Some Websites That Provide Travel Tips

• Travel China Guide

• China Safety and Security

Specific Tips

• Call 110 in emergency situations. This will reach police who will come to help. Many 110 services have an English language option. Call 119 in a fire situation.

• Chinese Etiquette, Manners, Properties and Customs Tips in China. The following is some highlights quoted from the above website:
  • Greetings: Many western countries accept hugs and kisses as a popular form of greeting although a handshake is still the formal way of greeting people. In China, a handshake or a simple and kind salutation is common.
  • Make introduction: The general rule is that the juniors should be introduced to the seniors first; the males should be introduced to the females first; the subordinates should be introduced to superiors first; and the hosts should be introduced to the guests first.
    The above rules are from the Travel China Guide website. I'd add that when introducing a group of people, e.g., introducing a group of visitors to a host, or vice verse, one would introduce the most superiors, seniors, and females first. (X.M.)
  • Hand shaking: Generally speaking, the elder, the senior, the teacher (compared with the students), the female, the married (compared with the unmarried), the superior should reach out their hands first. If you have to shake hands with more than one person, you should shake hands in succession with the senior and superior to the junior and inferior, from the nearest to the furthest.
  • I would add that when being introduced in a formal or semi-formal occasion, take off sun glasses. In a formal occasion, take off your hat. When talking with other people (e.g., a conversation or asking for help), take off the sun glasses. (X.M.)
  • Table manners: In general, guests should be seated after the host's invitation. The guest of honor always seated to the right of the host, typically facing the door if in a separate room.

• The police in China are generally very friendly, though they speak very little English except in Beijing, Shanghai or Shenzhen, where some police can generally speak simple fluent English. If you are lost then ask for directions as they will usually be happy to help. Quoted from China Safety and Security

• By and large, China is safe, but petty crime is on the increase and tourists are particularly vulnerable so precautions and common sense are still advisable, particularly at night, and particularly around the expatriate bar areas. Here are some pointers:
  1. Try not to carry large amounts of money or obvious symbols of wealth, and keep your wallet or purse out of sight (back pockets are a big no). Pickpockets tend to operate in crowded areas, for example the public bus, so in busy areas make sure that you carry your bags where you can see them - for example a backpack, even a small daypack, is extremely vulnerable. Wallets, mobile phones, cameras, jewelry and laptops are tempting targets for thieves.
  2. Make sure that you protect your passport, tickets, visa documents etc by carrying them on your person, preferably underneath clothing in a pouch or money belt. Never leave valuables lying around your hotel room or in your car. And if you are backpacking or staying in hostels buy a padlock so that you can secure your possessions in lockers, or inquire about a safe deposit at the hotel.
  3. Carry a photocopy of your passport and other vital documents separately be particularly careful at night. At all times try to stick to busy, well-lit places.
  4. Make sure that you take notice of advice from our local guides. If they tell you an area is unsafe, do not go there.
  Quoted from China Safety and Security

• You may well come across beggars in China, particularly in the larger cities. In the vast majority of cases you shouldn't feel threatened or intimidated, but if you do report the incident to the police. Quoted from China Safety and Security

• Read the article on Avoiding Tourist Traps from China Highlights.