balgajo
Member
lol
It was a business travel. Guys took us to have dinner there....XD
Though I didn't know about this restaurant until then.
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Would you ever travel to China for vacation?
- Thread starter Blablurn
- Start date
lol
It was a business travel. Guys took us to have dinner there....XD
Though I didn't know about this restaurant until then.
IISANDERII
Member
"Would you ever travel to China for vacation?"
No, but I wouldn't go to the US either so my criteria for vacation is probably more specific than most. I'm not interested in going to countries where they oppress their people, pollute the environment so heavily, etc.
I've already experienced enough of these kinds of places so now I want to visit places which know how to run a nation properly like Sweden for example.
No, but I wouldn't go to the US either so my criteria for vacation is probably more specific than most. I'm not interested in going to countries where they oppress their people, pollute the environment so heavily, etc.
I've already experienced enough of these kinds of places so now I want to visit places which know how to run a nation properly like Sweden for example.
LeroyPantwether
Member
I mean the poster pretty clearly stated that that was the case ? Why do you need to be reaffirmed that they ate at bubba gumps ?
Mr_Antimatter
Member
I'm married to a Chinese woman, with a half-asian son, so yeah, it's high on our list.
jimmypython
Member
Yes?....but i still need FB, Twitter, Instagram, Google, youtube, whatsapp......
Been there the past two years for 3 months and 4 weeks respectively. Truly a great country to travel (food, culture, nature, history, etc) to, but I wouldn't want to live there until they modernize a lot. I'll still look forward to going there once or twice a year since my girlfriend's take me home with her when she visits.
UpperCaseN
Member
I would have said yes before I visited Japan. Now all I want to do is go back to Japan over and over again, sorry rest of the world
old
Member
I would love to. But I'm a weird traveler.
My close friend is the opposite of me. He wants to go to some shrine. Smell some traditional burning incense. Wear traditional garments and robes. I don't care at all about "ancient culture", traditional customs, or any of that stuff. I'm not interested in what the Chinese were doing in 117 BC or 1017 AD. I'm interested in what the average Chinese citizen is doing in 2017. I'd want to see China's biggest cities. Biggest skylines. Biggest shopping districts. Biggest entertainment districts. Best places to grab food. See a music festival if they have one.
I hear China has some massive cities that would rival Chicago that I've never heard of. I want to go there and see those cities. What sports are they watching. What are their cinemas like. What's their version of fast food? Who's playing on their pop radio. What are their gyms, spas, and bathhouses like? I'm interested in modern contemporary culture.
My close friend is the opposite of me. He wants to go to some shrine. Smell some traditional burning incense. Wear traditional garments and robes. I don't care at all about "ancient culture", traditional customs, or any of that stuff. I'm not interested in what the Chinese were doing in 117 BC or 1017 AD. I'm interested in what the average Chinese citizen is doing in 2017. I'd want to see China's biggest cities. Biggest skylines. Biggest shopping districts. Biggest entertainment districts. Best places to grab food. See a music festival if they have one.
I hear China has some massive cities that would rival Chicago that I've never heard of. I want to go there and see those cities. What sports are they watching. What are their cinemas like. What's their version of fast food? Who's playing on their pop radio. What are their gyms, spas, and bathhouses like? I'm interested in modern contemporary culture.
WaterAstro
Member
Nevah.gif
No interest in inhaling the pollution.
No interest in inhaling the pollution.
zoleristec
Member
Hell no.
Fake Charlemagne
Member
Lived there for two years, loved it. So hell yeah I'll be back, China was great.
andythinkpad
Member
I was in a 7-day Hua Nan tour, but Nanjing was still my lease favorite. Oh yeah I visited a monster sized Buddha in that tour. It's got to be in that region.
This was the place we visited in Nanjing, about 10 years ago.
Taken with a Fuji F700. Fuji made quality point and shoots.
Ragnar Blackmane
Member
China is great to experience, especially if you know someone who speaks mandarin and can read Chinese to travel with (means you can travel through the country yourself without having to join extremely overpriced travel groups). Otherwise you will have big problems because barely anyone speaks any sort of English (certain cities like Shanghai excluded, it's okayish there), even in cities like Beijing or Guangzhou.
Also restaurants and hotels are good and cheap in the big cities.
That said, getting a visa is seriously expensive, expect to pay AT LEAST $150+ just for that.
