helpful for our visitors

Part I: Things to Bring

• Cash. US cash is the best thing you can bring for spending. Get a little bit of RMB (Yuan) before you go. 300 RMB (roughly $35) should do it. I would call your bank about it. Checks don't work here. Your ATM card may work in Beijing but it probably won't in Dongying. I haven't really tried US issued credit cards but I doubt they would do much for you.
  
  

• A money belt (you can get it from Staples) and some envelopes. Don't carry all of your cash in one spot. Put some in one piece of luggage, some in another piece. Always keep a few small bills in your pocket or purse so you don't have to flash a stack everytime you buy something.
  
  
  

• Bring warm clothes and a sleeping bag. I'm told the winters are pretty cold here. Leave high heels at home. Bring tennis shoes. China's sidewalks tend to suddenly not exist. Open toe sandals are also of questionable utility. China's large puddles of mysterious black stuff tend to suddenly exist. China's children tend to pee where ever they happen to be pointed.
  
  
  

• Nalgene bottle: you can go days without seeing potable water.
  
  
  

• A fifth of your favorite what have you. Western goods are not cheap here and I doubt you'll enjoy baiju. Chinese beer is excellent but low proof. THis reccomendation is more for sentiment than any other reason. China can be alienating, and I have occasionally wished that I had brought a little scotch to remin me a bit of home. Keep in mind that liquids are heavy. Check what your baggage allowance is: both per suitcase and total. Air China will fine you if you go over. My advice is: if you bring alcohol, stow it in carry on: a backpack would probably be best.
  
  
  

• Bringing a swiss army knife is something i wish I had thought to do.
  
  
  

• A towel is always a good idea.
  
  
  

• Sanitized handwipes are widely available here, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't bring some.
  
  
  

• Books. Remember that you will be suddenly illiterate here. Words of english written on a page (with detectable grammar) will soon make you squeal with delight.
  
  
  

• A camera. You'll wish you had one a million times if you don't.

Part II: Things Not to Bring

• Anything electronic unless it has a voltage converter. Most things (laptops being a notable exception) don't. No, I don't know where to get one.

Part III: Advice

• Do not, DO NOT get into an unmetered cab at the airport. Memorize mandarin for "meter." Make them turn on the meter, demand a receipt, be as obtuse and impolite as possible, just make sure that the cabby turns on the meter. Only get into cabs that are waiting at the airport. Ignore the "taxi pimps" that wait at the airport and try to hustle you away from the line of taxis.
  They will try to get you into an unmetered cab and overcharge you.
  
  

• Not everyone is trying to rip you off but some people are, especially in Beijing. Foriegners are treated with respect generally (maybe a little too much for comfort) but occasionally they are treated like walking fleshy ATMs. Don't be afraid to walk away, play dumb or be impolite. Look out for yourself and be assertive.
  
  
  
  
• lonely planet knows its shit. Especially when it comes to food. And shit.
  
  
  

• Always carry some tissue or toilet paper. You would be surprised.