Traveling advice in China

Bring Tums - The change in diet can be a shock for most travelers to China

Jet Lag - If you keep your US sleeping schedule on the plane ride over, your body will take longer to adjust. I'd recommend following China time in the plane ride over. If it is nighttime here, force yourself to take a long nap. I've found that a sleep aid helps.

Smells - China is a buffet of smells. Some are pleasant and good. Others are putrid and wish you didn't have a nose.

                                                                                                                                       

Voltage - China runs on 220 volts. Most chargers for cell phones and computers can handle a range from 110-220 volts, but I'd be careful not to plug your curling iron directly into the voltage here. 

Currency - China is a cash society. It is extremely hard to find places that accept Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, etc.  There are money exchangers in the Beijing and Xi'an airports. They hide their fees by giving you a poor exchange rate. Your best bet is to use an ATM over here. Look on the outside of the ATM, it will show you if it does accept the same card you have. You'll be charged a modest transaction fee by your US bank, but it should be the best way to convert your money over here. Another idea is to exchange your money with your bank back in the US if they have the ability. Since you are a member, they shouldn't charge very much.  

Pick Pocketing - It can be a problem. To be safe, keep your wallet and passports safely guarded. 

Queuing - One thing that catches most foreigners off guard in China is the lack of lines. You'll be standing in line to board a bus and all the Chinese will then rush to the front. The government has tried to campaign in the past about the importance of not butting, but people ignore the advice. No one will look down on you if you follow the locals. It is their system, not ours. If they don't queue, you shouldn't either. It will be chaotic, but enjoy the experience. 

Lack of Personal Space - There are 1.5 billion people here. They live on top of each other with all the apartments around here.  They cram into buses and subways and elevators together. It is common for them to constantly brush against you. If they are trying to get in line, they might even push against you.

Lack of Common Sense - People do things here that have no rhyme or reason. One can go crazy or what I call changry, or  channoyed trying to make sense of all the nonsense. For example, people sometimes park their car in the middle of an intersection and go shopping. Enough cars park using the same method and then you have a horrendous traffic jam on your hands. Another example that makes Mr. Kungfuyankee go bonkers is at work. There is a convenience store located in our building. The workers always turn off the refrigerators making all the drinks warm.  When asked why they do it, they say it is winter time and cold outside thinking the drinks will stay cold. 

Water - Drink water that comes from a bottle, not from a tap.  You'll live longer. 

Religion - Can't proselyte in China. If locals ask you about being Christian (and they will if you engage in conversations with them), you can talk about religion in general. You just can't promote your own views by sharing your testimony or giving out literature. 

Traffic - Crossing the road is dangerous business here. Don't do it if you can avoid it. Follow the locals lead if you must. Also, when in a car believe in the driver that he won't get you killed. The traffic patterns make us Westerner's very nervous, but there is a method to their madness. They have a system and it works for the most part. 

Bathrooms - The public toilets will probably leave a lasting memory. Traditional hole-in-the-ground squatter toilets are still in abundance, but traditional Western-style porcelain thrones are becoming more and more common. Carry a small bag of tissues with you as an insurance policy, most toilets don't have TP inside. I have noticed recently that some places will hang one roll of TP on the outside wall. If they do, grab some before going to do your business.  They don't like you flushing the TP so a garbage can is usually provided next to the toilet. Many Western travelers have found out the hard way once they need TP that there is none to be found and have recycled TP from the garbage. Don't put yourself in this position, you have been warned! Those aren't the type of stories you want to tell people.

I can't prepare you for every surprise, but this should be a good start...