China: conclusions and tips

• 30 days in 10 provinces with three different currencies;

• 6 days hiking;

• traveled by plane, train, tuk tuk, car, bicycle, bamboo raft and ferry;

• 2345643 kg of noodles and rice eaten;

• 2 Big Mac’s (yes I know that it’s not good, but I needed them desperately . . .)

• some Tsing Tao s 🙂

• many “Lost in Translation” moments 🙁

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* The tips below are for China Mainland, unless otherwise stated

What I liked MOST

• Amazing and very different landscapes;

• Unique historical and archaeological sites;

• The pandas, so cute!

• Moon cakes;

• Tibetan food;

• In Hong Kong, Victoria Harbor from its many points of view;

• People in Hong Kong, so nice and kind!

What I liked LEAST

• Chinese people (scratching, burping, blowing their nose with their hands and without any respect for the others);

• Chinese food;

• Few people speak English so traveling independently was hard, very hard!

• Walking on wooden walkways in Natural Parks;

• All those security controls at the entrance of every metro and train stations;

• Public toilets on the road;

• The ethnic variety, especially in the South provinces, has become a tourist trap so not interesting anymore;

• The continuous noise, anywhere and anytime.

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Useful Information :

• Avoid traveling in China during the Golden Week, when all China travels. If you are in China while the Golden Week, DON’T MOVE;

• Try to book train tickets (sleeper class) as soon as possible, they are sold out very fast! You can buy them 18 days in advance from any train station;

• Have always 1 yuan notes on hand for the bus;

• A Chinese – English Translator mobile application can be very useful, Chinese don’t speak English and won’t do any effort to to understand you;

• A gps can also be very useful in big cities (don’t expect many helpful Chinese on your way);

• A big dose of patience is compulsory.