There are really two categories to place yourself. Fight or Flight? If when a situation arises and you are at a total loss, have no control, or at what seems a dead-end, and you freak out, then you need to come to China very well-prepared. If in this situation, you find adrenaline, frustration, and/or excitement, then I would encourage you to take China by storm. Go to places you think foreigners have never been. It will be exciting and sure to bring you loads of dinner stories for years to come!

I spent last year in China and visited my share of big cities, Nanchang, Shanghai, Beijing, Haikoa, and Chengdu. I also went to some remote areas and spent time with either all Americans, or even more risky and daring, with Chinese friends.

If you are a student, I highly recommend going home with a friend during one of their holidays. If you mention to them that you would love to see their hometown, about 50 percent of students will take that to mean you really want to go. I took my friend, Francisco, up on his offer and we traveled to Nanchang, or more specifically, Xian Xie, a town on the outskirts. His family welcomed me and I got to experience Chinese life simply and honestly.

You will be offered to eat strange foods; lots of times I tried them, just to make my friends happy, they love to see your facial expressions. But if you simply cannot picture yourself, even in "Fear Factor", eating that food, then politely excuse yourself saying either, "Wo(wuh) chi(r) bao(bow) le(la)." They will understand that you have had enough to eat. Pick at the food too and move it around or mix it in with your rice so it appears that you're eating it, but then just dodge it every time in your rice bowl.

Ride the bus if you're an adventurer. I took an all-night sleeper bus and it was so much fun. Granted I didn't get a whole lot of sleep, it was an awesome way to see China's countryside. Even if you're hardcore, take all the toiletries you can. You never know what could go wrong.

Most of all, BARGAIN! Its so much fun and bid so low that it seems insulting, you'll be surprised how much they'll take foreigners for. They'll bump prices %1000 percent or even higher and it only takes one dumb "retired tour" of old ladies to take it at that price and ruin the market for the rest of us.

Learn more about this author, Mark Flanders.
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