Among these dialects, large groups speak Cantonese, Fukienese, Xiamenhua and Hakka. English is not widely spoken, therefore a phrase book would be extremely useful to point to key phrases written in Chinese characters. Another useful item would be a map with place names written in both English and Chinese. It is advisable to take a universal adapter, as these are difficult to find in China. Water Tap water is considered unsafe to drink so stick to boiled and bottled water.
Most hotels provide distilled water or flasks of hot water in rooms on request.
Health Make sure that you have adequate health insurance that covers evacuation, as although medical care is available, it is not always of the highest standard. Consider inoculations against typhoid, cholera, polio, hepatitis A, Japanese encephalitis and take advice regarding anti-malarials. It is always best to check the current situation and any vaccination requirements with your doctor when planning your trip. In restaurants, avoid cracked crockery and rinse chopsticks, bowls and cups with hot tea before use, as they may have only been washed in cold water. There are numerous domestic airports throughout China, which include those mentioned above.