To visit China and not visit the Great Wall of China is a crime. True, here, as elsewhere in China, there is a problem of choice: to go by yourself or with organized tour, but here it is further aggravated by the question: where exactly to go, to which section of the wall? Let's share our trials and errors in this matter.

How to go?

China is probably the only country we have visited where I am ready to advocate for organized excursions. For 2 months spent here, I'm already rather fed up with the fact that nothing works out the first time, and the information in guidebooks very often differs significantly from what it really is. But on the other hand, excursions for foreigners on English language official travel agencies cost some space money, and with a budget option, there is a risk of riding a bus full of noisy Chinese or spending most of your time not walking along the wall, but visiting tea and onyx shops.

In addition, an excursion to the Great Wall of China is one of the most popular layouts of the Beijing “Ostap Benders”. It looks like this: on the street, a barker sticks to you, who convinces you to buy an excursion to the Great Wall of China from him. He says that he has been working at this place since the time of Comrade Mao himself, his excursions are the best and cheapest, shows photos of satisfied customers and claims that a line of tourists is lining up for him, but he liked you and therefore he will be happy to take you tomorrow.

He broadcasts this very eloquently and convincingly, and you almost agree, especially since the kind "guide" does not even ask you for the entire cost of the tour at once, 20-30 percent, to reserve your place. He “swears by his mother” that he will not deceive you and will pick you up from the hotel at the appointed time tomorrow. But then tomorrow comes, and there is no bus, there is no guide in “his place”, there is no money either.

We were warned in advance about the possibility of such a layout, as well as about it, and therefore we immediately rejected such proposals, and I want to note that there were quite a few of them. Having compared all the pros and cons, we once again chose an independent inspection, and we never regretted it, almost ...

Where to go?

At present, several sections of the wall are open for inspection: Badaling, Mutianyu, Simytai, Jinshanling, Huanghua, Jiugulou. After studying the guidebooks, the vast expanses of the Internet and travel forums, we came to the conclusion that on our own in one day you can only get to the first two: Badaling and Mutianyu. Badaling is the most accessible section of the wall and therefore the most visited, so we initially decided to go to Mutianyu.

Mutianyu

So, in theory, to get to Mutianyu, you first need to find bus terminal located at the metro station Dongjimen. Everything is aggravated by the fact that you do not need the main terminal, which is located near the metro, but some additional one. Finding it is not easy, since there are no signs, and all the verbose descriptions on the Internet are really of little help. It's good that we always try to give the exact location of the objects you are looking for on the map, and you will not have such problems.

After you have found the bus station with grief in half, you need to go into the very depths, there will be a stop for the bus you need, or rather buses, since we found information that buses either 867 or 936 go to Mutianyu from this station. More one important detail, according to the information we found, the bus route 867 leaves at 7:00 and 8:30 in the morning, so you have to get up early. We arrived at the station around 7:30 and bus 867 was already (or still) at the stop, we showed the driver the hieroglyphs recorded in advance, to which he explained with gestures as best he could that he was not going to Mutianyu, but was going to the place from where we should go by taxi. Ok, we decided, so the 936th definitely goes where we need to. And they began to wait for him (by the way, the 867th bus left at 8:00).

In addition to us, there were some Japanese, Chinese with cameras and a European with a Lonely Planet guide at the bus stop. By the way, he twirled a little between the buses and quickly retreated somewhere. Somewhere at 8:30 the coveted bus arrived and we merrily plunged there. Moreover, there was a real feeling that a baby was swarming around you, in my memory only schoolchildren can change their place so many times. Before departure, the conductor approached us and asked where we were going, in Chinese, of course. By the way, in Xian, when we went to see the terracotta army, the conductor spoke excellent English, what does it mean.

In response to this, we, as in the case of the previous bus, showed her pre-prepared hieroglyphs and got ready for departure. But it was not there. Our hieroglyphs did not suit her for some reason, she, along with the driver, began to make some noise, scream and actually pushed us out of the bus. What it was and why, remained a mystery to us, as well as the whole of China)))
Accustomed to the fact that we can’t do anything the first time in China, we decided to try our luck the next day, but for now, go see the Olympic facilities. Since we did not want to tempt fate with the conductors and Mutianyu again, and therefore we decided to use plan B, i.e. go to Badaling.