If you just want to dip your feet into the water and experience china for a few days I would seriously consider Hong Kong instead: Very cheap flights there, you can go there WITHOUT VISA and stay for 90 days, and almost everyone speaks English to some extend, especially in stores and restaurants (there often at. very high proficiency). Grab a cheap flight there and back for $400 something from e.g.Europe and stay for 4-5 days. Also shopping clothes there is ridiculously cheap.
Also be smart and go to Beijing if there is some big international event such as congresses, sport events or political meeting, there is zero air pollution and clear skies then (from my experience no problem to begin with in most of the famous and big east coast cities, particularly in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong/Macau).
Source: Just travelled throughout China and Hong Kong for 3 weeks.
Also restaurants and hotels are good and cheap in the big cities.
That said, getting a visa is seriously expensive, expect to pay AT LEAST $150+ just for that.
If you just want to dip your feet into the water and experience china for a few days I would seriously consider Hong Kong instead: Very cheap flights there, you can go there WITHOUT VISA and stay for 90 days, and almost everyone speaks English to some extend, especially in stores and restaurants (there often at. very high proficiency). Grab a cheap flight there and back for $400 something from e.g.Europe and stay for 4-5 days. Also shopping clothes there is ridiculously cheap.
Also be smart and go to Beijing if there is some big international event such as congresses, sport events or political meeting, there is zero air pollution and clear skies then (from my experience no problem to begin with in most of the famous and big east coast cities, particularly in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong/Macau).
Source: Just travelled throughout China and Hong Kong for 3 weeks.
markitrons
Member
I went about 10 years ago to Xiamen for a few weeks, and then took a train trip to the Wuyi Moutains inland. I had a great time, but once was enough, I probably wouldn't return. My friend was teaching English there at the time, and we had a good friend of hers who was fluent in English and Mandarin guide us around, which made for a much better trip. She was also a bit of a celebrity there which was cool.
I found Xiamen to be a relatively clean city, didn't see the pollution that others were describing, although it was many years ago. And the Wuyi mountain area was pristine, it was beautiful. Between the two, I saw ancient temples, statues, modern skyscrapers, crazy food, and was rarely scared for my safety because of crime. Even the little bits of home (Mcdonalds, American style local restaurants, Pizza Hut, KFC) were taken seriously, and were of higher quality than I was used to. I loved the food. It was great. Breakfast didn't seem to really be a thing though - it was like morning lunch, lunch, and dinner.
There was a lot of culture shock which was exhausting, however. Literally everywhere I went I was looked at like a giant walking wallet. Everyone harassing me to buy their goods, every purchase involved haggling, people trying to scam me, beggars that wouldn't leave me alone. That got old really, really quick. I got used to the spitting pretty quickly, but I couldn't get used to the lack of lines, and everyone just pushing to get what they wanted. It got really scary getting onto trains where I thought I was going to get trampled. When there wasn't money or lines involved, I found people to be very nice and welcoming. At least on par with home, if not greater.
I was scared for my life every time I got in a car. It was absolutely insane. It was like driving in a school of fish. I almost got hit multiple times just walking on the sidewalk, when people would do a K-turn right up onto the sidewalk. Crossing the street required balls of steel.
In the city, being white wasn't a novelty, although I was treated somewhat differently. Out by the mountains and rural areas, I was like a zoo animal. The local communist leaders invited me to dinner and told me I was so big and strong I should be a knight in a hollywood movie (Im 5 7 and 160 lbs). Little kids would point and their jaws would drop. One teenager on the trains was fascinated with my arm hair and kept pulling it.
As far as fun culture differences... the beds... you might as well sleep on the floor. Every bed I was in looked so comfy, but was basically just wood with no mattress. That type of thing seemed to be a theme - something would appear very, very similar to home, but the different parts were SOOOOOO different, and usually just done in the quickest way possible. For example, putting up wallpaper with no drywall. I usually found that stuff quirky and fun though.
It was a great, great experience, but I don't know if I would have it in me to deal with the culture shock again for the same experience. I'd probably rather see someplace new.
I found Xiamen to be a relatively clean city, didn't see the pollution that others were describing, although it was many years ago. And the Wuyi mountain area was pristine, it was beautiful. Between the two, I saw ancient temples, statues, modern skyscrapers, crazy food, and was rarely scared for my safety because of crime. Even the little bits of home (Mcdonalds, American style local restaurants, Pizza Hut, KFC) were taken seriously, and were of higher quality than I was used to. I loved the food. It was great. Breakfast didn't seem to really be a thing though - it was like morning lunch, lunch, and dinner.
