So I am beyond excited (and more than a little stressed)! I have never been to China before and will be going on a 16 day school trip. We will be staying mostly in Shanghai and Beijing but will be traveling around a bit. For the last five days we will be staying at an orphanage and helping out with whatever we can.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice for me? I've never been to a country where I do not speak the language. So far my travels have only taken me around the USA, Canada and Mexico.

We've had a lot of people come to talk with us about the trip, natives from the areas we will be visiting and people who did this trip before, but I just want to make sure I am as prepared as possible.

We were told to pack layers as the group that went last year was really cold (I'm from the mid-west so I'm used to pretty nice temps in the winter and downright hot in the summer sometimes haha). And of course all the normal travel things like outlet converters, reusable water bottle (but don't drink the actual tap water, I figure this is just like in Mexico so I wont have an issue remembering), good walking shoes etc.

But does anyone who has traveled, or is from China, have any advice for me? My mom went to China a really long time ago when I was little and is helping with what she can remember but she admits it was a long time ago and she went in summer time.

9 day's and counting!!!

Oh man I am jealous. I studied abroad in China this summer and I'm hoping to go back for at least a year sometimes soon. I loved it. I was in Chengdu (southwestern China) but I did spend several days in Beijing, which is very different from Chengdu. If you'll be in Shanghai and Beijing, don't worry too much about not speaking Mandarin, because there are more foreigners there. (I actually disliked Beijing for that reason... I found myself always having to fight to speak Mandarin instead of English because many of the Chinese there know English... I didn't go to China to speak English! ha)
You probably already know most of these things, but remember to bring hand sanitizer and toilet paper with you everywhere. I don't know where the orphanages are or where you'll be outside of Beijing and Shanghai, but you will probably see some things you're not used to (toddlers peeing in the streets, people spitting, chewing with mouths open, etc). Always carry cash with you (RMBs) because most everything is done in cash. (I actually payed for a domestic airplane ticket in cash one time, as it was the only option.)
You will probably get sick from the food. It's normal. Take anti-diarrhea meds with you.

Anyway- you probably know these things. But if there is anything you need help with specifically, feel free to ask or PM me. I love love love China and I hope you will too!

Dot

I personally didn't get sick from the food.. I actually got sick when I came back to the US since the food is SO much greasier! I was in Xiamen for a semester, which is about an hour south of Shanghai. I would love to go back someday.

I wouldn't bother bringing a water bottle. You can get a bottle of water for 1 kuai (a few US cents) and a giant one that will last you for days for 3 kuai. If it will be your time of the month and you use tampons, bring some because Chinese women don't use them. I don't know if you'll have much time for shopping, but if you will then I wouldn't bring too much clothes. Clothes in China is very cheap and some of the styles are like nothing you will see here in the US haha. If you are like me you will be tempted into buying a lot ($4 Converses!!!) In stores (unless it's a foreign chain store or something), always bargain.

This is really random, but get a xi tou fa (hair wash)!!! Just go to a hair salon and ask them to wash your hair. They (usually a shmanny guy with crazy hair) will wash it for you (while giving you a head massage) and give you a full body massage for about 40 kuai (about 4 USD). So worth it!