Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Download A Maps app and find an online tutorial to change it to English version. Google Maps and Google Translate may not work well in China. (2:41)
- Tip 2Chinese people use unique ways to describe food; be prepared for unexpected dishes. (2:54)
- Tip 3Consider taking sleeper trains for affordable and comfortable long-distance travel within China. (6:23)
- Tip 4Hospitals in China are efficient and medical expenses are affordable, even for foreigners. (7:25)
- Tip 5Download Alipay, WeChat, and Meituan apps for payments, translation, and food delivery. (8:21)
- Tip 6Be aware of different social etiquette in China, such as open-mouth coughing and smoking in public places. (10:44)
- Tip 7Expect people to cut in lines, and be prepared for a lack of privacy in public spaces. (12:38)
Kiersten&Tyler Travel recently returned from a 70-day trip to China, sharing their brutally honest opinions. They detail both the incredible aspects of major cities and the challenges of navigating cultural differences and language barriers. A particularly memorable (and frustrating) experience involved a tour in Inner Mongolia that went drastically wrong, highlighting both the beauty of the country and the potential for negative interactions. This video offers a balanced perspective, revealing a country of contrasts.
More about the current video:( 16 / 16 )
Kiersten&Tyler Travel's 70-day China adventure is recounted in this video, offering a balanced view of their experiences. The couple initially faced skepticism from friends and family about their trip, but their experiences proved more nuanced. They highlight several unique cultural aspects of China, including the direct, curious stares of locals, which, when met with a smile and a greeting, are reciprocated. The lack of outside cultural influence is noted, with food and technology predominantly Chinese. While Google Maps and Google Translate may prove challenging, the couple recommends A Maps and WeChat as alternatives. They emphasize the delicious, unique food, even if descriptions might be unfamiliar.
The travelers highlight the phenomenal top-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai, contrasting them with less developed prefecture-level cities. However, they emphasize China's ongoing infrastructure development. A significant positive aspect was the friendliness of the people, with Kiersten&Tyler invited to participate in Han Fu, a traditional Chinese clothing experience. They also praise the vibrant social life of people's parks.
Affordability is another strong point, with daily expenses averaging $75, thanks to affordable transportation (sleeper trains), accommodation ($30-$40/night), and incredibly inexpensive food. The efficiency and affordability of Chinese hospitals are also mentioned, contrasting favorably with US healthcare costs. Three helpful apps are recommended: Alipay for payments, WeChat for translation, and Meituan for food delivery.
The couple also addresses the negative aspects of their trip. The language barrier presented significant challenges, despite using translators. Social etiquette differences also proved frustrating, with open-mouth coughing, spitting, and nose-picking in public being common occurrences. Smoking was pervasive, even in non-smoking hotels. The lack of respect for personal space and lines was also noted.
The video concludes with the most negative experience: a poorly organized and poorly communicated tour in Inner Mongolia. This involved a lack of English translation, miscommunication, and ultimately, feeling stranded and disrespected. Despite the negative aspects, the couple emphasizes that these were isolated incidents and do not reflect the entire Chinese population or culture. They encourage viewers to share their own travel experiences.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the most challenging aspect of traveling in China?
- A: Definitely the language barrier, even with translators. Sometimes the elderly were confused or put off by translators, making communication difficult.
- Q: What was your biggest complaint about Chinese social etiquette?
- A: Open-mouth coughing, spitting, and nose-picking in public was really gross and made me uncomfortable.
- Q: What was the most memorable experience, good or bad?
- A: The Inner Mongolia tour was definitely the most memorable. Getting stranded and disrespected was awful, but it made for a good story!
- Q: What's your advice for travelers to China?
- A: Download Alipay, WeChat, and Meituan! Also, be prepared for cultural differences and language barriers. And maybe avoid tours in remote areas unless you speak the language.