Badaling

Of course, this is the most touristy of all the possible wall options, but there is a train going there. And the train for us - The best way to get to difficult sights, which helped us out more than once, for example in Kunming, when we .

So the trains to Badaling are recovering from northern railway station, he is at the station Xinhimen. All trains in the direction we need have a 4-digit number, start with "S2", and then 01-99. At the same time, odd numbers go to Badaling, and even numbers go to Beijing. By the way, this direction appeared not so long ago - it was built for the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

The train schedule is posted on the stand, but in China everything changes so quickly that I do not spoil for its relevance. Tickets are sold on the same day, that is, they cannot be purchased in advance. The procedure for traveling in that direction is approximately the same.

You buy a ticket at the box office (by the way, it costs only 6 CNY), you go inside the station and run into a queue. The Chinese have an unrealistic love for queues: they first create it from scratch, and then they try to deceive everyone and crawl around. But there's nothing to be done - you have to stand, as the metal guides very strictly regulate the order of the most nimble tourists. They let you onto the platform 15 minutes before departure, and then the fun begins ...

The fact is that the train is quite far from the station building. Therefore, having stepped onto the platform, everyone cheerfully runs to the train, hoping to take their seats. The attraction is the same, especially considering that the curb tiles on the platform are very slippery and this run can easily end in serious injuries.
An interesting observation, for some reason the Chinese prefer to climb into the very first carriage closest to them, and then move further inside the train. If you are not too lazy and run to the end of the train, the probability of taking a seat increases significantly.

One and a half - two hours on the train and we are there. Then the whole crowd cheerfully falls out of the train and goes towards the wall, about 10-20 minutes, depending on the speed and the number of photos taken along the way. It is important to remember that Badaling is not the final station, but since the bulk of passengers get off exactly Here

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I am often asked how to communicate with the Chinese (make purchases, order food in a restaurant, get directions, etc.) without knowing the Chinese language. In far from everyone speaks English, and those who speak - often with a monstrous accent. How to be? I addressed this question to my mother, who has been to many times. I give her the floor.

The Chinese language is so difficult that few people will learn it if there is a short-term one. Moreover, you can do without knowledge of Chinese literacy. When I come to , Shanghai and some others Chinese cities I lead an active lifestyle, although I do not speak or read Chinese. I walk the streets and parks, visit temples and museums, buy food and things in shops and street vendors. We have to bargain (it is impossible without it), greatly knocking down the price. Worth mentioning and public transport, which can be used by any foreigner who does not understand a single word of Chinese.

I want to say right away that I have never been in the Chinese outback. But more or less major cities and in Chinese resorts, I sometimes forget that I am in a foreign-speaking environment. How do I do it? Very simple. You just need to have an idea about, take into account their traditions, know a few oral phrases and distinguish at least a dozen. I almost forgot, be sure to have a bilingual map of the city in your bag (in Chinese and English), and in your pocket a compass (it’s easier to navigate) and a notepad with a pen ( or navigator in mobile phone, but I had situations where it didn't work; therefore I always carry a printed map of the city with me - M.A). For those who for some reason have not mastered chopsticks, it is worth having a knife and fork (conveniently plastic) with you.

Modern Chinese are always ready to help a foreigner. They will try to find a way to communicate with you. The younger the Chinese, the easier it is to contact him. It is more difficult with older people or with those who have recently arrived from the village.

Learning Chinese Literacy

If you want to win over any Chinese (starting with passport control at the airport), then smile and politely say no hao你好, which means "Hello". In taxis, shops, markets and other places, repeat this magic phrase like a spell. Contact is immediately established between you and the Chinese. It's also good to remember the words "thank you" sese谢谢 and "goodbye" zai jian 再见.

Another phrase will save your life. She sounds questioning. La de ma?辣的吗, which means "Is it spicy?". A Chinese chef or waiter will understand your fear and put less pepper in your food. Or suggest another dish.

If you urgently need to show that you do not want something, or you need to suspend some action, then say “No!” or Russian "No!". These words, plus your intonation and the corresponding gesture, will be a signal for any Chinese that it is necessary, at a minimum, to clarify the situation.

