Not Even Once.
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Sure, here's the translation:
Alright, are you considering a trip to mainland China or Taiwan, perhaps even both? Wonderful! Both are spectacular yet strikingly different. Here are a few tips based on my observations, particularly if you're not familiar with this part of the world.
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Speaking of mainland China, it's immense. No exaggeration, it's unbelievably vast.
- It features everything from megacities like Beijing and Shanghai—packed with skyscrapers and ancient temples—to breathtaking natural landscapes like the limestone peaks near Guilin or the deserts in the west.
- Internet Access Warning:
- This is a substantial concern. Just forget trying to access Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, et al. They're largely inaccessible due to the infamous "Great Firewall."
- Solution: Prior to landing, ensure you've secured a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on both your phone and laptop. Be prepared for possible slowness or intermittent connectivity issues.
- Payment Methods:
- Using cash is increasingly uncommon; practically everyone opts for mobile payment apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay.
- Solution: As tourists, setting these up can be tough without a local bank account. Major tourism sites may accept foreign credit cards, but don’t assume so everywhere. Always carry some cash (RMB, China’s currency), especially for smaller establishments or when your phone runs out of juice.
- Language Barrier:
- Away from major hotels and major tourist attractions in big cities, English is rarely spoken.
- Solution: Having an offline-capable translation app on your phone is invaluable. Learning some essential Mandarin phrases like "你好" (nǐ hǎo - hello), "谢谢" (xièxiè - thank you), and "多少钱?" (duōshao qián? - how much?) will undoubtedly smooth things over.
- The transportation network, powered by high-speed trains, is truly impressive! However, if you struggle with reading Chinese, ticket booking can become tricky—consider using a travel app in your native tongue or seek assistance from your hotel.
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Then there's Taiwan. It's an island located east of mainland China.
- Picture phenomenal street food (must visit the night markets!), warm-hearted locals who love showing off their natural beauty, and mountainous terrain. Compared to some mainland cities, the atmosphere is more relaxed. Taipei, the primary city, is both ultramodern and rich in culture.
- The internet environment is much more friendly—unlike mainland China, where large international websites are banned.
- Predominantly using traditional Chinese characters, people talk Mandarin Chinese here, significantly distinct from the simplified variants popular in mainland China. In places frequented by tourists, you will find more people who speak English, especially among the young generation.
- Tip: Embrace Taiwanese cuisine! Don’t shy away from trying anything at the night markets. Stinky tofu? Have a bite! Bubble tea? Of course!
- The transportation system allows for relatively convenient travels, with its well-functioning trains and buses in place.
Final Thoughts:
- Both are fantastic destinations.
- As for mainland China, preparation is key: pre-arrange for a working VPN, explore how you plan to manage payments (carry cash and hope for credit card acceptance, or attempt getting acquainted with the payment apps, if you dare/stay long term), and ready your translation app.
- On the other hand, Taiwan tends to be slightly more user-friendly for foreign travelers regarding internet and language (though some rudimentary Mandarin phrasings will always be welcome)!
I hope this insight helps a bit with planning. Have fun exploring both regions!
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Something funny happened at a night market. An old man struck up a conversation with us, saying he liked Japanese and Koreans the most and hated mainland Chinese. My friend replied, 'Well, we're from mainland China.' The old man was stunned for a moment, then tried to backtrack, saying, 'Oh, I mainly dislike elderly people from the mainland.'
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I've been twice this year, and each time I encountered someone like that (though it wasn't blatant, and I'm not entirely sure if it was discrimination. But their attitude was definitely off, especially after they saw my passport).
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So why do you still go?
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Not really, but if you do something that looks bad, I think the 'Bluebirds' (a nickname for certain political supporters) would definitely blow it out of proportion.
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Yet, the disgusting things the 'Bluebirds' do seem to be totally fine.
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Not all of them; most locals are actually quite nice. If you're there as a tourist spending money, they'll definitely welcome you. But if you're unlucky and run into some staunch 'deep-green' supporters (a political term), they might deliberately taunt you with remarks like, 'Oh, so you're from the "mighty nation"?'
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Exactly! I'm just here to see how deep the 'well' they're living in really is.
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Not at all. As long as you're well-mannered, don't cut in line, and don't speak too loudly, you'll be fine.
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Are you sure?
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Online, 'mainland Chinese' is often an abstract concept, easily manipulated by those with agendas to spin stories and fit a larger narrative, which is why it attracts so much negativity. In real life, however, you're a tangible, warm human being—someone who also speaks Chinese, perhaps shares some overlapping childhood memories, and is a friend visiting from afar.
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What's the general impression of mainland Chinese people to them, I wonder? I always had the feeling that they used to see mainlanders as poor, unsophisticated, and ill-mannered. Surely they can't still think that way now, right?
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Not at all. I've been to Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, and everyone I met was incredibly friendly and welcoming. Many were eager to chat, especially after recognizing our mainland accent.
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So you started using Traditional Chinese characters?
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It's 2025 already, how can anyone still have such thoughts? If you encounter unfriendly people, just ignore them. I've met unfriendly individuals in Japan and Korea too. It's an issue with individuals, not the place itself. We just need to maintain our goodwill.
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Honestly, it's much better than Hong Kong. At least there's a sense of basic courtesy and decorum; they know how to be outwardly polite. It's not like Hong Kong, where many people seem like yappy little dogs, ready to pick a fight with anything and everything.
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Not at all, they are very polite. Much, much better than people in Hong Kong.