China is the world's most populous country but for some reason a lot of the big name travellers seem to avoid it. And even if they do head there, they seem to go to places like Beijing and Shanghai. But that's not really China now is it? Both those cities are globalised now, and even have street signs and maps in English. It's time for the truth on how to really visit China- get off the beaten track!!
First up, by China I mean for the most part mainland China. I don't include Macau, Hong Kong or Taiwan in that. I also respect Tibetan freedom and don't include Tibet as part of China. These are what I class as 4 Chinese countries, but not part of China. So as well as avoiding Beijing and Shanghai, you need to avoid those 4 places too in order to really see China. Rather than bore with the reasons why, I'm just going to tell you that I've been to China 10 times and the worst two places I have been so far have been Shanghai and Beijing. And by a long way. Beijing and Shanghai are almost on a par with Hong Kong and Singapore as being global cities these days, therefore their Chinese-ness is being phased out (there are loads of foreigners living in those two cities!). They won't stop to notice though as the money flows in...
Until you have sat down in an unknown village, eaten food that you don't even know what it is, stranded miles from any city you have even heard of and with no foreign writing in sight, or any foreigners, then you really haven't yet experienced China!
Get yourself off the beaten track in order to see the real China. Here are a few things you will do that proves you have really seen China:
1. There is nobody around who speaks a word of English (and sometimes not even Chinese - they use only local dialect).
2. You cannot understand the bus timetable and end up in the wrong village.
3. You see more chickens than cars in the village you are in.
4. There are no mobile phones or internet connections anywhere.
5. Everything on every sign post and notice is written only in Chinese.
6. You don't have a clue what was in the food you just ate!
So that's a decent guide folks - if you've seen and ticked those six then you really have done China. If not, please check it out, but don't forget to avoid those major cities particularly Beijing and Shanghai! Get away from those two and your travel possibilities becomes extreme, endless and unrivalled. China is a whole new world to discover!
First up, by China I mean for the most part mainland China. I don't include Macau, Hong Kong or Taiwan in that. I also respect Tibetan freedom and don't include Tibet as part of China. These are what I class as 4 Chinese countries, but not part of China. So as well as avoiding Beijing and Shanghai, you need to avoid those 4 places too in order to really see China. Rather than bore with the reasons why, I'm just going to tell you that I've been to China 10 times and the worst two places I have been so far have been Shanghai and Beijing. And by a long way. Beijing and Shanghai are almost on a par with Hong Kong and Singapore as being global cities these days, therefore their Chinese-ness is being phased out (there are loads of foreigners living in those two cities!). They won't stop to notice though as the money flows in...
Until you have sat down in an unknown village, eaten food that you don't even know what it is, stranded miles from any city you have even heard of and with no foreign writing in sight, or any foreigners, then you really haven't yet experienced China!
Get yourself off the beaten track in order to see the real China. Here are a few things you will do that proves you have really seen China:
1. There is nobody around who speaks a word of English (and sometimes not even Chinese - they use only local dialect).
2. You cannot understand the bus timetable and end up in the wrong village.
3. You see more chickens than cars in the village you are in.
4. There are no mobile phones or internet connections anywhere.
5. Everything on every sign post and notice is written only in Chinese.
6. You don't have a clue what was in the food you just ate!
So that's a decent guide folks - if you've seen and ticked those six then you really have done China. If not, please check it out, but don't forget to avoid those major cities particularly Beijing and Shanghai! Get away from those two and your travel possibilities becomes extreme, endless and unrivalled. China is a whole new world to discover!
About the Author:
For more expert articles like Backpacking in China visit Jonny Blair's global travel website Don't Stop Living - a lifestyle of travel for more tips and advice.
No comments:
Post a Comment