|
About Chinese Women
|Daily Living in Nanning
|Ex-pats family lifestyle in Nanning
|Experience is a must
|Four years down the line
|Life in Nanning
|My Experience
|My Journey
|Why?
About Chinese Women|
Daily Living in Nanning|
Ex-pats family lifestyle in Nanning|
Experience is a must|
Four years down the line|
Life in Nanning|
My Experience|
My Journey|
Why?
Daily Living in Nanning , the Green City of China by Graham
I frequently get asked the same questions, so I've put together some FAQ's about Nanning to help anyone thinking of venturing here.
Q. What is Nanning like?
A. Nanning is a very modern city. It has all the things found in most big cities. It is called the Green City of China and is a pleasant living environment.
Q. What are the Chinese people like?
A. They are wonderful peaceful people. China was a closed country for many years, and many Chinese will never have seen a foreigner before, so naturally they are curious about foreigners. They are very friendly. Dress and behave respectfully and your good manners will be respected in return. Do not cause confrontations or use aggressive behaviour. What we would regard as merely an embarrassment could be a 'loss of face' for them. That is something which you should avoid at all costs.
Q. Do people speak English?
A. Well, I do, but... If you get stuck, try asking the school children, some of them speak English very well and it is their culture to respect and try and help an older person. Most of the university students speak some English. At least buy a phrasebook or a pocket translator. Make sure it has the words in Pinyin and Mandarin characters. I use the Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook which costs about five pounds and can be purchased at most airport bookshops. Top
Q. What is the food like?
A. Wonderful, cheap and plentiful. Guangxi has a tropical climate and many types of fruits and vegetables are available. Expect to use chopsticks: knives and forks are scarce.
Q. Can I get Western Food?
A. There are some McDonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC outlets in Nanning . Some restaurants claim to have Western menus but don't be surprised if you get the dessert served first.
Q. Can I drink the water?
A. Do not drink tap water unless it is boiled. Be suspicious of ice. Drink good quality bottled water and check the seal before opening the bottle. Bottled mineral water and beer are safe and cheap and make excellent alternatives.
Q. What about health insurance?
A. Advisable, virtually essential wherever you go in the World. Personally I do not have cover so I am my own insurer.
Q. What are the health facilities like?
A. Anything from state of the art hospitals to cheap sheds. There are both Western and traditional Chinese hospitals in Nanning. Treatment prices are very reasonable.
Q. Can I get Western medicines?
A. Of course. There are often Chinese generic brands at a fraction of the price that you would pay in the West. But if you are taking prescription medication it would be prudent to bring sufficient with you for your trip. Top
Q. Is it safe? Can I go out at night?
A. Sensible precautions are wise wherever you are. Don't take risks with your safety. Lock up your bike and protect your possessions. When available use the hotel safe. I feel safer here than in England.
I frequently get asked the same questions, so I've put together some FAQ's about Nanning to help anyone thinking of venturing here.
Q. What is Nanning like?
A. Nanning is a very modern city. It has all the things found in most big cities. It is called the Green City of China and is a pleasant living environment.
Q. What are the Chinese people like?
A. They are wonderful peaceful people. China was a closed country for many years, and many Chinese will never have seen a foreigner before, so naturally they are curious about foreigners. They are very friendly. Dress and behave respectfully and your good manners will be respected in return. Do not cause confrontations or use aggressive behaviour. What we would regard as merely an embarrassment could be a 'loss of face' for them. That is something which you should avoid at all costs.
Q. Do people speak English?
A. Well, I do, but... If you get stuck, try asking the school children, some of them speak English very well and it is their culture to respect and try and help an older person. Most of the university students speak some English. At least buy a phrasebook or a pocket translator. Make sure it has the words in Pinyin and Mandarin characters. I use the Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook which costs about five pounds and can be purchased at most airport bookshops. Top
Q. What is the food like?
A. Wonderful, cheap and plentiful. Guangxi has a tropical climate and many types of fruits and vegetables are available. Expect to use chopsticks: knives and forks are scarce.
Q. Can I get Western Food?
A. There are some McDonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC outlets in Nanning . Some restaurants claim to have Western menus but don't be surprised if you get the dessert served first.
Q. Can I drink the water?
A. Do not drink tap water unless it is boiled. Be suspicious of ice. Drink good quality bottled water and check the seal before opening the bottle. Bottled mineral water and beer are safe and cheap and make excellent alternatives.
Q. What about health insurance?
A. Advisable, virtually essential wherever you go in the World. Personally I do not have cover so I am my own insurer.
Q. What are the health facilities like?
A. Anything from state of the art hospitals to cheap sheds. There are both Western and traditional Chinese hospitals in Nanning. Treatment prices are very reasonable.
