I may be traveling to China soon...?

Any tips? Anything I should worry/prepare myself for? Any must dos? I'm not sure what parts I'm going to yet..for sure where ever the Great Wall is located...its a study abroad.

Let me know!

PS. I already know to be prepared for the rudeness..I already experienced it with a group of 50 Chinese ppl in Turkey. My instructor who has traveled to China said thats just how they tend to be always in a rush and shoving people.
lol yes I already know about the toilets and tp! I saw some of those toilets in Turkey too..wont even attempt it!

cities to see:
- beijing
- dali
- chengdu
- kunming
- guilin

tips:
- there is no tp in public bathrooms
- toilets are not the same as they are in north america
- it's dirty
- people spit everywhere
- people stare at foreigners
- everything is cheap
- we weary of knock offs

bring:
- meds --- especially pepto
- DEODORANT!! they DO NOT sell or wear it in china
- if you are a girl, enough bras to last you your stay here in china...the bras there are really weird

I have been to China recently and to Shanghai, Beijing Harbin and Dalian to name but a few places. From Beijing you can visit the great wall, forbidden city from there as well as several other major attractions. Don't use the tube in rush hour its a nightmare. Internal travel is fairly cheap from £40 to £80 per flight and you can just turn up and fly if you want to.

Hotels are cheap ranging from basic for around £12 a night up to 5 star luxury for £50 to £80 per night for a lottery suite.

Money I took American express travellers cheques which are easy to exchange at the bigger hotels visa cheques are not as popular

As far as rudeness i don't think Chinese people see themselves as being rude and they wont think you are if you just go with thew flow and if you get pushed then push back.

Hope the above helps

Will

some tourist attraction in China
http://www.foreignercn.com/index.php/action_category_catid_132.html

A good place to visit...Hangzhou-I spent a summer teaching English at a University there. It is a lot less crowded than Shanghai or Beijing with just as much to do.

Be prepared for the toilets-they are the same level as the ground aka "squaters." Be sure to take travel kleenex/tp in your purse.

I'm sure your instructor will let you know the basics, like getting your visa at least two weeks before the trip. Pack warmly for the winter if you're staying in beijing, it gets pretty cold there. Bring pepto, it will be your lifesavior once you get there. Bring your own utensils...you never know how sanitary the ones they have are unless it's deposibles. Bring something to occupy yourself. Some of the rides to and from places and pretty long lasting up to 6hrs. Be prepare of horrible food in Beijing. The ones they offer during those quit breaks are awful. If you can, eat from a real resturant without the restrictions of it being pay by the school and you will see the difference. They tend to cut cost everywhere. Chinese don't tip so no extra money should be given to anyone. If your instructor ask for tips for the driver always ask why because they might just skip on paying th driver and want you guys to pay calling it tips.