- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Winter Olympics
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Any tips on traveling to China?
Posted on 12/9/24 at 1:16 pm
Posted on 12/9/24 at 1:16 pm
I will be going to China in Q1 for business and I have never been. Any tips on dos and don't to navigate the landscape there?
I will be with escorted by a team member local to the factory I will be supporting.
I will be with escorted by a team member local to the factory I will be supporting.
4
Posted on 12/9/24 at 1:22 pm to TheDeathValley
Here's what I always followed on my trips:
1. Learn a few words in Mandarin - hello, thank you, good-bye, etc.
2. Don't wind-up in a Chinese prison.
3. Understand that bodily fluids and noises come much more naturally there.
4. See #2.
5. The "Exit/Enter" rule on elevators does not exist there.
6. See #'s 2 & 4.
7. Have a good time.
8. Build an extra couple of days on at the end of the trip.
9. Don't wind-up in a Chinese prison.
Where will you be going?
1. Learn a few words in Mandarin - hello, thank you, good-bye, etc.
2. Don't wind-up in a Chinese prison.
3. Understand that bodily fluids and noises come much more naturally there.
4. See #2.
5. The "Exit/Enter" rule on elevators does not exist there.
6. See #'s 2 & 4.
7. Have a good time.
8. Build an extra couple of days on at the end of the trip.
9. Don't wind-up in a Chinese prison.
Where will you be going?
Posted on 12/9/24 at 1:28 pm to RummelTiger
Also if you have a thick southern accent it will be very difficult with the language because it is very sound based not world based. Went on a trip in college and never could get anything past a few words. Stay away from meat on a stick according to our adviser born in Beijing that is how dog and cat is typically served if you are in a street market somewhere rural.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 2:03 pm to TheDeathValley
Be careful with the toasts at dinner. The Chinese say a phrase in Mandarin which means "bottoms up" and you are all supposed to guzzle your alcohol, then get a refill to do it over and over. They seemed to be very good at it.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 2:43 pm to RummelTiger
quote:
Where will you be going?
Shanghai
Posted on 12/9/24 at 2:44 pm to TheDeathValley
quote:
Shanghai
I loved Shanghai.
It's massive and incredibly clean for a city that size.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 2:47 pm to deltafarmer
quote:
Be careful with the toasts at dinner. The Chinese say a phrase in Mandarin which means "bottoms up" and you are all supposed to guzzle your alcohol, then get a refill to do it over and over. They seemed to be very good at it.
Gan Bei!
<------ International champion at a factory in bum frick China. I asked what the record was, owner said 7, so I said basketball rules - had to win by two.
I puked in the restroom at lunch and they absolutely loved it and me. I played there game.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 2:47 pm to RummelTiger
quote:
9. Don't wind-up in a Chinese prison.
This is the advice I am looking for. My company suggested a sterile policy, meaning leave my personal phone at home. Are there any specific laws I should be concerned about?
Posted on 12/9/24 at 2:56 pm to TheDeathValley
quote:
My company suggested a sterile policy, meaning leave my personal phone at home. Are there any specific laws I should be concerned about?
I always had my personal phone and never had any issues, and I traveled from Shanghai, to Hong Kong, to Xiamen, and other points in between. As long as you're not taking pics of government buildings/people...you should be fine.
No laws I can think of specifically, but just stay very clear of anything that could get you in trouble. Without knowing your personality - if you have a quick trigger, then leave that at the border. Don't give anyone any kind of reason to frick with you.
Grab a card of the hotel you're staying in and take a pic of your room #. The card came in exceedingly handy when dealing with cabs.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 3:11 pm to RummelTiger
quote:
I always had my personal phone and never had any issues, and I traveled from Shanghai, to Hong Kong, to Xiamen, and other points in between. As long as you're not taking pics of government buildings/people...you should be fine.
No laws I can think of specifically, but just stay very clear of anything that could get you in trouble. Without knowing your personality - if you have a quick trigger, then leave that at the border. Don't give anyone any kind of reason to frick with you.
Grab a card of the hotel you're staying in and take a pic of your room #. The card came in exceedingly handy when dealing with cabs.
I really appreciate the insight! I am not super concerned all things considered, but I am always curious how to best prepare for trips like this.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 3:39 pm to RummelTiger
I decided to avoid an international incident.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 3:58 pm to TheDeathValley
quote:
This is the advice I am looking for. My company suggested a sterile policy, meaning leave my personal phone at home. Are there any specific laws I should be concerned about?
