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Our Speak E-Z Chinese phrasebook makes traveling throughout China less frustrating and more fun!

Essentials for the Traveler
What to Have

Passport: Required for all travelers to China, Hong Kong, or Macau. China does not allow entrance if your passport expires in under six months. Returning home with an expired passport is illegal and will result in a hefty fine.

If you lose your passport, immediately notify the local PSB (Public Security Bureau) Gohng ahn jiew and the nearest embassy or consulate of your country. A replacement may take weeks and be valid only for a limited time. You can also ask for temporary traveling papers that will permit you to re-enter your home country.

Visa: Required for all travelers to China and issued at Chinese consulates and embassies worldwide. In Hong Kong, many travel agencies and even hotels and guesthouses are able to assist you with obtaining the stamp insert in your passport.

Letter of Invitation: Required for working in China and must be obtained from the appropriate Chinese corporation, government office, or educational institution. For multiple entry business visas, you will also need your company’s license to do business in China. Students also need to complete a JW-202 form from a school or university in China.

Immunization: No vaccinations are required to enter China, unless entering from an area infected with Yellow Fever. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended, as well as Typhoid and Japanese Encephalitis inoculations.

Work Permit: Required for all travelers planning to work in China. Your employer will need to provide documents stating your accepted employment and then submit them to the Chinese authorities in order to get the work permit.

Driver’s License: Required for all those planning to drive. As a tourist, you are not allowed to drive in China, and an International Driving Permit is not recognized by the Chinese authorities. To obtain a Chinese license, you must first secure a resident permit, then turn in your country’s driver’s license (which will later be returned to you). Also, a written test is required. To further complicate things, foreigners must also prove they have a car before the license is issued.

Luggage: If you are only traveling to a single destination, a suitcase will do, yet a good backpack is still the best bet. A strong, good quality pack with lockable compartments is ideal, otherwise you can make it a bit more thief-proof by sewing on tabs so you can padlock it shut. In addition to your main piece of luggage, a daypack or courier bag is very handy.

Clothing: Pack lightly; take half the clothes you planned and twice the money. The less you have, the less you have to worry about, or store, or carry. Also keep in mind that just about everything you plan on taking can most likely be purchase after you arrive in China. With that said, no matter where you’re traveling, Mom always said it’s a good idea to bring a warm jacket or wool sweater. Other necessary items: a rain jacket, sturdy, comfortable shoes or hiking boots, and thick socks. Flip flops or waterproof sandals are a must for shower stalls.

Converters and Adapters: In China, electricity is 220 volts AC, which is enough to fry any North American 110 V piece of electronics. Thus, Americans and Canadians will need to purchase converters. Chinese plugs are three-pronged, similar to those in Australia. Many of the hotels have two-pronged outlets in the bathrooms.

Toiletries: Toothbrushes and toothpaste, towels, soap, shampoo, razors, tampons and condoms are readily available in China, but may be difficult to find outside the major cities. Contact lenses are inexpensive, but also hard to find, so bring plenty with you, as well as enough solution for your entire trip. It’s also a good idea to bring a copy of your glasses prescription in case you need emergency replacements.

First-Aid Kit: This should include bandages, pain relievers, an antibiotic cream, a thermometer, a Swiss knife, (not allowed as carry-on luggage), tweezers, decongestants, antihistamines, motion sickness remedy, diarrhea or upset stomach medication, sunscreen and burnt ointment, and insect repellent.

Film: Chinese brands are widely available and inexpensive. Most imported brands are available in cities, although they are more pricey. Slide and black-and-white film are nearly impossible to find.

Other Useful Items: This would include some basic outdoor equipment (plastic water bottle, waterproof matches, a sewing kit); toilet paper; laundry soap; an alarm clock; safety pins; rubber bands; garbage bags; a flashlight; and of course, a copy of SPEAK E-Z CHINESE In Phonetic English!

Lastly, you may want to bring a few small gifts for locals you meet (stamps, postcards, pics of you and your family).