There are several hieroglyphs that it is desirable to memorize to the extent that you recognize them on products, signs and menus. It is: "beef" (牛肉 niuzhou), "pork" (猪肉 zhuzhou), "chicken" (鸡 chi), "horse" (马 ma), "fish" (鱼 yu), "milk" (牛奶 sniff), "vegetables" (青菜 qingcai), "salt" (盐 yang, pronounced like day), "red" (红 hong; for black tea, which is called red in China), "green" (绿 lui), "tea" (茶 cha), "water" (水 Shui). It is useful to know the characters for "entrance" (入口 beetle), "exit" (出口 Chukou) and "stop" (站 zhan).

To fill out various questionnaires and forms (starting with an airplane), you need to remember how to spell “Beijing” in English - “Beijing” (or the city where you are flying). The name is pronounced like Beijing, i.e. " northern capital". The Chinese spelling for Beijing is 北京.

In public transport

As soon as there are any problems, I turn to any passerby. If his knowledge of English does not allow us to find a common language, then I take out the metro map and show the station I want to get to. They either point me in the right direction, or escort me to the place from where it will be easier for me to get. In addition, there are always metro employees at the station who will help you find your way.

It happens that older people shrug their shoulders and walk away. They would be happy to help, but they are afraid to do something wrong. The upbringing of past years also has an effect: distrust of strangers. Today's youth is completely different. As soon as I stop, studying the map, as soon as someone comes up and asks in English if you need help?

For convenience, it is better to immediately buy a card (metro + bus) and always have a supply on it. If there is no desire to understand the operation of modern machines through which the account is replenished, then you can approach the metro workers, show them with your hand at the machine, card and banknote. They will come up and put the card and money in the right slot in front of you and press some buttons. If the workers are busy, then you can contact any Chinese.

I rarely use buses, although they are modern and very comfortable. I'm more used to the subway. A single card (for the metro and buses) saves me from looking for a place to buy tickets. With questions (which bus, where is the stop, when to get off?) I turn to the passengers. There will always be someone who knows English. You can also show the desired location on the map.

It is advisable to have a piece of paper with the address of the apartment or hotel, which is written in hieroglyphs. She, as well as a specific place on the map or a business card of the seller, can be shown to the taxi driver.

There are also rickshaws. They are usually taken to travel short distances. The price is negotiable, from 5 to 10 yuan. Ten fingers will help determine the price.

In shops and markets

There are many shops in China. The most different. There are huge international chain supermarkets: Carrefour ( carrefour, 家乐福 jialefu), Walmart ( walmart, 沃尔玛 voerma), "Auchan" ( Auchan, 欧尚 ocean) and small (in "step by step" and "half step" accessibility). Prices for groceries in small stores are often lower than in chain stores. The price is not per kilogram, but per 500 grams (斤 jin). In grocery stores with a cash register are not traded. There are no problems with not knowing the language, if you limit yourself to buying familiar products. The pictures on the bags help to identify what is in the opaque packages. The accompanying inscription in English also saves. Acquaintance with some hieroglyphs (“beef”, “milk”, etc.) will come in handy.

Saved English is yogurt

Do not reject the help of the seller, even if it seems unnecessary to you. A couple of years ago, we chose a comfortable and lightweight backpack. Such that the back breathes, the shoulders do not get tired, there is a strong zipper, many pockets and a place for a laptop. The salesperson stood by for a while, watching us. Then she went to another rack and brought exactly the backpack that met our needs.

On several occasions, vendors have literally “taken away” my olive oil bottle, egg cartons, and other items, bringing fresher, tastier, or better items instead. cheap analogues. In the same way, we were able to taste the wonderful Chinese dry red wine that the vendor offered us instead of the one we chose.

Another thing is the market. Trade for health. To the question "How much?" (“How much?”) the seller will most likely answer in Chinese first. Then draw a question mark in the air and shrug your shoulders. Immediately in the hands of the seller will be a calculator or a phone, which will indicate a greatly inflated amount. It must be lowered by pressing the buttons of the calculator and using gestures and facial expressions. Name your absurdly low cost. This will be the start of the bargain.

Show with all appearance that you do not like the product, that it has flaws. Speak in any language that you take it not for yourself, but for a friend. You do not need this thing, it is small (large), does not match in color, etc. The more details, the more convincing your arguments. At the same time, each of you speaks your own language. You can even pretend to be disappointed and leave. By some instinct, the seller will understand you, appreciate and agree to a compromise price. Of course, at first he will run his hand over his throat, showing how hard it is for him to give away goods for such pennies.

