Danny's Bagel - Tips on Guangzhou, China

Please note: These are just my personal travel and living experiences in this part of the world. Hope you can use some of it, and remember it's mostly about Guangzhou.

Things have changed quite a bit since first writing this many, many years ago. Within walking distance and just behind our Restaurant the Grand Hyatt will be opening and within a 15 minute walk the Ritz Carlton has opened. Both 5-Star hotels with such luxury in Guangzhou. My buddy Scott and I laughed when we walked into the first Starbucks that opened in Guangzhou. Who would pay 20rmb for a cup of coffee? And now you can't get a seat and not only do the Chinese and Foreigners buy a coffee but a dessert to go with it and surf the net on their lap-tops...who'd figure.

Always keep your passport with you. If you are traveling outside a group and entering Hong Kong or applying for a visa to enter mainland China, you will need a passport that will not expire in the next 6 months.

All foreigners entering mainland China require visas. If you are traveling to mainland China, whether for business or tourism, you require a Chinese visa.

UPDATED May 2008 - Many, many problems getting visas now so if you already have a work visa "Z" to enter China your fine but if not, then the wait can be long so it's best to apply in your home country before coming.. The easy days of flying into Hong Kong and getting a visa the next day to enter China is nil right now until around October 2008 but there are no guarantees. If you are American, try to get the visa before heading out as I'm told it's much easier and valid for a longer amount of time. If not, then be prepared to show your Mainland China return tickets, Hotel and possibly even an invitation letter. Each ticket and document must match the other or so I'm told. Probably best to google it to get more up-to-date information.

Although I do not believe in carrying around your Passport, I've been told that more and more people are carrying around a copy of their passport and it's not a bad idea to do the same with your work permit if you have one.

If you are flying out of Guangzhou, there is no need to pay your departure tax when you arrive at the airport; it will already be included in your ticket price.

Where: Huangpu Da Dao Xi, Pearl River New City (2 minute walk from restaurant)

The other day I saw the Torch Bearer run by our Restaurant out on Huangpu Da Dao Xi. It was quite a sight and great feeling. The lead-up was actually pretty good. First the Torch Guards run by like they are doing the 50 yard dash, well every 50 yards they stop and start again, then came a FireTruck and a float with Coke Girls waving to everybody, then a t.v. truck with the windows blacked out, then a big truck with Lenovo and Lenovo Girls Waving but no free computers, then a big bus with what I'm sure some V.I.P.s or previous torch bearers and then the Torch. The torch looked a little like a Roman Candle without all the colors and a tiny, tiny flame. The best part for people like me who couldn't get too close was a helicopter hoovering over the route, going backwards, sideways and oh, so close to the buildings or so it seemed.

I've been in some pretty big crowds before but was pretty happy at the way in which everyone handled themselves on this day. One policeman who held my wrist and guided me closer to the route and left me within 50 persons back and much better than before. I had a couple hundred rmb in my front right pocket, my wallet in the back and my cellphone on my belt and boy was I packed in like a sardine but nothing missing.

Renminbi ¥-RMB: The basic unit is the Yuan. Foreign currency and travelers' checks can be changed at the main branches of the Bank of China, the tourist hotels, Friendship Stores and some department stores. Hotels usually charge the official rate. You will need your passport to change money and/or use travelers checks. You also might want to keep your money exchange receipts if you plan on changing any of your remaining RMB back to U.S. dollars at the end of your trip. Or you can spend it on souvenirs and other gifts to bring home. You may even want to hold onto some new, crisp Chinese bills to take home and keep with your pictures.

Important note: Write down your traveler's check numbers on a piece of paper and keep this paper inside your luggage or back at home, separate from your traveler's checks. If you lose your traveler's checks, you can easily replace them using the numbers! There is an American Express office in Guangzhou, and they are very efficient, at least when I have dealt with them.

Credit cards are still gaining ground in China with Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club being the most common. Credit cards can be used in most mid- to top-range hotels, Friendship Stores and department stores. In Guangzhou I can pay for airline tickets using my U.S. credit card.

