China has a long and interesting history and this is reflected in the customs, culture and architecture. As a country that has in excess of 1.3 billion people, it caters for all, even though there is great diversity in the wealth distribution in China. There are no major social support mechanisms for the poor, and enterprise has remained at the heart of Chinese culture.
China remains a communist country and most of the senior Chinese people were born into the communist system and remain very much influenced by those traditions and practices. Chinese bureaucracy can be very frustrating, but generally the people are co-operative and as helpful as possible. They are curious, but very accepting of foreigners, and in some of the less popular cities, foreigners are regarded with great interest.
The relatively recent exposure to modern western culture and practices means that the Chinese do not understand many of the needs of foreigners. This is reflected in the way in which they deal with issues and concerns you may have – often they will not understand your problem, which can be very frustrating.
It needs to be remembered that China is a developing country with a very different culture, and you must prepare for the culture, practices, facilities and expectations to be very different to your home country.
Customs, road systems and driving, toilet and shower systems, cleanliness & hygiene, traffic, food, government systems and expectations of housing are all very different to what you are used to so it imperative to be flexible and adapt to the circumstances.
In area, China is more than twice as large as Europe, so it is a very diverse place in terms of climate and geography. A flight from Guangzhou in the south through to Beijing is over 3 hours – and a train trip will take 24 hours. The climate in the south is tropical and is hot and humid in summer. In the north, it is hot in summers, but drops below zero for the winter months, and snow is found through much of the northern regions.
Most of China’s population is concentrated along the east coast – the deserts and mountains in the west are less habitable than the rich earth plains and well watered eastern regions. A small city in China is normally around 3 million people, with the larger cities usually exceeding 10 million people. This means there are people wherever you go!
China Overview - Some quick facts on China:
The population is 1.3 billion people (25% of the world’s population)
Most of the population is found along the east coast of China
China is geographically about 3 times as large as Europe
The climate varies from subtropical in the south to sub-arctic in the north
The capital city is Beijing
The key commercial city is Shanghai, which has over 20 million people
China has 23 provinces and 5 autonomous regions
20% of China’s population earns less than 100RMB per month
China has a ‘one’ child policy in major cities
The language of China is Mandarin. Only a very small percentage of the population speaks English
The currency is the Yuan (or Remimbi – RMB) which is 7:1 with the US dollar
China is a communist country with very strict bureaucratic controls
Chinese people are generally very friendly and helpful
Foreigners in many parts of China remain a novelty
Chinese people in cities live in large apartment blocks. Each apartment is very small by western standards
Food in China is fresh and readily available. A full range of vegetables and meats are available. Rice, noodles and tea are common. Milk, bread, and coffee aren’t as common
Chinese culture is very different from western culture. Chinese are not direct as westerners are and the preservation of ‘face’ is very important
Rural areas of China remain very underdeveloped and rudimentary
A city of 3 million people in China is regarded as a medium size city
Mandarin is the standard language. Languages other than Mandarin are not common. In all cities there are places where westerners congregate so it is relatively easy to find people who speak English.
There is a need to develop skills to cope. In most places where services are provided, there will be an English speaker. Cantonese is also commonly spoken in cities close to Hong Kong, but Mandarin is the official language of China.
Check out some practical tips and free tools for learning Mandarin.
Housing is very basic and most people in cities live in high rise apartments which are small. They can vary in condition, but are usually considered basic by Western standards. Heating and cooling can be limited. Look at our guide on accommodation in China.
Taxis: Are readily available and reasonably priced for transport. They are metered. It varies from city to city, but most have a flag fall of about 10RMB which takes you about 3 km, then a charge after that.
A taxi ride of half hour will be about 40RMB (5 Euros) depending on the distance travelled. Tipping is not required.
Flights: There are many flights that connect cities. These are relatively inexpensive, and the airlines are modern and reliable.
The most expensive domestic airfare is about 1800RMB which is for flights of over 3 hours (e.g. Guangzhou to Beijing). Short flights are often around 600RMB.
Flights are often discounted up to 70% depending on the destination and departure. Find out where to buy cheap flights in China.
Trains: Intercity trains are cheap and safe. They are a good way to see the countryside. You can travel either soft seat or more cheaply on a hard. They are very regular and reliable. Find out times, prices and where to buy train tickets in China.
Buses: Intercity buses are also cheap and can provide effective and inexpensive transport. Seats are allocated and there is no standing. They are not crowded.
In more remote areas, roads are often of poor standard. Intercity bus transport is inexpensive, and a good way to get around – except they are often crowded and traffic can cause delays.
Subway: These are cheap and regular, though often crowded. A single journey will usually cost you 2RMB. You can purchase a card and add credit to it rather than lining up for a ticket each time.
Bicyles: These are a very much a part of Chinese daily culture. There are also a cheap and great means to explore China. You can buy one for between 100-500RMB or hire one for around 20-50RMB per day. Make sure you buy a lock for when parking your bike.
The local currency is the RMB (Remimbi which is also called the “Yuan”). US$1 buys around 7RMB (1 Euro is around 8RMB). ATMs are readily available in many locations.
