In mainland China, Mandarin is the most widely spoken language. The character-based dialect is quite complex, with tones varying depending on the region you’re visiting. You’ll also discover many other languages spoken throughout the country, including Cantonese in areas bordering Hong Kong and Macau.
As English is commonly taught at schools in larger Chinese cities, you’ll find many younger locals or business professionals should be able to understand and help you if you need assistance. They may not have conversed with native English speakers before though, so you’ll likely need to speak slowly and clearly or write down your questions.
In the rural areas of China, few speak English. We advise you to carry a small translation guide that can help you with the basics should you wish to converse with locals. Choose one that includes written words in Chinese script that a local can read.
The local currency in China is the Renminbi (RMB or CNY), with the basic unit being the Yuan. You’ll be able to purchase currency in your home country or exchange it at airports in China, some banks or bureau des changes inside larger hotels. While the exchange rate can fluctuate, you can expect to buy around 7 RMB for 1 USD.
It’s best to have cash on you at all times in China, particularly in rural regions. ATMs in cities and large towns tend to be open 24/7. If you’re spending time in a city, you’ll find some hotels and department stores accept foreign credit cards, including Visa, AMEX and Mastercard. Make sure you inform your bank before you travel so they don’t assume your card has been stolen or copied.
In general, China’s health service is good compared to many other countries in Asia. It’s still best to avoid the need to use a hospital by making sure you’ve had the relevant inoculations and are savvy when eating street food. Hospitals are everywhere in larger cities and even smaller towns have at least one local clinic however, these may be very basic. Some rural clinics may even decline to treat visitors.
Before you set off on your tour of China, it’ll be a good idea to make sure you’ve had the following vaccinations as recommended by the WHO and CDC:
Book an appointment with your doctor at least a month before your departure date to check if you need to have or renew any innoculations.
As Chinese food standards aren’t as strict as in the US or Europe, you should be cautious about where you choose to eat to avoid getting food poisoning. While China’s street food is some of the tastiest in the world, you’ll want to avoid markets which look particularly unsanitary. If in doubt, ask your Trip Coordinator, hotel or tour guide for advice on the best places to eat in China.
It’s not advisable to drink water from the tap in China. Instead, you can buy bottled water at most supermarkets or corner stores. It is okay, however, to use tap water when bathing or brushing your teeth.
As China is a Communist country, there is no official religion, however you will still find communities of Christians, Buddhists, Taoists and Muslims throughout.
Make sure you don’t miss the ornate Lama Temple – still a working Tibetan Buddhist temple – in Beijing or the Temple of Heaven at the capital’s heart. In Shanghai, you can tour the Jade Buddha Temple and Jing’an Temple to learn more about Chinese Buddhism, while Sichuan (whose capital is Chengdu) is the birthplace of Taoism and full of beautiful mountain top temples.
Confucianism, while not technically a religion, has historically been practiced in China for over two thousand years. The emphasis it places on societal order and community is still seen in some parts of China today, especially in Shandong province to the east where Confucius was from.
Do you have other questions which haven’t been answered in our handy China travel guide? Get in touch with our team today for answers and to book your memorable Chinese vacation.
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