Bargaining is definitely OK. You can bargain in shops and street stalls but usually not in large stores or restaurants (unless they offer you a discount, then you know to bargain). If you do bargain, start at about 50% of the original price, and you'll be shocked at how many times you'll get it for that.

If you are from the U.S., most prices will be quite acceptable. Try bargaining for fun, but don't take it too seriously, especially if you are at a street vendor.

Important note: If you go to a street vendor, the prices are geared more towards the local Chinese consumer (unless you are on Sha Mian Island) and not the foreigner who makes 10 times the average Chinese customer. Besides, you are bound to see the same exact item 10 or more times during your trip! Patience goes a long way here in China.

About Changing Money and Credit Cards - There is counterfeit money everywhere, so no matter what anyone tells you always change money at a bank. I want to mention that you should always carry small change with you, especially if you are taking a taxi. Before you leave your hotel, get 200 or 300rmb in small notes (5s, 10s, 20s and 50s) to pay for the taxis and small purchases on the streets. The driver will not have to give you back change larger than a 5rmb note. Many counterfeit bills will be 10s, 20s and 50s. If you happen to give the driver a 100rmb note, watch him like a hawk, as he will find a way to return a fake bill because they get them all the time. Of course not everyone is like this, and it varies from place to place, but you must always keep this in mind. One day you will give the cashier a 100rmb note to buy some cookies at 7-11 and you will be told that your bill is counterfeit, and you'll wonder for hours how you got a fake note! Now you know. And if you try to check its authenticity at a Bank of China branch, it will be confiscated and will not be replaced.

Always, always, always keep your eye on the Taxi driver or merchant when paying. It is so easy for them to switch the ¥100 note with a fake one and return it to you. Most people will never let the money leave your view and may even write down the notes serial numbers on the bill so if there is a problem you can check the numbers. Don't be offended by the clerk checking the bill in front of you. Again, be real careful at WetMarkets and Taxi's.

If you are in Hong Kong, never change money in a hotel, as there are many exchange booths outside with great rates. In China, though, banks are the safest and have the best rates but the waits can be long. Try the hotel if your in a rush but be prepared to lose in the exchange as it can be 10% lower than the bank.

I have used my ATM card and credit cards quite often in Guangzhou. Make sure that your credit cards are programmed and your PIN is verified by your credit card company so that you can use it at an ATM machine for cash withdrawals. Do not wait until you travel to try the cash withdrawal card. Try taking out $20 at home before traveling abroad. The White Swan, China Hotel and Garden Hotel all have ATM machines that I have used successfully for cash withdrawals. They are usually on 24 hours a day and are quite convenient. If you do not have a credit card with a PIN, you can go to a Bank of China branch and get a cash advance using your credit card. You can even get a lot of RMB depending on the type of card you have but remember the credit card Companies will charge you quite high interest if not paid in full upon your return. I'm sure most credit card companies charge over 20% for cash advances so don't use it unless absolutely necessary.

Be very careful with your PIN numbers. Never give them out, and cover your fingers when you punch in the numbers. If you are using a phone card outside your room, be very careful to cover your fingers as you punch the numbers. I have had my phone cards tapped into, and I don't know how it was done. After the first time, I covered my fingers as I punched the digits, and it was stolen again. Be very careful.

If you have a cell phone, put a keypad lock on at all times especially if you can dial international numbers.

If you do change money in China then a quick conversion example would be: $1 = 7.1 RMB (and falling). For example, if you give $100 U.S. dollars to exchange, you will receive 710 RMB. Conversion rates change so check with banks for current rates of exchange.

GMT/UTC plus eight hours (all of China is set to Beijing time). For a less complicated way, use New York time as an example. In the middle of the summer, New York will be exactly 12 hours behind China. If it is 8 am Monday morning in Guangzhou then it is 8 pm Sunday night in New York and 60 minutes is just ending. When clocks are set back, it becomes 13 hours behind East Coast time.

Keep in mind that no matter what type of plug an outlet might accept, voltage in China is 220v, 50 hz and not acceptable for your U.S. purchased appliances. You will need a converter for this.

The electrical current in China is 220 volts, 50 cycles (AC). Wall outlets take American-style plugs, with two flat parallel prongs; however, the outlets may not take the third, oversized prong used for grounding now in general use in the U.S.