The Chinese bargain willingly, with pleasure. If it is possible to reach a common language (English or Russian), then such an argument will do. Listen to all the arguments of the seller. He will tell you for a long time at what price he buys goods at the factory. Agree with him. Tell him that you don't want to interfere with his business and deprive him of his profits. And for a gift to friends (neighbors), this product is too expensive. You change your mind and buy something cheaper elsewhere. Write for persuasiveness the cost in yuan, multiplied by 5 or 6 (at the current exchange rate of the yuan against the ruble). Horrified by the result, saying that in Moscow you can buy the same thing much cheaper. Not a single Chinese seller will let go of a buyer who has come to him. He will take out a calculator (a piece of paper and a pen) and start bargaining. In an extreme (hopeless) case, ask for a discount. Usually they don't. But this option is possible if the seller and you speak at least a little the same language.

Bargaining (in full) will not work if a person (often an elderly relative) who is asked to look at the goods is selling. He will call the owner of the goods a hundred times and consult with him about discounts. It can immediately show that bargaining is not appropriate, after which it will lose interest in you and go about its business. In this option, even an excellent knowledge of the Chinese language will not save.

Beijing's Yabao-lu Street is considered "Russian": many vendors here speak Russian

Help from a person who knows Chinese

Many times I found myself in a situation where it was necessary to urgently resolve some economic issues with the Chinese, who did not speak other languages. She immediately took out her phone, dialed the number of Chinese acquaintances and gave them the phone. After about five minutes, the interlocutors explained to each other the essence of the issue (with all the details), after which they told me what to do. This way of communication allows you to contact workshops for the repair of things, order drinking water, etc.

China has a wide variety of food. For every taste. It is very easy to navigate, as most of the menu (often thick books) is accompanied by pictures of dishes. Many restaurants have special menus for foreigners. Speaking of sticks. I love to eat with a fork and knife. I do not want to give up this habit and switch to sticks. In most restaurants, you can ask for a knife and fork (often with gestures). Sometimes I have to use the plastic kit that I always have in my bag. The Chinese don't care what you eat.

You can’t do without the help of the Chinese when filling out such a menu.

In small "dumplings", where they cook incredibly delicious 饺子 ("dumplings") with various fillings, the menu is usually in Chinese. In this case, the "cheat sheet" that you will show to the waiter will help. It must be written in advance by a familiar Chinese or a person who speaks Chinese, indicating what filling you like.

It is clear that inside - dumplings

I love Chinese baozi 包子 (steamed stuffed pastry). I buy them by showing a notebook with a list of toppings that I like. They are written in hieroglyphs (for Chinese) and in English (for me). In order not to take a lot of time, counting the total cost, I hold out a deliberately large bill and take the change. There has never been a scam.

Some restaurants will tell you everything in English

Don't be afraid to be funny

Once I needed to buy a cream that protects against scorching sun. First I went to the nearest supermarket. In the cosmetics department, the young saleswomen knew only Chinese. I had to get a notepad and a pen. Draw a man and the sun. Write + 30 ° C and show how I will smear the face and body with cream. She said the clarifying word "Hainan", a resort in southern China. The saleswoman understood everything and brought two tubes. She gave one and touched her lips and eyelids with clearly forbidding gestures. The other tube had no contraindications. I nodded my head and made it clear that I was taking both tubes. After that, the saleswoman took them to the checkout, wrote the price on a piece of paper, and only after my consent punched the goods. I put it in a transparent bag along with a check and gestured to the floor below (there were cash desks), making it clear that I would need to show this bag. When buying, a small pantomime was played. None of the outsiders paid any attention to her.

There are words in Chinese and Russian that are understandable both to us and to the Chinese. For example, "tofu" 豆腐, "ginseng" 人参, "mango" 芒果. I bought ginkgo extract tablets that are very useful for the body without a translator at a pharmacy. I was well understood. When buying tubes with the famous Chinese ointment "999", a panacea for many ills, it was enough for me to write three nines on a piece of paper, agree to the price and pay for the purchase at the box office, to which I was led.

