Finding cheap travel options, including cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms in China can be a good deal easier than figuring out what to do when visiting the most populated country in the world for the first time.
The following are suggestions from Lonely Planet as to how a first timer should approach China:
Try learning a few key words and phrases before departing. If possible, enroll in Mandarin classes, which is the default language almost everywhere in China. Bring one or more of the following on your Chinese trip:
1) Mandarin Chinese phrasebook.
2) English to Chinese and Chinese to English pocket dictionary.
3) Translator apps. Google Translate is free and includes accurate speak your phrase voice translator. The Lonely Planet Chinese Translator apps may prove even more useful because it operates totally offline with a dictionary tailored to the needs of travelers.
Always carry Chinese language business cards of your hotel or places you wish to visit so you can be properly directly by taxi drivers, bus conductors, and locals.
Instead of trying to skim the surface of all of China focus your itinerary by visiting one region or even just one province. Do research in advance of your trip so that you can make informed decisions.
Look into the weather of where you want to visit since at any time of the year there are places in China where the weather is ideal for travel, but almost nowhere where the weather is perfect year round.
Use public transport and travel via buses, trains, and bikes to see China how the locals see it. Chinas public transport systems are extensive and improving yearly. Many of its cities offer cycle lanes.
Be open to trying local food. While China has many outstanding tourist attributes, its top attraction may well be its food. Cuisine varies significantly from region to region. Often street food is the best part of a citys culinary experience. www.cheapfares.com