To use your U.S. purchased electric-powered appliances, you will need a converter (see below), unless they are dual voltage, in which case you will need only the adapter for the plug. Most laptops operate equally well on 220 or 110 volts and only require an adapter. Make sure you use a power surge protector.

I recently saw a converter in Radio Shack that will handle a 110 volt appliance here in China. It takes in 220 volts and brings it down to 110 volts. It is called an "international adapter.

Do not use the 110 volt outlets in the hotels marked "for shavers only" with high-wattage appliances, such as blow dryers.

You may want to forget your electric shaver and bring along disposable razors, such as the Gillette/Schick custom disposable razors to save space in your suitcase. If you forget razors, you can always get them while in Guangzhou at Watsons or Friendship Stores.

Common Guangzhou Wall Socket

Wall Socket with on/off switch

These are more common in homes

These are more common in Hotels

Important note: Adapter plugs do not convert electricity. The picture below illustrates the male end of the adapter that will plug into the wall socket. The male prongs of the converter will plug into the adapter and the male prongs of the hair dryer will plug into the converter. Keep in mind that no matter what type of plug an outlet might accept, voltage in China is 220v (50 Hz) and is not acceptable for your U.S. purchased appliances.

Adapter & Converter

Small gifts are great and should definitely be presented to those you are visiting, to those who are helping you around the provinces, and to those with whom you are doing business. You should generally present to your guides, bus drivers, your professional counterparts, and any other Chinese person you will meet with small gifts. Do not pick an expensive or elaborate gift. Do not give gifts that are bulky or heavy. Some good ideas are: American music cds; items from your home city, such as T-shirts or key chains with your city's name; small pieces of local U.S. handicrafts; nice writing pens (blue or black ink) and writing tablets; calculators. Cigarette lighters also go over well here, even if the recipient does not smoke, he will know someone who does smoke, so it will come in handy. Make sure the lighter does not have any lighter fluid in it and that it is packed with your checked luggage. You can get plenty of lighter fluid here in Guangzhou.

On my last trip home, several friends of mine asked me to bring back stamps for their kids and relatives. Judging from the reaction when I brought the stamps back, I would say this is another great gift idea and, because they are so small, they take up little space in your luggage. Try to buy the special edition stamps at the post office and make sure you can explain what they are when you get here. A story behind the gift goes a long way!

Why do I recommend inexpensive gifts? If you give a very expensive gift the recipient may feel the need to reciprocate, and that is not the reason why we are giving the gift.

Given the current security situation at the U.S. airports, I would wait to wrap your gifts until you arrive in China. Bring the wrapping paper along with you just in case you are unable to go to the store in time to buy some.

If you give money to a bus driver or tour guide, try to give it in a red envelope. If you are doing business, though, it is not advisable to give money. You can treat your colleague to a big dinner, cigarettes and some bottles of wine, but give these gifts in private, after the business negotiations are concluded. If you are doing business, be sure to give the gifts as a sign of friendship. You should note that there is a big difference if you are coming here for business or as a tourist. Do what works and feels right to you.

Many Chinese will usually refuse the gift, not once but sometimes 2 or 3 times, so make sure to keep giving the gift, because the recipient will really appreciate it. You can do the same when receiving a gift, but be gentle about it and accept it on the 2nd or 3rd attempt. When receiving the gift, never open it in front of the giver, and don't be offended if the recipient of your gift does the same.

If you are going out daily with a guide or with a new friend, try to pick up some nice fruit and a couple bottles of water, especially if you are going on a car trip or to a remote part of the province. It will show your Chinese friend/colleague that you are thinking of him.

When you make reservations by telephone write down and keep your confirmation number. It might be a good idea to see if the hotel can fax or e-mail you an official confirmation. If you make your reservation on the Internet, be sure to print a copy of your confirmation and bring it with you on your trip.

1. Check to see where the emergency exits are and familiarize yourself with the hotel emergency evacuation plans. Do this immediately.

3. Before going to bed, make sure that the deadbolt on the door is locked and all sliding doors or windows are locked and secured.

