China can be a challenging country for solos. In this article I share my solo travel in China experience as a solo female traveler to help you travel here alone
Asia Here I Come
Only 1 more day to go until I fly!
First stop: China to trek the Great Wall for the Samaritans, then I'm off to Mongolia to work at Star TV – an English TV station which specialises in news and entertainment. I could find myself interviewing someone from Mongolia's Got Talent or Mongolian XFactor – watch out Ant and Dec!
Then, I'm taking the world's highest train journey from Beijing to Lhasa, where I tour this beautiful country that used to be the residence of the Dalai Lama. Followed by teaching English to Buddhist monks in Nepal for a month (although I don't know how that will work as I didn't think they were allowed to speak to women!) should be interesting.
Finished with a four-day tour in Bhutan, hiking to the Tiger nest monastery and a night in Mumbai, visiting the slum that starred in the film, Slumdog Millionaire.
Phew!!! It will certainly be a challenge, considering I can't speak a word of Mandarin, Mongolian, Nepalese, Tibetan or whichever language they speak in Bhutan. At least I'll be okay in India, where they speak English. Good job I'm a fast learner! See you soon China…
Central Asia
Arriving in Beijing
A sea of Chinese faces stared back at me. I fixated on each one, walking as slowly as I possibly could amongst the flow of people, desperate for my name to be flashing back at me in lights. But there was nothing.
Carried by the crowd, I emerged at the exit of arrivals, a lost-looking tourist alone in a foreign land. I had barely touched Beijing soil when I encountered my first problem…
I had no transport…
Tired, drained and resembling more like a dead woman walking than an excited tourist, I found a phone and called the emergency number I had wisely brought with me. Ten minutes later I was a defeated woman – how on earth do you use a Chinese payphone?
Across the airport was my saviour: an information desk with smiley ladies. But alas, they too couldn't access the number – I was stranded, with no Chinese Yuen or any knowledge of the lingo. I was too tired to care.
Was this even real?
Was I going to wake up in a minute in my lovely soft bed in the hotel and laugh at this ridicoulous dream?
And then, like an angel (who wasn't dressed in a white gown and wasn't smiling at me), he appeared holding a sign that didn't have my name or the name of the company on it – Pereguine who? He was an hour late but who cares? He was here and he was going to take me to my lovely warm bed…
Hello Beijing. zzzzzzz
A colourful display at Tiananmen Square
Mongolia?
I had left Mongolia well behind and was back in Beijing for a night, and had stumbled across a Chinese bbq restaurant near my hotel. Armed with my Chinese phrases, I attempted to order my dinner, relieved at not having to eat any more beef for a while.
Then my dinner arrived: a tofu salad with peanuts, egg fried rice and a funny looking glass of drink. I asked for the menu back and scanned the drinks: I was sure I had ordered a coconut milk.
And there it was – Mongolian rice wine – which I had ordered by mistake! I reordered my coconut milk and smiled to myself – just when I thought I had escaped the country…
Ni Hao
Maybe it was the backpack or the blue floppy hat with the alien logo that was doing it, but something was definitely drawing their attention. Having gone dark blonde for this trip, (thinking I wouldn’t stand out as much), it was really a lost cause.
Everywhere I went people would look at me. I didn’t notice it before, when I was amongst my bubble of a group but now that I had ventured out alone,
I stuck out like a sore thumb.
‘If one more person stares at me, I am going to lose it,’ I thought to myself as I wandered aimlessly around the zoo, accomplishing my mission of seeing a panda.
I was tired, it was humid and I was fed up of the crowds. Two young boys in matching outfits stopped as I walked past.
‘Here we go,’ I thought as they pointed straight at me, arousing the attention of the rest of their group. I took a deep breath and carried on walking.
‘Hello, hello,’ they yelled. I turned around to see them smiling at me. ‘Welcome,’ one cried.
‘Hello, Ni Hao,’ I replied.
I smiled for the first time that day.
Infinity and beyond
Jiang Tai Art Hotel
Jiang Tai Art Hotel in Beijing has got to be the coolest hotel I have ever stayed in.
Upon my arrival into the ruby red reception area with white fake icicles dangling from the ceiling, I was asked:
‘Would you like to see your room?’ as I checked in. Thinking it was a bit odd, I said no. Upon further inspection, I probably should have said yes.