There was a lot of culture shock which was exhausting, however. Literally everywhere I went I was looked at like a giant walking wallet. Everyone harassing me to buy their goods, every purchase involved haggling, people trying to scam me, beggars that wouldn't leave me alone. That got old really, really quick. I got used to the spitting pretty quickly, but I couldn't get used to the lack of lines, and everyone just pushing to get what they wanted. It got really scary getting onto trains where I thought I was going to get trampled. When there wasn't money or lines involved, I found people to be very nice and welcoming. At least on par with home, if not greater.
I was scared for my life every time I got in a car. It was absolutely insane. It was like driving in a school of fish. I almost got hit multiple times just walking on the sidewalk, when people would do a K-turn right up onto the sidewalk. Crossing the street required balls of steel.
In the city, being white wasn't a novelty, although I was treated somewhat differently. Out by the mountains and rural areas, I was like a zoo animal. The local communist leaders invited me to dinner and told me I was so big and strong I should be a knight in a hollywood movie (Im 5 7 and 160 lbs). Little kids would point and their jaws would drop. One teenager on the trains was fascinated with my arm hair and kept pulling it.
As far as fun culture differences... the beds... you might as well sleep on the floor. Every bed I was in looked so comfy, but was basically just wood with no mattress. That type of thing seemed to be a theme - something would appear very, very similar to home, but the different parts were SOOOOOO different, and usually just done in the quickest way possible. For example, putting up wallpaper with no drywall. I usually found that stuff quirky and fun though.
It was a great, great experience, but I don't know if I would have it in me to deal with the culture shock again for the same experience. I'd probably rather see someplace new.
I went to China last year for vacation. Honestly I would only recommend it if you're going with someone who speaks the language. You have to accept the culture and enjoy it! Crossing the streets whenever wherever and driving like a maniac. It can be quite fun. I even cut the line for train tickets once but I asked people in line if it was ok and they were even surprised I asked. Typically people are extremely nice to foreigners, even security once was coming to check my bag then saw me and said nevermind go ahead. The young generation is less accepting of that wild behavior though and I only saw older people spitting and such. I didn't have a single bad experience and my food always felt and tasted clean. Even street food. Of course I passed on anything that was sketchy looking. It's also extremely easy to travel around with bullet trains and such. But seriously I would not have been able to do it without going with someone that spoke mandarin. Climbing the great wall was definitely the highlight of the trip. The only negative was the air pollution in northern China but I had a bunch of industrial quality masks I got from Amazon.
I will definitely be going again to see southern China.
I will definitely be going again to see southern China.
TheContact
Member
Yea my friends there now and in the surrounding areas. He loves it and the pics he sent are amazing.
baddvision
Member
never but that goes for the majority of countries. i vacation exclusively in the caribbean
Rentahamster
Rodent Whores
Yes. China's great.
Iva Demilcol
Member
I find China more interesting than the US because of its history alone. If you add the weird food and the exotic feel to it I'd say I'm more tempted to visit China than other western countries. But that's just my opinion. My only worry is the pollution, if it gets better I'd totally love to visit it.
nelsonroyale
Member
I had a great time visiting China. I would really recommend travelling there, but mostly with someone who can speak Chinese. It is a game changer...Loved the food in Yunan and Sichuan especially. Infinitely better than what you can get here in the UK...
Hello? This is Hailun!
Member
This shit is no different than anywhere else in the world. A skyscraper isn't unique or mystical just because it's Chinese. Doing the weird shit that is the heart of Chinese culture is what motivates tourism, not eating their version of a McDouble.
Shanghai is 10 times the size of Chicago. It's the largest city in the world.
Hello? This is Hailun!
Member
Ah, so you're only going to show respect for Aryan White nations. How progressive of you.
The average American isn't Donald Trump. The average Chinese isn't Xi Jinping.
Don't be an asshole.
Suburban Thug
Member
I'd love to visit China. It's not high up on my list of Asian countries (Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam would be my first choices) to visit but I'd go for sure if the opportunity presented itself. I've only been outside of the US once and that was to Toronto, Canada a decade ago so I'm not too picky at this point, haha!
ZackieChan
Member
That sucks. I figured you were pulling a Michael Scott...
