"You should always ask doctors and dentists to use sterilized equipment and be prepared to pay for new syringe needles in hospitals or clinics."

Unfortunately, some poor countries don't HAVE new syringes & needles even if you BEG to pay for them. Consider taking some with you in original sealed packages, in your checked luggage.

If you want to take a lighter without anyone fussing, keep a couple packs of cigarettes nearby. Security may wonder about a Bic with no tobacco, but they understand smokers.

Sue

Water-take a Katadyn water bottle that has both a filter and iodine treatment
in the cap. Lots of viruses as well as worms there so you need both. Have someone write in Chinese what it is on the bottle so they don't hold you up in the airport wondering what it is. All the hotels have an electric pot for boiling tea water or they will bring you boiling
water for tea if you ask. Use plenty for drinking, brushing teeth etc.

Money-even the Bank of China won't take wrinkled US currency sometimes, bring
only new currency.

I brought several multi tools in my luggage to give as gifts to some drillers I was
working with-no problems in the airports. My wife carried a magnesium fire starter without incident. I also had two bibles and since it was for my own use and in English they didn't care. I left one there with a Tibetan College student who needed a book in English to practice. Incidently, if you try and spread a religion and get caught, they will send you home right away, but the national you try to reach out to will be thrown in jail or worse.

wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands

buy medical evacuation insurance, you don't want to be treated for something serious there. I met a fellow whose doc purposefully made his broken arm worse so he could treat him for a more expensive injury.

The government deals harshly with their own people who harm tourists, so it is pretty safe there for Americans. The pickpockets work in gangs and carry knives so don't make a scene if you catch them.

Food is so cheap and good, try some of the fancy eateries as food is about 1/8 the price of food in the US.

"When my friend's daughter (senior HS) went to China with her volleyball team, they were told to drink only beer."

Man, things sure have changed since I was in high school! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously though, I wonder why beer would be ok and not soft drinks? Something to do with the fermentation process maybe?

Vince

Probably the alcohol content. IIRC you can't get higher than around 14-15% without distilling.

some of the responses, I'm guessing, are from folks who have a) never been there, b)travelled there in the 80's or c) read one too many espionage novels. either that or I have been extremely lucky.....

I travel there at least once a year for approx. 2-3 weeks at a time. I like to travel a bit so I'm all over the place.

I usually carry: 2 spydercos (endura/delica/goddard), multi-tool, 2 flash lights (inova X5/infinity ultra), FAK, and a chain wallet in addition to usual luggage. never had a problem with the populace or cops, but then I like to keep a low profile. btw, all gears are clipped to pockets or carried on belt. you won't have a problem with battery in cities.

Theft is a big problem in any big city, my chain wallet stays inside the waistband, I wrap the chain around my belt so it will stay in place.

never had any problems with food except 1997, been carrying Imodium AD since and never used it. Buy bottled water, hotels will provide either coolers or boiled water in vaccum bottles. btw, don't drink from tap, not even the locals do! never needed potable aqua, if you are indeed in a place where that becomes a necessity, you are going to need more than that.

if you stick to major cities the public restrooms inside most places are perfectly serviceable, but carry some type of fragrant inhalant would be helpful. you might have to "buy" TP. (in quotation because it's mandatory in some places) It's when you go to the rural area that you do need to carry some with you.

I carry purell with me, you'll want it or something similar.

never been followed (as far as I know) but then I'm an atheist, no hellfire and brimstone speech from me. I also don't strike up conversation with strangers about politics.

do you have a route planned out? how about fluency language wise? you are flying into hongkong, but if you go to the mainland you should be fluent in mandarin. that will help you more than your gear.

two additional things:
try not to drive in China, taxis are cheap and the drivers are a lot braver than you are likely to be. the beer is a lot stronger than some of the popular brands in the US. most of the domestic beer I've seen are in the 25-30 proof.

david.