Apparently, the cheap room I had booked for £15 a night wasn’t actually a room but more of a pod. Imagine a sauna with a double bed touching both sides – that was basically it.
Stacked in a row were several of these wooden log cabins. There was no window and no bathroom but there was my very own locker packed full of goodies. And inside were lots of little presents waiting for me – my own cup and green tea (hot water was in the shared chrome bathroom), 3 different size towels, shampoo, soap, a toothbrush, slippers and even some free flowery pyjamas!
It made the cabin fever bearable! Staying in a pod is a great novelty.
The art of chopsticks
Who Needs a Fork
I have astounded myself with my use of chopsticks. Although I may only be eating three grains of rice at one time –
I am nearly as good as the locals!
Now I know why they hold their bowls so close to their face when they eat their noodles – and I thought spaghetti bolognaise was messy! (Apparently the slurping is to get a better taste down their palate).
I’ve eaten soup for breakfast, tried a traditional hot pot, have enjoyed the sensation of numb peppers (which make the side of your mouth go numb and constorts your whole face), and made my own dumplings. The chinese meat here is so tender.
As adventorous as I am though, I don’t think i’ll ever be ready to try the traditional snake or dog meat (yes – they do actually eat alsatians!)
The ‘dating' park
A Dating Park
‘Looking for a husband?' a voice asked. I turned around to see a young Chinese man smiling at me.
‘Not really' I replied, (thinking that one was enough).
‘Then maybe you shouldn't be here.'
I was confused. This was a park in the centre of Shanghai full of people, a park where you could just wander in and look at the trees – a park!
Apparently, I had stumbled across a ‘dating park.'
Only on weekends, this park opens up to parents who come and register the details of their sons or daughters for prospective future partners. Pinned under each tree were pictures of singletons along with what I guessed were their statistics.
During the week this place was just a park but today, the day that I had decided to visit this park – it was not the place I should really be (unless I wanted a Chinese husband of course!)
Bullet train
Places To Visit in Shanghai
After a five hour journey from Beijing on the bullet train which got up to a speed of 306km/hr, I have arrived in Shanghai.
Did you know that Shanghai is nearly five times bigger than New York?
This city is amazing, full of skyscrapers and plenty of things to see and do.
Here are my top tips:
1. Oriental Pearl TV Tower – a pink building shaped like a baby's rattle – amazing
Oriental Pearl TV Tower
2. Shanghai Museum – free! and full of history
The traditional costume exhibition at the Shanghai Museum
4. Jin Mao Tower – not recommended for those with vertigo but amazing views of the city
The skyline of Pudong
5. East Nanjing Road – a shoppers paradise with every store you can imagine and goes on for ages
6. The Bund/Riverfront – walk along the river and check out the old French buildings
The Bund
7. Xintiandi – a beautiful lake and oasis in the middle of the city
n.b Shanghai are actually building the world's next tallest building that will be bigger than the Burj Khalifa in Dubai!
Chinese dragons
chicken nuggets – really?
Lessons From Travelling in China
I have barely been in China a week yet I have learnt so much already…
1. There are no such things as taxi ranks in China – crossing several roads and waving at empty taxis for twenty minutes will not guarantee you a cab. Be prepared to be patient and always take a card with the name of the hotel on (preferably in Mandarin as they don't speak English).
2. Always ensure the price is clear before you take a rickshaw. When you think the driver means 30 Yuen, he actually means 300 Yuen (27 pounds more than originally stated) and once you've arrived at your destination there is no pleading with him.
Rickshaw ride through a Hutong
3. Make sure your taxi doesn't have a flat tyre before you get in. As the driver may realise half way through your journey and tell you to get out in the middle of the highway, stranded in the middle of the night with no way of getting back to your hotel.
4. Don't get caught out – always carry tissue paper and trousers that you can roll up. The squat toilets are great for building up those thigh muscles! Be prepared to sacrifice your privacy in the authentic toilets (can be found at Xi'an train station).
Yes – I actually took a picture of the Chinese toilets!
5. Even in quiet, remote villages, ear plugs are an absolute essential as the Chinese love their karaoke (plus they talk very loudly).
The Panda bear!
