China, here I come, and I have a plan!

Here's what I found out as I prepared for a 'bucket list' journey to Guangzhou for some shopping and fun

Alibaba is not really for me, though I admit the China-based online marketplace has offered many a taste of China without actually going there.

I am generally a "look and feel" sort of person who rarely shops online and, when I occasionally do, I select "pay on delivery" so I can check that what I ordered is what is delivered to my doorstep. With this in mind, there's little wonder that I have moved closer and closer to my objective of actually going to China - to satisfy the foodie in me by sampling authentic Chinese cuisines, and to do some shopping and sightseeing and expand my world view.

Having been to more than a dozen countries in Africa, some parts of Asia, the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe - it is natural that China is on my bucket list of things to do this year. There's another, practical reason: Part of the business plan for my small boutique calls for doing some on-location sourcing in China.

Despite my ability to be flexible, I also can be a meticulous planner, so I won't just hop on Kenya Airways' Boeing 787 Dreamliner to China and see what happens.

I prefer to know what to expect, making my experience smoother based on past experiences and research into future ones. At the same time, I like a challenge and don't want to make it too easy by taking the route of having a travel agent prearrange everything as part of an inclusive package trip.

I would like to be able to tweak a program while in China if the plan I have doesn't suit me. So I talked to friends and relatives who have made solo trips to China with similar agendas.

I'd like to share a few things I learned about planning and surviving a trip in China.

Destination

China is huge, the fourth largest country by area with about 9.6 million square kilometers, and the largest by population with some 1.37 billion people. There is an incredible variety of sights to see, with almost every imaginable type of geography, loads of ancient history, gleaming and modern cities, and vibrant minority communities.

So, it's important to plan, starting with a primary destination city. I chose Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province. This southern city on the Pearl River was once called Canton and is China's busiest transport and trade hub.

I had wanted to make it to the Canton Fair, officially the China Import and Export Fair, which is the biggest trade fair in China. I found it would not be possible because of an earlier planned trip, so I will travel to China after the fair, once I return and get my Chinese visa.

Currency

Cash will undoubtedly be the common form of payment in most places, though credit cards generally are accepted. Make sure your cards work in China and don't have a hold on them for Asia. Budget enough cash to carry with you in US dollars or another major currency because traveling with your local currency may well cut your journey short. You will need Chinese currency - the yuan, also known as the renminbi. Checks generally are not recommended.

Getting along

Most Chinese people do not speak English, though you will find varying degrees of English ability in big cities. Mandarin is the official language of China. While Cantonese is widely used in Guangzhou and nearby areas, most people also speak Mandarin.

If you don't know any Chinese, you'll need a plan B. A phrasebook or translator on a smartphone can help. My plan B consists mainly of two brochures, both in Chinese, given to me by a jet-setting friend from her recent trip there.

One brochure is for the hotel I will stay in and the other is for a very large shopping mall. The brochures feature pictures and maps, too, so it will be easy to point out where a taxi should drop you.

On arrival at the airport, it is prudent to use only metered taxis or transportation arranged by your hotel. The latter option is preferred.

Shopping

Due to their size, most shopping malls could take days to comb through. One option is to book a reliable local agent, if you will not be staying long in China, to enable them help you to narrow your search. Reputable hotels can recommend such agents, whose fees vary depending on the services required and the number of days they are engaged.

If not using an agent, be prepared to carry a calculator. You will identify a product and exchange knowing glances with the merchant who will type the cost into their calculator. You will type the desired figure into yours. Haggling ensues, and upon agreement, the transaction takes place.

There are many levels of quality among merchandise in China. For someone with picky tastes like me, I was advised to go for the best quality available or specify "goods for the Western market", since the latter apparently is considered to have a higher threshold for quality checks than our dear Africa. Buying larger quantities will bring the price per unit down. Cheers to that!

Shipping

Strict limitations are placed on baggage sizes on flights leaving Guangzhou and it costs a pretty penny to carry extra suitcases on flights. Most hotels offer a free scale that one can use to confirm weights or, if you are like me, you carry your own digital weighing belt. To ensure you only carry to the airport bags within the specified limits, carry only one or two changes of clothes and launder them on the first night. The rest of the days you can wear what you will buy in China.

For the bulk of your remaining luggage, the best option is to use a shipping company. Many are flexible. They can pick up the goods and pack them in labeled boxes ready for shipping from the point of purchase. If you are shopping over a couple of days, they can come to the hotel on the last day to collect and pack the goods for shipping back home.

Other activities

Guangzhou, like most vibrant cities in the world, offers a variety of activities. You could take a city tour and experience the sights and food, see shows, experience nature and much more.

Guangzhou is home to thousands of Africans, most of whom arrived as traders and business people, so it may have a more familiar feel than other Chinese cities. If you're feeling homesick, the southern end of Baohan Straight Street is considered the heart of the city's most heavily African areas.

Weather

Guangzhou is usually hot and humid, with a subtropical monsoon climate. The weather can be more extreme than many Africans are used to, so check in advance and plan accordingly.

Caveats

As with every trip around the world, avoid carrying bags you did not pack yourself. Chinese authorities are not lenient on visitors carrying contraband.

Though Guangzhou is rated generally safe and friendly to visitors, one has to be alert as in big cities around the globe. Violent crime is very rare, but there can be pickpockets. Beware of dishonest taxi drivers, who may refuse to use a meter or try to slip you a counterfeit bill. When you get currency, inspect it carefully.

Wish me a safe trip, as I do you too on your next visit to China. I am coming! Wo laile!

The author is a communications strategy expert based in Nairobi, Kenya. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 04/24/2015 page10)