10 Tips for Traveling China

[@paigehurtubise2553]

I just came back from China and literally every single one of these tips are spot on. If you are thinking of going to China, DO WHAT SHE SAYS. It’s so nice to explore a country and experience culture when you prepare yourself. Travelling China is not like travelling through the US (obviously). You will save yourself a lot of trouble by doing these things!

[@WheresPoppy]

Thank you so much for saying this Paige! I really just wanted to be helpful, I know this isn’t the most exciting video but I’m hoping it’s useful information. You’re right, traveling in China is not like traveling elsewhere.

[@paigehurtubise2553]

Where's Poppy it’s very useful. All of your videos inspire people to travel the world and get outside of their comfort zones. But when you make videos like this it’s very useful. Even if you inspire someone to go to China, you are giving them the resources to go and actually enjoy their trip. Us backpackers have to help each other out ;)

[@stevennyang9304]

Only thing I want to correct is that people start to take away the food they didn't finish. Firstly because people start to realize that wasting food is not good. Secondly, the government encourage people to take away the food, there are lots of ads on the national TV channel, the Internet to tell people to do so，“clear your plate” is a well known and successed campaign which started in 2013. Thirdly, some restaurants will fine you if you left too many foods on the table.

[@WheresPoppy]

Hmm that’s interesting you’ll get fined. I’m sure that people are starting to do this less and less but it definitely still happens

[@stevennyang9304]

mostly in the buffet. That is soo true, Rome wasn't built in a day.

[@melb4161]

I lived in China for 5 years, and saw food being left behind countless times. We presumed it was a display of wealth.

[@the-troublemaker]

The real thing about China is watch my last video.

[@soul832006]

If you're traveling into the third tier cities, there are many hotels that won't accept foreigners. Check ins take a long time because they must register with the local PSB when you stay there.

[@sarinfserg4965]

Thank you Poppy, you are fantastic. So many suggestions and is great that you share your knowledge. I must be honest with you, I was planning to visit China and hire you as a guide for couple of days but unfortunately you moved to Bali 😢. Anyway, thank you for your videos you are a very talented young lady. Happy travels Ciao Bellissima

[@filipinatigereyes1743]

Poppy, I really love your videos! I am just starting out with my channel. I am really blown away by how great your channel is. Liked and subbed!

[@davidj6547]

Solid top 10 useful tips Poppy for any foreigner traveling in China!

[@WheresPoppy]

Glad I can be helpful, that was my goal!

[@ronaldjohnson940]

Where's Poppy thank you

[@vesnav]

Thanks to your video, Poppy, I purchased ExpressVPN($13/mth) and now we can watch Amazon Prime Videos/Netflix in Shenzhen! Also, makes sense about food leftovers...Thank you very much AGAIN!

[@lisamorice4701]

Fantastic video and information. I've just booked a tour to China next year so I'll be watching this again. Thank You!

[@EdwardWiggin]

Haha the Chinese gesture of six! It's a good habit to always do homework and summaries before and after travel!

[@santisanti8386]

Very nice, Poppy! Thank you so much! I think that phone service will save my life!

[@santisanti8386]

Oh no, it's not, it's crazy expensive! :D

[@aarongriffin4764]

I'm moving the shenzhen at the end of the month! So excited! Love your vlog!

[@maheshnikte]

Dear poppy tnx for ur wounderful and very important suggestions for traveling in china. You have done lot of research take care have a wonderful day

[@LiamLewisofficial]

Thanks for these tips poppy! I know I emailed you on Facebook a while ago,I'll be living in China this time next month!! I'm so scared and excited! Feel alot more comfort with these tips! ❤❤

[@WheresPoppy]

Sweet that’s why I made this video honestly! I’ve received so many messages asking for advice and tips I figured instead of just repeating my answers to people individually, I’d share it with eveyone

[@AWAKENIUM]

Don't be scared! It's awesome here.

[@ericliume]

Don't be scared. Local people and policemen are very friendly and willing to help.

[@chriszero7833]

China is one of the safest country in the world. Safer than US and most of EU countries. SO dont be scared!