Are you dense? It's pretty obvious that the implication was that going to a foreign country and eating at an American chain restaurant is a lame thing to do. Keep policing the Internet tho. You're doing God's work
blummer102
Member
Why would you not want to go? As much as the US likes to paint China as some big mysterious bad guy, the country is a beautiful one with tons of culture, great food and friendly people. Yes it has pollution issues, and yes Facebook is banned, but it's still an amazing country to visit.
Hit up Taiwan and HK too.
Hit up Taiwan and HK too.
Goldenroad
Member
My dad did a 15 day guided tour and he's never raved about any vacation he's taken like he has with that China trip. Maybe one day.
gutter_trash
Banned
No,
Because of low food safety standards
Because of low food safety standards
SoulUnison
Banned
I have traveled to China for vacation.
That said, I think I got enough out of it the first time, thanks.
The highlight of the trip was being served piping hot tea in taaaaallllllllll soda glasses without handles and the waitstaff becoming belligerent and rude when our party tried to point out that that's impossible to drink, at best - dangerous, at worst.
I'd much rather revisit Japan.
On a similar note, Greece is a fantastic country to visit, but Athens is terrible. Stop by quickly for the ruins, then leave to visit the superior rest of the country.
That said, I think I got enough out of it the first time, thanks.
The highlight of the trip was being served piping hot tea in taaaaallllllllll soda glasses without handles and the waitstaff becoming belligerent and rude when our party tried to point out that that's impossible to drink, at best - dangerous, at worst.
I'd much rather revisit Japan.
On a similar note, Greece is a fantastic country to visit, but Athens is terrible. Stop by quickly for the ruins, then leave to visit the superior rest of the country.
IISANDERII
Member
That's exactly why I'm not an asshole, because I'm not supporting the economies of oppressive regimes(and you are a racist if you think only European Nations can be free of oppression) . I'm rewarding countries which treat their citizens with dignity and acceptable standards of life.
Feeding into meagre wages and poor human rights isn't helping the citizenry in the long term.
n64coder
Member
When I saw the picture, I thought it was something to allow people to take a decent picture in front of the city that would not be possible because there's always smog. Didn't know that it was to hide construction fences.
Same here. I find how people live/work today in other countries to be fascinating. My second area of interest would be nature sights.
I spit out my drink when I read the "big and strong" part. LOL. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Greece is awesome, especially some of the islands that are not as popular as others such as Naxos. I enjoyed Athens but to tell the truth, I didn't spend a lot of time there.
I also want to visit India one day which I heard is a greater culture shock than some of the stuff that people described in this thread. I think I would be open minded and tolerant but who knows, I might have some of the same reactions that my coworkers have when they see slums/shanty towns next to a nice building.
I don't think not visiting China is helping their citizenry either, long or short term. Though of course, this is your money, you can decide how to spent it.
And for what it's worth, the majority of Chinese people don't feel terribly oppressed by their government.
elrechazado
Banned
Lots of bold statements from someone giving zero details on where they will, in fact travel. Let's hear the approved list.
20cent
Banned
What? lol, if you mean the douchebag expats you made friend with, then probably; but they never stick around very long once their banking corporation send them back.
Next time try to walk further than Lan Kwai Fong or Wanchai..
(I'm HK citizen, just in case)
frankie_baby
Member
I'd probably go to hong kong cos i love cities and think you dont need a visa (from the uk) probably wouldnt go to proper china though
Game2Death
Banned
When I was in college I took a 2 week trip for a geography credit. I had one of the best times there. Beijing, multiple universities, Confucius mountain, and lots of local culture. Everyone was very helpful and nice. Its a very interesting and good experince. If your interested in going to China Id so definitely go for it.
andythinkpad
Member
Probably Norway since they have the office words on who gets the Nobel Peace Prize.
FantasticMrSnake
Member
I went twice:
Hong Kong (yeah not China per second)
Hangzhou
Shanghai
Beijing
The air pollution is really bad sometimes, you feel like you're in fallout, your throat gets itchy and the visibility is like 100mts only due to fog.
But the cultural part is amazing, temples, landscapes etc
The food is also delicious (I'm a fan of japanese and Chinese food)
The places in China are not tourist friendly at all, (only Shanghai is), because they are interested in Chinese tourists from other regions, it's a really close country, so get ready to get lost and unable to ask for directions
, or have to walk a lot to find a place with pictures in the menu . Young people usually speak some English, and they are kind enough to let you borrow their rental bikes (the apps doesn't take UK credits cards and they are all in mandarin)
Hong Kong is really English speaking friendly and amazing.
The visa is always approved, but you have to paid, there is a 5 days free one is you only go near and Shanghai.