Our acquaintances in Beijing had difficulties with the lack of liquid for storing contact lenses. They were never solved, as an independent attempt was made to find the Chinese character, and not to let the Chinese help in solving this problem. It was necessary to show in a pharmacy or in a store that sells glasses an empty lens case that needs to be filled. It was possible to clarify the wish with a drawing. Then the Chinese would offer a choice the best means famous firms. China is a country of bespectacled people and people who use lenses. Everything that concerns optics is well developed there. There is no lack of care products.

This is just a small fraction of those techniques that help you feel in China without knowing the language. China is a livable country where you can always find options for communication. In some cities there are quarters and streets, with inscriptions in Russian, sellers who have studied Russian. However, it is easy to navigate and solve your problems, even if you find yourself in a Chinese environment without knowing the language.

MA: If you are going to China, it is useful to write down some useful hieroglyphs on a piece of paper and on your phone that will help you navigate. In addition, there are various mobile applications- translators. I use dictionaries "Lingvo"(Russian-Chinese and Chinese-Russian) and Pleco(English-Chinese), as well as Google Translate.

Even if you do not know Chinese, set your phone to Chinese, and there are two options: using the phonetic pinyin alphabet (syllables written in Latin) and by writing the hieroglyph on the touchpad. In case of any problems, you can ask the Chinese to write an unfamiliar word or phrase on the phone and then translate it into Russian.

Perhaps, after reading this article, you still decide to learn Chinese. Then read the post.

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I’ll tell you separately about our railway experience and how we got food on this trip. We made all our movements between cities in China by trains.

These were our food requirements. It's good when the cafe has a menu with pictures. I generally like dishes with sweet sauces, although I can't eat a lot of them. But Lena did not like them.

In general, the Chinese have a special love for sweets - it is almost impossible to even find non-sweet bread. We did not find bread in our understanding there at all.

All the sausages that we tried, although they looked like ours, they tasted disgustingly sweet.

The potatoes are all sweet too.

By the way, we liked the Chinese beer.

As a result, we have developed our own set of requirements for dishes:

• 不辣 - búlà - not spicy,
• 不甜 - bùtián or 不加糖 - bùjiātáng - not sweet,
• 没有豆腐 - méiyǒudòufu - without tofu.

Still sometimes you need to say that the dish is packed for us to go. We just showed this phrase written in Chinese. It's time for us to learn it already:

请把这到菜给我包 - Qǐng bǎ zhèdàocài gěi wǒ bāo.

Maybe you will need it on your journey.

One day we tried to order baozi. The menu had no pictures. We saw the familiar hieroglyph 鸡 - Jī - chicken. We were delighted - we decided to order baozi with chicken filling. They were delicious, but we didn't find any chicken there. There was 鸡蛋 - Jīdàn - egg. We knew how the word sounded, but we didn't remember how it was spelled.

A good review about Chinese food was written by the owner of the Way2China blog Anna in the article What and how the Chinese eat.

Made it 65 minutes before departure. I vowed to drive up to the departure on the train back to back in time.

LESSON

• Before large transfers, flights, leave a day in the city of departure - after all, there is always where to take a walk there, and you will definitely not be late for the plane.

The Chinese were driving, they lost the eggs. The girls thought - raspberries, bit off half (folk ditty)

suburban train Yaroslavl direction. Sat down. One brow at the window. Noses in phones, headphones, respectively, in the ears. Everything as usual. Now there will be a full carload of us - castle-dwellers working in the capital of the Motherland, the hero city of Moscow. Somehow, unexpectedly, the train jerked and slowly, creaking and swaying on the arrows, began to move into the region. I look around: there are surprisingly few people, they sit, looking around sleepily, and, habitually meeting eyes with fellow travelers, they don’t even look away, but simply look through; this is how all the inhabitants of large cities look at their own kind. Apparently, for this indifferent look, the rest of the population of our vast Motherland does not like Muscovites, without even realizing why. Well, what to do, you won’t be forced to be nice ... but we love you, who have come in large numbers, very much, with all our hearts. Such is our adaptive reaction to the forced daily rotation in the countless human mass. We survive as best we can, do not blame me.