As any Chinese will tell you, food is god here. That makes chopsticks (or kwye zih ) our means to reach the gods. On a less spiritual note, it happens to take over eighty specific joints and muscles to manipulate these little buggers, which is about twice as many as would be required to use a knife and fork. There have been numerous studies in China and Korea that point out that manipulating chopsticks stimulates neurons in the brain, increases many forms of dexterity, and even promotes good mental health.

Once you have gained skill in using them, you need to be aware of a few basic chopstick etiquette manners. Remember:

 It is considered poor manners (disrespectful and bad luck) to stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice.

 It is also considered rude to use your sticks to spear food like a fork or to linger with your chopsticks over the communal bowls.

 Also, waving chopsticks around to emphasize a point would make you out to be a schmuck.

 Finally, between mouthfuls, it's considered polite to rest your sticks on the side of your plate, rice bowl, or on small chopstick stands.

If you blow it in chopstick etiquettes, don't over fret. The Chinese are endlessly gracious in their tolerance of us foreigners, usually finding us to be more amusing than offensive!

Careful What You Ask For

Westerners in China usually have a tough time mastering the four tones of Mandarin. And one must be careful with pronounciations, indeed. Here's just one example of how easy it is to get lost in translation:

During the SARS outbreak a few years ago, a friend went into a drugstore in Tianjin to purchase the paper masks that were being sold throughout the country during that time. He approached an elderly woman at the counter and said: Wuh yaow koh jee-aow. Qing gay wuh koh jee-aow. He meant "I want a mask. Please give me a mask." After the woman angrily chased him out of the store with terrible anger, my friend persistently pointed at the mask advertisement in the window and finally she understood. What he actually wanted was a koh jaow (a mask), not a koh jee-aow (a blowjob)!

Empty Your Glass

The Chinese love to eat out. Almost every business deal is settled over a dinner table, along with most personal and collective celebrations. Among men especially, its considered hospitable and yes, macho, to regularly call out for a gahn bay, which literally means "empty your glass," or "buttoms up." A favorite Chinese liquor is baijiu (bye jeo), which is a wine similar in taste and affect as that of rocket fuel.

Laughter

Smiles and giggles don't always translate into good times. On the contrary, one aspect of Chinese culture that oftentimes upsets visitors is the social context of smiles and laughter. Most westerners here can recount how they were in the middle of explaining a tragic story or a deep concern, when they noticed their Chinese friend grinning foolishly from ear to ear or giggling like a genuine lunatic. Don't take offense! Chinese people often laugh or giggle when they are embarrassed or worried. Their laughter is more of a reaction to emotional overload than a reflection of insensitivity.

Face: Have It; Save It; Give It; Don't Lose It

Having face (yoh mee-en zih) can loosely be defined as a form of status or self-respect, and is considered highly important to the Chinese. Essentially, it's about earning and keeping a good reputation, and ultimately, avoiding being made to look stupid or being forced to back down in front of others. Remember, a negotiated settlement of differences is always preferable to a confrontation.

Having face in front of one's business colleagues or within a community is literally a statement of that person's value. As we say in Western culture, “His word is as good as gold.” This is essentially what a good face means to the Chinese.

Generally, you'll discover that Chinese people insist on buying you drinks and meals, giving you gifts, food and cigarettes. If you refuse, they'll insist some more. The more you refuse, the more they insist, and so on. Usually, you'll give up and accept what's been offered.

What is happening during these rituals of insistence and refusal is an exchange of face. The giver is actually gaining face, and while the receiver does not gain face, he or she must be careful not to appear too eager to receive the gift, or else they will lose face. Get the gist of it?

Face is equivalent to the Western concept of a good reputation, only more highly valued. It is gained by demonstrating the willingness (and the wherewithal) to share. Generosity is a big part of showing face. And accepting a friend's generosity (with a show of polite reluctance) is a way for people of lesser means and social standing to give something of value in return.

Of course, this means that giving is actually getting, and if you always receive, you'll lose in the long run. That's why it is common to see friends fighting each other at restaurant cash registers.

