Technology & China

These days, technology plays a huge part in travel and makes traveling a bit more independent.  Lizzy and I both brought our iPhones on this trip, our MacBooks and Lizzy’s iPad.  Sounds a bit excessive but we used our devices to the max.

While teaching at No. 4, we created PowerPoint Presentations to accompany our lessons.  I also utilized the Kindle App on my laptop to project read-alouds for the students.  The school does not have capabilities to connect their projectors to the iPad.  Lizzy and I both purchased VGA adaptors for our laptops in order to connect to the projectors.  Here’s a link to the one I purchased:  Apple 30 pin to VGA adaptor

We also purchased adaptors for the school and our hotel rooms.  I bought a universal one from the UM bookstore and it worked well but was a bit bulky.

While arranging our travel, we did need help purchasing our train tickets.  Ask your cooperating teachers or hostel owners for help.  As for airline tickets, we used Ctrip and found fair fares this way.  Keep in mind that flights are less expensive if you purchase them while in China.  

Lizzy and I purchased inexpensive Chinese cell phones and they were a must in order to coordinate with our Chinese friends and the school.  We did receive a lot of confusing information on the cost of connecting our iPhones to the Chinese network.  We decided to only use the iPhones as wi-fi devices but it is worth looking into to have the iPhone used to its fullest.  Most of the time we could pull up Google Maps while on wi-fi at our hotel and the satellite would track us all day – helpful but not always reliable.  Ultimately, it’s all part of the adventure.

I loved having translator apps on my iPhone and you certainly can carry a phrasebook but simply typing in a word is faster than leafing through a book. 

For phrases, I liked Nemo ($11.99) and the ultimate Chinese/American dictionary is available from Pleco ($35 with student discount and there is also a free version).  Both apps work without being connected to Wi-fi and were used many times in our daily interactions.  With Pleco, you can enter the word in English OR Chinese, very helpful if you’re hitting a wall with your Chinese friends.  Pleco also allows you to photograph characters and translate them - very useful, especially with menus!

Google Translate works when connected to Wi-fi but some of the translations can be a bit confusing. If you can plan ahead, you can save phrases you think you might need.  Our Chinese friends also used some different apps but be prepared for everyone to break out their phones in order to communicate!

In China, many websites we use everyday in the U.S. are blocked.  In order to keep up with our Blog, Facebook, YouTube, Netflix and other Internet wonders, we had to arrange to have a VPN (Virtual Private Network) code to bypass the block.  Based on a recommendation from a friend, we chose VPNinja.  At only $6/month, we found the VPN worth every penny in order to share our experiences in real time.  Tip:  Set up your VPN before you leave the U.S.  I waited and my sister was gracious enough to set things up and email me the code. 

Lastly, for our colleagues traveling to Guiyang in the fall and spring, here’s a map I made highlighting some of our favorite spots (I've also emailed you the link to the real map). We enjoyed visiting Qianling Park (aka the monkey park), Heqin Park, Jiaxiu Tower, and Hunter City Mall (featuring H&M, Uniqlo, an awesome Sushi restaurant and Carrefour (French Wal-mart) in the basement).  Also, be sure to visit Highlands Coffee, it's American owned.  There's also a larger Uniqlo near the train station.  Yes, I pinned a KFC, not because Lizzy and I dined there but because it is the location of Hunter City Mall.  

I also pinned the Howard Johnson near Qianling Park because they have a nice western bathroom :)

Screenshot of Guiyang City Map

Back to traveling…

The best way to find good places is to ask for recommendations, of course.   But, if you can’t find a personal recommendation for places to stay or go, we used TripAdvisor for reviews and Hostelworld for finding rooms. 

The three weeks Lizzy and I spent traveling throughout China were invaluable in that we were able to gain more of an overall perspective of life in China.  We learned so much by visiting the Naxi people in Lijang, testing the spicy flavors of Sichuan Province (not as spicy of Guiyang), visiting the Pandas in Chengdu, observing the lovely Tibetan culture of Shangri-La, taking in the rich history of the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an, hiking the sprawling marvel known as the Great Wall, and wandering the bustling cities of Beijing and Shanghai.

We covered a lot of ground in those three weeks!  All in all, China was an awesome experience providing memories that I will always carry with me.  I do hope to return one day and hope even more for our Chinese friends to make it to the U.S. for a visit!

Natalie