It's Not All Bad
Okay, so I may have given the impression that I don't like China. Just because the Government officials send me the wrong way when I ask for directions, Facebook is blocked and everyone stares at me, doesn't make it a bad place. There's actually some great things about China:
1. Beijing Zoo – Where else can you see a panda bear? It's worth the visit just for that (and the wolf).
2. Beijing Acrobats – If you want to know how many people you can fit standing on a bicycle then this is the place for you. Edge of your seat, jaw droppingly spectacular!
3. The Legend of Kung Fu – A great story, karate chopping, fighting scenes and flying monks and it's in English.
Legend of the Kung Fu
4. Summer Palace – only one phrase can sum up this amazing place: serenity at its best. Hours of peace and quiet away from the bustle of the city with a gorgeous lake and stunning views. (Plus: great for Tai Chi spotting).
Serenity at Summer Palace
5. Pearl Market – An indoor market in a huge department store with everything you'll ever need. From cuddly pandas to fur coats, and because it's all ‘Made in China‘ it's cheap, cheap, cheap.
6. Tiananmen Square – Home of Mao's Mausoleum but more famous for the massacre in 1989 where hundreds of protesters were killed by the Chinese Army.
Colourful Tiananmen
7. Forbidden Palace – A cluster of ancient buildings once home to 23 Ming and Qing Emperors and their many concubines (mistresses).
8. And of the course: The Great Wall – What more can I say? Accessible on day trips if you don't fancy trekking it.
The Great Wall
My Best Parts of China
2. Our local guide on the Wall showing me pictures of his family then taking my photo for his collection
3. Surviving the Beijing tube at rush hour
5. Being greeted by ‘Hello Lisa, you're back,' by the hotel porter upon my return to the Redwall Hotel.
6. An old man taking pity on me and helping me find my way to the nearest McDonalds, escorting me there.
Lost in Translation
‘What the hell am I doing?' I asked myself as I sat on the overnight train from Beijing to Xi'an, comprising of two bunk beds. There was barely enough room to swing a rat, let alone a cat and I had to share this space with three other strangers.
I was heading to Xi'an to see the Terracotta Warriors then back again on an overnight train to Beijing, which had seemed like a good way to save money at the time. But I craved the anonimity of a hotel room, some space where I could be alone.
I had had enough of China.
Had enough of the staring and loud voices and I didn't want to speak to anyone. I just wanted to close the door and shut out the world. Usually one for embracing adventure, all I could think was: ‘I want to go home.'
But I had reached the point of no return, barely 10 days into my mammoth journey –
There was no going home.
Soft sleeper train
‘Embrace it,' I told myself.
The lady on the bunk opposite me looked just as lost as I did. I made a ‘it's cold' sign in body language and pointed at the air conditioning. She smiled and nodded back in agreement.
‘Froid,' she said announcing she was French.
‘Oui,' I replied and proceeded to introduce myself in French. Then I opened my Chinese phrase book and introduced myself to the Chinese man sat on my top bunk. He laughed at my attempt at Chinese.
Suddenly I no longer wanted to hide away; the Chinese radio that was screeching in the background no longer irritated me and the men talking loudly outside felt strangely comforting.
I settled into my duvet and began to embrace my journey – well, for tonight anyway.
Where's wally? Terracotta Warriors of Xian
3 Chinese, an English Girl And a Pillow
Question: How many people does it take to deflate a travel pillow?
Answer: Three Chinese and one English girl.
So I was on my overnight train journey back to Beijing but this time as an experienced overnight train traveller. I knew my slippers would be delivered at 9pm, I knew the radio would be turned off at 9.30pm and I also knew that a little Chinese lady would open my door and wake me up at 7am but what I didn't know was…
How to deflate my inflatable travel pillow!
After discreetly trying to pump the air out of it for 20 minutes, I gave up. This pillow wasn't going down without a fight. I looked to the 3 Chinese people whom I had woken to, all staring at me, and using the clever art of body language, I tried to resuscitate my cushion. They looked at me weirdly, (very used to that), so I put the cushion in front of them – after all, I had to get this thing deflated.
They each tried the same technique and were baffled why it wasn't going down. We all waved our arms in the air in confusion. And then the old lady (who I found out later was actually one of the men's wives – although he was younger than me and she was born in 1943 – work that one out!) had a Eureka moment and pulled a hair pin from her bun.
Sticking it in the hole of the cushion, there was a gush of air and the pillow finally collapsed to a carriage full of happy faces.
What a great ice-breaker!
My rescuers
