So, we asked the nomads that have been there, and done it all, to share their tips.

Translate the Hotel Name

It's always good to have the name of your hotel written in Chinese characters on a slip of papter to give to the taxi driver. That way you'll avoid any mis-communication.

- Nueva Gacutan

Learn a Bit of Chinese

Learn how to say "Cesuo zai nali", which translates to "Where is the toilet?" Very important stuff when you're travelling around remote areas of China.

And remember when having soup, it's best to make a slurping sound - a sign of satisfaction, and compliments your host and the chef. Silence while having soup might insult your host and the cook.

- Linus Lopez

ET Phone Home

Get a mobile phone there. It's very cheap and easy to get a Chinese sim card.

You can either text or call a service and they'll translate whatever you want to say from English to Chinese (or vice versa).

You can call the service and ask for directions to anywhere, and they will either send you a text message with the address in Mandarin, or they will ask you to pass the phone to the taxi driver and they will explain the driver how to get to wherever you want to go.

- Gabriel Nunes Saraiva

Check Your Notes

Be careful when you hand banknotes over to shop owners. In return, they might give you some Ancient East German or Mongolian money. Not ideal when you're in China.

- Tufan Sevincel

Taxis, Haggling & Coffee

When you hop into a taxi, hold on for dear life!

Always remember when you're crossing the street, cars have the right of way - not pedestrians, so be careful.

Haggle prices, and dress warmly for the Great Wall in winter, it's cold!

Oh, and don't drink the coffee at Starbucks... it sucks!

- Paula R. Montgomery