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Q: What is the best thing to bring for a first visit to China?
Hi all,
I have searched high and low in the forums and found nothing on this subject. I am currently still in the UK, but if things pan out well for me... Then I could be flying out to Hong Kong in the middle of March as the recruiter I have found has places readily available and best of all is British and luckily not based too far away. (This is all depending on whether or not I am offered a place of course).
Anyway, back to the point in hand. I have seen topics on other sites but nothing very detailed or in depth perhaps. I know some of the things I would probably take with me for sure such as an extra pair of shoes and shampoo conditioner etc. But what things did some of you take with you, or wish you had looking back in hindsight? Any advice would of course be greatly appreciated.
In advance, thanks.
Thanks to those who pointed out. China is the main destination, however I could find myself just in Shenzhen so not that far from Hong Kong really. Thanks for pointing that out. Clarity does help.
11 years 19 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - China
Bring the folllowing:
1. Patience
2. Tolerance
3. Sense of humour
4. Ability to laugh at yourself
If you are teaching in Hong Kong then, in MHO, that's not China. Remember HK was once British so there will be a lot of people that look different but you will feel at home pretty quick.
Coming to China I brought too many clothes. Every thing else was readily available once you know where to look. You won't have that problem in Hong Kong trying to find things. Put off buying anything electronic until you get here. The range and prices in HK of such items are an orgasmic delight....if that's what turns you on!
(I am assuming from your question that you will be based in Hong Kong. If not, you can clarify that, then other posters will give their ideas on what they think they should have brought with them to China - in hindsight.)
Can you clarify if working in HK, or in an actual Chinese city? There is quite a difference between the 2 that is is necessary to know. Life will be a lot easier in HK, as they are much more civilized and advanced in every way, everyone speaks English and most foreign products can be found there, and not too expensive since Western products aren't some new hot thing like they are in China.
You may find it hard to find clothing or shoes that fit you in China. I would bring any and all medicines that you might need.
Not much comes to mind actually.
Earplugs are needed if you cannot sleep well with a lot of noise at night, and I could not find ear plugs in China. Even construction workers do not use them really, so they are not easy to get. Also if you want good quality vitamins or supplements than I would suggest getting before you come.
Not much comes to mind actually.
Earplugs are needed if you cannot sleep well with a lot of noise at night, and I could not find ear plugs in China. Even construction workers do not use them really, so they are not easy to get. Also if you want good quality vitamins or supplements than I would suggest getting before you come.
chenhan:
You could buy earplugs in Walmart and many other supermarkets,i bought it once in Walmart.
Pepto-bismol tablets
paperback books or load up your e-reader
shaving razors
*would say shaving cream, but they are uptight about letting compressed gas cylinders on aircraft these days.
cologne u like
*like others said, big difference between HK & Mainland.
If you are going to Hong Kong you really won't have to bring much as you'll likely find almost everything there. If mainland China then its another story all together. If you are quite tall (more than 185cm) you'll need to bring enough pants/jeans and shoes as you wont likely find any to fit you in mainland (not sure about HK). Good multi-vitamins and deodorant are also something you might want to take with you if coming to mainland. .
Many questions answered here :
if your in the mainland instead of hong kong bring lots of socks , nothing of quality have i found anywhere in 3 years here.
ambivalentmace:
gap is hit or miss here in jinan on my size , shoe size is 48 europe 12 american, socks are sometimes good over size 44 here but not often.
For Hong Kong, bring money (though finding a pair of man-sized shoes is not impossible, it might take some hunting around)
For PRC, bring all of the above mentioned.
An escape!
No, seriously, if you're coming here on someone's word - someone you don't know - make sure you've got an escape plan in case everything goes bad... Which means, plenty of money, and insurance!
As far as shopping, yeah, Shenzhen is just over from HK... so you can make that trip if you need to. but, if you're in a different part of SZ, or even in a different city (which is really really likely!), that may not happen as often as you'd like.
Certainly, DON'T bring any expectations! Leave your sense of 'trust' back at home! Bring an over-supply of caution.
Since you mentioned a 'recruiter', anticipate that things might be really bad! Really REALLY bad! Hopefully you've seen all the posts of people who get here with one contract on their computer (and in their mind) and then get handed a different one... or the contract changes (naturally, never to your benefit). So, with that in mind, bring a healthy dose of strength and courage. If you don't like the new contract, don't sign it*! DO NOT EVERY ASSUME EVERYTHING WILL BE OK... especially if there's one thing in the contract, but they say otherwise...
*this can NEVER be said strongly enough!
Also, general advise for any traveller anywhere, make sure you've got copies of your passport (and visa, when you get that). And, have all of your financial information available if you get your cards etc stolen. As a big important thing, also make sure you've got someone back home with power of attorney (and copies of your financial stuff - bank accounts, etc). With that in mind also make sure you've got your embassy's phone number handy.
What you really need to bring in my opinion is a back up plan. That's what I brought when I first got here. If what you find is not what you were expecting and you just want to leave immediately or do something else you need a back up plan for sure.
As far as materialistic things you should be able to find most of that since they have stores such as American Eagle, Gap, Uni qlo, Zara and some other high quality clothing stores here. And if you were looking for other materialistic things China should have it.
I am keeping an open mind on the whole experience. I am not expecting everything to go smoothly. But I feel some of you have missed the point of the question. Everyone is going to have a different experience because we all or at least most of us come from different backgrounds. How I deal with things once I am there is going to be a life challenge and I am (hopefully) prepared for that. The company I am awaiting a response from has good reviews and what they are offering suits me indeed.
But the question itself was referring to physical items not mental state.
Bring a good supply of your favorite grooming products if they are important to you.
If your shoe size is larger than 44, UK 10, bring extra pairs of your favorite shoes.
Socks are really crappy here
Deodorant is a western item. Bring extra.
Shenzhen has plenty of just about everything else, I think.
If you have dentures then you need to buy denture adhesive such as fixadent and a good cleaner for them as I have found it impossible to purchase these items in China.
A plug for the sink.
Your passport and return ticket.
Kindle or tablet because English books are very difficult to find or expensive.
If you are a large person similar to me then you need to bring clothes.
VPN on your laptop, notebook or tablet so that you can stay tuned to your country's television as the television channels over here are not very good.
Adequate amounts of Fish and Chips but American foodstuffs are easily obtainable.
Dark beers.
Toiletries are easily obtained in the large stores such as Walmart or Watsons.
Ear plugs, defnitely.