So, we are moving home as usual, so that tomorrow morning again in the same train, pushing and swearing, look at each other “through” ... We drive up to the Moscow 3 platform. And then my attention is drawn to a group of passengers, compact, but with huge luggage from checkered "shuttle" bags, located in one of the six-seat "compartments". The guys are not our Asians, they are making a noise somehow anxiously, pointing their fingers at the window, the phrases are intonationally interrogative, although, perhaps, in “their” language they are not interrogative at all, but affirmative or even imperative. I look closely at them and even listen somewhere. And the guys are more and more excited, they begin to helplessly turn their little heads, looking for a reciprocal look. "Help mi, pliz!" I read in their narrowed eyes the only foreign phrase I know. I get up, come closer, loudly and with an accent, to make it clearer, I ask what, they say, happened, how can I help? In Russian, the stump is clear, I ask. Because I'm not very good at other languages. And with their nationality, not everything is clear yet. And it would be clear what's the point? Then one of my counterparts, the most brainy, began to stick some papers up my nose. Look, the papers are in Russian. Well, thank God! Tickets! To Beijing! Yes, and this one, brainy, murmurs something like "Xiao, Liao, we are Chinese, Xiao, Liao, we are Beijing." And he asks with gestures: why is Beijing, they say, now a completely, completely different side? Illumination has come from Above! This, therefore, a team of Chinese migrant workers, or whatever they are, having worked their shift in tailoring “branded” local clothing somewhere in the near Moscow region, returns to their homeland, judging by the ticket, to Beijing. By and large, I have great respect for the Eastern mentality, but these guys, like a campaign, were recruited by bad people somewhere in the remote villages of the Celestial Empire, promising a lot of money for work in Russia, and, cashing in on their gullibility and cheap labor, they put on the train to Moscow and slipped Moscow-Beijing tickets without bothering to explain that in Moscow you need to transfer to the train long distance. The train, approaching Moscow, moved in short dashes, stopping at each post, then, after standing for several minutes at the Yaroslavl station, went back to the region, toli to Alexandrov, toli to Zagorsk, or rather, to Sergiev Posad. I don’t give a shit, I won’t slip past my native Mytishchi for any reason, but the Chinese can’t get to the house on this shaitan cart. But they didn't know that! Well, their benefactors-employers didn’t tell them about the transplant, they forgot, their mother is like that ... I look at the tickets, then at the clock, it turns out that there are 20 minutes left before the departure of their train. This is where the train stopped. The doors opened, and on the opposite side stands, also with open doors. I grab the checkered bags and drag them to the exit, throw them onto the platform. I shout to the Chinese: "Go there quickly, coolies!" The language barrier collapsed itself. The boys, who were smoking in the vestibule of the oncoming train, quickly realized what was happening and pulled the “stop tap”, which, by the way, is not “stop” at all, but blocks the closing of the doors, and began to drag numerous bags along with numerous Chinese into their car . I shout after them, so that the “checkers” will be dropped off at Yaroslavka and escorted to the first tracks, from where trains to the Far East go. But, probably, no one hears me, our and their doors were closed and the trains went each in their own direction.

I'm going home to Mytishchi. To the northeast. The Chinese are also going home, but in the other direction, to the southwest, although China is in the east, even much east of Mytishchi ... It’s a paradox, however ... I’ll come home and look in a geographical atlas, it should be gathering dust somewhere on a shelf. In the meantime, you can take a nap for about forty minutes, pressing your forehead against the rattling glass. Yes, no, all the way, everything is fine ... The earth is round ... I hope the Chinese will have time for their train. Then they will reach Beijing in a week or two ... probably ...

Despite the fact that China is becoming more and more popular with tourists from all over the world every year, the reviews on the Internet of our compatriots about trips to China are, to put it mildly, ambiguous, so let's talk about those features of the country that may be unacceptable for some travelers.

1. If your passport is valid for less than 6 months from the end of the planned tour, choose another country

The Chinese consulate strictly observes all documentary formalities, therefore, in order to avoid problems with obtaining a visa and disrupting the trip, it is better not to take risks and take care of a new passport in advance.

2. If you are not ready for the extra hassle of obtaining a Chinese visa

There is nothing fundamentally difficult in preparing documents for obtaining a Chinese visa - no extra certificates are required, only a passport, application form, copies Russian passport, photo and invitation from the Chinese side. Consular fee under tourist trip- 1500 rubles. Moreover, if you are planning a vacation in Hainan, then when you take a direct flight from Moscow, you do not need a visa at all!

Mountain Lake in China

3. If you basically fly only on charter flights, then - alas!

You can get to China only by regular flights of Hainan Airlines, Aeroflot, etc. Airplanes fly from St. Petersburg to Beijing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Accordingly, the duration of the trip should be "customized" to the schedule of the airline. Flight time is about 7 hours.

