Advice on getting by in China?

Travel Info
My family and I are going to China this summer. I hear that it is really dirty in the cities and that you can't drink water out of the sink, you have to bring your own toilet paper, and that the public bathrooms are not sanitary. After all, it is a city of one billion.

I really hate to sound like a spoiled American, but even though I am so excited about going to China (I have been wanting to do this for so long and I spent a year learning Chinese) I am nervous about being there for 2 weeks. My parents are experienced travelers, but I am just their clueless daughter and the most far-away/different place I have been to is England! Any advice or ideas about what to expect? Thank you!

Travel Tips

You will be able to purchase toilet paper 锛堟墜绾革級and handi-wipes (婀垮肪锛塱n most small roadside convenience stores. Toilet paper comes in many kinds here, some on a roll, but mostly just a little pack of napkin, keenex-like paper that have a funky wilted flower smell. Just keep it in your bag, the handi-wipes are real important because you won't find soap or towels at sinks in most Chinese places.

If you have to use a toilet, just put the seat up and climb up on the rim, that's what they do here to avoid touching the toilet bowl. So in a sense the European style toilet makes more sense here for the fact that it is more sanitary in that you don't have to touch it. If you are using a public toilet you may want to do what someone above mentioned and just hold it till you find a clean place. Jump into a hotel along the street if you can find one.

The water here is not potable. Don't drink from the faucet. Consider it like Mexico. You can drink anything that has been boiled, or anything that has been bottled. Some bottled waters are better than others. Look at the seal make sure it is secure and purchase the more expensive waters; Wahaha, Kang Shi Fu, Nong Fu, etc. These are safer than some of the others because some people bottle at home and sell it cheap. You really can't let your defense down. You can't trust anyone to want to do anything beyond take advantage of you. It's the reality of this society.

Don't believe what people tell you when you are about to give them money. They will say anything to get it. Once you are gone it's a done deal. The people here are just trying to get rich quick, so be cautious.

China is one of the most unsanitary countries in the world. The people spit, cough and sneeze without covering their mouths. Eat with their mouths open and pick their noses. Throw trash on the streets, Just ignore it!

They will run into you and not say sorry. Be rude, ignore you, ignore signs and that is their way of life. It is a very selfish society.

Now on the bright side. The sights are wonderful. China has done a lot over the past 20 some years to create a valid tourism industry. They have been working hard to increase the ideas of creating a more harmonious society where people are more aware of their surroundings and how they play into it all. They are trying to pull themselves out of the hole they dug themselves into 50 years ago and want the world to respect them. Source(s): Using Chinese public toilets for 20 years. Ugh!
Other Travel Tips

don't drink from the faucet and prevent street restaraunt the ones that look really dirty because you could get a sick stomach afterwrds
Actually you are overreacting a bit. China is a little bit backward by American standards but it is not as bad as you think, even in smaller cities. Don't bring toilet paper! There will be a large supply of toilet paper everywhere and most every other luxury available. If a public restroom doesn't supply toilet paper they sell it for pennies outside the restroom. Chances are you will be staying in westernized hotels or hostels which are fine as well. It is very safe as there are no guns and hardly any drug deals. If you are afraid of the public bathrooms just use the one in McDonalds (they are everywhere). Just enjoy the experience and have fun.
Keep an open mind. I don't drink faucet water and I live in Washington DC. Drink bottled water it is very cheap there and bring extra room in your luggage for the shopping. Laugh at the things you are not used to and you'll have a great time.
I've lived in China.
I hear you. I've been in China and lived there once for 4 months. Public toilet? dont even think about it! Just hold it or go to a hotel. Some friends brought me to a nice club one night but when i went to the toilet i didnt see any toilet bowls at all. Im not gonna pee on a hole on a floor! Hell NO so i held it til i got back to our hotel.

Also, be prepared because they are not polite. They might even accidentally push you or somethin but wont excuse themselves. Dont expect everybody to say sorry.

When shopping in China (not in a nice mall) make sure you bargain up to half the price. Ex. Jeans 250 Chinese Money... Bargain for half or 125 Chinese Money. If they said NO NO NO go away go away then pretend that u are leaving or leave for awhile and walk by again after awhile and they'd probably be like OH MISSY ! MISSY..OK OK 125 !!! then u got yourself a deal.

Also, they dont speak english so they use their calculator to show u how much it cost. Bring your own if u want or bring a Pen and a Paper! It helps!

Above it all, shopping can be good because it is cheap if u know how to bargain.
Good Luck!
Ni hao! You are totally overreacting! Yes it is dirty but only because it's dusty and polluted (I assume you mean Beijing etc) Don't drink tap water, buy the bottled stuff but check for ingredients (one brand contain radon, so just give them a quick read and stick to one type for easiness). Toilet paper is readily available and don't use a public toilet...It is not a city of one billion, that's the country. You learned Chinese for a year for a 2 week trip? I'm going for 5 weeks and then for a year next year and I've been doing it for a year. China is not like England just so you know! I hope you found our lovely country to be slightly like America.