Relatively, items are inexpensive in China. Check out our guide on cost of living in China. Money can be exchanged at major airports, hotels and department stores. Traveller’s cheques are not recommended. Put currency widget.
Shopping is one of the joys of the Chinese and this is reflected in the large number of markets available for all sorts of goods. Prices in China are very inexpensive.
The Chinese enjoy the process of bargaining for the price of an item and can catch the unwary very quickly. They are professionals at this process, but if you join in the spirit, it is a lot of fun. Read our guide for bargaining in China to ensure you get a good price.
You can buy most things in China – and technology is quite advanced in regard to phones, IT systems, MP3 players etc. The quality is generally good. Clothing can be purchased very cheaply.
Generally China is a safe place with a low crime rate in terms of physical safety. However, there is a need to be careful against the usual ‘rip offs’ for food, drink, taxis, and also counterfeit money. As with any city, it is wise to avoid certain areas, but generally it is safe to walk the streets of China at night. Here is a list of scams to avoid in China.
Medical costs are low. Many medicines common to Western countries are unavailable in China. Medical facilities in international hospitals are good. There are many traditional forms of medicine used in China, the most notable being acupuncture. Medical insurance is strongly advised. In addition, care needs to be taken with the water, which should be boiled before use.
Food is an important part of Chinese culture. It is often used as a way to bring friends and family together and for celebrations.
Chinese food varies greatly between provinces in both preparation and ingredients. E.g. Sichuan and Hainan foods are very spicy, whereas Beijing food is plainer, with more oil. Generally food is served fresh, but is very different from western foods in preparation and presentation.
Fruit and vegetables, rice and noodles are common staples of Chinese food. Breakfast is particularly different to the west, with congee (a savoury rice soup) very popular. Tea is the preferred beverage with meals.
Restaurant dining is not expensive and prices for a meal will often be less than 5 Euros for Chinese dishes.
Some important points:
Cutlery is usually not available and chopsticks are required.
The Chinese food you have at home has been westernised, so expect it to be different in China.
All foods can be found, with duck, pork, beef, fish and chicken commonly served in many different ways. However, the Chinese will serve things that you may not be used to (such as pig’s ear, boiled frog, eel and all types of offal) but there is usually a choice that you can enjoy.
Dairy products (milk and cheese); bread and good coffee are rare in China.
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Many menus are not in English and most restaurant staff won’t be able to speak English so ordering can be a challenge. Many restaurants have pictures which are useful. There are some useful tactics to help you order food in China.
Western food is available, but generally not of high standard, and relatively expensive. You can find Starbucks, McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut and other franchises throughout China however.
Beverages: Alcohol is freely purchased in China from all local stores and supermarkets. This includes beer, wine and spirits (including Chinese rice wine). Cans of beer are priced at around 4 RMB each. Tsing Dao (pronounced "Ching Dow") is the most famous Chinese beer and is German in style.
Chinese wine will cost between 25 – 35 RMB per bottle. Spirits are inexpensive and soft drinks are very cheap.
Smoking: Smoking is very common in China and there are very few places that are smoke-free. Restaurants generally don’t have smoke free areas.
Bars/nightclubs: China is very modern and has an abundance of nightlife options in most cities. Most cities do have expat bars and nightclubs that foreigners frequent, but these are generally expensive compared to local activities.
Karaoke: Also known as “KTV”, this form of entertainment is very popular amongst Chinese locals. These are extremely common, but are generally expensive. Drinks are usually placed on a bar account which is settled at the end of the night – take care of the amount you are spending! Some places include a buffet in the cost of the room hire.
Massage: Massages are a very common activity in China with foot, back and head massages the most popular. These are very inexpensive; less than 5 Euros for an hour. Bath houses are also common. Always check with a local you can trust as the prices and service can vary greatly.
If you are adventurous you can try “cupping” where heated ceramic cups are placed on you to take out the bad toxins or “ear candling” where a candle is placed in your ear to remove excess dirt.
Chinese people remain curious about westerners. They are also very friendly and helpful if they can be. However, they are also much less direct than westerners and go out of their way not to offend people, and always try to maintain ‘face’ – i.e. not be embarrassed.
Chinese remain conservative in their nature and dress standards. Religion is not important in China. As China has been a communist country (although now quite liberal) for a long time, this still is seen in many of the actions of the Chinese regard to authority.
China is still a developing country and many locals haven’t been brought up with manners and standards that Westerners may expect. Spitting is common, toilets are often “squat toilets”, the air is polluted, people may push in lines or bump into you, and you may feel like your personal space is a lot smaller.
Also, water is supplied after disinfection, but cannot be drunk. Boil water first or purchase drinking water.
You will see a lot of things that you would never see in your home country but just keep an open mind and go with the flow.
The climate in the south is tropical and is hot and humid in summer. Temperatures can reach about 20°C in the winter and 35°C in the summer. In the north, it is hot in summers, but drops below zero for the winter months, and snow is found through much of the northern regions.
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