China

4. If when traveling by train you are used to buying a full compartment to feel comfortable, then in China you will have to fly by plane

In China, it is impossible to redeem a coupe in whole or in part, that is, if the program excursion tour If you plan to travel by train between cities, then you will have to share a four-seater compartment either with tourists from your group or with the Chinese. There are no double compartments. As a rule, transfers between cities are overnight and last about 12 hours, for example, between Beijing and Xi'an.

One of the entrances to the Forbidden City

If this issue is fundamental for you, there remains the option of moving on domestic flights. By the way, China has a very developed air service and a fairly high level of flight safety. Baggage rules in hand luggage even more stringent than those accepted worldwide.

China

5. If you cannot tolerate tobacco smoke, choose another country or stock up on a respirator

The Chinese smoke a lot. Accordingly, almost everywhere it smells of tobacco, smoky rooms come across in hotels, and guests also smoke in hotel lobbies. It is forbidden to smoke in train compartments, in restaurants you can choose a room for non-smokers.

Chinese outback

6. If you are on a special diet or are very selective about food, take your favorite (preferred) foods with you

A lot has been written and told about the fact that Chinese cuisine is very peculiar, but how much it suits you personally, you will understand only, so to speak, “on the spot”. Someone lacks meat - indeed, the basis of the Chinese diet is steamed, boiled, stewed vegetables, noodles and rice. Someone does not tolerate spicy and salty. If in Beijing, Shanghai and other large cities you can still find food adapted for a European, then in the provinces this will be a problem. You will find cutlery familiar to us only in large cities, in the outback you will have to eat with chopsticks. Of course, in China there are places chosen by the British and Americans, where both the kitchen and other amenities are on highest level, For example, nature reserve pandas, but this is rather an exception.

Giant Buddha statue, Leshan

7. If you experienced culture shock when visiting public restrooms in the former Soviet Union (or in modern India) and no longer want to see them again, then choose another country to travel.

All public toilets in China are free. Tourists who have found Soviet "conveniences", seeing Chinese ones, think "scoop". Indeed, very similar: two soles and a metal bowl at floor level, no toilet paper and a corresponding smell. So for those tourists who still go to China, advice is to take toilet paper and wet wipes with you.

8. If you prefer silence and solitude, and your personal psychologically comfortable space is one and a half meters - choose another country

There are many people in China. Even not so - there are VERY MANY PEOPLE in China! This fact actually entails a wide variety of consequences, namely: everyone constantly touches each other with elbows and other parts of the body, they talk quite loudly, therefore very noisily, they look at everything interesting and unusual with sincere, but completely unceremonious curiosity, for example, you

Against the backdrop of the Great Wall of China

9. If the budget of your trip involves an amount of less than 50 thousand rubles per person, then you need to choose another country or take a loan

Most a budget option to get to know China - a week-long tour to Beijing. Today it costs from 50 thousand rubles per person. If you want to see more Xi'an (terracotta army) and Shanghai within a week's stay, count on the amount of at least 70 thousand rubles per person. In order not only to see the main cities, but also to relax on Hainan Island for a week, budget from 100 thousand per person. Treatment in China is very popular among the stars of domestic and international show business - both in the central part and on the island of Hainan.

In order to feel comfortable when planning a tour and directly on a trip, you can use the installment payment service offered, for example, by our company for up to 7 months at 0% per annum.

Village with rice fields, China

10. If your vacation falls during the Republic of China Day or Chinese New Year celebrations, go to another country

In China, there are two grandiose holidays - this is the day of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese New Year. During these periods - from 28.09 to 04.10 and the last decade of February-early March (celebrated on lunar calendar, so there are no exact dates) - China has official public holidays, and all Chinese begin to travel in droves within the country. Hotel prices are tripled, and pandemonium begins at tourist sites. So it is better to plan a trip for other dates. Perfect time, especially for combined tours- this is spring and autumn, when it is warm on the mainland and it is still not very hot on Hainan Island.

Among other tourists, China

In conclusion, I want to say: I am sure that a trip to China will not leave anyone indifferent. Our tourists return from this diverse country with invariably positive impressions.

Panda

If you have any questions, write to: [email protected]