13 of 19

Write now Article Tools

So you're ready to conquer China?

You would have gotten everything ready, from secret zippers to extra cash, and of course, that handy medical bag.

But, regardless of whether you're a backpacker or a 5-star-hotel-only tourist, you should take heed of the following. At the very least, these little tips and observations I've garnered over the course of my travels in the past year, can go some way in making your travels less of a headache.

1. The Chinese don't trust their own money - they will feel every note, especially the big ones to make sure they're not cheated.

I've had a friend who was given back a fake RMB 100 note when he visited a local restaurant in Shenzhen just across the border from Hong Kong. He did not know until he counted his cash. It was clear: the fake note felt different to the touch, like printing paper, and it was slightly bigger in size. Mao's face also seemed to smile much more than real notes.

Another friend of mine got a fake RMB 50 note in Beijing while she was purchasing food at a local eatery, and she only found out thereafter when she used the note to buy from another store. The shopkeeper simply saw the note, and recognised it as fake.

Clearly, counterfeiting is rampant, and even denominations such as RMB 50 are not untouched.

Like myself, my friends were foreigners. This made it easier for the locals as they knew it would be hard for us to detect what is real and fake. However, preventing this from happening is simple. One way is to request your change to be given in small denominations. Instead of getting back RMB 50 in change, I ask instead for 5 notes of RMB 10. And if you have to pay with RMB 100 (which is the biggest denomination available), make big purchases, so that you also get small change back.
Thankfully, however, the situation is not as bad where people also counterfeit RMB 20 notes and below. Nonetheless, the best way to ensure you get real money back is to ask the cashier to break the change up for you, regardless of where you are in China.

2. If you can't beat them, join 'em.

There is no such concept of personal space for most mainland Chinese. Clearly, you can't get much when many are flocking to top-tier cities in the country such as Shanghai and Beijing. Furthermore, that's where most foreigners would want to visit first when they land in China.

Look no further than bus or train travelling, where people will do whatever it takes to make sure they get on the train. They squeeze, they push, they run, when the door opens.

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about What to know about traveling in China?
We want to hear your view. Write now!