Comments on: Travelling In China Without Speaking Chinese

By: Eugene K.

Eugene K. — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 10:42:30 +0000

Thank you, Josh.
Are there any alternative international services in China?

By: Josh Summers

Josh Summers — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 07:27:24 +0000

In reply to Eugene K.. You can download WeChat in English, but a number of the features are only useful if you live in China (such as the pay feature). Unfortunately, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are blocked in China.

By: Eugene K.

Eugene K. — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 08:41:17 +0000

I’ve heard that in China they practically do not use usual messengers like Facebook or WhatsApp. Are there any features when using WeChat messenger? What languages does the WeChat messenger work in?

By: Josh Summers

Josh Summers — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 03:18:49 +0000

In reply to Pieter. When it comes to vaccinations, I recommend you check with your country's health department to see what they recommend for anyone traveling to China. It would be foolish of me to try to advise you since I don't have the expertise!

By: Pieter

Pieter — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 22:23:13 +0000

Hi Josh, how nice To read your tips on what to do before travelling thru ChinA. What about injections? Here, in holland, they advise me to get at least HepatiTus A and dtp

By: Rebecca Huff

Rebecca Huff — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 16:40:18 +0000

In reply to Josh.

Definitely! We used “SayHi” and though it requires an internet connection, it was WELL worth it. I have also used Pleco to translate menus, directions, train tickets, etc. We had coffee with several friends we met via HelloTalk. My favorite phrase I learned in China was 中国情结
I’ll be watching your website for more great tips! Thanks!

By: Josh

Josh — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 08:38:48 +0000

In reply to Rebecca Huff.

Thanks for the comment, Rebecca! I agree with you – the quality of Mandarin phrase apps is amazing nowadays. There are even apps where you can speak your sentence and it will translate it instantaneously (requires an internet connection, though).

Like I said in the article – and you repeated here – it is certainly possible to travel in China without any Mandarin Chinese language ability. But it can certainly be a bit stressful!

By: Rebecca Huff

Rebecca Huff — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 14:34:14 +0000

My daughter and I traveled China with very little language skills, mine rudimentary at best, my daughter’s – non existent. We used several apps to help us when I didn’t know how to say what we needed to communicate. It was a little stressful at times, but I found most Chinese people willing to help. Except the taxi drivers. Most, maybe 90% seemed to hate us the minute we got in the back seat, before I even attempted to communicate. This is a great list!