4. If the room or hotel does not have a safe, lock your valuables in a good piece of luggage, or bring them with you. Do this whenever you leave the room and keep your luggage and room keys with you at all times. Also, place the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door so that no one enters your room while you are away. Again, if you can use the hotel safe, do so, because even though you may have put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, the maid may have instructions to enter your room to tidy it up. In China, most hotels will have a Floor Attendant. He usually knows when you are coming and going and will also be aware of how many people are staying in the room

5. When you leave the room, leave the television on (when possible) a little louder than normal and put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. I never give my key to reception, but this is your choice. If you take the key, keep it in a safe place. If possible remove the key from the I.D. tag so that if the key is lost, the finder cannot make his way to your room and clean it out.

6. Bring a card with the hotel address and phone number on it (separate from the key) when you leave for the day. I recommend this in case you get lost or find yourself too far away from the hotel to walk back and have to take a cab, you can just show the driver the card, and he will know where to take you. Do not put your name or room number on the card.

7. If you are happy with the service each day, leave small change and/or chocolate on the pillow for the maids (never do this in Thailand). Do not try to give it to the maids personally, as in most cases they will not take it. When I leave either on the pillow, they are gone when I return. It really makes a difference.

8. If you want a non-smoking room, make sure you request one many, many times and keep after the hotel staff for confirmation of one.

9. I highly recommend using the slippers that are provided in each room, as the carpets can be dirty and at one time or another gobbed on.

The Internet is available in many 4 and 5 star hotels. Prices can vary anywhere from $5 for 15 minutes to $5 for 1 hour's time. Every year, the Internet gets better but it is still quite slow, so some sites are not available all the time. Uploading pictures and files is quite easy but may take some time. Avoid sensitive words.

Just like you would with your debit or phone card, be sure to cover your fingers as you enter your PIN and always sign out and close the browser when you are done using a web-based email program like Hotmail or Yahoo! This is so important! If you do not sign out, someone can access all of your email addresses, options and folders. They can also receive your messages and put blocks on certain addresses, re-route or forward you email, etc. You should also close the browser so that your pages cannot be viewed by hitting the back button. Someone may be standing behind you wanting to use the terminal, so don't rush and forget to do this. Close the browser when you leave the terminal, even if you are coming back in a minute or two.

In addition to Chinese language TV broadcast, some English TV programs are available in many hotels via satellite. Some local TV stations also provide English news and other programs in English. In Guangzhou, you can watch the evening news in English at 7:30 pm and again after movies or programs around 11:00 pm. early in the morning (7:30 am), you will find ABC news and CBS news broadcasts from the U.S. on TVB Pearl and ATV World. These two channels from Hong Kong carry world and local news, including news from Mainland China. During the night, you will find American programs and good movies. Although, I was recently shocked to find current episodes of Desperate Housewives and The OC on TV. At most 4 and 5 star hotels, you may also get HBO, CNN and more. If only we can get the Amazing Race!

In my opinion, Guangzhou has the best cuisine. There is no other province that can compare to Guangzhou. Guangdong Province has some of the best and fertile land in China. I am told that it has a lot to do with the silt that is brought down by the Pearl River. You will find plenty of rice dishes, many types of vegetables (including imported ones), plenty of fish, duck, goose, pigeon and snake dishes.

The Cantonese chefs prepare these foods in a most tasty way. Even cuisines from Beijing to Thailand seem to taste better when you eat them here in Guangzhou. The Cantonese chefs are fantastic at making the dishes taste better than the original recipe and there is nothing like fresh made dim sum!

In Guangzhou, Cantonese restaurants are the most prevalent, but Guangzhou also offers excellent opportunities to enjoy cuisine from Thailand, Korea and Japan, to name a few. Of course you will also find Western food in Guangzhou, but there is generally more of it in Shanghai and Beijing, where there are many more expatriates. The noodle and dumplings still rule in Guangzhou.

The taste of foods will vary from province to province and person to person. When I was in Beijing and had the famous Peking duck for the first time, I hated it. For years I stayed away from Peking duck until one day my wife asked me to try some prepared in a restaurant famous for its Peking Duck here in Guangzhou (now closed). It was out of this world!

