China Travel How Safe Alone

[ausi ski bum]

I want to pop over to China to inspect some product manufatured in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China. It involves flying into Shanghai and catching a train about 300km (I think).
+1 is not happy with me doing this alone but two people would make the purchase non viable. I have been to China before around Beijing and Quindao with a work mate, does she have a point or is it all fine, nothing to worry about.

 

[albatross710]

I want to pop over to China to inspect some product manufatured in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China. It involves flying into Shanghai and catching a train about 300km (I think).
+1 is not happy with me doing this alone but two people would make the purchase non viable. I have been to China before around Beijing and Quindao with a work mate, does she have a point or is it all fine, nothing to worry about.

Sounds like a wonderful adventure to me.

For the train travel you could make sure you catch a better train not a local train.

I am sure everything could be overcome especially if you enjoyed your China travels last time.

For my recent travels to Philippines (not for today's earthquake though) I give Mrs Albatross a right of veto if the situation becomes unreasonable. She's never used it.

 

[moa999]

Recently travelled solo Hong Kong,Guangzhou,Wuhan,Guilin,Yansgshuo,Hefei
three planes, two trains

very safe - get a G train if you can - 300+ kmh
see my trip report - http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tos/china-back-all-three-alliances-34713.html

 

[harvyk]

I don't see a problem with that even as a solo traveller.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

ausi ski bum I have been traversing China solo for 13 years - I speak virtually no Mandarin - IMHO China is one of the safest countries in the world to travel solo.

You will also be knocked out by the willingness of young and old Chinese people to help a foreigner who is lost.

If you exercise the smallest degree of common sense you will be as safe as a church.

I will personally offer any assistance I can - drop me a pm with your email addy and itinerary if you wish and I will get my Chinese girls to map you out some details when they get into work tomorrow.

 

[munitalP]

ausi ski bum I have been traversing China solo for 13 years - I speak virtually no Mandarin - IMHO China is one of the safest countries in the world to travel solo.

You will also be knocked out by the willingness of young and old Chinese people to help a foreigner who is lost.

If you exercise the smallest degree of common sense you will be as safe as a church.

I will personally offer any assistance I can - drop me a pm with your email addy and itinerary if you wish I will get your requirements sorted in Chinese for you so you can print your destinations etc and just show to taxi driver - or to ticket seller at Hongqiao train station when you want to buy your CRH train ticket - you will be fine mate.

+1 to what he said

you will IMHO find some Chinese the further north you go, very stand of, read my trip reports from the link below if you want to know my reasoning

Enjoy yourself, and as previously stated, use a G train if you can, worth the extra cost, if not, a D train which as a 150kph unit is not too shabby either


munitalP

 

[Cruiser Elite]

When are you planning on heading that way mate?

Just found out this arvo that I will be heading to Nanjing in Jiangsu province Mar 1.

Will be landing in Pudong then taxi to Hongqiao train station then fast train to Nanjing - maybe our dates will coincide?

 

[Joshua]

I waltzed around the back cities of China when I was younger, knowing very little of the local dialects. I'd also agree there's little to worry about even when you're the only caucasian in a city of millions. Maybe the odd scam or two around but certainly not the crime that comes to mind living in this country. I must of taken the slowest train because it took forever.........

 

[ausi ski bum]

Sounds good wonder how fast I can get a visa.

 

[dajop]

Sounds good wonder how fast I can get a visa.

The visa itself is not a problem, it usually only takes 3-4 days IIRC, and you can pay more to expedite. If going on a business visa, you may need some time to get the documentation to prepare your visa application (what exactly is required seems to vary a bit over time).

 

[ausi ski bum]

Yes I have had a visa before, its difficult if your not in Sydney as you have to use the postal method that takes ten working days from when they recieve it to when they post it out so you have to allow about three weeks. I did want to go 20 Feb but unlikely I can make that time line now.

 

[samh004]

Taezar is currently travelling around China on her own and seems to be having a great time, despite the chilly temperatures:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....p-photos/fiji-china-jan-feb-2012-a-35584.html

 

[penegal]

I think China is quite safe.

