Any good advice about travelling to China?

Im going there for a holiday for 2 weeks. Things I should be aware of or good places to eat

learn to speak the language

Hmm, many public restrooms are little more than a open stall with a hole in the ground. Not kidding. Bring your own toilet paper, it's not provided for you. And you might be forcefully encouraged to "donate" money if taking pictures on the Great Wall.

prepare for a lot of animal cruelty. they cage dogs and cats, stolen pets, sometimes 30 or even more in a chicken wire "cage" and skin them right on the streets to sell as fresh fur. That trip/surprise made me a vegetarian for life....

lotta virtue,no vise

Take a small kite, little red book and make yourself a 'Beijing 2008' hat before you leave so sellers in Tiananmen Square see you already have them and back off ...

also, look out for baby poo on the ground - as kids have little velcro pants that open up so they can create some nice hazards for your feet! Enjoy it! haha

Take crackers, peanut butter, nuts, fruit roll-ups, packs of instant oatmeal and packs of instant soup. There might be a time that your tummy will not be agreeable to the use of so much oil used in the cooking or the over abundance of spices. Also, you might get hungry at a late time that would not be safe for a tourist to venture out of the hotel.

You can purchase good jewelry, like pearl necklace, for hundreds instead of thousands.

Most of the public restrooms are a stall with the toilet sunk into the ground, and no T-paper. Learn to squat and take your own TP. Don't point with your fingers, it's considered rude. If you have to point, use your entire hand. No sitting on the ground, it's considered unsanitary, either squat or purchase a small mat to sit on. Be a guest in the country, not a tourist. We spent two weeks in China during the adoptions of our two youngest daughters, had just an amazing time. The people are wonderful. Smile, and be accepting of their ways. Have fun.

Just, don't show your wallet on the street. Also, don't leave your bags unguarded! When people ask you for help, try to be careful and don't follow them!

First about the food:
The four main cuisines of China are:
1.Cantonese, which is famous for the seafood, fresh water food and exotic dishes. Some of them made of fowls and snakes make Cantonese cuisine so special and exotic! There is a saying in China that the Cantonese will eat anything with a wing except an airplane, and anything with legs except a table!
2.Sichuan cuisine is famous for spicy and hot. Pungency, to the degree of numbness, is a salient feature of Sichuan. A good Sichuan dish will leave you with you tummy full and your ears on fire!
3.Huaiyang cuisine is famous for its tenderness and freshness of materials, delicate tastes and the fastidious way of presentation, less greasy and very healthy. Huaiyang stands by the Huai’an-Yangzhou area of riverside cities in Jiangsu province.
4.Shandong cuisine is famous as Northern style cooking. Shandong chefs are especially skilled in producing high-calorie and high protein dishes.

Now some famous local delicacies worth mentioning!
Beijing: Here are some recommendations for the restaurants in Beijing;
1. Don't miss the most authentic Beijing Duck at Qianmen Quanjude Restaurant which is close to Tian'anmen Square. It is a restaurant has pass down for four generations and have received a lot of VIPs from all over the world, including several US Presidents.
2. Try the Imperial Banquet ( Fangshan in Chinese) in Beihai Park. The Restaurant originates from the Royal Family. According to historical records, the restaurant used to serve the Qing Dynasty Empress Dowager Cixi 108 kinds of dishes. The decoration, cuisine and service all follow the Qing Dynasty style! It is truly an unforgettable experience in your tour to China!
3. If you can eat lamb, then try a local favorite restaurant: Donglaishun Restaurant. The best one is in a shopping mall called Xindongan on Wangfujing Street. Their lamb hot pot is truly a treat in the cold winter!
4. If you like the view, then try the TV tower in Beijing, on top of the tower there is a revolving restaurant which has a good buffet, the view is really fantastic on a clear day. Try the sunset time, you can enjoy both beautiful sunset as well as the whole miracle of the city lighting up!

Xi'an: The Dumpling Banquet in Xi’an is another master piece in the northern style. Dumplings are considered the most traditional Chinese food, and are preserved as a must of the family celebration in the Chinese New Year’s Eve. The Dumpling Banquet is a feast of dumpling collection that is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience and should never be missed! The dumplings are as artistic as they are delicious! They come in all sizes and shapes. Some of the shapes are kittens, bunnies, peaches, fish and many more. And of course the ingredients vary as well from various vegetables and meats to fried walnuts. Just remember to pace yourself because there are 30 courses!

Also, there is a famous food market at night in Xi'an. That is a great experience to try some real authentic local food!

Shanghai: try the restaurant in the old town area, which close to Yu Garden. Lubolang is a famous one where you can take a break from the day tour of Yu Garden. Of course, sometimes you need to make a reservation.

Of course, there are so many choices depends on where you are going. This is just to give you a start! If you want to know more about it before you go, you can contact me through our website: Jia@Jiasdreamtours.com

Also to check the list before your trip, you can visit the travel tips on our website:http://www.jiasdreamtours.com/tt_general.html

Hope this helps!