Many of the restaurants in Guangzhou can improve on the cleanliness of their restrooms (there is no need to worry about the hotel restrooms, especially the White Swan and China Hotel by Marriott), so make sure that you carry tissue with you and also use tissue to open the door after washing your hands. You will notice that many bathrooms do not have soap dispensers, and if they do they are sometimes empty, so many patrons just rinse their hands with water. It is also very difficult to find Western-type toilets in restaurants, much less toilet paper, although it is getting better. When you are in Guangzhou you can buy sanitary wipes everywhere, so stock up on a couple of packs and use them as often as you'd like, or you might even want to bring some with you before you come, especially if you are going to another city before heading here.

When you are in a Chinese restaurant, remember that there is no order to the way in which the food is brought out, but you will always have food on the table. Remember that the kitchen and staff want to bring you your food as soon as possible. If you want your food in a certain order, then order the first one or two items and hold the menus until you are ready for your next dish. The most important thing to remember is to enjoy the food. Peanuts will usually come with some other small dishes of food. It is good practice to pick up the peanuts with your chopsticks.

I never use the steamed cloth towels to wipe my face or lips. I try not to even wipe my hands with them unless I am in one of the better restaurants. I used to trust the towels in the sealed plastic bags until we read that even those are high in bacteria, and some companies reuse towels collected from restaurants around town. Most local Chinese restaurants hand-wash these towels with no bleach or good detergent, so when someone wipes their face or blows their nose in the rag, you know what you are getting! Again, you can buy wet wipes almost everywhere, so carry them with you at all times. I would not worry about this issue in the good hotels, like White Swan and China Hotel by Marriott.

Eating in a Cantonese restaurant or home is quite an experience for the new arrivals or tourists to Guangzhou. The food is always fresh from the market and prepared the same day it was purchased. The Chinese are not big on refrigeration and like their food fresh. I have never eaten in a Guangzhou restaurant and questioned the freshness of the food, although my wife and mother-in-law have, so it is really up to your own discretion.

There are certain dishes that you must be aware of that will be quite different from the North American way of preparing foods. Chicken dishes will come with the head of the chicken placed nicely on the dish. Fish will come in one piece with the head and tail still attached. At first, I had a very difficult time with this, but now there is no other way for me to enjoy these dishes. My wife and friends are big fans of "fish lips.?Yes, they are what you think, and I still cannot bring myself to eat these. It is also a lot of work for such a little amount of meat. If the chicken or fish heads bother you, tell the waitperson. Shrimp will almost always come steamed with the head and the shell intact and a little soy sauce on the side. It is actually quite good, but I still miss the peel and eat shrimp with the red cocktail sauce that is so popular in the U.S.

You will also notice that fish, chicken and other meat will not be cooked as well done as we find it in North America. The taste is great but be aware that some of the chicken dishes may still have some red blood on the plate after it is cooked (sometimes it comes from the inside of the bone). If this bothers you, try to pick up your pieces from the top of the pile of meat.

As you will observe, all foods cooked in Chinese restaurants are cooked with the bones, heads, tails, etc. still intact. When you put a piece of fish or chicken into your mouth, do not bite down on it, as it will almost always have bones in it. You must develop a technique that will allow you to remove the meat from the bones while it is in your mouth and politely spit out the bones. I usually cover my mouth with my hand or rice bowl as I spit them out. It is OK to do this, and you will see everyone doing it. It took me some time but eventually I got tired of politely removing the bones with my fingers. As you become more accustomed to doing it, you will start spitting them out on your plate and going for your next piece with a big smile!

I would most definitely stay away from the steamed fish and snake soup, as the little bones from these can get stuck in your throat and ruin your trip. Even if you think you removed these small bones from all the fish meat, be aware that there is probably one hidden in there that you overlooked. It has happened to my wife and me several times. Just remember to not rush your dinner and beware of the bones.

One final note on dining in Guangzhou: At Danny's we do not use MSG in any of our cooking process. I will not even allow it in the kitchen! I can tell you from experience, though, that it is used throughout China. I have heard lately that MSG is being used more and more in the U.S., so we have to be even more careful when we eat out.

