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My son is going to China in a couple weeks with his high school band. We have gotten some good information from the school/travel group but looking for any/all suggestions from those that have traveled there. They will be in Beijing and Shanghai mostly. He is interested in tips on bargaining with merchants, etc. Any general information would be appreciated.
When is your son going? I've lived in Shanghai for two years and its a really safe/fun city. A few tips for him on bargaining- merchants here have an uncanny sense of who is a visitor and who is living here. They will most certaintly try to rip off your son, so he should offer around, hopefully no more than, 1/3 of the first price they offer him. However, it isn't rare that I've seen a vacationing foreigner pay 10 times the price they should have for bags/shoes/etc. If he learns a few Chinese phrases it will really help bargaining go over because they'll appreciate it a bit. There is a good 'fake market' in Shanghai where you can buy pretty much anything. He probably shouldn't try to buy electronics, its a little touch and go. Also, Shanghai is a safe city, but he must watch his wallet and camera just like any other big city.
Let me know if you would like some more information. If you are from the Bay area I may have some questions for you. I am moving there in July!
Shanghai is very crowded,more crowded than anywhere you've been maybe.
if he can get to know some local friends,they can help him bargin,I guess.
Beijing is a little dirty and sandy.I've lived in beijing for 4 years and shanghai for 5 years.
And the weather..shanghai is warm and beijing is cold.
personally,I don't bargain a lot.You need to be patient and try different shops if you want real bargain.
Thanks for the info. He is there right now. They are currently in Beijing having spent the last couple days acting like total tourists visiting the Forbidden City, Hard Rock Cafe, Tiananmen Square and taking rickshaw rides around a town. He is with his high school band and they had a concert at a concert hall last night. THey are posting pictures on the school website so it has been fun to track their days. They are heading off to the Great Wall as I type which is what DS was really looking forward to. They go to Shanghai tomorrow.
I do not live in the Bay area, sorry, I am in Minnesota. If you need any help with travels to MN I would be happy to help.
that sounds great.I've been spent four years in beijing but never visited the Forbidden City. And I've passed by Tiananmen thousands times.....(the forbidden city is right behind the tiananmen square).
Great wall is really great.
by the way,does the "fake market "refers to "xiangyanglu"? It has been shut down several months ago.
I prefer Shanghai than beijing. There aren't so many good tourist destinations in shanghai,but shanghai is pretty nice for living and business.
They flew to Shanghai today but no pictures yet from there. They went to a Chinese Acrobat show last night and that sounded like fun. The pictures they have are just amazing. I can hardly wait until he gets back to hear all he did. The kids did mention a lot of street vendors selling "Rolex" watches and such. DS had an order to buy one for me if he can .
fake market refers to the one in pudong at the science and technology park. which is also a really cool places to go in general. its underground. yu gardens is also pretty nice.
Tell your son over and over (and over!) again to be careful with his belongings. Generally, the areas are safe but there are always common thiefs lingering around. Also, tell your son to stay in groups and not venture anwhere alone.
Definitely be careful buying the "fake stuff" 'cuz I can guarantee you most things sold on the street markets are fake! Yes, bargaining is great. I always say "Too much! Too much!" and walk away and they usually lower the price.
Night markets are loads of fun. They city doesn't get started until the sun goes down!
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