[@mirami5248]

check it out， start at 4:50. it's a tv show all about culture difference between china and all other countries! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2O4pmN_iMqgb80

[@justinty4655]

Welcome back to China, we miss you so much

[@panigale2207]

Thank You so much for the China travel tips, I'm from Canada I will be in Tianjin and Beijing in 2 weeks I'm nervous and excited at the same time, luv your China Videos Thank You!

[@monkeybollackslj]

I'm moving to Chongqing in February 2019 and it's the first time I will have ever been to China. I just wanted to say thank you so much your videos are helping me alot in preparing and knowing how I should act in China.

[@honeymartin9120]

Its great. Thanks so much for helping us. Because of your hardworking and research we knowing so much. So much love ❤️ to u my poppy.

[@WheresPoppy]

Thanks as always Honey!

[@xiangwang4059]

You’ve learned the Chinese style counting gesture! Epic!

[@wademt]

Great advice Poppy, thanks!

[@SpeakEverydayEnglish]

I've been working in China for the last 5 years, and your video is spot-on! Very useful for those planning to come here either as a tourist or to work. I might just add that prices for food and restaurant meals do vary a lot from place to place, especially when you compare a 1st tier city with a 2nd or 3rd tier city in some of the "poorer" provinces. I've eaten hot pot many times, and not being a hot 'n' spicy lover, I prefer the hot pot restaurants where you have the split pot with hot chilli on one side and non-spicy on the other, so the Chinese people I'm with can eat from the spicy side while I can have the non-spicy. But you are right about choosing the better known and more expensive restaurants. Both the quality and service are much better.

[@dongshuowu3454]

Tipping is just a disgusting thing in North America that stemmed from Great Depression when employment was bad and employers wanted to keep cost lower. But for some reason it continues to exist till now. Especially here in NYC everybody seems to be asking money from you and they make you feel rude if you don’t give. Your video is very informative and accurate. Keep up.

[@duenorth40]

Confused! Shocked!!? In China?? Naw....never.... ;). Thanks for your great videos Poppy. My wife is a native of Chongqing. My favorite city too!

[@faithtonejason]

Hey that hand gesture of 6 is pretty cool!!

[@kamilskuba8896]

You make me want to travel really badly. I have only been to all inclusive resorts in Cuba and Mexico ( 3 times Cuba, once in Mexico) But I mean like real travel.... keep up the vids :)

[@chrisf6791]

Very informative! And a odd tips I recommend is traveling China once in a while,for example one or two years.You will have a new experience compare with the last time you come.

[@ibex9690]

Thanks for the tipps poppy! Really good videos about china! I have one question. Where would you buy the train tickets for china if you want to book them from abroad? Thanks for the help!

[@WheresPoppy]

Ctrip, although you still need to pick up the tickets at the train station.

[@heidigriffin4724]

I had hotpot several times when I lived in China a few years ago and it never made me sick...I'm sorry you had that experience with it 🙁. I loved hotpot! Otherwise, great tips, Poppy! Thanks for the advice! I'll be sure to keep this video in mind when I go to China again 😊

[@jzvr5842]

Great tips, very informative China is amazing, btw are you in China now? Do you plan on going back soon to Hainan or some other place? Would love to see your new drone used in China, Jayoe Nation has some amazing drone footage of China, absolutely beautiful.

[@rickr9435]

for the "finish the food" thing, I don't know. I am Chinese, and I always empty the plates, no matter eating out, visiting friends, or at home...

[@DavidDiaz-so5kj]

Great as usual. I’m so lame we are watching you on our new tv late on a Saturday night... haha we are boring. Love the video and smart advice

[@stevennyang9304]

love your video as always. thanks for letting people know China

[@WheresPoppy]

Glad to hear it, thanks Xiaohu!

[@iansong5809]

@@WheresPoppy why do you call him/her Xiaohu?...

[@calcon11]

Great tips!

[@LovePH926]

Cool vid. I've been living in China and vlogging about my experiences since 2015.

[@WheresPoppy]

Thanks! Nice, good memories to keep cataloged!

[@mpaterno99]

Spot on with all these travel tips! Well played!

[@pathfinder54321]

Great video. Very useful tips for those who travel to China.

[@WheresPoppy]

Thanks pathfinder! Hoping this video can help people!

