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Don't know about that, it could depend where you go I suppose, when i was travelling though Yunnan and Sichuan backpackers where pretty much the only western tourists I ran into. That was 8 years ago however.
Don't know about that, it could depend where you go I suppose, when i was travelling though Yunnan and Sichuan backpackers where pretty much the only western tourists I ran into. That was 8 years ago however.
Yes Yunnan moreso than Shanghai, Beijing it seems.
Being non tropical and strict on drugs are the reasons.
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Postman
China is the 4th most visited country in the world with about 60 million visitors, yet, for some reason, it doesn't seem as visited by budget travellers/backpacker types as Thailand. Maybe it is, but I don't know, tourism there seems more urban-orientated as well to Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an etc. There seems even a sheepish trend to visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos (people who wouldn't have dreamed of visiting those places 15 years ago) but how come not as much China?
I would say the main exception being Yunnan province, which is sometimes part of the 'banana pancake trail.'
Maybe it's stereotypes about China, the comparative lack of warm clean beaches (well tourist beaches in Thailand are getting filthy), and I don't know, Western tourists to China seem to be more of a different market. Generally a bit more well-heeled, culture types, families, versus the hedonistic types who just go to the Full moon party or want to do cheap drugs in Vang Vieng.
While we're at it, Malaysia seems less popular among European backpackers as well for some reason. Given the fact it really isnt' much more expensive than Thailand, it's English speaking, has excellent nature, food.etc it makes me wonder. Malaysia still boasts respectable numbers, and would still have more than Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, but still lags behind Thailand a fair bit.
I think it's just like I said a sheeplike mentality with travelling and the fact that it's harder to be just hedonistic in those places. They're all great, don't get me wrong, but parts of them have been sort of ruined by tourists. Could say the same about parts of China, I suppose.
I once read that getting a China tourist visa (at least in the USA) is limited to 30 days and single entry. Not cool if you're a backpacker given it's size. Next to SE Asia, it's also not that cheap in the bigger more attractive cities, and the western part of the country doesn't seem so appealing for the average partying, beachhead.
Restricted social media also probably plays a part.
Yeah. Aren't tinder and basically all of social media apps blocked in China? Why vacations at a place where you can't find adventures and show off with updates?
I once read that getting a China tourist visa (at least in the USA) is limited to 30 days and single entry. Not cool if you're a backpacker given it's size. Next to SE Asia, it's also not that cheap in the bigger more attractive cities, and the western part of the country doesn't seem so appealing for the average partying, beachhead.
Restricted social media also probably plays a part.
I'm American and have a Chinese visa. It's good for ten years and ten years seem to be the standard for tourist VISAs.
I'm American and have a Chinese visa. It's good for ten years and ten years seem to be the standard for tourist VISAs.
Seems like there is some confusion here related to visas.
The 10 year multiple entry visa is only available for the USA, UK, Argentina, Canada and Israel. There are different types, but the tourist one allows 60 days each time. For most backpackers I do not think this visa is very relevant.
For everyone else, backpackers from western countries should be able to get at least 60 days. I was able to get 90 days when I applied.
I don't think Chinese are particularly attracted to fair hair, though they may consider it exotic.
They like light skin for sure.
We have often been asked to have our photos taken in China with the locals. I am a freckled redhead and they find that interesting.
It is not easy travelling in China independently with the language issue. My sister was living in Shanghai and we went off to Harbin by ourselves. It was very difficult and I would recommend to anyone without Chinese to do some sort of a tour or have a guide. We actually missed out on too much.
We have often been asked to have our photos taken in China with the locals. I am a freckled redhead and they find that interesting.
It is not easy travelling in China independently with the language issue. My sister was living in Shanghai and we went off to Harbin by ourselves. It was very difficult and I would recommend to anyone without Chinese to do some sort of a tour or have a guide. We actually missed out on too much.
Yeah most Chinese older than 50 speak next to zero English. Younger ones usually understand some basic English, but cannot carry a conversation.
Nowadays there are some translation apps and they can be helpful.
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