Only use water from the hot water Thermos in your room. This water is best used for instant coffee, tea or rinsing your mouth after brushing. Watsons or Cestbon brands are my recommendations for distilled bottled water. I also recommend spring water called Nongfu Spring that I have been drinking for some time now with no ill effects. Names other than these on the street can be just filtered, non-tested water from Joe Blow. You must also check the seal, especially on the small and large size plastic bottles of Coke, Sprite, Fanta, etc. I have, on numerous occasions, bought a bottle of Sprite only to find that the seal had been tampered with and inside was just sugar water. Yes, it does happen. Try to buy from the 7-11 stores or the supermarkets. Just be careful with the street vendors.

If you get tap water in your mouth, spit it out immediately and rinse it out with some bottled water. If you do not rinse the tap water out of your mouth, you may feel some stomach discomfort at the end of the day.

I rarely get sick from the ice in China because I limit it to three places: The White Swan Hotel, The China Hotel and The Garden Hotel. These hotels almost always have Diet Coke, which is now called Coke Light, and Pepsi Light, so you know they have foreigners in mind. I have also used the ice from 7-11, and it is fine; they sell a bag for around $1.

As far as medicine goes, bring as much as you can from home, especially stomach remedies and antibiotics. If you have to buy some in Guangzhou, try buying from the White Swan Hotel or Friendship Store. Keep in mind that there are a lot of fake medicines. A very good way to check for fake medicine is to examine the packaging. Check for misspelled words, fuzzy logos or generally anything that does not look right you can tell if you look closely. Remember that we are in the age of scanners and packaging can be copied quite easily, thus making the fake package look very believable. Stick with the well-known shops and again, bring as much as you can from home. I recommend bringing Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, Tums and general antibiotics.

If you are coming from North America to China, expect to get a little upset stomach, but it will usually go away within 24 hours (faster with antibiotics can work). You should also look into Po Chai pills. They have been around for a long time and help relieve upset stomach symptoms. They are sold in most Watsons and convenience stores.

Many of the items you can choose at Danny's Bagel are baked or cooked very well. I am sure that at the 5 star hotels the same can be expected, and you can order your own personal serving. However, in most Chinese restaurants, you will definitely experience communal eating. It would not be a real Chinese experience without this tradition, so just give it a try.

Getting around in Guangzhou is quite easy and not as challenging as it was back in the late 90's. Guangzhou also has a great number of street signs in english. I usually take taxis, which are quite cheap. Now there are 4-lines of the Metro (subway) running. They are brand new and clean. It is like night and day between the NY subways and the ones in Guangzhou. But taxis are still the best way for tourists and foreigners to get around, as they take you right to your destination. A good map will do wonders if you are going to a landmark or hotel by subway. Maps can be picked up in most Hotel Kiosks and book stores around Guangzhou. Make sure to pick a newer one and one with ENGLISH and CHINESE so that you can point to the location regardless of the language and someone can point you in the right direction.

I never use the little taxis without trunks (a type of hatchback taxi). Use the newer style Volvos. The little taxis provide little or no protection in a rear-end collision, so beware. There are plenty of taxis in Guangzhou, so be patient and the one you want will come along.

I try to avoid the buses as it's an invitation for trouble. Besides the plenty of pick pockets roaming the streets, there are plenty on the buses too.

Always bring your hotel address in both English and Chinese with you. It makes it so much easier if you get lost to just get in a taxi and have the driver take you to the address on the card. DO NOT give your card with your room information to the taxi driver. All the hotels have "Please Drive Me To" cards and "Return Cards" for your use. Go over your destination with the hotel before you leave and make sure they explain it to the taxi driver. Usually the bellboy will make sure the driver understands, and the taxi driver will take a sort of responsibility for you.

It is not unheard of for a taxi driver to give back fake money, especially if you are a tourist, as they get a lot of it passed to them. Generally, 10s, 20s and 50s are the easiest to pass undetected. When making payment with a 50 or 100 yuan note always keep an eye on the driver and your money. If not then there is a possibility that he will try to switch the note you gave him with a fake note then tell you that yours is no good and return the fake note to you. I've heard of a taxi driver doing this two times to the same customer returning two fake 100 yuan notes.