[@ericliume]

I think the only addition to what you mentioned in the video is, in case you are lost or in trouble, find a policeman, they will definitely help you out, or local young folks since most likely they can speak English. As to the transportation intercity , high speed railway is recommended. China is very safe in general, but, though it is very rare, there are scams targeting travelers. If you don't have the mindset of taking advantage of things, you can avoid most scams. If something is too good to be true, or someone is too nice to refuse, it might be a warning sign. If you are not sure, ask a local friend first. Locals are really friendly in China, but they won't treat you like a long lost relative or something. Keep an open mind but with common sense. Live wisely like locals, then you will find it very joyful in China.

[@WheresPoppy]

I appreciate your comment but I do have to caution that this may not always work. The policeman don’t always speak English and even though people on the street might speak English, they’re probably too scared to speak up, understandably. It’s just better to be fully prepared for these kind of situations

[@ericliume]

Poppy Yeah better be prepared than sorry. All I want to say is younger generation, esp. college students, speaks more English. In case of emergency, policeman is definitely the one you should go to.

[@speedywiz]

have fun with Jordan

[@donstravelsandrants.]

Great tips. China looks amazing on your videos.

[@Gert2111]

China Is amazing ;)

[@jonasherbstritter3520]

under ccp roling? Never

[@gellaynorbu633]

Hi wellcome to beautiful county Bhutan

[@rayhughes]

All Good tips, TIP 11 .. go with mandarin speaking friend!! And I love Chongqing!! right there with you on that one!! - But you are still in Bali right?

[@WheresPoppy]

Thanks Ray! Well no technically I’m in Guatemala right now haha

[@rjmamba508]

Man, she makes really GOOD videos specially the ones that are about Philippines

[@WheresPoppy]

Thanks RJ!

[@aakash15sharma]

Thank you so much for all these tips!! travelling to china for the first time ever this month!!

[@aflyingcat599]

the place she mentions quite at the end with the funny looking mountains is called: Yangshuo (阳朔), not Yangshou, just so you know. very beautiful place.

[@WheresPoppy]

It’s not easy to pronounce as a foreigner

[@pyy390]

Next time you should come to QingHai，Xinjiang，Tibet，it’s beautiful and totally different from other city

[@GandalfrinLee]

Inner Mongolia and Gansu are awesome, too.

[@fongjason8871]

Though with some minor misunderstanding (we don’t bargain everywhere, in many fancy malls or stores, the price is fixed and not negotiable), your video provides overall very useful tips for foreign travelers! I do miss your videos made in China, you must come back someday!

[@GandalfrinLee]

Right, bargain usually applies to some street markets.

[@BelusTraveller]

I have gathered tons of tips from your Vlog, Thank You Awesomeness ✌️,Belus Traveller

[@WheresPoppy]

Glad I can help! :)

[@illbill645]

Some really good tips. I spend a little bit of time in Bangkok and the taxi drivers have refused to take us places all the time. Luckily my wife grew up there and knows there are options. We have taken taxi's to river taxi's to tuk tuk's to the BTS and of course the very scary motor bike taxi. Pretty sure I would never be able to do this without her help.

[@WheresPoppy]

Thanks! Yeah like I said, I think all of Asia does this haha and it’s so frustrating :/

[@ronaldjohnson940]

Thank you Poppy that was very useful info

[@WheresPoppy]

Awesome thanks Ronald!

[@ronaldjohnson940]

You are welcome

[@royalmajestyhomehealth1599]

thank you for the jam mobile it will be big help

[@jal8298]

WeChat has Tencent Map included, which is neat. Baidu map is also decent. I went to China last year with a pixel phone and I didn't have any Google service. But I live very well with just WeChat app on my phone. It has Didi (Chinese uber), WeChat wallet which now can take Visa card. I can also buy movie and event tickets, order food delivery, online shopping and search for fun things on Wechat

[@9458567]

Great, thanks for useful tips as usual :)

[@WheresPoppy]

Thanks Muhammad! You were supposed to come to Guatemala, what happened? We are here now!

[@9458567]

Where's Poppy, Yes I am still ready to come at any cost but unfortunately there is no Embassy or consulate here in Saudi Arabia. I am unable to get visa. Same I explained to Mr. Dylan ( Vivid roots), I am still awaiting his reply regarding visa issues if there is any way e.g invitation or some other type of documents, he can forward to me ? But he is silent, I was about to send you a comprehensive email in next week regarding visa issues, will discuss in email on Monday.

