Travel to China - Beijing and the North

Beware of the 'Grand Tours' of China offered in the brochures. Saturation from temple visits, transport fatigue and frustration at not being able to stroll around longer here or there are often causes of disappointment. China is a continent and needs time to visit it properly. It is better to limit your ambitions to one single region. Find a tour operator specialising in organised visits to the area and follow their advice.
A first discovery of China passes imperatively through Beijing and its surroundings. To finish your stay, choose to go visit the town of Chengdu, 5 hours by train to the north-east of Beijing. The trip is an experience in itself, and the old summer residence of the emperors of the 18th century is marvellous, with its palace, its temples of Tibetan influence, its park and serene lake, and its magnificent mountainous environment.
There is nothing worse for someone Chinese than to lose face. Shouting and gesticulating makes people laugh more than anything else, and does not help a situation.
In China, never expect to drink a coffee worthy of the name, as it is a practically unknown beverage. Take freeze-dried coffee in your baggage; there is hot water everywhere.

What should you put in your suitcase?
As long as you avoid taking clothes that are too provocative, the Chinese are not very formal in this respect. You would do better to think practical and light; T-shirts and anoraks can be bought there at low cost. In winter, a thick sweater, warm undergarments, trousers and a thick parka are essential. Cotton clothes are the most comfortable in rainy season, as the heat is intense, and do not forget to take something waterproof and shoes that do not have a problem with water! Regarding medication, the change in food habits can cause stomach problems (and heartburn), so take some pills along, particularly if you are also going to travel through the country. A precaution: photocopies of your passport and identity photos will be very useful to you should you lose any of your documents.