Q. Can I get Western medicines?
A. Of course. There are often Chinese generic brands at a fraction of the price that you would pay in the West. But if you are taking prescription medication it would be prudent to bring sufficient with you for your trip. Top
Q. Is it safe? Can I go out at night?
A. Sensible precautions are wise wherever you are. Don't take risks with your safety. Lock up your bike and protect your possessions. When available use the hotel safe. I feel safer here than in England.
Q. How easy is it to get around?
A. Easy. Taxi fares are cheap. Buses are cheaper. There are excellent intercity coaches and long distance sleeper coaches. Trains run on time and the express trains provide a high quality service. It is worth paying the little extra to go soft-seater class. There is an airport in Nanning with domestic flights to many other cities in China. However, there are few international flights to Nanning at the moment.
Q. Can you go to different parts of China?
A. Yes. As far as I am aware there are no restrictions specifically aimed at foreigners. Avoid military areas; these are restricted areas as they are in your own country.
Q. Can I get help if I need it?
A. Try and have a contact number for a translator or local ex-pat resident. In emergency contact your country's consulate; they will have a local warden who can advise you in an emergency.
Q. Can I work?
A. Only if you have a work visa, class Z.
Q. What voltage is the electric supply in domestic installations?
A. 220 volts, ac, 50Hz (50 cps)
Q. How can I draw money?
A. There are plenty of ATMs which accept the major international credit and debit cards. Top
Q. Can I use credit/debit cards in the shops?
A. Usually major stores and hotels will accept these but you will be asked to show your passport as proof of identity. Chip and pin terminals are becoming more common and you should not need your passport if these are used for the transaction.
Q. Can I exchange foreign money?
A. Yes, at most of the banks. Again you will be asked for your passport and usually a photocopy of it which is retained by the bank. There are limits on how much currency you can exchange per day and per month but these are very generous.
Q. Can I use my mobile phone?
A. China has a good mobile network service. If you have international roaming you can use your own mobile, but it will be expensive. If you have an 'unlocked' handset you can buy a SIM card very cheaply and register with China Mobile or Unicom. Calls are pre-paid in China, no credit = no service! Phone cards are widely available.
Q. What don't you like about the culture?
A. The Chinese tend to clear their throats and spit a lot in public places. They don't seem to have recognized this as something that is unhealthy. Local laws have just been enacted to spot spitting and littering in public places in Nanning.
Q. Is there anything you miss about England?
A. Only the bad things, the other things I can get here!
If you are thinking of coming to Nanning and need any help, drop me an e-mail. And when you get here, call me, I'll be happy to meet you and share a cold beer in the sun. Top
A. Easy. Taxi fares are cheap. Buses are cheaper. There are excellent intercity coaches and long distance sleeper coaches. Trains run on time and the express trains provide a high quality service. It is worth paying the little extra to go soft-seater class. There is an airport in Nanning with domestic flights to many other cities in China. However, there are few international flights to Nanning at the moment.
Q. Can you go to different parts of China?
A. Yes. As far as I am aware there are no restrictions specifically aimed at foreigners. Avoid military areas; these are restricted areas as they are in your own country.
Q. Can I get help if I need it?
A. Try and have a contact number for a translator or local ex-pat resident. In emergency contact your country's consulate; they will have a local warden who can advise you in an emergency.
Q. Can I work?
A. Only if you have a work visa, class Z.
Q. What voltage is the electric supply in domestic installations?
A. 220 volts, ac, 50Hz (50 cps)
Q. How can I draw money?
A. There are plenty of ATMs which accept the major international credit and debit cards. Top
Q. Can I use credit/debit cards in the shops?
A. Usually major stores and hotels will accept these but you will be asked to show your passport as proof of identity. Chip and pin terminals are becoming more common and you should not need your passport if these are used for the transaction.
Q. Can I exchange foreign money?
A. Yes, at most of the banks. Again you will be asked for your passport and usually a photocopy of it which is retained by the bank. There are limits on how much currency you can exchange per day and per month but these are very generous.
Q. Can I use my mobile phone?
A. China has a good mobile network service. If you have international roaming you can use your own mobile, but it will be expensive. If you have an 'unlocked' handset you can buy a SIM card very cheaply and register with China Mobile or Unicom. Calls are pre-paid in China, no credit = no service! Phone cards are widely available.
Q. What don't you like about the culture?
A. The Chinese tend to clear their throats and spit a lot in public places. They don't seem to have recognized this as something that is unhealthy. Local laws have just been enacted to spot spitting and littering in public places in Nanning.
Q. Is there anything you miss about England?
A. Only the bad things, the other things I can get here!
If you are thinking of coming to Nanning and need any help, drop me an e-mail. And when you get here, call me, I'll be happy to meet you and share a cold beer in the sun. Top