave change. 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 an amount of more than $5,000, you must declare this in the customs declaration. The amount of yuan transferred across the border should not exceed 6,000 yuan. Duty-free import of 600 cigarettes, alcoholic beverages not exceeding 1.5 liters, and jewelry is allowed 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, and military topics;
materials that may harm China's politics, economy and culture.

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

It is prohibited 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 People's Republic of China.

Power Bank (charger) with a capacity of more than 10,000 Amp (amps) cannot be exported from China. We recommend not to bring these chargers with you, as customs may not allow/seize the Power Bank upon departure from the country.

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

Medicines are allowed for export only in luggage, if there is a stamped receipt and an export permit or prescription.

Money

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

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

Please pay attention when paying by cardMasterCardmay have problems!

The shops

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

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

In large state stores and grocery stores, prices are fixed. You should bargain in the markets. Even if there is a price tag on the product, this is nothing more than a “guideline” indicating the order of the cost of the purchase. The choice of souvenirs is huge, but many of them are of low quality. Chopsticks, beautiful porcelain, 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 usually sold only in state stores and are expensive. When purchasing it, you must 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" pearls, which means southern pearls. 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 teahouses you can try different types of tea, learn about the art of brewing teas and buy various types of medicinal tea.
Silk. Gifts purchased here for your loved ones and friends, be it silk clothes, silk bed linen or always fashionable silk paintings, will be remembered for a long time, because the art of silk has been alive 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. At the beginning of the 20th century, a Japanese doctor discovered a special substance in shark oil - squalene, which can act as a natural antibiotic. In addition, scientists have discovered that shark oil contains another important compound - aloxyglycerides, which have a powerful effect on the immune system. Among other things, shark oil is the best supplier of valuable vitamins A, E, D - these are vitamins that fight age-related changes in the body. They improve vision, skin and hair condition, 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 refunded to tourists. Payment of the deposit is due 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 hotel unlocks funds, the transaction does not take place immediately and in some cases can last 30 days (the funds are returned to the owner’s account within a month).

Please note that 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 sun loungers and umbrellas.

A tan. It is better to sunbathe before 11 am, otherwise there is a risk of overheating and sunburn. Excessive sun exposure can ruin your entire vacation. Use protective creams with high UV protection. Do not neglect hats when staying in the sun for a long time

Transport

The main means of transportation in China are bus and taxi. To get around the city it is better to use a taxi. There is a “TAXI” sign on the roof of the car, and payment for 1 km of travel is stamped on the glass; payment is made according to the meter readings. Taxi fare for 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 its suburbs.

Main route buses:

Bus No. 2: East Station - Dadonghai - City Center - College
Dadonghai Square - Xiazhi Department Store - Luhuitou Square - Sanya City Hall (Shidai Hai'an Bar Street) - First Market Crossroads (Sanya International trade area) - Yifang Department Store - Public 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 - Marine World Club Hotel - Yalongbei Square - LiuPan Village - TianDu Village - NonSha Village - OjiaYuan Village - East Station - Dadonghai Bay - Palm Hotel - Luhuitou Square - Sanya City Committee (Bar Street) - Ganmen Village - High school Practices - People's Insurance Company - Taixin Hotel - Hotel Central Asia- Chinese Medicine Hospital - Shuili Building - Public parking (pedestrian street) - Red Soltsy Restaurant - TianDu Hotel - Chinese Bank - ShenYi Hotel (Sanyabei Bay) - ZingWei Hotel - 425 Hospital - Friendship Street - Nongken Hospital - West Station

Rent a Car
Since international driver's licenses are not valid in China, car rental is only possible 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 cannot photograph military, strategic sites 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, etc.
It is impossible to express dissatisfaction with the culture and history of China, and also to show disrespect for them.
You can't litter, you can be fined for it.
You should not show aggression or irritation towards the Chinese.
Most Chinese people are friendly towards tourists, so be prepared for the fact that many local residents They will greet you and perhaps even point a finger - react to this calmly.
It is not allowed to touch a woman or take her arm.
It is not customary to open the door for a woman or give her a seat, because... Women and men have equal rights in China.
You should refrain from smoking in hotels, parks, squares and on the street; drinking alcoholic beverages is also prohibited in these places.
You should take food from the plate with chopsticks silently.
You need to suck in the noodles noisily - this is what all Chinese do, this shows how tasty it is for you.
You cannot stick chopsticks (or utensils) vertically into a bowl of food - this is reminiscent of incense being smoked in a temple, and therefore evokes thoughts of moving to another world.
Under no circumstances should you string pieces of food onto chopsticks - this will offend every Chinese person.

