Throwing yourself into new places is always exciting and fun, but it’s nice to at least have some sort of idea what it’s going to be like when you get there. Since I have done the hard work for you and have gone to China seven times, I’ve compiled a list of the top differences that I have seen between China and the US and made a list for you so you know what to expect in China!

NOTE: These observations are based purely on my own experiences (except for the first one which I researched). With that in mind, these tips may not be indicative of all of China, as China is a very vast and varied country.

 

1. Most social media sites are blocked

The Chinese Communist party has blocked many “Western” social media sites because they’re afraid that they’ll spread anti-Communist ideals. As a result, foreigners traveling to China for the first time might be unpleasantly surprised when they cannot access any of their favorite social media sites. Among the sites that are blocked are Facebook, Twitter, nearly all Google services (including Gmail and YouTube), Instagram in some places, Snapchat, and probably more. Although there is some good news: you can access Pinterest and Tumblr. Most of your blogs should also be available (unless you’ve got a Blogger blog).

Want to know how to get these sites unblocked? Check out my blog post on how to access blocked websites in China.

2. The public bathrooms

China is the only country I know of (besides Japan) that still uses squat toilets – toilets that have no seat. Most public bathrooms are like this, with no seat. Girls, you’ll have to squat down low and ride your pants up to your knees in order to pee without getting your pants wet. It gets easier with some practice, but I still hate it.

Also, bring your own toilet paper. Many bathrooms in China do not provide toilet paper for you. I recommend buying a pack of portable Kleenex and bringing at least one tissue pack in your bag with you as you travel.

Public bathrooms (especially outside of big cities) also seem to be in rather poor condition. Many poorer bathrooms do not have stall doors, meaning the person across from you can watch you as you do your business, and many don’t flush. And the bathrooms will stink.

3. The pollution

It’s not actually as bad as I feel like some people make it out to be. The bad pollution is mainly in large cities, but the countryside (which is most of the country) is still very nice. Of course, in the cities it can be quite bad. I spent a week in a city near Shanghai and ended up with a bad cough but it disappeared as soon as I came back to the US, so although the pollution can be uncomfortable, it will not damage you in the long-term. Note that the pollution is much worse in the winter than it is in the summer, so if you already have issues with your respiratory system, I’d suggest a summer visit.

4. The number four

It’s unlucky in China, because the number sounds exactly like the word for dead. (It’s pronounced “si” if you’re wondering). Because of this superstition, you’ll see that many buildings actually skip the fourth floor and just name the fourth floor the fifth floor, so that they don’t have to put the number four on the elevator buttons or anywhere else.

5. Crossing the street

Chinese traffic is scary, especially in the big cities. Chinese drivers frequently ignore the walk signals and keep driving through the crosswalk anyways. In fact, just today I walked across a crosswalk with a bus parked straight in the middle. Be very careful when you’re crossing the street, and do not assume that just because the walk signal is on that no one will drive over you.

Also, during rush hour, cars are crammed in the intersection until no one is actually moving. I once looked to my left only to see a bus driving STRAIGHT AT ME and I nearly had a heart attack. But the bus stopped, and I was fine. ButI digress. The point of this is just to let you know that while the traffic is horrendous, you’ll probably be fine, no matter how many times it seems like you’re about to die (which is a lot).

6. Eating

You probably already know about this if you’ve been to a Chinese restaurant  (no, not Panda Express, a real Chinese restaurant) but the Chinese people dine a bit differently. Instead of each person having their own plate & portion, you each get your own bowl of rice (or noodles) and then you order a few large dishes for everyone to share. You all take food from these bowls and eat them with your rice.

Note: I actually suggest trying this method at “Western” restaurants. My (Chinese) friends and I often do this by each ordering something and then everyone just sharing all the food. I like it way better because this way instead of only eating one dish, you get to eat 4-5! What’s not to like?

If you’re eating with a larger group, you might find yourself with a turn-table, a large spinning flat circle on the middle of your table. All the food goes on the turntable so everyone can access it even though the table’s big. Turn-table etiquette is fairly simple: if someone else hasn’t finished getting food for themselves, you don’t turn the table, and you wait until they’re done. If you haven’t got a turn table, you may have to pass dishes back and forth. So instead of “can you please pass the salt?” you might have to say “can you please pass the broccoli?”

(Obviously,) people mainly use chopsticks in China. Often, you won’t even get a spoon, only chopsticks. If you want to drink soup, just lift the whole bowl to your lips. Also, I’m fairly sure that you can ask for a fork at most restaurants, but it’s probably in your best interest to learn how to use chopsticks.

Tea is the customary drink during meals, so you’ll often find a teapot already on your table by the time you get there. If you want something else, you have to order it.

 

7. Attitudes towards foreigners

The Chinese take a certain fascination towards foreigners. People will gawk at you, especially if you have blond or red hair. Not rudely, just in a curious fashion. I’ve met plenty of Chinese who have never seen a white or black person first hand. Also they really love lighter colored hair.

Also salesmen will try to rip you off. I’ve seen it first hand. If you’re ethnically Chinese, try to speak in all Chinese so they won’t know you’re a foreigner. If you aren’t ethnically Chinese, be wary of scammers. And remember the conversion rate between Ren Ming Bi and Dollars (1 USD is about 6 RMB) so you’ll know when something’s fishy.

8. Water

Tap water is not drinkable in China, so you have to boil the water before drinking, or buy bottled water. I suggest the latter, because it can take a long time for water to cool from boiling to a drinkable level, and you’re not going to get cold water in the summer from boiled water. Many Chinese people have adapted and can now drink water so hot that it’ll scald my entire mouth, so if you see a Chinese person drinking hot water, test a bit of it first before taking a huge gulp. Trust me on this one, I have experience (unfortunately).

9. The rules of the road

This might only be in Beijing, and you most likely won’t need this tip if you’re only traveling, but I thought it was interesting. If you are going to be in charge of your own car during your trip to China, there are certain rules regarding license plates. On Mondays, cars with license plates ending with 1 or 6 cannot drive. Period. On Tuesdays, it is 2 or 7, Wednesdays 3 or 8, Thursdays 4 or 9, and Fridays 5 or 0. If they catch you driving you’ll get a 200 yuan fine. You’re supposed to take public transportation to wherever you want to go, although many people simply drive anyway and pay the fine if they get caught.

 

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