[@dylantaylor1093]

Hi Poppy, how good is your Mandarin? Have you been learning it more as you’ve been living there for the last year?

[@yongwu5656]

China is so big, if chinese want to travel to another city, we also need to prepare a lot.😂😂

[@windypan5586]

But we don't need to prepare for VPN......

[@清德賴-v7q]

@@windypan5586 我们浏览器自带APP。。点击一下。永久性无墙。。。比那些内心有墙的人。强太多。。还有。你一个中国人装什么呢。贱 问候你母亲。怎么养出你这么个恨自己国家的垃圾。

[@windypan5586]

@@清德賴-v7q 啊？误伤啊大哥，我是大陆的啊。。。我的意思是我们中国人自己去中国的其他城市旅游，虽然也要像视频里一样准备地图啊什么的，但是不用像外国人一样准备VPN，因为我们根本不用facebook，ins等等。。。可能我英文太差，词不达意。。。

[@王征-y1q]

@@清德賴-v7q 误伤了，赶紧把你的50米大刀收回去

[@the-troublemaker]

The real thing about China is watch my last video.

[@jasonmackay2604]

Super happy I found this guide🙏

[@lilylily5553]

tibet, yun nan, yellow moutain... they are also great place

[@kobe81]

Hi, a well made video! Glad to hear that you like Chongqing, my hometown! This is a really cool (or maybe "hot") city to visit but only because of the integration of mountainous terrain and urban construction, but also because of the upright and hospitable characters of the local folks. One thing you should know, if you want to rent a car in Chongqing to drive, is that you should probably use a Chinese navigation app, such as amap (m.amap.com/). Also definitely need to taste the well-known hotpot and chongqing xiaomian noodles (小面) !

[@aperson2730]

I've finally realised one of the reasons I like your videos.... there's no annoying intro music 👏:-)

[@CTOInformation]

good and well balanced review on China

[@RobertRoberts329]

Hey Poppy. Been to Beijing a bunch of times but just learned about Great Wall Fresh. I asked my now ex-wife to marry me on the Great Wall but I still didn’t know about this. Very cool tip!

[@thesaljaber]

Your boyfriend is a LUCKY man. You are simply stunning! Love the channel and continued success.

[@WheresPoppy]

Thanks Salah

[@Cballin]

Thanks for this video Poppy, I'm travelling to china for 7 weeks in december, would you reccomend a VPN while there?? so i can access google translate/maps/youtube/facebook etc?

[@shariffahcanino6303]

I am going to Beijing in May 2019. Your videos have been so helpful

[@kartikarini2088]

By travel agent management or by yourself?

[@chuml7043]

I suppose another thing to do is to switch the country of your apple store into China. Then you can download heaps of cool local apps. One of the most commonly used may be Baidu Map. It is a very frequently updated local map of China and helps you get to the place you wanna go by either walking, underground, bus or Uber.

[@Music1ggdgdgd]

#tip10, I love how Im learning my own culture through your videos, great job!

[@WheresPoppy]

Haha that’s awesome! Thanks!

[@bradmiller9993]

Going in November; thanks for the tips! Now how about if you share tips for great video as well!? I liked your footage alot.

[@jal8298]

Tips: if you go to a marbel paved shopping malls or department stores, Don't bargin...if you see a High fashion brand boutique in that shopping mall, don't bargin...Bargining is acceptable in flea market style market or small low key shopping malls

[@mengaa2088]

Only thing I would suggest is that do bargin in shopping mall. The sales would look at u like u r from Mars

[@laurinagaye3398]

A Meng Meng 😂

[@sasamartiena]

Great tips Poppy. China is definitely on the list to visit.. Thanks.. ;)

[@JENNYIKOO]

Nice video....Await for next video.

[@opportunityinchina9871]

Pleco or Hanping are two great dictionaries. Offline app is a must. Good distinction there, miss.

[@chuckywang]

lol the cheese you showed had a sticker that said buy 1 get 1 free.

[@Dovid2000]

Best advice on China ever published so far.

