Travelling alone in China
 

Hi,

Has anyone travelled alone in China?

I have been told different things and am unsure. I have travelled numerous times on my own and have never found it to be a problem.

Thinking of going to Shanghai, Xian, Beijing and Dunhuang and am unsure if I should just take a tour.

Any comments would be helpful.

Cheers

If you do a search here you will find several trip reports from people who have traveled successfully on their own in China. Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing are heavily touristed these days.

You need a good guidebook, with place names in characters as well as English. A good phrasebook, with English, pinyin and characters is also valuable. Never leave a hotel without their card - it will tell taxi drivers how to get you home, if necessary. Beijing and Shanghai have good metro systems, taxis are cheap (and no tips).

Outside the big east coast cities you will not find many English speakers, but those you do find will be very helpful.

I have done it many times. I used to go to China on business from 2003 to 2008. Of course, I was lucky as I had Chinese work colleagues to translate for me.

However, in the past 18 months, I have gone to China on 4 occasions.
In March, 2010, Shanghai, then overnight train to Beijing,a few days in Beijing, train to Jiayuguan, train to Urumqi, train to Shanghai.
In January, 2011, I went by train from Shanghai to Haerbin, back to Beijing and then back to Shanghai..

As thursdaysd has mentioned, make certain that you have some hotel cards with you (a few in case of loss) and city maps.

Im planning another trip for late August as well.

journeywoman.com

great site for solo traveler

fine if savy and adventurous have done it

can be confusing for an unprepared newbie at many levels

tucantravel.com affordabletours.com

2 nice sites for groups can be niceif a newbie.

travel.state.gov China and insuremytrip.com always wise.

Happy Travels!

Yes, it can be done and as others have said, you can find info to make your trip easier. For my very very long report of a 4-week solo trip through northerrn china, cliick on my name. If you want to go to China, do it!

It is certainly most doable. This is my trip report.
I thoroughly enjoyed China and relished doing it on my own.

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...n-in-china.cfm

Thanks everyone for there replies, appreciate it!!

I can't wait to go!