Traveling in China
 

Is it safe to travel to mainline China? I'm planning on a trip to Mongolia, through Beijing, but read various reports about safety concerns in China for U.S. citizens.

I asked the same question on the same forum - just look down and you can see some replies below

Can you link to these reports?

To find the responses patriciabrogan mentioned, just click on her screen name and, if necessary, scroll down.

If you are a U.S. citizen, I urge you to consult the State Department website. It's advisory ragarding travel in China just changed.
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...-advisory.html

So I read the warning for mainland China. I am not sure this relates to anyone on a tourist visa. It seems to be of concern primarily to people working and living in China. At least that's how i read it.

For anyone who is disturbed by this, or if it makes you feel unsafe, then don't go.

As for me, I don't have any plans to travel to China. I've been, had one of the great travel experiences of my life, but for now I have other priorities. I do not know if this advisory would change my travel plans.

US citizens are no different from any other foreign nationals. And the risks to leisure travellers are no different than they have been for decades—primarily traffic accidents and air pollution.

No one's interested in you unless you decide to involve yourself in local politics.

I'm also concerned about this. I'm planning to travel to Xi'an, China.

China just announced they are relaxing visa requirements in trying to lure more tourism. They have not recovered from the dropoff because of COVID.

China is an extremely safe destination for travelers, including U.S. citizens! The reports you've read might be misinformation. In fact, millions of tourists from all over the world visit China every year and have wonderful, trouble - free experiences.
One great thing is that China offers a 240 - hour visa - free transit policy in many major cities like Beijing. This means if you're just passing through Beijing on your way to Mongolia, you can explore the city for a day without the hassle of applying for a full - fledged visa.

Regardless, you'll pay a lot less organising things yourself, of course. The Chinese travel industry should be avoided except by those who simply cannot conceive of travelling other than with a tour.

This is an oversimplification. I traveled to the Gansu Province to see the Bingling Si, Labrang Monastery, Langmusi, Juzhaigou, Huanglong, and points between. It is possible to do this trip on your own, if you have loads of time. I did see college-age backpackers doing similar. But it is slow going and waiting around for buses in seemingly the middle of nowhere. Even then, they will miss amazing things along the way. And just try stopping the bus to spend a few moments at an incredible vista away from anyone else. Instead, I went through a tour company that provided a guide with car and driver and got to places that would otherwise be difficult to access.

I know other reputable tour companies that will arrange any sort of trip for you, and they can save a lot of time and effort and get you to astounding places away from the crowds.

It is difficult to oversimplify a simple truth. You may choose to take a tour group and that's up to you. But it will be a great deal cheaper (and avoid all sorts of other problems) if you don't do so.

It is indeed, as I've done it. How much time it takes is up to the visitor.

I was neither college-age nor a backpacker, nor is that a requirement.

'Middle of nowhere' is a state of mind. Buses are often frequent, and these days are likely to be 12-seat business-class tilting chair minibuses, with USB ports and free chilled drinking water. Taxis and daily hire cars are an easy alternative. As are trains.

Guided tours take you on set routes, of course (and almost always include shopping stops and other nonsense you don't want). Independent travel allows you to see what you please, eat where you please, and pay the right price.

Try being 'away from anyone else' when you're in a tour group.

We've had this conversation before. Regardless, China doesn't have any 'reputable' tour companies as the word is usually used in English.

Anyone who can't conceive of travel without a tour should just take one. But the drawbacks are many, deception is common, and costs can be a great deal higher.

temppeternh I am speaking of my direct experience of my travels. I made the trip to the Gansu Province using a tour company.

I generally don't go on group tours or cruises, not because I am dismissive of those that do, but because I have decided they are not for me and the way I like to travel. And only twice have I used a tour company. But both times it was a magnificent success. The added advantage of having a guide, especially in China, was extremely rewarding to me.

We have deleted several posts and edited others. Travel can take various forms which are suitable for different people. Simply offering different experiences does not mean they are calling any one else a liar. If this spat continues the thread will be closed.