[@jckalden1700]

Interesting good tips. For those who are disoriented after a long flight, can compliment by joining a package tour instead, leaving the sights and narrations to the qualified and licensed guide. And that was what I did in Sydney, Australia. And this travel agency even offers good incentives. I booked two (2) tour packages (Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains), and was given free half-day Sydney city tour. In Beijing, I also joined a tour package. So was brought to see popular sights, like Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Live Cultural Show, etc. Regarding, the issue of a taxi driver refusing to accept a fare, it is quite common in SEAsian countries too. You need to know the reasons. Sometimes, it could be about "Changing Shift" or probably a new driver. Happy Holidays. Cheers

[@RespectOthers1]

You went to China as a 'blunt' knife...now you're sharp as heck! :D Have a great/safe time in Guatemala!...

[@WheresPoppy]

Hahaha thanks RespectOthers!

[@UsmanChinese]

RespectOthers i know all Chinese but i haven't been to china 我会中文但是我没去过中国

[@w87law32]

The park you visited in Beijing, it was royal palace before. Lol

[@benec5816]

Excellent report go along with everything you said and that goes for people in our age group over 55 but one thing I would suggest carry paper map of the city you are in and yes I know it is old school for all you young modern types but when lost or not sure where you are pull out the map start looking at it and before you know it the locals will stop and try to help you and don't think that they are trying to rip you off they arn't they are just trying to be a good neighbors and help you. China is awesome, we lived in Singapore for two years before it got so big and yet we find China the place to go and when bargoning do with a smile and like a having fun they love it like that stay safe and thanks again Poppy

[@大象大头]

China has local digital maps such as baidu maps（百度地图） and Amap（高德地图）. There should be an English version of the Amap. It can be used online without a VPN.

[@zhaoxunyan4016]

Lots of times the taxi drivers would ask you to share with one or two other passengers and set the prices before going. Yes this is inevitable here.

[@allenlai8680]

I miss China!

[@nasha657]

You are fantastic , great 1/2 Ro girl :)). Super video

[@CareerChina]

Awesome tips Poppy!!!! 👍

[@ltrond]

You should use a Chinese map app or just iOS map in China. because foreign map apps, including Google Maps, got a GPS offset in China like 500 meters, and different offset direction in different cities. The issue is about nation security, we call it 'Mars coordinate system'.

[@steelcitydomains2356]

awesome.. im off soon to see my dad as he lives there :) might stay... any advice commenters too? hes shenyang area ... any good?

[@WheresPoppy]

Have fun!!

[@RobertRoberts329]

Hey Poppsters where did you film this? Are you not in Bali anymore?

[@ninjaahjumma]

Love this vlog! I’m going to Beijing ALONE (but I will be meeting my American boyfriend and will be with him for the most part) for the first time in two weeks and I’m very excited, but also anxious because I’m Filipina and apparently Chinese people are pretty racist towards other Asians, especially darker skinned ones like us Filipinos. I’m also surprised about your comment regarding safety. I’ve been warned that China isn’t as safe as South Korea (where I’ve literally left my bag at a table while I order food and have gone out alone at 2am) but hearing you say that China is also a safe country sort of allayed my fears. Hopefully I’ll have a good and safe time. Wish me luck? Oh and if anyone has more tips please help. Haha

[@theadventuresofbrockinthai4325]

HEY POPPY, GREAT VIDEO I THINK IT WILL GIVE ME ENOUGH INFORMATION TO GET STARTED ON MY TRIP NEXT YEAR. THIS WILL BE A LONG TRIP BECAUSE I WILL BE RETRACING SOME OF MY FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS FROM THE 30'S. I HAVE HOURS OF MOVIES THAT HE TOOK WHEN HE WAS THERE. AS HE WALKED THROUGH THE FORBIDDEN CITY AND ON THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA AND MANY OTHER PLACES. I AM ALSO GOING TO GO TO EITHER THE THE GOVERNMENT OR A LARGE MUSEUM TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT RETURNING SOME OF THE TREASURES THAT WAS LEFT TO ME BY MY DAD. I FEEL THAT THESE ITEMS ACTUALLY BELONG TO THE PEOPLE OF CHINA AND MY FAMILY HAS JUST BEEN TAKING CARE OF THEM FOR A WHILE. I HOPE TO SPEND AT LEAST ONE MONTH IN CHINA.