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 distributed in China almost throughout the entire territory. When purchasing 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 this yourself can be difficult without knowing Chinese. You can buy a SIM card at the offices of China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom. You can also purchase cards for international calls with per-minute payment.

To call Russia, you need to dial 007 (Russia code) + area code + the phone number you need.

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

Useful phones

International Help Desk (English): 115
Police and rescue: 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

The main thing a tourist needs to know in China

When traveling to Europe, everything is usually simple, since the life of Europeans is very similar to ours, and even if you don’t know the language, you can find your way around housing and transport, as well as buy something in a store. But with trips to eastern countries the situation is more complicated, since in many countries they do not speak or understand at all not only Russian, but even English, it is impossible to guess what all these local hieroglyphs mean, plus there are some local peculiarities, which should definitely be taken into account by those who decide to go on an independent trip to China or any other eastern country.

1. Time zone difference

Just be aware that China has a different time zone. The first few days will be spent adapting to new conditions. Therefore, you should take care in advance to set your internal clock to China time. Long flights and sleepless nights at the airport “help” me - I arrive without sleep, go to bed in the evening according to local time, wake up in the morning, and then I no longer have any problems with a different time zone.

A sleepless night at the airport is the best cure for jet lag.

2. Different 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 air in Europe and the CIS countries.

Smog is clearly visible in cities in China's northern zone. IN southern zone, due to the fact that there are fewer factories, it is not so clearly visible. But its consequences are felt. Among them are high drowsiness and problems in people with breathing problems. catch fresh air only possible after rain.

3. Language barrier

The language barrier. First of all, people in China don't speak English well. You may encounter 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 who professionally study foreign languages. Some take a translator - this helps, but you need to be careful. For example, often all the translator does is ask, “Iga dosha chen?” (How much does it cost?), but they ask for $50 a day. Drive them away 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. in hieroglyphs, no English transliteration). The main advice is to write down phrases on a piece of paper that may be useful: “destination” for a taxi, necessary stops for public transport, currency exchange, shop, 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, it is worth writing as legibly 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, which radically change the meaning of any word. One word in different tones 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. Therefore, you should not be surprised by the difference.

4. Food in China

Food. It is not profitable to dine in large cafes in China. Even regular tea exceeds average European prices. Therefore, there are several food options left.

The first is small eateries, where the main nuance is the unknown in what conditions the 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 suit the wallet of any tourist. When placing an order at a restaurant or cafe, be sure to check the level of spiciness of the food.

The second is buying food at the market. Here the prices will be half as much as even in eateries, but again the question arises about sanitary conditions and the impossibility of guaranteeing your continued health after eating this food. Therefore, the best option, if your hotel does not provide food, is to buy food from 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.

Don't eat exotic food on the street. Such as insects, scorpions, spiders different types. The Chinese themselves almost never eat this way; it is made specifically for tourists, and is not always safe for an unprepared stomach.
Prepare in advance that when buying food in the store there will be no dairy products or it will cost quite a lot of money. Problems may arise with bread, because... The Chinese don't eat baked goods, so if you want to replace it with something, the best thing is steamed flatbread. The closest thing you can find in China is as 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 see the houseboats and take a ride on a small boat along the market in this village.

If you use a taxi, order it to a specific place and at a specific time, you should not be late by more than five minutes. The taxi driver has the right to leave if the client is late at the required time. Look carefully at the meter and pay only according to it. Don't take drivers' word for it.

The most popular means of traveling around the country is trains. When buying tickets, be very careful. There are three categories of tickets - seated, standing, and floor. Depending on the category, there are different pricing policies. The most expensive places– sedentary. When purchasing, be sure to specify which seat you need. Be careful when traveling during the holidays.

6. Buying souvenirs

Souvenirs. Never buy souvenirs at tourist attractions. Their price is usually one and a half to two times higher than outside cultural places.

I would also like 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 the souvenirs in all the shops are almost identical, the prices for them 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 the set price. If you want cheap souvenirs and the opportunity to bargain, look for a unique product that has no competition, or look for small shops outside shopping streets and attractions. Then you can reduce the purchase price by one and a half to two times.

7. Hotels and other 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 or fan, no bathroom, with windows facing the corridor, and even in some kind of hole. You will find more or less normal rooms in which to live for only 200-300 yuan. It will be poor here, but it will be 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 conditioning, 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 based on photos, ratings and reviews from visitors.