As a "foreign friend," you'll perpetually find yourself in the position of guest, and probably encounter a free meal or two. But those who stay in China for any length of time, especially business people, might want to start thinking of inventive ways to beat their associates to the bill, and gain some face.

The Power of Guanxi

Guanxi (gwan-shee) is the Chinese term for mutually beneficial relationships that are essential to success in the Middle Kingdom.

In the Chinese business world, guanxi is understood as the network of relationships among various parties that cooperate together and support one another. The Chinese businessmen mentality is very much one of "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." In essence, this boils down to exchanging favors, which are expected to be done regularly and voluntarily. Therefore, it is an important concept to understand if one is to function effectively in Chinese society.

Guanxi ensures that a business will be successful. In China, it is often the acquiring of guanxi with relevant authorities that will determine the competitive standing of an organization in the long run. And moreover, the inevitable risks, barriers, and set-ups encountered in China will be minimized with the right guanxi network in place.

Developing and nurturing guanxi is very demanding on time and resources, but the time and money necessary to establish a strong network is considered well worth the investment. It is very common for individuals of an organization to visit the residence of their acquaintances from other organizations, bringing gifts (such as wine, cigarettes, etc.). While this practice may seem intrusive, as you spend more time learning the Chinese culture, it will become easier to understand and take part in this practice that is so central to successful Chinese commercial activity.

The Chinese culture is distinguished from the Western culture in many ways, including how business is conducted. For example, the Chinese prefer to deal with people they know and trust. On the surface, this does not seem to be much different from doing business in the Western world. But in reality, the heavy reliance on relationship means that western companies have to make themselves known to the Chinese before any business can take place. Furthermore, this relationship is not simply between companies but also between individuals at a personal level. The relationship is not just before sales take place but it is an ongoing process. The company has to maintain the relationship if it wants to do more business with the Chinese.

Guanxi isn't necessarily based on money. Treating someone with decency while others treat him/her unfairly could result in a good relationship. Secondly, it starts with and builds on the trustworthiness of the individual or the company. If a company promised certain things and delivered as promised, the company is showing trustworthiness and the Chinese would be more inclined to deal with them again. Thirdly, being dependable and reliable definitely strengthens the relationship. It is like being friends, and friends can count on each other in good and tough times. A good example is related to the 1989 political instability in China. Companies that stayed found their relationship with the Chinese strengthened as they were viewed by the Chinese as friends who did not abandon the Chinese when they needed friends. Fourth, frequent contacts with each other foster understanding and emotional bonds and the Chinese often feel obligated to do business with their friends first.

The practice of guanxi is completely legal in China and is not regarded as bribery in any way. So there is no need to feel uncomfortable about it. Trustworthiness of both the company and individual is an important component. Following through on promises is a good indication of this. Treating someone with courtesy while others treat him or her unfairly is another aspect. Frequent contact fosters friendship, as well. Chinese feel obligated to do business with their friends first. There are risks with this system, as can be imagined. When something goes wrong, the relationships are challenged, and friendships quickly disappear.

Toilets in China

There are two styles of toilets in China: Western and Asian. Westerners sit; Asians squat. Do be prepared to do some squatting. Public toilets can be found at train stations and on side streets, and normally there's an attendant present to whom you pay one or two jiao for its use. Toilet paper is never provided; most of the toilets have no partitions, and there's usually no doors for any semblance of privacy. On the positive side, you don't have to worry about whether the toilet seat is clean, and "experts" claim that squatting is better for the digestive system.

You can also find toilets at most restaurants or malls, but again, don't expect more than a hole with foot markers to help you position yourself correctly and aim well. And of course, be expecting the guaranteed lack of TP. Also, don't imagine sinks to be laden with soap or toweling. Tourist hotels at the 4 or 5 star rating provide Western-style toilets, and due to the public face lift affecting Olympic cities like Beijing and Qingdao, the government has started to rate toilets with stars and awards, in hopes of cleaning up its act during this year of public scrutiny.