My wife is planning a couple of business trips, each about 7-10 days each. One to Shanghi, China and one to India (City and region unknown at this point). She is really excited to travel to Asia. So these are my questions.

1. For those that have been, what traveling tips and tricks can you suggest to survive the 20+ hour COACH class flight?

2. For her personal I-phone that she’ll be bringing, does she need anything special like a VPN? Any apps that are a must?

3. What must-do things to see/do/eat in Shanghi?

4. What pitfalls to avoid in Shanghi and India?

Thanks in advance to the hive!

I hope she has a full time translator/personal assistant for the entire trip, at least in China?

A friend of mine has been to China for work a few times. He says the biggest issue is not knowing the alphabet. In Europe, you can read signs and kind of figure out what something is (train, shops, etc...). Reading something in Chinese is impossible.

quote:

Originally posted by tanner:

...1. For those that have been, what traveling tips and tricks can you suggest to survive the 20+ hour COACH class flight? ...

I'd recommend an aisle seat, she can get around without climbing over seat mates. This helps with planning: https://www.seatguru.com/

We flew to Shanghai (PVG) non-stop from O'Hare last fall, about 14:30 in a United 777. I've got a lot of miles and was able to get us one of the few two (not three) seat rows in economy plus.

Viking took us around in Shanghai, I can't remember much as it was our first stop on the three week tour.

There may not be enough time, but Global Entry ($100 for five years) makes it real easy to come back in, it includes TSA pre-check for going out.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/tru...rograms/global-entry

She won’t have a personal assistant outside of working hours.

She has Global Entry and thanks for the tip on the aisle seat!

In Shanghai if she stays near the financial district be sure to go to Din Tai Fung for lunch or dinner or both. It is so good!

In the same area there is a ~104 story building with a glass floor near the top that sits over a large opening that folks walk over.

On the plane try to figure out what local time you land and either go to sleep as soon as you can or stay up watching free movies.

HK Ag

Nothing on China but a few tips for those long international flights.

Noise canceling headphones for the flight. You don't need to go, Bose, if you don't want to spend the money. I have a pair I got from Amazon for under 100 bucks I've used for years.

Extra batteries for the headphones just in case. Power pack for phone/table.

The aisle seat is always my preference. Some prefer the window so they can lean against it.
I like to be able to stretch my legs so the isle is better for that.

I've always tried to set my sleep up so I am tired the first evening and get a good sleep. For me, it helps eliminate any jet lag. If I'm landing in the afternoon or evening I try and make myself stay awake for at least the last half of a trip.

Ah yes! The Bose noise cancellation headphones! I have a pair, so thanks for the reminder to get them ready for her! Those things are a must.

Most signs in larger Chinese cities have English translations. If you're in a major city like Shanghai, you shouldn't have any problem at all. Even the Starbucks have English menus. Just download the Google Translator app on your iPhone. Type in whatever you want to say or ask and it will give a decent Chinese version in text or voice. Wish I had had this on my first trip to China, but no smart phones back then.

Have her get several of the hospital type masks to wear. When I was over there in late 2017 the pollution was horrible. Security in the airport does not mess around. If she takes an extra battery, make sure it is a name brand. If it is generically marked they will throw it out

Food wise we had someone take us out every night and I have no idea of what the restaurants were called. Be ready for noodle bowls morning, noon and night as well as a gastric adventure. Night markets are pretty cool.

When the light says walk, be ready to get bumped by hundreds of 4 foot beings. Cars and mopeds rule, so you have to look both ways before crossing a street or you run the risk of injury (even if the cross walk says you can cross).

On the plane you will want to move and stay hydrated at least every hour. The air is very dry for all the hours. A vitamin K "serum" or hydrating cream are good. Imodium is also good.

There is a really nice airport hotel between the terminals at Pudong (spelling) airport.

I fly to China 3-4X a year for work. Suggest she find a flight in a B787, as the cabin pressure is ~25% higher than aluminum tubes. The pressure delta makes a big difference in jetlag and comfort on a long flight. Aisles are best.

The maglev train is the fastest way to get into the city from Pudong; traffic is abysmal 24-7. The MTR connects to the maglev terminal terminus, and is easy to use for novices.

Din Tai Fong is a good suggestion, but there are a great many good Shanghaiese restaurants as good or better.

Here's some practical tips.
All of those locations are prime pickpocket areas.

I've spent a lot of time in those spots over the years and it's best to take some basic precautions.

Don't flash/wear an expensive watch nor Jewelry- I generally would wear a cheap timex out in general public which still serves purposes well. Leave your wedding rings and flashy jewelry back in the US.
Be aware one high-end watch or wedding ring is far more than the average person makes in a year in those countries.

Get one of the around-your-neck wallets that has a inconspicuous neck strap. (Don't want it to stand out). Keep your documents and principal funds in the neck wallet. Have minor money in your pocket. DO NOT reach up into your neck wallet nor access it in public view. A money belt is a good alternative for cash/credit cards/traveler's checks.

Become aware of diversionary "bumps" and people shoving/walking into you. That is classic pickpocket MO anywhere in the world.

