I know that this is a rather broad question, but what is
China like? Can you compare it to any other countries? I'm
interested in going, but I'd like some more info. Thanks.
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China is big and varied. It has a climite and geography
that is more varied than any country save the U.S. It has
people. Lots of people. The cities are more crowded than
anywhere except maybe Cairo, Calcutta, etc...There is very
little visiable culture that dates before 1950-- lots of
concrete buildings, very few pagodas. The food is great and
extremely varried-- imagine France on a grand scale(except
almost NO cheese). It is very unsettling at times for a
westerner-- you will be stared at. A lot. You will be
treated in a million different ways. You will see people
angry(VERY!) and generous(VERY!) and you will probably see
people fight a lot. You will find lots of cheap consumer
goods and a smattering of higher quality western items. You
will see more expensive cognac than you can imagine. You
will see even more muay-thai than expensive cognac. You
will see lots of nose-picking and spitting. You will see
lots of stores selling ginseng. You will see the contry
that has changed the most in the century. I would recommend
going! Though the "communists" are still in power, the
state ain't sick like it is in the former U.S.S.R.
countries. Civil administration is pretty good and you will
probably not have many problems with officials. Bicycles
are everywhere(not Chungqing, though) and trains and buses
are often packed....
Any more questions? Definately go, you might find it
unpleasant at times, but it is really fascinating country.
zaijan,
Yawn
I visited China about 5 yers ago, starting i Bejing. Bejing was Ok. Went by train southwards to Xian. By that time i was really pisses by spitting traveling Chineese. SO I just wanted to get the f... out of that country. BUT then i came further south to Lijiang, Chengdu, Ruili, Wandiang, just to mention a few, and I was in heaven.. It was just a pity that my visa expired to soon.
So what you should do: Get to the middle and southern part of the country, and as far away from the large and big cities as you can. The people in the countryside are extremely nice, and dont be surprised if You are invited to have dinner with them, to stay at their place, beeing invited to a festival and so on. Mostly they are interested in you as a person, and not in your dollars(as they are in the cities). But remember some of the families might "use you" to gain status in the willage. -"Hey I'm hosting/inviting/sharing experience with a foreigner! -How cool I'am". But don't worry about that. Just be aware of it.
So a good/fun tip: You wil always have the plan of travelling from A to B. But if you see a nice village on the road, dont hesitate jumping of the bus. You migh pop into the happening of your life!!
Nice Journey
Inva
I visited china twice: 7 years ago, and 1,5 year ago: a
difference, bigger than between night and day. but i LOVE
china, try to read a lot (esp. Jung Chang wild swans), take
your time and enjoy !!!
good luck
anne
Thanks for the above advice. Now a more specific question:
which places would you recommend I visit? Also, what is the
work situation like In China? Is it fairly easy to do
volunteer work, or is it a big problem?