[EXPERIENCE CORNER] IS IT OKAY TO TRAVEL TO CHINA ALONE? I TRIED IT AND HERE ARE MY REAL FEELINGS 👇
To be honest with you all, before picking up my backpack and hitting the road, I was scared left and right. In my head, all sorts of scenarios popped up: getting lost with no one to help, being sold across the border, or simply... starving to death because I don't know how to order food 😭
But after this recent "solo trip," I crawl up here to confirm with you all: IT'S DOABLE AND AWESOME! But life isn't a dream, so let me realistically review a few "trials and tribulations" and "true loves" for anyone planning to go solo to reference:
- Language barrier: Is "Ni hao" and "Ting bu dong" enough? 🥲
No way, folks! I went with zero Chinese knowledge. My survival hacks were a voice translation app + body language (waving hands). One day at a restaurant, I confidently ordered "beef rice," and somehow they brought out "chicken noodles." Oh well, fix mistakes as they come, still delicious all the way. 🍜
👉 Advice: Download an offline translation app in advance, or you'll be standing there crying in barbarian language in the middle of the market.
- Payment: Cash is "so last century" 💸
Over there, they scan QR codes faster than an ex flips faces. I tried buying water with cash and the staff looked at me like an alien from outer space.
👉 Bottom line: Set up Alipay/WeChat Pay, folks. Ting ting and it's done, the feeling of spending money is so smooth you won't even notice your wallet hurting.
- Security: Afraid of being kidnapped? 👮♂️
This one I found insanely safe (or maybe I was just lucky). Cameras powered by rice and electricity everywhere in every nook and cranny. At midnight, this girl was wandering around eating barbecue and it felt pretty chill. Only afraid of getting fat, not robbery.
- Getting around: High-speed trains are fancy but your feet will "scream" 😃
High-speed trains here run at 300km/h smoother than an ex's affection, from one province to another in a flash. BUT! Everything in China is huge. Train stations are as big as stadiums, walking from the entrance to your seat probably takes half your youth. I averaged 20,000 steps a day walking. Subways are a tangled mess, mess up Exit A to Exit B and you're in for another kilometer on foot. At night, my feet wanted to fall off my body.
👉 Tip: Bring the most comfortable shoes of your life, folks, don't wear high heels or stiff boots for the 'gram, you'll regret it!
- Food matters: Eyes bigger than stomach & The "not spicy" scam 😓
Traveling alone, the hardest mental part is this! Food portions in China are enormous, a bowl of noodles comes out as big as a washbasin, traveling solo I craved everything but only dared order one dish because it never finishes. Plus, don't believe their "not spicy" (wei la), after eating my lips swelled up like fresh filler injections. Maybe my spice tolerance is too weak so I got shocked like that, but locals slurp it down no problem, anyone who's a spice master would find paradise here! 😂
👉 Little tip: If you have a weak stomach or traveling solo afraid of not finishing, just go for street food stalls (snacks), or keep digestive enzymes handy just in case!
- Trial called WC (Toilet)
This is delicate but must say! In old towns or public spots, 90% are squat toilets. Coming back from China, my thighs got super toned from daily "martial arts squats." Plus many places have no paper. One time I forgot paper, sat there wanting to post "Save Private Ryan" begging 500 Facebook brothers for rescue 😭.
👉 Unwritten rule: Always carry a roll of paper in your bag wherever you go!
- Biggest mental suffering: TAKING PHOTOS 📸
Traveling alone means your tripod is your lifelong love. I had to roll on the ground, set angles, timer click then run like crazy to pose with a sweet smile. Passersby looked at me like "is this girl okay?". Whatever, beautiful photos are worth it! 😂 Or if desperate, ask passersby, but it's hit or miss, sometimes artistic shots, sometimes your head is cropped off.
SO HARD WHY GO? Reading this far you're probably discouraged, BUT HOLD ON! Even if I whine about 7749 trials, if I could choose again, I'd still grab my backpack and go.
Because China is INSANELY BEAUTIFUL, folks! ❤️ It's the goosebump feeling standing before the glittering Phoenix Ancient Town 🤩. It's majestic nature making you feel tiny 😍. It's the freedom to go wherever, get lost and see new sights, no need to please anyone. It's like a sassy girlfriend: hard to please, always causing trouble, but so beautiful and captivating you can't quit 🤣
P/s: some images I uploaded are just for illustration only nhaa
Anyone here also solo battled China? Come point call and share your embarrassing moments (like getting lost, walking into men's WC...) so I don't feel so alone pls 🤣
Cre: Thùy Dung