So yeah, totally go, it's a unique experience.
Hong Kong (yeah not China per second)
Hangzhou
Shanghai
Beijing
The air pollution is really bad sometimes, you feel like you're in fallout, your throat gets itchy and the visibility is like 100mts only due to fog.
But the cultural part is amazing, temples, landscapes etc
The food is also delicious (I'm a fan of japanese and Chinese food)
The places in China are not tourist friendly at all, (only Shanghai is), because they are interested in Chinese tourists from other regions, it's a really close country, so get ready to get lost and unable to ask for directions
, or have to walk a lot to find a place with pictures in the menu . Young people usually speak some English, and they are kind enough to let you borrow their rental bikes (the apps doesn't take UK credits cards and they are all in mandarin)Hong Kong is really English speaking friendly and amazing.
The visa is always approved, but you have to paid, there is a 5 days free one is you only go near and Shanghai.
So yeah, totally go, it's a unique experience.
Short version: Hell yes. Fuck culture shock. What are you, some small-time brat?
Long version:
More than two decades ago, I went to Jinan (Shandong) for an extended eight week language course at a local university (Shāndōng Shīfàn Dàxué). Keep in mind, this was decades ago, long before the advent of smartphones and all the other modern conveniences. Also, while we did run around in other places during our inward and outbound transfer, most of my impressions are centred around that one city.
I had loads of fun and can only recommend a trip over there for anyone with properly adjusted expectations.
If you can't speak Chinese and have no sense of adventure, then just stick to the touristy stuff. You will miss out on many awesome local adventures (both good and bad) and you will be corralled like cattle from point A to point B (with point B probably sharing their profits with the local guide) but in general, you will have a damn good time, sheltered as it may be. Even if it's the Disneyland version of China, it will still be worth it. Definitely. It's such an incredibly huge and diverse country with a rich history and unique culture.
Stay outta Beijing though unless you want your lung to turn into a black cancerous growth. That was a problem back then already, and it's only gotten far worse from what I hear. It's probably better to stick to the smaller cities and only do day trips into the big ones.
The really good stuff is when you get ambitious, probably best during your student days. Learn some Chinese, grab your internet device, group together, road trip time. Make sure you have a safe backup plan in case you get lost, adhere to local laws (cannot stress this enough), and then swim like a fish in this delicious thoroughly alien yet oddly familiar atmosphere. By now the people should be a bit better with English and foreigners, and given the tremendous size of China, you can adjust your experience seamlessly between "luxurious city life" and "rural wilderness". Go knock yourself out, and don't forget to also visit other parts of Asia. Its huge, it's diverse, it's fascinating, tremendously interesting, disgusting and appalling. A unique mix that has to be experienced.
Long version:
More than two decades ago, I went to Jinan (Shandong) for an extended eight week language course at a local university (Shāndōng Shīfàn Dàxué). Keep in mind, this was decades ago, long before the advent of smartphones and all the other modern conveniences. Also, while we did run around in other places during our inward and outbound transfer, most of my impressions are centred around that one city.
rambling of an old man said:
I had loads of fun and can only recommend a trip over there for anyone with properly adjusted expectations.
If you can't speak Chinese and have no sense of adventure, then just stick to the touristy stuff. You will miss out on many awesome local adventures (both good and bad) and you will be corralled like cattle from point A to point B (with point B probably sharing their profits with the local guide) but in general, you will have a damn good time, sheltered as it may be. Even if it's the Disneyland version of China, it will still be worth it. Definitely. It's such an incredibly huge and diverse country with a rich history and unique culture.
Stay outta Beijing though unless you want your lung to turn into a black cancerous growth. That was a problem back then already, and it's only gotten far worse from what I hear. It's probably better to stick to the smaller cities and only do day trips into the big ones.
The really good stuff is when you get ambitious, probably best during your student days. Learn some Chinese, grab your internet device, group together, road trip time. Make sure you have a safe backup plan in case you get lost, adhere to local laws (cannot stress this enough), and then swim like a fish in this delicious thoroughly alien yet oddly familiar atmosphere. By now the people should be a bit better with English and foreigners, and given the tremendous size of China, you can adjust your experience seamlessly between "luxurious city life" and "rural wilderness". Go knock yourself out, and don't forget to also visit other parts of Asia. Its huge, it's diverse, it's fascinating, tremendously interesting, disgusting and appalling. A unique mix that has to be experienced.