To be honest, I would feel safer in most Chinese cities at night than I would in Melbourne or Sydney, but maybe that's just me?

 

[dajop]

I think China is quite safe.

Depends on the driving skill of the taxi driver who is taking you from point A to point B. Other than that, it does feel quite safe.

 

[ausi ski bum]

Tell me about it, 140kph down the centre lane of a two lane Hwy in Quindao hand on Horn the whole way, I thought we were going to die. Female taxi driver from Korea as well.

 

[munitalP]

Yes I have had a visa before, its difficult if your not in Sydney as you have to use the postal method that takes ten working days from when they recieve it to when they post it out so you have to allow about three weeks. I did want to go 20 Feb but unlikely I can make that time line now.

Difficult IF in Sydney. China issues visas from St Kilda road in Melbourne. Post in and returned in ~7 days. Take in and returned ~3 days.

 

[markis10]

Difficult IF in Sydney. China issues visas from St Kilda road in Melbourne. Post in and returned in ~7 days. Take in and returned ~3 days.

They also issue them in Sydney

http://www.visaforchina.org/SYD_EN/

Business Hours: Application Submission: 9:00AM--3:00PM(rush application should be submitted before 12:00 noon); Payment and Collection:9:00AM-3:00PM; Monday-Friday(Except Australia and Chinese Public Holidays);The Center is closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Office address: Level 5, 299 Elizabeth Street (the Opposite of Museum Station), Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Call: +61-2-94758800 Fax: +61-2-92612088 E-mail:[email protected]
PO Box:20516 World Square,Sydney,NSW 2002 (mail application only)

 

[munitalP]

They also issue them in Sydney

Chinese Visa Application Service Center

Business Hours: Application Submission: 9:00AM--3:00PM(rush application should be submitted before 12:00 noon); Payment and Collection:9:00AM-3:00PM; Monday-Friday(Except Australia and Chinese Public Holidays);The Center is closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Office address: Level 5, 299 Elizabeth Street (the Opposite of Museum Station), Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Call: +61-2-94758800 Fax: +61-2-92612088 E-mail:[email protected]
PO Box:20516 World Square,Sydney,NSW 2002 (mail application only)

As far as I am aware, that is NOT the case anymore

Information found by googling isn't always up to date, I will stand corrected however.

 

[markis10]

As far as I am aware, that is NOT the case anymore

Information found by googling isn't always up to date, I will stand corrected however.

Thats where I have got mine in the past, before then it was the embassy near Central, phone details are there for anyone who wants to try .
Given they just closed for CNY, I am pretty sure they are still happily confusing people!

Holiday Notice

Sydney Chinese Visa Application Service Center will be closed on 23rd(Mon), 24th(Tue),25th(Wed) January 2012 for celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year as well as 26th January(Thurs) 2012 for Australia Day.

NB: As January 27th (Fri) is the first day the Application Center will be open after the break, we anticipate a large number of applications.Therefore, we recommend applicants submit application in advance or afterwards if possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

 

[Taezar]

Hi from Central West China!
I have been travelling by myself no drama for the last few weeks.
I have gone out at night, even catching public buses and in two cities metros after dark without ever feeling worried for my safety or that of my belongings. I have caught a stack of public buses (short hops and longer trips) and two overnight trains... again with no concerns.
I speak nothing other than howdy, thanks, "so cute!" and bye.
As for visas - I used the information on this page - it is up to date and official ?????????? Chinese Visa Application Service Center
I got my visa in Brisbane - dropped off on Tuesday and ready on Friday - and that wasn't a rush visa.
I highly recommend the Lonely Planet Chinese/English app for iPhone, iPad and iPod - it has been fantastic! It has seen me go off the guidebook and have my own adventures. Also fantastic for simple requests (Where is the chocolate flavoured milk) and even better, the person you are speaking to can speak into it - it doesn't always come up perfect - one person was in hysterics by what it thought they said, but generally it is pretty good. From English to Chinese it is a must.