China holds a fascinating allure for adventurers all over the world. But exploring China can be daunting. Get the inside track with these top tips from expert travelers.

With a population of 1.3 billion people, one of the world’s fastest growing economies and landscapes ranging from subtropical forests to deserts and mountains, who wouldn’t want to visit China?

It’s right up there on my travel to do list, but I’ll be honest, the thought of stepping off the plane into one of the hugest countries in the world does scare me a little.

If in doubt speak to people in the know, right? So… check out these top tips from the people who travel for a living  and explore China like a pro!

1. Avoid “Tourist” Rates

“If you’re comfortable staying at hotels where few of the staff speak English, you can avoid paying high “foreigner’s prices” by booking your hotels through elong.net or Ctrip.com – sites targeted at domestic Chinese travelers.

Edward Hasbrouck, The Practical Nomad.

2. Escape the Crowds

“Very few people speak English so a good phrase book is essential. Use the point at phrases method or bring a picture book, but as long as the Chinese is there you’re all set.

Planning on visting Guilin? … Head to Yangshuo instead.  Much less touristy and much more beautiful. You’ll get all the Benefits of Guilin with more natural wonders and great hiking.

Take a local bus to a nearby town for a more authentic and less expensive experience. Most towns have a few hotels and it’s easy to find a beautiful place for less.

Take an overnight train – go for the soft sleeper if your budget allows. They’re comfortable and clean and will save you the cost of a hotel. Another bonus is that you get to see the countryside.”

Reuven Levitt, Tripbase CEO

3. Beware of What You Blog

“The Grand Hyatt Beijing is perfect, no doubt about it! Fresh flowers skillfully laid out in my room and a meal never to be forgotten. The pool is laid out like an island resort, just amazing.

Go for lunch in an average Chinese restaurant. A simple meal there can be as fresh and satisfying as a luxury dinner!

Beware of subversive blogging from Shanghai: censure is common practice!”

Kent St John, Go Nomad

4. Be Respectful if Arrested

“If you find yourself about to climb a holy mountain, and the ticket office offers extra insurance, you might want to take it.

If walking in the street and you hear “chwaaaak”, don’t change your pace, or you might get a big fat yellow lurgee on your shoe.

If you’re really hot, push your shirt up your chest, like everyone else.

Speak in honorable and deeply respectful prose, especially if you get arrested, or are toasting government officials.

Drink the rice wine.”

Robin Esrock, Modern Gonzo

The World’s Most Dangerous Hike – Amazing!

5. Expect the Unexpected

”Coming from the western world, I’ve always found visiting China like going to another planet. Expect the unexpected and don’t take things personally!

Chris Guillebeau, The Art of Nonconformity

6. Get the Magic Card

“Ask your hotel’s concierge for a card of common destinations in the city. Get the concierge to write the corresponding Chinese characters. Indispensable for directing taxis!”

Paul Cayanes, Pau Travels Blog

”Taxis are abundant and inexpensive in China’s major cities, but most cab drivers do not speak English. Most hotels have business cards with their address written in English and Chinese and a space on the back where the Chinese name of a destination can be filled in.”

Wendy, Escape from New York

7. Go Further than Fried Rice

“Be adventurous with the food. There are so many great regional variations across China that travelers can miss out on the best food if they just stick to the dishes they recognize from their local Chinese take-out!”

Tim Hughes, The Boot

Planning a trip to China? Got more useful China travel tips? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

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Photo credits: Yangshuo by B_cool, Summer Palace, Beijing by d’n'c, Lanterns by Mike

As we’ve recently witnessed, airplanes do crash. Captain Price reveals the three most common causes of airplane catastrophes and the technology that’s keeping us safe.

The recent tragedy of Airbus A330-200 is a stark reminder that, despite phenomenal technological advances, we’re never completely shielded from accidents.

Any operation involving the interface between men and machines will always have a measure of unpredictability.

Firstly, I will analyze the most significant modern accident trends. Secondly, I will discuss the advances in the modern cockpit and the hardware / software developed to address problems of aircraft safety.

1. Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT)

Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) is a fancy way of saying that the aircraft was mechanically sound but that something went wrong in the management of the flight, which resulted in an unintended ground impact.

Example Catastrophe

In the early morning hours of the 6th of August, 1997, Korean Air Flight #801, a Boeing 747, crashed into Nimitz Hill on approach into the international airport on the island of Guam.

228 of the 254 persons onboard died.  Whilst the aircraft was mechanically sound, the management and leadership practices of the captain and crew were not.  The major breakdowns in crew management and discipline therefore constituted the source of the problem.

Technological Solution

The growing concern for the improvement of CFIT led to the development of the Electronic Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS). This amazing program constantly analyzes a number of flight parameters such as altitude, closure rate with the ground below/objects ahead, aircraft location in relation to known terrain, glide path, airspeed, etc.

Most importantly, EGPWS provides a significant and timely warning to pilots when closure with terrain is unsafe.  It has saved many a flight and has become a huge addition to the safety tool bag in every modern cockpit.

