Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I was recently granted a place on a university exchange program to visit Shanghai University for a month in June. I'll be heading out there with about 50 other students and having lessons in Mandarin, seeing the local sights, etc. However, I've been looking online at things which might be useful for the trip, and there's only so much I can learn from Googling, so I'm hoping I could get some info from you guys, wherever you're a Chinese user or have just been before, any info on the following questions would be great.

1: How far does your money go? I've been told that £1000 will be enough including flights, visas and spending money, but I'm still a bit dubious. What would £1 or 10 Yuan get you for example?

2: Any social ettiquete that I should be aware of? I've read up on some basic principles but some stuff seems to contradict the other.

3: Health issues? While we get certain travel vaccines free on the NHS, I've heard other precautions that you should take: I was told that we should avoid drinking the tap water there: is this a bit over the top or completly realistic?

4: What would be the best places to visit in the city? I'm hoping to explore this magnificent country as much as possible, and we might be staying a few extra days so a journey over to Beijing is a possibility.

5: What about communication with people back home? As far as I know, sites such as Facebook are blocked over there, is this much of an issue for you guys? Are there any cheap phone tariffs available?

6: When I've travelled before, the native population have had at least a basic grasp of English. Is this the same for Shanghai or would I have to rely on my basic Mandarin?


If I come up with any more questions I'll add them here, but any information on those for now would be greatly accepted.

Thanks

3: Well, the Tap water could give you a bad case of stomach virus. It won't kill you but it will keep up in the bathroom. This really applies to anywhere in the world, its just different bugs in the water. Either drink bottled water or carry purification tablets with you. Brushing your teeth is fine, just don't swallow. You could be perfectly fine drinking the water, but you don't want to risk your trip on the possibility of getting sick.

6: Any major city in China will have a lot of English speakers. Also expect random students to come up to you to talk, they're almost certaintly taking English classes and need practice.

2. In China, seniority matters, in my brief time their, i was told you should always adress the eldest person first, pretty basic stuff, not so dis-similar to our Western customs.

Also, (im assuming you have a basic grasp of chopsticks) it is considered rude to lick your chopsticks, and stick your chopsticks straight up in rice.


3. Yeah, personally, i wouldn't drink the tap water, just go bottled to be on the safe side. If you buy in bulk it shouldn't be tooooo costly.


5. Skype is good.

Just some stuff i was told, hope it helps!