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China
The key to having the best and safest possible holiday in China is to plan ahead carefully. Make sure you decide where you're going ahead of time and know how long you will be in the country so you can purchase travel insurance accordingly. It can take six months to see everything in a country of this size, so you'll want to see a few of the highlights if you have limited time.
A good way to make your selection is to open up a guide book Buy and Use a Travel Guide
like Lonely Planet or Let's Go and see which off-the-beaten-path locations sounds most suitable for you.
The cities in China are extremely polluted from coal burning. In fact, the top 10 most polluted cities on earth are in this country. For this reason, many agree that the best experiences are to be had in the countryside, in little villages such as Guilin, Yangshuo and Longshen. These backpacker haunts are ideal places to take a break from more arduous journeying. Inexpensive backpacker insurance
Embraced by picturesque karst rock formations, Guilin is a village known for its pretty landscape and lush greenery. Spelunkers will bask in the many caves awaiting exploration while the cool waters beckon rafters. The scenery of Guilin alone makes it worth visiting. The 2,000-year-old city also has many cultural and historical sites.
The most unusual aspect of Guilin is its significant ethnic minority population. You can also see the Dong, Zhuang, Yao and Miao peoples in nearby Longshen, another backpacker haven.
Ever-popular Yangshuo should be on your travel trail. Also circled by majestic karsts, it is set along the Lijiang (Li) River. The village has a relaxed feel and is the perfect place for lazy days. Rates for accommodation range greatly, and it's wise to shop around for a room. Outside of the city, rooms can be as much as 80 per cent cheaper.
Rock climbers know Yangshuo well, as there are more than 200 climbing routes here, and an assortment of climbing shops offer gear hire and lessons. Cave exploration, trekking and biking are also great activities that you can take part in here. West and Xian Qian streets are lined with hostels, hotels, tour shops, restaurants and anything else you might need.
The Bank of China, big hotels Beijing Hotels and some department stores are authorised to exchange money in China, and you should avoid using black market dealers. Not only is the black market illegal, but changing money with these dealers will increase the likelihood of you getting counterfeit bills.
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The roads can be dangerous in China, and even the food might kill you if you're not careful. Make sure you eat only hot, well-cooked food and drink bottled water. Before heading to China, you should update all vaccinations. Although violent crime is minimal, it's best to be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your possessions. Economical single trip coverage Always take out travel insurance before heading on a backpacking adventure.
Backpacker Travel Safety Advice by Tim Ryan
With ever increasing numbers of backpackers traveling to more and more exotic locations, often with a care-free attitude there is always the potential for it to turn into a dangerous situation. In fact a third of backpackers will run into some kind of major incident whilst abroad. The BBC reported:
"The most common problems experienced were falling ill (13%), missing flights (9%), being robbed/ a victim of a personal crime (both 6%). "
"Younger travelers were twice as likely to get ill (27%) get hurt (14%) or become caught up in a civil disturbance (13% against a 5% average)." This is where a bit of fore-thought and preparation can really aid you. Naturally younger tourists are more likely to get into difficulties. With that in mind here are a few safety tips for would be backpackers:
Stay in touch: always make sure at least somebody knows where you are going and when you expect to return. Leave as many details as you can to make a search for you even easier. Of course don't forget to tell them upon your safe return. Obviously try to avoid walking around at night especially unfamiliar areas.
Don't keep all your money in one location. Split it up between your bags, that goes for your debit/credit cards too. Clearly if someone takes your handbag and you still have extra cash and a spare card in your main backpack you are going to be able to continue your trip much more easily.Make use of safety deposit boxes and lockers wherever possible, t aking your own padlock with you is not a bad idea either. If you do lose all your money consider making use of a money transfer service such as western union who can transfer money overseas within minutes quickly and easily.
Be informed before you depart for a country. Knowing the basics about the customs and expectations of society is a must to ensure you don't offend anyone. Check out the plethora of online websites to find specific details about a country before you leave.
If you are subject to a violent mugging never resist this, money is replaceable you are not. Hitchhike in pairs, one man and one women is usually considered the most safe combination. Don't flash around expensive equipment, this is only likely to enhance the chances of you being mugged or subject to theft.
Take out insurance! Whilst backpacking around the world is no longer considered a big deal, it is still unlikely to go smoothly all of the time. Make sure you carry the contact number of your insurance company at all times and contact them immediately after a incident. Make sure you choose a relevant policy. It is no use buying insurance that covers trekking to a height of 4,000 meters when you are planning to trek to Everest base camp at 5,000 plus meters. They will not pay for the helicopter evacuation, you will have too!
Be aware that you can also be framed for crimes aswell; smuggling for example, this can land you in jail or even on death row, in some countries for substances such as dope.
However, the majority of people will have a great experience and if they do have problems they will be wiser and better able to handle them in the future but it still pays to be prepared. So, with the above advice in mind go ahead and plan your trip with safety( ID Wear, LLC) in mind and you'll be sure to have a great time.
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