Plane Crash – Korean Air 801

2. Mid-air Collisions

One of the greatest fears among the traveling public is that of a mid-air collision.  Despite sophisticated radar control networks, this type of accident can doubtlessly occur.

Technological Solution

A system known as Threat Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) has been extremely instrumental in addressing this problem.

TCAS sends out electronic signals indicating position, altitude, and rate of climb or descent which are received and monitored by the TCAS units on other aircraft.

These preset parameters form a “safety bubble” around each aircraft so that if the projected flight path of another aircraft shows that it will penetrate this safety bubble, TCAS alerts the pilots of both aircraft.

As a result, if evasive maneuvers are required, both aircraft are given specific visual and verbal directions to “climb” or “descend”, thereby insuring a coordinated avoidance maneuver. TCAS is a life-saver, especially in congested airport traffic areas.

Mid-Air Collision DHL 757 and Tu-154

3. Runway Incursions

One of the most hazardous points in any flight occurs while taxiing to or from the active runway. In fact, runway incursions represent the first causal factor in commercial airline accidents. Often, darkness, obstructions to visibility such as fog or rain, and unfamiliarity contribute to pilot confusion.

Example Catastrophe

Consider just one of the more recent instances of a runway incursion that led to disaster.  Comair Flight #191 departed Lexington, Kentucky in the early morning hours of the 27th of August, 2006.

It was cleared to taxi to runway 22 but mistakenly taxied onto and took off from runway 26, which was much shorter.  The aircraft never reached flying speed, and crashed off the end of the runway killing all 47 passengers and two of the three crew-members.

Although this example involved only one aircraft, the typical runway incursion places both a taxiing aircraft and another either landing or taking off at grave risk of collision.

Technological Solution

In response to this risk, every modern passenger aircraft has a technology-rich, “glass” cockpit.  Many tasks formerly done by pilots can now be accomplished by on-board electronic aids such as the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), an encyclopedia containing a number of manuals, charts, airport approaches formerly maintained in paper form.

One of the great tools incorporated into the EFB is a moving-map computer display, showing each aircraft’s exact position and movement on the surface of the airport.

Freed from the need to reference paper charts when taxiing, pilots are more aware of their exact location on the airport.  Tower and ground control clearance instructions are incorporated to allow the pilot to be constantly attentive to clearance instructions.

The Human Factor

Whilst technology always creates new issues, it offers unique and powerful solutions to some of our most persistent and pressing safety concerns.  It will be many long years, however, before any of us feel comfortable flying without a pilot!   Fly Safely!

Surprised by what causes airplane disasters? What do you make of the technology employed to keep us safe?? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

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Photo: Rob Young

Capt Alan W. Price

Desperate to see the world but letting your finances hold you back? You don’t have to be a millionaire to make it happen. Check out these top budget travel tips from expert traveler, Nora Dunn.

Vietnam, China, Italy, Brazil… I’d love to set off on a long trip ticking off all these countries along the way but….. I never seem to have the cash!

Nora Dunn is a Professional Hobo, having sold off and packed up her life in Canada to travel the world full-time.

She’s adamant that you don’t need to be rich to travel the world!

Nora recently shared her traveling secrets with the online world. Check out her top budget travel tips below:

1) Get smart with flight bookings
Save up to 80% on airfare by looking where the standard search engines don’t – check out sites like  Which Budget.

2) Trade work for a room
WWOOFing (Willing Work on Organic Farms) is a popular way of trading work for accommodation, but there are lots more ways of trading a room for work.

3) Get free accommodation
Using hospitality exchanges, you can stay in somebody’s home for free, and arguably get much more out of your trip by staying with the locals.

4) Work whilst traveling
If you’re traveling long-term, you’ll need to consider various work options to keep the travel dollars flowing.

5) Get to grips with volunteering
Volunteer trips can end up costing more than you might have thought. Use reputable sources to get the most out of volunteering.

6) Become part of a community
Integrate yourself into new and foreign communities for all sorts of opportunities that are bound to save you cash.

7) Avoid THE biggest spending trap
Can you guess what the biggest waste of money is when traveling? Souvenirs! Don’t fall into the trap!

Be food wise
Where you eat, how you eat, when you eat… Food can be a big expense when traveling but following a few practical tips can make all the difference.

9) Roll with the punches
Travel will always present you with opportunities, provided your eyes are open to see them. Be flexible and you’ll surely benefit financially in the long run.

10) Rethink travel expenses
Budget for your trip before you leave. Check out Tripbase’s Travel Costs Calculator for estimates on daily traveling costs across the world.

11) Travel slowly
The less you move, the less you spend, and the more you’ll get out of each destination. It’s a win-win situation!

For more info, have a read of the full article: “Travel Full-time for Less than $14,000 a Year.”

And for even more money-saving tips, check out the new book: “10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget.”

Found these tips useful? Got more ideas for saving cash on the road?? Post up your comments, we want to hear from you!

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Photo: Nora volunteering.