Hong Kong and China in a Nutshell

HK/China Fun Facts:

• $1 US = 7.75 Hong Kong Dollars
• $1 US = 6.83 Chinese Yuan
• China’s population is 1.3 billion
• China is home to 20 of the world’s 30 most polluted cities (25% of California’s pollution comes from China)
• Percentage of China’s population under the poverty line (>$1 US per day) in 1979 = 64%. Percentage in 2004 = 10%
• China recently overook the US as the world’s largest broadband market. (Don’t ask about Facebook or Twitter, though!)

HK/China Superlatives:

Best Hong Kong/China experience:

Krista - The Symphony of Lights night laser show in Hong Kong and walking the streets of Yangshao for a traditional feel.

Scott - The Great Wall of China. Exceeded expectations. Wandering around Yangshuo is a close second.

Best iconic attraction:

Krista - absolutely the Great Wall. It was one of the most impressive structures I have ever seen. The steep hike at Mutianyu is well worth it

Scott - The Great Wall, definitely.

Favorite Chinese dish

Krista - Kung Pao Chicken. It tastes even better here - I swear! I ate it twice.

Scott - Anything on a stick. The Chinese eat everything on a stick.

Most random photo taken with complete strangers:

Biggest surprises about China:

Krista - 1) The public restrooms are porcelain holes in the ground called “squat” toliets and they do not provide toilet paper so I had to always keep tissues in my pockets. 2) Many people do not speak English, including cab drivers and waitresses which makes getting around and eating a challenge. 3) Maybe it was because of the frigid weather, but I did not notice the pollution in Beijing.

Scott - Surprised by how widely English is spoken, even in Guanxi

Hardest language ever: Mandarin Chinese

Most helpful suggestion we can offer for YOUR trip to China:

Krista - Keep tissues in your pockets at all times and make sure to have the address for where you are trying to go in Chinese to show a cab driver!

Scott - 1) Bring an appetite. The food is good and very inexpensive. 2) Sharpen your bargaining skills to save some money along the way 3) Don’t go to Beijing in the winter

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