Be sure to print a hotel business card with Chinese characters, otherwise you risk not getting to the place (how else can you explain to the taxi driver where you need to go?)

These seven tips are specific 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 selection of formats, designs and the opportunity to create your own unique style.

The purpose of this book is to answer two questions: “How to travel around China on your own without knowing Chinese?” and “Why is China interesting?” The author uses a non-linear way of presenting information, which is familiar to Internet users, allowing him to show China in all its diversity.

* * *

The given introductory fragment of the book A traveler's guide to China (Dmitry Finozhenok, 2015) provided by our book partner - the company liters.

We're traveling around China

How to travel around China on your own

The idea of traveling independently through a country whose language you don’t understand seems pure madness. But if a Chinese peasant from a remote village can easily cope with this, then is it worth giving in to the villager? big city? Moreover, transport system China is designed for huge passenger flows, and therefore is well thought out and surprisingly passenger-friendly.

According to the visa regime for Russian citizens, the territory of China is divided into two unequal parts: mainland China and special administrative regions (Hong Kong and Macau).

About Mainland China

Formally, this term is not entirely correct: two areas of Hong Kong (Kowloon and New Territories) are located on the mainland.

To visit mainland China, Russians require a visa (the most popular visas are tourist visas for 15 and 30 days), Hong Kong and Macau allow visa-free entry for periods of up to 14 and 30 days, respectively. Remember: when visiting the Special Administrative Region, you are leaving the area covered by your main Chinese visa. Therefore, if Hong Kong or Macau is a stopover point on your trip to China, then you will need a double-entry Chinese visa.

Large international airports China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Shenyang, Harbin, Guilin) offer visa-free transit with the possibility of entering the city for up to three days. It is important to remember that when applying for a transit visa, electronic tickets in Russian are not considered documents confirming departure.

Tourist visa to China is the only thing that cannot be done without the help of a travel agency. Even if you apply for a visa yourself, you will need an invitation from a Chinese travel agency or hotel. You can do everything else when preparing for the trip yourself.

Route selection

Despite the enormous leaps that China has made over the past thirty years, only a small percentage of Chinese own English language and even less so for Russians. All a tourist can hope for is globalization. The more modern a Chinese city is, the more friendly it is to foreigners and the easier it is to live in it.

How to find out modern city

American sociologist Richard Florida, the author of the concept of the creative class, established a direct relationship between the level of tolerance and the innovative potential of a city. The modern city creates an environment open to change, which attracts not only creative people, but also bohemians, migrants, various subcultures and minorities. Therefore, the easiest way to find a modern city is to follow them. If you want to find bohemia, look at night satellite images (the brighter the city glows, the more intense night life); if you want to find geeks, look for Comic-Con venues, etc.

The second limiting factor in choosing a route is climate. Most parts of China are quite hot in summer. Therefore, cities are a smart choice east coast, where the proximity of the sea softens the heat. It should be remembered that in the very south of China not only tropical downpours are possible, but occasionally typhoons are also possible.

You should also pay attention to the level of air pollution in the cities you plan to visit. Try not to stay long in places where the pollution index exceeds 100 points. Data on air pollution levels are updated daily and are available at http://aqicn.org.

The further you go south, the more diverse and vibrant nature becomes. Anyone who had to return home with southern resorts, remembers the depressing impression of a gray and lifeless city, compared to the south. Therefore, it is better to start your journey from the north of China and move south.

Between cities

In terms of size, China ranks third in the world, its area is only half the size of Russia. However, the country's transport system is built in such a way that almost every corner of the country is separated by a day's travel from the capital.

Cartographic illusion of grandeur

If you look at the usual political map world, it may seem that four or five Chinas can fit on the territory of Russia. But this is just the result of distortions that are inevitable when transferring an image from the surface of a sphere to a plane. The closer to the pole the territory is located, the stronger this effect. For example, China is five times larger than Greenland, but on the map they appear almost identical.

There are two main types of transport: plane and train. High population density in South-East Asia allows many low-cost airlines to operate effectively. Unfortunately, given my height of two meters, an airplane with front seats supporting my knees is not the most comfortable way to travel; I prefer trains, especially since the shelves in them are noticeably longer than Russian ones, and I only have to spend the night once.

CHR (China High-Speed Railroad)

Thirty years ago, the main type of locomotive in China was the steam locomotive. The first high-speed train appeared in China in 2007. Today, the length of high-speed lines (200 km/h and above) is 16 thousand km, which is more than all other countries of the world combined. The next generation of high-speed trains, currently undergoing testing, already accelerates to 500 km/h. Trains have become serious competitors to airplanes and have practically replaced them on short routes (up to 500 km).