I totally agree with the idea that everyone has their own style, and there is no one way to travel. I adore independent travel, but I do see a very solid place for hiring a tour company and either going on a set itinerary or a privately guided trip. If you are willing to pay for it, it's a good way to go through rural China to see some of the things you might only dream about otherwise. In which case, I suggest going with companies that focus on the educational aspect and specialize. For the Silk Road, there are companies that focus a good deal of their efforts in that regard. I know plenty of folks who prefer to travel that way and enjoy the companionship of the people they meet on group tours.

Yet, it's true I am thoroughly jealous of those that can go for it independently. And I am glad that others are willing to show us the pitfalls of tour companies.

This is not, and has never been, a debate about travel 'style'. It is about the facts of organised travel and independent travel in China.

It is assumed that organised tourism in China gives you the same benefits there as it does elsewhere. It mostly does not, and it adds in several harms (not limited to overpricing, corruption-driven hotel and restaurant choices, packed itineraries so as earn the maximum in kick-backs, unheralded shopping opportunities, poor and inaccurate historical and cultural information).

It is often equally assumed that independent travel in China is too difficult. It involved a bit of hard work when I first did it in the mid-80s, but got easier and easier through the 90s, 00s, and 10s. And now in the 20s there are high-speed trains and highways everywhere, luxury buses, and the in-pocket ability to know exactly where you are and to make instant translations of both spoken and printed Mandarin, so that it is no more difficult than travel there than in any other country whose language you don't speak (although tens of thousands managed it every year before these high-tech aids existed). The overwhelming majority of visitors visit the same shortlist of destinations (the one tours take you to) but these are the easiest to travel between and around independently, for those who would normally prefer independent travel.

The question here is not one of 'style', but simply of knowing and weighing the facts before making an informed decision.

For information on questions to ask a tour company before making a choice, and options for avoiding some of the harms, see Tours

For information on problems with guides, see Guides

The problem with your argument is that many people love group or guided travel. For example, group travel to Europe is tremendously popular no matter how easy it is to do it otherwise. I have a brother who only does group travel, and he has been everywhere from Tierra de Fuego to Namibia I also have a friend who loves the Road Scholars program, no matter how fit he is to travel independently. Some people like having the guide for educational purposes, some people like having to relax about arrangements, and some people like the camaraderie of group travel. They have made lifelong friends and would not give it up.

Of course, caveat emptor is always a good suggestion. But my own experience (including a recent trip to the Svaneti region in Georgia) is that tour companies can and do provide excellent service if you are smart about it. The guide can become your friend as was my case in China.

I am willing to believe you about how easy it is to travel in China now. To test your theory, let's say I want to recreate the route I took to travel form Lanzhou to Bingling Si, and then on to Xiahe, Langmusi, Jiuzhagou, Huanglong, and then on to Songpan, the route I took. Where can I reserve tickets online and how much time would the trip take?

Is that there isn't one, beyond arguing that whether people prefer organised travel or independent travel they should inform themselves about the nature of both in China before making a choice.

Here, again, is what was said:

The question here is not one of 'style', but simply of knowing and weighing the facts before making an informed decision.

For information on questions to ask a tour company before making a choice, and options for avoiding some of the harms, see Tours

For information on problems with guides, see Guides

I write for the wider Fodor's readership, using experience of China travel dating back 39 years, including several years of work and residence in China in the 90s, 00s, and 10s, researching this subject for a living. I no longer live in China but my last experience of travel in (truly) remote areas was last year—remote areas I had also previously visited independently 20 and 12 years ago without difficulty.

The topic here is China travel, not whether any individual reader believes any other, whether based on recent personal experience or, as in this case, absolutely none. I will now block this profile, but am happy to respond to the questions of others.

Sorry you are not able to help me with my question about seeking info on transportation in rural China. I was hoping that the situation had improved as you said, but honestly I cannot find this info online. I did find one website that, after I put in my starting point and destination, said that I would have to make an inquiry by email. No published schedule, alas.

I am happy to tell anyone that, if all they want to do is visit major tourist sites in China, they can do so independently. But once you get off the beaten path into rural areas, it is not as easy to plan as it is in Europe.

I've been living in China since 2012 and traveled extensively here. I'm American and never had any problems whatsoever. Nobody is interested in tourists. Stay away from politics, don't take photos of military structures, don't engage in illegal activities and you'll be fine.