Dandong Liaoning, China Travel Guide
China has three main mobile providers: China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. China Unicom and China Telecom generally good compatibility for international phones. Purchase a local SIM card at official stores in Dandong with your passport for registration. Costs vary, typically ¥50-¥100 for a basic SIM with data. Wi-Fi widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls. Many public Wi-Fi networks someone From china phone number for registration.
Internet censorship, China's "Great Firewall," blocks many Western websites and apps, including Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) access these services. Download and set up your VPN before arriving in China, as downloading it withwithin China can be hard. China Post offices available in Dandong for domestic and international mail services.
Language barriers common, Mandarin Mandarin the official language. Very limited English spoken outside of major hotels or tourist areas. Translation resources useful. Google Translate allows downloading an offline Mandarin pack. Pleco serves as an excellent offline dictionary. WeChat has a built-in translation feature.
Learn a few important phrases to help with basic interactions.
Download Google Translate's offline Mandarin pack for easy communication.
Shops generally operate from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, shopping malls often later. Restaurants typically serve lunch from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM and dinner from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Many street food vendors and casual eateries open longer. Attractions usually operate from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Always check specific sites for exact hours.
Shops 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Shopping malls frequently open later. Restaurants lunch FROM 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, dinner 5:1:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Street food vendors open longer.
Banks Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some branches limited weekend hours. ATMs widely available 24/7, accept international cards (Plus, Cirrus).
Attractions usually 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Always check specific sites. Outdoor attractions winter may have reduced hours or partial closures.
Religious and public holidays significantly services. Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), January or February, major holiday. Many businesses close for several days to a week. Transportation exceptionally busy. National Day Golden Week (October 1-7) peak domestic travel, crowded attractions, higher prices. Labor Day (May 1-3 or 5) similar to National Day but shorter. Qingming Festival (April), Dragon Boat Festival (June), Mid-Autumn Festival (September/October) also public holidays. Check specific dates annually.
Seasonal closures and limited schedules outdoor attractions. Reduced hours or partial closures during winter. Some smaller shops or restaurants might close during major public holidays. Plan your itinerary with these disruptions.
Always check opening hours and holiday closures before visiting attractions or businesses.
A nod or a slight bow appropriate as a greeting. Handshakes common in business settings. Use "Nǐ hǎo" (hello) or "Nín hǎo" (more formal hello) when addressing people.
Generally, casual attire acceptable. Dress modestly while visiting temples or other formal venues, covering shoulders and knees. Dining practices: no tipping expected. Slurping noodles or soup fine and often signifies enjoyment. Sharing dishes common. Order a variety for the table.
Photography generally permitted in public areas. Always ask for permission before photographing individuals, especially in rural areas or sensitive zones. Respect signs prohibiting photography in certain museum sections or military areas. Do not photograph military installations or personnel near the border. Be extremely cautious about photographing anything related to North Korea from the Chinese side, especially sensitive areas. Do not transmit such photos if perceived as espionage. Stick to general tourist views from designated areas.
Avoid discussing sensitive political topics, especially those Tibet, Taiwan, Xinjiang, or Tiananmen Square. Do not criticize the Chinese government or culture. Do not make jokes or disparaging remarks about North Korea when in border areas. China generally conservative, public displays of affection a reduced number of common. LGBTQ+ rights not recognized, public displays of same-sex affection may attract undesired attention, though Dandong generally safe.
Religious site etiquette hats off and quiet speaking. Don't point your feet at statues of Buddha or deities. Do not touch religious artifacts. These actions show proper reverence.
If you have specific accessibility needs, consult with specialized travel agencies.
This section summarizes points for successful interaction and staying informed during your Dandong visit.
Ensure your mobile device good compatibility. Local SIM cards available, VPN useful for international services.
Mandarin is official language, English limited. Translation tools help overcome barriers.
General business hours apply, but always verify for specific attractions or during holidays.
Chinese New Year and National Day Golden Week holiday period in japan cause significant closures and crowds.
Cover shoulders and knees in temples.
Before photographing individuals.
Political discussions are best avoided.
This section provides essential practical details, from staying connected to respecting local customs. Effectively manage daily interactions.
