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How To Safely Travel In China

Published by Dave Richardson | June 27th 2009 | Views:

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China has become quite a popular travel destination, with its bustling modern cities and its centuries old landmarks. Travelers in China can be as safe as in any Western country, perhaps even more so. Police in China, like those in the UK, aren't armed with firearms (with the exception of one province.) China boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the developed world. Traveling in China can be as safe as a trip to New York, London or Paris. Maybe even more so.

There are some things to take into consideration, though, when considering the safety and security of you and your belongings while visiting China.

Food and drink safety - China's tourists are not immune to the dreaded "travelers' diarrhea." To protect yourself, avoid eating from side-street vendors' carts. The appeal to eat "authentic" Chinese cuisine may not be enough to overcome the effects of doing so. The safety and quality of the food sold by these vendors is questionable at best. Many Chinese dishes also call for exotic ingredients that may not be gentle on the traveling tummy. It's best to eat at reputable restaurants. You can still get the "authentic" fare you're longing for, without the worry of the after effects. The same goes for the water. Try and stick with bottled water, as the local tap stuff may not be exactly up to your digestive tract's standards. It is still a good idea to carry along some anti-diarrhea/anti-indigestion medication, if possible. That way,ave a visual on your valuables at all times. It's never a good idea to carry all of your cash in one place, either, in case you were to lose the bag or pouch. In China, the pickpockets rarely work alone, preferring to distract you with one or more people, so the thief can get in and get out unnoticed. Try to avoid situations where this might happen. If you feel you've been targeted, try and walk away as quickly as possible, even if it might seem rude to do so. Better to be rude than robbed. Another thing to be aware of is that there are many unscrupulous cabbies in every large city around the world. Beijing and Shanghai are no exceptions. Ask for a receipt. The receipt tends to keep the cabbie honest. Also, you can use the receipt to track down any lost or forgotten possessions, such as cameras, purchases, umbrellas and other valuables you don't want to leave behind.

Keeping yourself safe - Keeping yourself from bodily harm in China is relatively easy. Letting someone else do the driving is always a wise choice, even though China's busses, trains and taxi cabs may not meet up to your home country's safety standards. China's streets and roads are tricky to navigate, even for the native drivers. China isn't known for the quality of its rural roadways. Cities in China can experience just as much traffic and gridlock as New York or Los Angeles. Unless you absolutely can't get there any other way, leave the driving to the Chinese.

Ensuring safety and health before you go - If you are planning on traveling away from the cities into the countryside, you may want to consider getting a few immunizations before you go. Tetanus boosters, malaria inoculations, typhoid immunization and Hepatitis A are all good choices to get from your local doctor or clinic before traveling to China. China's cities tend to have Western style, modern medical facilities available. Just in case you do have to be treated by a hospital or clinic in China, you may want to consider purchasing travelers' insurance to cover any expense required to cover the costs of your care. Putting together a travelers' first aid kit might not be such a bad idea, either. Over the counter medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea/anti-indigestion medication, anti-allergens, antihistamines and antibiotic ointments are a good thing to travel with to just about anywhere. Remember, too, that in China, certain hygiene items may not be as readily available as other, so you may want to pack your tampons, sanitary napkins, condoms and eye drops, too. Of course, any prescription medications should be taken along in quantities to last your trip.

Traveling to China can be as safe as traveling to your mother-in-laws in the next town over, if you use your head, plan wisely and keep in mind that you aren't in Kansas anymore.
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