I generally kept one hand on backpack straps in heavy crowds. There used to be a tactic in Asia and India where a team would do a single-edge razor blade or very sharp knife cut of a purse, backpack or camera strap. A very fast runner would grab the other side of the strap and take off. They know where to run, you don't. They are seldom caught and good luck with the police.

Don't wear a lot of US-based logos on your clothing. In days past it gave you an advantage. These days, not so much.

Think long and hard before you take that three thousand dollar+ digital camera along.
Yep, you can take it, but it's a prime target both out on the street and left in your hotel room while at dinner or out. A small high-quality shoot and point can be had for a reasonable amount and give you a nice quality picture. I realize that is why most people buy high-end cameras but be aware of the interest in such cameras seen on the street.

If you have a smart phone along make sure it is backed up and password protected. Consider keeping it in a pocket or concealed rather than on a belt holster.

Buy one of the cheap angled rubber door stops. Use it on your hotel room door at night. If you don't chose to use that a chair propped until the door knob works as well.

This all might sound paranoid but it's better to be knowledgeable about how the world really works...

Emergency rolls of toilet tissue. Not because of intestinal disruptions due to food or water borne disease, its just some places don't have any.



ALWAYS inspect the seal of bottled water and drink only bottled water that she opens herself.

For the flight bring an refillable water bottle. I try to drink at least six liters on each long flight to fight off dehydration from the dehumidified air.

Limit intake of alcohol and caffeinated beverages during the flight.

Take a soporific to pass at least some of the flight in the land of blissful unconsciousness.

Order a non-standard meal for the flight. I like doing fruit trays or diabetic or kosher meals. Always better than the standard fare.

Take at least three e-books for the flight. Shanghai to O'Hare is a bloody long flight, like 16 hours, plus board and taxi times.

Take a long (4-6 feet) USB to Apple charging cable.

On arrival stay awake until nightfall. It helps adjust your body to local time.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
Emergency rolls of toilet tissue. Not because of intestinal disruptions due to food or water borne disease, its just some places don't have any.

One of three things I was going to add. Also a small pack of portable toilet seat covers, etc. This kit is a good start for a short trip. Link

What would be missing for me is a pack of sanitizing wipes that can double as a refreshing wipe down and waker-upper in flight. link I suppose the butt wipes in the kit could do double duty but I think you're wife would rather not pull that pack out in public.

Ok, all advice and suggestions have been taken! Anything else?

Use Seatguru for seat assignment. Check
Aisle seat. Check
B787 (if possible). Check
Global Entry. Check
Noise cancelling headphones. Check
Name brand batteries. Check
Hospital type masks. Check
Imodium. Check
No jewelry or expensive camera. Check
Cheap Timex. Check
Neck wallet. Check
Rubber door stop. Check
Travel sized toilet tissue. Check
Sanitizing wipes. Check

Additionally:
Prescription strength anti-biotic for Diarrhea (hopefully a non event)
Compression socks
Baby aspirin

Both places are dumps.................

As for India - there is no escaping intestinal illness....it WILL happen.

She will need a vpn in China if she wants to use Facebook or any google programs.

quote:

Originally posted by sgalczyn:
Both places are dumps.................

As for India - there is no escaping intestinal illness....it WILL happen.

I did not consider Shanghai a dump. I'm sure there are dumpy areas, but in three days Viking Tours did not take us to any and our hotel was top notch.

There are some really really really wealthy people in Shanghai. Not all of China is a developing country.

I lived in China for 6 years, nobody in Shanghai is going to give a second thought about a foreigner there, they are everywhere. Crime in China is very very low because of how stuff the penalties are.

Just use common sense and take extra packs of tissue because as mentioned, Chinese bathrooms are rarely if ever stocked with TP. China is full of millionaires, even the tier 2/3 cities have people driving around in lamborghinis and for raptors that will never leave pavement. In the 6 years I spent in China, traveling all over the country I only had one bad encounter and that was in the far west in uurumqi where some uigher tried to take something out of my backpack. He didn’t end up getting it.

I am posting this from the very Southern tip of China (ZhanJiang City).
My carrier, t-moble, has built- in vpn and it works in China, but only if I DO NOT connect to any Chinese wifi. When connected to their wifi the sites are very limited. So I am using Data Roaming, which is a little slow, but I can get to all the USA websites. Luckily my data plan is unlimited.
China is pretty safe with standard precautions. The biggest fear is petty theft and pickpockets, but they have never bothered me. Wher I am, I have yet to see another White guy in 3 trips and a total of about 2 months of time. But the people seem to either just ignore my difference or actually go out of their way to be extra nice and helpful. Be prepared for POPULATION DENSITY and crowds, everywhere, all the time, like Americans rarely see. Think Walmart as they open the doors on Black Friday!

PS: Download the google translator app and the language to your phone before you go so you will have offline translation capability. For China, you can always find someone who speaks "Simplified" which is Mandarin and for the Southern regions it is Cantonese, which google calls "Traditional, Hong Kong region".