Kati’s Tips for Traveling in Asia

Ni hao, everyone!

Since I’ve made so many trips around Asia this semester, some of my friends have asked me travel tips. I’ve put together a list of some advice I usually give when they mention they’re traveling to Asia (most of which I had to learn the hard way). Also, you’ll find a list of some Chinese cultural hints at the bottom, just in case you decide to travel to China (or Macau!).

Travel Asia Tips:

-Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Public restrooms often don’t provide them.

-I don’t recommend brushing your teeth with water straight from the tap. Use bottled water. Also, use hot water to wash dishes and vegetables/fruits.

-Eat local! But not too local. Sanitation standards are not as high as they should be, and even if they are, you may not be accustomed to the food. Everyone is different, but for me, I felt nauseous for an entire month after arriving because of the change in diet. On the bright side, there’s ALWAYS a McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, or Starbucks nearby. ;)

-Taxis can be an issue. Ask someone at your hotel to write down your destination in the local language, since you may be unable to communicate with your driver. Also, ask (or point) for a rate meter, because usually they will try to bargain a price with you, and it will usually be higher than the metered rate. And keep an eye on the meter when you’re in the taxi. Ask your hotel how much a taxi should be to your destination, and if you see the rate climbing too high, you’re being ripped off!

-Buy a travel guide and map, and do some internet research before you travel. You can put together an awesome itinerary yourself to make sure you get the most out of your trip. I recommend the “Lonely Planet” travel guide series, especially for student backpackers. It has everything from attractions to shopping to restaurants and hostels. It also lists the price for each activity.

-Shop around for cheap flights. Getting to Asia from Europe or the US can be expensive, but traveling throughout Asia can be cheap. I recommend Tiger Airways, which is a low-cost carrier that offers dirt-cheap flights around south and southeast Asia.

-Make a currency conversion chart for yourself before you depart. Use Xe.com to write out a list of your home currency and how it will be converted into your destination’s currency. Because Asia is cheap, it is easy to get carried away by how much you spend. By having the currency conversion in your hand, you’ll be more conscious of how much you’re spending.

-Generally, tipping is not expected, since that is mostly an American custom. However, many restaurants will add a 10% service charge to the bill, so lookout for that.

-Keep in mind that you may have trouble obtaining local currency from the ATMs if you arrive at night. Even in the airports, they often close down in the evening. Make sure you bring money to exchange, but usually airport money exchangers take a processing fee out of the full value of what you should receive. The currency you bring should be crisp, unfolded, new series $100 bills. Any folds or markings will deduct the value of the bill. American currency, as well as European currency, are widely accepted in the airports, even when paying fees.

-Bargain prices! Westerners often get taken advantage of in Asia because they are relatively wealthy (if you have enough money to travel all the way to Asia for vacation, it’s assumed you must have lots of money to spend freely). Refer to my blog entry, “Kati’s Guide to Bargaining” for some tips and tricks to avoid getting ripped off and finding the cheapest price possible.

-Don’t shop in the malls. Find out from locals or hotel staff where the local markets are. There you’ll find lots of cheap souvenirs as well as arts and crafts that you can take home. Even if you don’t want to spend any money, they’re beautiful to look at, and market atmospheres are definitely an interesting experience.

-Keep a close eye on your personal belongings. I am proud to say that I have not been pick pocketed at any point during my travels, but most of my fellow exchange students have. I recommend keeping your passport, extra cash, and other important documents and cards in your hotel room in a safe, or leave at the front desk. When out and about, keep your hands around your purse or wallet and other valuables (cameras, jewelry, etc.). Be constantly aware of your surroundings and yourself!

-Pack light! Many Asian airlines do not include checked luggage as part of your ticket price. Be prepared to pay to check your bags, or pack a small carry-on suitcase. And make sure your liquid containers are under 100 ml, or they will take them.

-Generally, people in the tourism industry, like airlines or hotels, will speak English. However, do not expect others to speak English. Be patient with the language barrier, and find creative ways to communicate (hand gestures, drawings, pointing, etc.). Speak slowly and clearly, and don’t lose your temper if they don’t understand you or you them.

-Be prepared for culture shock. You won’t be used to the subtleties that each new culture has, and you may get frustrated at times. Just keep a cool head and use your creativity and the resources at your disposal to overcome any obstacles you may face. Don’t reject a custom or practice because it is different; just accept it as part of the entire experience and go with it.

Cultural Hints:

-Ask permission before taking photos of religious sites or images. For example, each temple in Thailand has a different rule for each Buddha statue regarding photography, so ask first.

-When entering a Chinese temple, do not step on the threshold of the doorway. It is usually a raised step, but you must step over it. Spirits reside in the threshold, so it is disrespectful to step on it.

-When eating food, do not stick your chopsticks in your rice facing upwards. This is also disrespectful.

-When handing money, a business card, a gift, a homework assignment, etc. (any time you hand something to someone else) use both hands. When accepting a business card, do not put it in your pocket right away. Wait until they are out of sight before doing so, since it is disrespectful.

-Gifts are generally not opened in front of the person who gave it to you, but this may vary depending on your company. Another thing to keep in mind when accepting a gift is to say something like, "Oh, please, I cannot accept!" It's polite.

-Also, make sure you bring a small gift if someone invites you to their home. It’s nice if it is a gift from your home country, and it can be as small as a keychain or a pen (I brought NAU-themed stationary from my home university).

-Dining is different from Western style. Usually, a number of dishes are ordered for everyone to pick from and share with one another. If you order your own dishes, don’t expect them to come out at the same time. You may finish your own meal before your friend even gets theirs.

-Also, if you invite Chinese people out to eat, they may expect you to pay for them. In their culture, the concept of “separate checks” isn’t as common, and generally someone will pay for everyone’s meal.

-Don’t be surprised at table/social manners. What we consider rude (burping, chewing with your mouth open, spitting loudly on the street, etc.) are the norm.

Happy travels!
Kati