Most train numbers in China begin with a letter indicating the train category. There are six main types: C, D, G, K, T, Z. Category K is assigned to fast trains; there is a certain irony in the fact that this is currently one of the most slow trains in China (maximum speed – 120 km/h). Category T stands for express trains, these are the same express trains, but with fewer stops. Category D is intended for high-speed trains, their speed reaches 250 km/h. Categories G and C are assigned to bullet trains, whose maximum speed is 350 km/h. For safety reasons, trains of the last three categories operate only during daylight hours; at night, these tracks are used by category Z trains and luxury night express trains.

Beautiful is far away

If the bullet train ran along the Vladivostok-Moscow route, the travel time would be only 32 hours. Now Russian Railways requires more than six days for this.

Life on wheels

IN high speed trains(D, C, G), as a rule, there are only seats; on night trains of category Z there are only compartments. And only fast trains and regular express trains have compartments, reserved seats, and seats.

Access mode

A train ticket is required to enter the platform and exit the station. Do not throw away your tickets until you have left the station building.

The numbering of seats on Chinese trains differs from Russian ones; the shelves on one side of the compartment have the same number. To distinguish them, the type of place is indicated: lower, middle and upper. The third, top shelf is only available in reserved seat carriages. It is located high enough to easily stretch your legs, but since the distance to the ceiling is not great, you literally have to crawl onto it. The lower the shelf is, the more expensive ticket, so passengers in the lower bunks feel like wealthy people.

This is how the tickets indicate the lower, middle and upper seats, respectively.

When traveling on the train, you are issued a plastic card - a substitute for a ticket. It is your pass to the train if you want to go out for a walk at the stops. If you lose this piece of plastic, you will have to buy your ticket again. Half an hour before the passenger arrives at their destination, replacement cards are collected and tickets returned, so there is no fear of missing your station.

How to find your train

Chinese train stations are designed for huge passenger traffic, so they are easy to navigate. After passing the entrance control, find on the main board the number of the waiting room for your train (if the stations have several waiting rooms), in the waiting room - use the train number to find the exit to the platform. 20-30 minutes before boarding, the gates open and the stairs lead only to your platform. If you are not sure of your decision, just show your ticket to any station employee, he will definitely help.

Go to Chinese train nice enough. All trains long distance Air-conditioned, soft traditional Chinese music creates a tranquil atmosphere, and large windows allow you to admire the scenery.

It is not necessary to take food with you on the train; carts with hot food regularly travel around the carriage. The food is aimed at the Chinese, but the lunch box contains five or six dishes, of which perhaps three or four will be tasty. You will have to prepare tea and coffee yourself; at the end of the carriage there is a tap with boiling water, and each compartment has a thermos.

Bed linen is not sold on trains; one set of linen is used throughout the entire train route. Therefore, never buy tickets with landing at intermediate stations. The towel is not included in the linen set.

The Chinese produce a lot of garbage, but they clean it up regularly. Every couple of hours the guide cleans up the place, including wet cleaning. If you do not want your suitcases to be walked over with a cloth, do not place them under the seat, use special luggage racks.

In China, you can buy train tickets no earlier than 20 days before the departure date, therefore, when going to long journey in this country, you will most likely not have a full set of tickets on hand. How to solve this problem with the least amount of vacation time?

The most comfortable option is to order tickets in advance with delivery to the hotel. The advantages of this approach are obvious: all you have to do is pick up your tickets from the receptionist. The main disadvantage is that delivery only works in large cities. In addition, since you order delivery of the ticket on a date and not a specific time, you will have to stay at a hotel for at least two nights. Of the several delivery ticket services I've used, http://www.chinatripadvisor.com left the best impression.

One country, one time

Since 1949, the entire territory of China (except for the autonomous regions of Xinjiang and Tibet) has had a single time, GMT +8. This greatly simplifies travel planning, but the further you go east, the more daylight hours shift. In summer in Shanghai, the sun sets at seven in the evening.

If your trip lies far from big cities or if you simply don’t want to waste a day in some city, you can order your purchase in advance electronic ticket, for example, through http://www.china-diy-travel.com. All you receive is your reservation number. After printing out the document sent to you, you go to the station and receive a regular ticket at a special ticket office. If you need help finding this ticket office, find any station employee and just show him your printout, he will tell you where to go - tested from my own experience.

End of introductory fragment.