While you'd probably be fine, as a general rule, when traveling in authoritarian countries, don't bring any device that has information that, if they stood over you and made you log in with the credentials, would have anything that could be considered "subversive", and that includes both local storage and any social media. So a lot of times it's easier to just bring a burner than to worry about remembering whether you've ever said "China is asshoe"
Posted on 12/9/24 at 4:36 pm to TheDeathValley
I told my American host in China that I was having trouble accessing my Gmail account. He said the government has a pretty restrictive policy and limits or restricts access to Google. My cell phone worked fine but was somewhat limited with internet in Shanghai and Beijing.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 5:45 pm to TheDeathValley
Not only should you be leaving your personal phone at home, you should take a sterile work phone *and* a sterile laptop. Multiple companies I've worked for do this, and wipe everything as soon as you bring it back.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 6:45 pm to TheDeathValley
Spent several weeks on work in Shanghai almost 10 years ago. As fast as China has grown it might as well be a lifetime ago.
Anyhow; some tips from my time there.
Bring Immodium. Take it preemptively beginning on the plane ride over and continue for the first few days. Travelers diarrhea is very, very common.
Communal dining where everyone uses their chopsticks to retrieve food from serving platters is customary. It’s also a great way to spread germs. Everyone in my team got a bug at some point.
Hot Pot while common and delicious is often used by restaurants to get rid of food that is at, near or past expiry. Go to places who are always busy; that way you know there’s good turnover.
Haggling over prices is expected with many vendors. Shops who are against it will usually have signs saying so.
Avoid talking about the communist party, human rights or things like Tiananmen Square. Common sense; but, people do it and make things unnecessarily uncomfortable.
Nanjing Road and the Bund are a sight to behold. There’s some cutlery shops on Nanjing. I get more miles out of the Chinese cleaver I picked up there than any other piece of cutlery I own.
Prostitution is very much out in the open in Shanghai. Certainly not accepted; but, very much tolerated. Expect to be solicited for “sexy massage” the minute you walk out of your hotel. It becomes even more brazen once the sun sets. If you are at any popular expat bar; you can expect them at every corner and entryway. Definitely visit an expat bar while there. It’s great fun.
Drug use is very much frowned upon; but, you’ll find there’s a common fashion trend of people growing out their pinky fingernail. I’m not saying they do cocaine; but, I can say from firsthand knowledge that many wealthy Chinese do love the way it smells.
Get a foot massage. Eat the Xiaolongbao. Take in some tourist attractions. If you get a chance to take in Beijing you should. Hong Kong is another worth seeing.
Anyhow; some tips from my time there.
Bring Immodium. Take it preemptively beginning on the plane ride over and continue for the first few days. Travelers diarrhea is very, very common.
Communal dining where everyone uses their chopsticks to retrieve food from serving platters is customary. It’s also a great way to spread germs. Everyone in my team got a bug at some point.
Hot Pot while common and delicious is often used by restaurants to get rid of food that is at, near or past expiry. Go to places who are always busy; that way you know there’s good turnover.
Haggling over prices is expected with many vendors. Shops who are against it will usually have signs saying so.
Avoid talking about the communist party, human rights or things like Tiananmen Square. Common sense; but, people do it and make things unnecessarily uncomfortable.
Nanjing Road and the Bund are a sight to behold. There’s some cutlery shops on Nanjing. I get more miles out of the Chinese cleaver I picked up there than any other piece of cutlery I own.
Prostitution is very much out in the open in Shanghai. Certainly not accepted; but, very much tolerated. Expect to be solicited for “sexy massage” the minute you walk out of your hotel. It becomes even more brazen once the sun sets. If you are at any popular expat bar; you can expect them at every corner and entryway. Definitely visit an expat bar while there. It’s great fun.
Drug use is very much frowned upon; but, you’ll find there’s a common fashion trend of people growing out their pinky fingernail. I’m not saying they do cocaine; but, I can say from firsthand knowledge that many wealthy Chinese do love the way it smells.
Get a foot massage. Eat the Xiaolongbao. Take in some tourist attractions. If you get a chance to take in Beijing you should. Hong Kong is another worth seeing.
This post was edited on 12/9/24 at 6:56 pm
Posted on 12/9/24 at 8:17 pm to wiltznucs
Thank you all!
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News