| Crime in China | |
|---|---|
| Feb 7, 2005 06:54 |   |
 | How concerned should I be about crime in China? What about price gouging? I would like to buy some nice porcelain and pottery as well as cloisonne but I'm concerned that I might get taken for. Any suggestions on where to look for these and who to buy from? I will be on an escorted tour through several cities (as I posted previously) and will have some time on my own. I am very excited but I want to be safe. |
| Feb 7, 2005 08:52 | #1 |
| generally speaking, i think it is safe for foreigners in China.Anyway, do not linger over too late in the night and try to avoid being alone.From time to time, pickpocket is a problem. Do not think too much.enjoy ur trip. People are at large friendly and willing to help. |
| Feb 7, 2005 10:23 | #2 |
| To avoiding the problem of price gouging, i suggest you go to some big shopping malls of the local place where you may find all kinds of goods, both the quality and the price are guaranteed there. If you find some goods in small shops, the best solution is to ask the price of each shop, then make a decision. Once you choose one of the shops, you must again negotiate the price with seller. |
| Feb 12, 2005 06:43 | #3 |
| Howdy, don? worry about the crime in China, it is safer than in the States. One good thing about a strict political systems is that people really respect the police - there is no bargain with the police. If you do something stupid you will find yourself hacking stones in Mandschuria. And by the way Chinese people are so nice and helpful you can? imagine. If you just stay there with a map in your hand there will me so many people trying to help you (most of the times). They are really warmhearted! I travel as a backpacker organizing everything on my own, but for you in a guided tour there will be even less trouble in sight. SHOPPING: I don? know to which cities you want to go, but you choose Beijing as the topic. If you are looking for calligraphies, porcelain, antiques you have to go to the PANJIAJUAN market in Beijing. It? only on the weekend and you have to go there early, but it is the biggest market in Beijing. For you as an US boy, it is as big as 4 football fields filled with people selling ewverything possible. And because there is such a big offer the prices are fine. Of course you have to keep in mind that there is a tough bargaining necessary. It? part of the Chinese culture (like in Morocco or many other countries). A simple rule is always less than half of the price they offer to you as a foreigner or lowai they say in Chinese. Bargain is a part of Chinese life, it is not offending towards the trader. Everything is negotiable in China. As long as they still sell it to you, you can be sure they have a good profit and it actually is fun for you and the trader. How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 from the ForbiddenCity/Tiananmen for 5 stations and get off at GUOMAO Station. Outside the station take Bus No. 28 for 20-25 minutes to the market. Just ask people on the bus, they know the market. If you are looking for cheap clothes, technical equipment and fakes you should try the HONGQIOA market which is closer to the Temple of Heaven. If you want to know the address, I have to look it up. I hope this is a help to you. Don? worry about crime, if you keep an eye on your belongings, everything is fine! Have a good trip! |
| Feb 12, 2005 06:45 | #4 |
| Oh, it is written HONGQIAO market and it is inside a big building with three to four storeys. |
| Feb 12, 2005 08:54 | #5 |
| Thank you very much for the replies. I feel safer now. I am looking forward to the trip. |
| Feb 12, 2005 11:01 | #6 |
| And the bargain price should be 1/3 of that offered price. |
| Feb 12, 2005 11:05 | #7 |
| bargaining is the core fun of shopping in China. |
| Feb 12, 2005 16:35 | #8 |
| Oh, mermaid, you are a tough trader - you know how things run.... |
| Feb 12, 2005 17:34 | #9 |
| i kno the theory but i dont practice well. |
Post a Reply to: Crime in China
Copyright © 1998-2025 All rights reserved.