If you have a problem with a taxi driver, there are two numbers you can take note of in order to file a complaint. One number is on the driver’s license card on the passenger side dashboard. It will have his picture and his ID number. The picture does not necessarily have to match that person?they sometimes lend out their ID cards.

Taxi View Back Seat

This is the view from the back seat of a Guangzhou Taxi. As you can see on the Dashboard, you'll find the Driver Qualification Certificate. On this certificate there will be a picture of the driver and his certification number.

As of this post on November 19, 2005 there is a 1-Yuan fuel surcharge for every trip. The sign is usually found on the Dashboard and somewhere in the back seat area for passengers in the back.

You can still find this charge as of April 2008....

The second set of numbers is located on the driver's side rear door window. It is usually a stamped number on a blue and white colored decal.

If you do have a problem, make it a point to show the driver that you are writing down the numbers, and your problem will usually go away. There have been many times when I see the driver pull down the sun visor to give me change which is a clear sign that he is giving me counterfeit money, and I tried to return it to no avail. So I began to write down the drivers?license numbers, and they would return real bills. They have no other way to dump those fake bills but on unsuspecting customers.

Rules about driving: In mainland China, driving is on the right side of the road and in Hong Kong it is on the left side of the road. If you are from the U.S., be careful in Hong Kong! Do not step out into the street until you have looked both ways?SPAN style="COLOR: blue">twice! You do not want to look right when you should be looking left and vice versa. In Hong Kong, you will see double-decker buses and taxis roaring down the road very close to the pedestrians waiting to cross the street. This is especially evident on Nathan Road in Tsim Tsha Tsui. Do not get caught up in the "awe" of the city and forget where you are.

I would highly recommend obtaining a very good travel insurance plan before your trip. This plan should include coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, trip delay and default, and medical expenses. Default insurance covers you if your tour operator or airline goes out of business.

Trip delay is great because you are probably taking time off from work or maybe you purchased super saver fares that may not be available again. A good insurance plan will also pay for evacuation from a foreign country to your home. Do not buy the insurance from the operator—buy direct from the insurance company to avoid any problems with the operator.

In Guangzhou, and probably throughout China, tipping is becoming much more popular, especially when you see how hard some of these people work and for so little. If you are going to tip, tip in cash (don't add it to the bill). I usually tip 10rmb/$1.2 for bellboys who carry one bag or 20rmb/$2.4 for many bags—I always get a big smile and a “Thank You?in return. The trend I have seen for our delivery drivers is usually 5% - 7%, depending on the size of the order. But remember there is no need to tip; do so only if you like the service and want to.

In all the countries I have ever been to, China is by far the safest. Even some areas that look like places I would never go into in the U.S. are not a problem to me here in Guangzhou. The people and service providers here are very friendly and will always help you. Some people say it is because we are tourists or foreigners living in China that makes the people here are so friendly, but I believe that it is quite a safe country for Americans and tourists, as well as the local population. Very Safe.

However, as is the case with every big city, there is a problem that both Hong Kong and Guangzhou have that annoys me tremendously—pickpockets. They do not only go after tourists or foreigners, which means that they do not discriminate. The bad news is that they are very good at it because there is so much bumping and pushing in crowds.

Always take a look around you and report suspicious people to the security guards. Once you do this, the suspicious person will usually disappear.

I recommend that men not keep money or wallets in the pockets of your pants. If you have a front pocket in your shirt, keep them there. If you do not have a front shirt pocket, a carry bag strapped around your shoulders or waist and make sure that all zippers and pouches are closed. Keep the bag in front of you near the front of your body.

As for women, I advise you to take a look at the Chinese women walking around. They hold onto their handbags for dear life. It is very easy with all the bumping and crowding in China to let your guard down and that is when pickpockets will strike.

Never, ever leave your valuables in your shopping cart while you go look at something. Always bring the cart with you and keep one finger on it at all times. You will notice many people looking in your basket to see what you are buying, but these same people may be just waiting for the right time to ruin your day. Be alert at all times.

One last note: Here in China, you may see a woman holding hands with another woman or men holding hands or walking arm in arm. This is simply a show of friendship and security.