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3 Stars
The area before entering the Jin Mao Tower
walking
A ceremonial costume
The Bund
Hey People,
Me and my girlfriend are traveling to China in two months (beijing,xian,shanghai and Guangzhou) We are really looking forward to the trip, but now a friend mentioned that communication is really difficult. Did anybody have the same experience speaking english to Chinese? Any advice?
Thanks!
Your friend is right, it's really difficult. In the international hotels and restaurants in the big cities, some people will speak English, but outside not so much. You are visiting very popular tourist places and you will find some help in one or other way, but not expected to find always some one. In less popular cities it’s really difficult. But, people are very polite and even in the restaurants without English menu they will try to help you with pictures or searching in the other tables.
Great that you're going to China! Last time I have been there was several months ago. Luckily I can go to Asia often for business. I really like Shanghai and Beijing. Normally, Chinese people don't speak english too well. Especially the taxi drivers and people in shops and restaurants. I've picked up some Chinese while staying there and did a beginners course. Also just downloaded some new software on my cellphone, which I've heard of through a friend. It's called xs2china.com It consists of a city guide and a dictionary all spoken through audio.
Ok, hope it's of any help. Have a great trip!
I once used a map to show a taxi driver in Shanghai where I wanted to go and had no problems. I was happy to get close to where I wanted to go then walk the rest but he wanted to take me closer so I directed him. I took him down the wrong way on a one way street. I did not realize this until after I got out because I always walked it before.
He was very friendly and we laugh a little when he had to put his reading glasses on to read the map. He looked at the map where I pointed and said "OK" and turned on the meter. The map was in Chinese. He tried to say thank you at the end but his English was as bad as my Chinese at that time.
Bring a phrasebook -- Rough Guide's Mandarin is good.
YU_YUAN GARDEN. It lies in the old area of Shanghai. As a combination of garden, temple and small commodity market, Yuyuan Garden presents a strong local characteristic, and is called as 'A kingdom of small commodities.' Bill Clinton and his family had meal inside one of the resturant in Yuyuan Garden when he visited China.
The airport in Shanghai is huge and super modern. It is located about an hour east of downtown , depending on traffic. The international arrivals hall has , hotel shuttles , money exchange and ATMs. There is also a Tourist info desk.
Remember when you leave howver there are no bars or restaurants once you go through security!
Taxis should cost no more than $10.00 into the city.
YANG ZHOU RESTAURANT. Offer wide range of Shanghainese dishes. Some dishes carry much MSG, delicious of course! Prices more expensive than the hide-away resraurants. Steamed Crab Meat. TouFu Noodle Soup.
simply follow the smell of freshly barbequed lamb.. long queues stretching into the middle of the road! on x'mas eve.
a muslim xinjiang favourite, like satay, miniature shish kebabs at 2 yuan per stick..
irresistible, especially during cold nights!
Shanghai; Still a mere fishing village 200 years ago, Shanghai today is a metropolis where East meets West , Old Meets New, with 16 million residents, Shanghai occupies 6340 sg.km. and is situated at 31°4’ latitude and 121°29’ east longitude. Temperature averages 18°C and annual rainfall is 1,240 mm.Shanghai is China’s most cosmopolitan city and is home to people from all over the world. Facing Shanghai Bund, some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers such as the Oriental TV. Tower, the Jinmao Mansion, and soon-to-be World Trade Center are in the new Podong Area, while architecture from Shanghai’s colonial past can be found in Poxi along the Bund and international settlements.The world-class Shanghai Museum is as popular as the traditional Yuyuan Garden and Market, and along side bicycle lanes speeds the world’s first magnetic levitation train. Shanghai now is racing full speed ahead to regain its position in the world and is a showcase of the advances and yearnings of today’s China.
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