[@GandalfrinLee]

About the remaining food, I wanna say it varies. From where I come from, people eats all the food, particularly when at someone's home. People should be aware that the etiquette varies across China.

[@RecklessxLove]

Great video :) !

[@WheresPoppy]

Thanks Kayla!

[@HaavardFonnelandPettersen]

Where/ how do you recommend we book hostels? Trip.com doesn't have that many. There should be a list somewhere of great hostels with English-speaking staff that lets foreigners stay.

[@KimberlysVideos]

Hi Poppy. DiDi has an all English app with English speaking customer service. I’ve used it for a few years.

[@thelittlesthobo7100]

Kimberly Williams I cannot find it. How do we get the English app? 🙏

[@soul832006]

I like the idea of the phone service! Great tip ^_^

[@blueandyyb]

I guess the "wasting food" phenomenon is still present in a lot of the areas in China, but in my hometown Shanghai, people have developed to pack the leftovers back in early 2000s.

[@WheresPoppy]

Well that’s good, I’ve seen it a lot in Shenzhen

[@chriswei2007]

Bargain is not everywhere pls . Up to 20 percent of shops are allowed maybe

[@firstsoldier4257]

Even Amazon sells China Simcard with VPN in Europe ......you can buy in Shanghai airport too.......!

[@LLLLLLEON216]

Most of the time people do take their leftover food to go. Growing up in Guangzhou, I’ve rarely seen anyone intentionally leave lots of food on the table. But if it’s some sort of special occasion where people are trying to lavishly celebrate, then that’s totally possible.

[@WheresPoppy]

Maybe it’s dependent on where you are, obviously not everyone does this but I’ve seen it quite a lot

[@jal8298]

If you are vegan, search for Vegan or buddism restaurants. Dazhong Dianping is the Chinese version of Yelp. It is also included in WeChat app. Watch out that some vegan or buddism restaurants could be very expensive. Ex. Some buddism restaurants with nice setting and even tea garden in Shenzhen could easily cost $80 per person. Some vegan restaurants also use very expensive mushrooms... check the price first.

[@angie65185]

I traveled to Hang Zhou city with a local Chinese friend, we stayed in a 5 star hotel in downtown (my friend paid for the plane ticket and hotel as a treat). After touring the city and had dinner we wanted to take the taxi instead of metro back to the hotel, because my friend wasn’t feeling well. But we had a very difficult time getting a taxi. Every taxi driver we asked refused to go to our hotel area because of the traffic jam. We tried for like 10 taxi and eventually taking the metro.

[@WheresPoppy]

Yep that’s Asia for you, taxi cabs are so lazy it’s ridiculous.

[@weizhang2834]

Because the taxi too cheap , the local government don’t allow increase the price even they don’t make a lot money even no traffic jam . During the traffic, they even lose money. I would say china taxi driver is the most cheapest in the world. Taxi driver work for government , they are one part of the public transportation. In the western world, taxi mostly belong to private company

[@francescampbell4731]

I just saw a news item that a 6.9 magnitude earth quake hit near Bali today. I'm praying you are alright!

[@victorgreat7672]

Now we chinese are changing. Most of us also think waste of food is not good.

[@WheresPoppy]

That’s good!

[@贾尤佳]

haha, you were changed by China when you showed the gesture of SIX!!!!!!

[@muhmmadaslam9773]

Useful tips. Love u

[@490209205]

China have a lot of Vegetarian or even Vegan and Buddhist Vegan restaurants. For example, in my hometown Fo Shan, I had at least already try 12 different Vegetarian BUFFET restaurants in different locations, not included countless of others none-buffet ones. Best to try to copy the following translations into your Chinese local map app with the GPS or BEIDOU turn on ---> 素食餐馆

[@490209205]

BTW, the price range of vegetarian buffet restaurants could be ￥12 ~￥100

[@490209205]

also, in Canton or Guangdong province, people like to take their leftover food home, esp native Cantonese, and lots of other cities are following this new habits (traditions) due to the "Guangpan Movement" (光盘行动)。The pack up foods translations you could show to the server(s) will be like this "打包“ or "Da Bao" in ping yin.