has anyone visited China on their own (not on a tour)

[maclarencat]

Has anyone been to China without the use of a guide. If so how easy was it to get about. How widely spoken is English now?

[lardhelmet]

I did maclaren - but it was afew years ago now. Their English was loads better than my Cantonese.

[thugulike]

I've travelled independently in China. Make sure you buy a good guide book and get your accommodation to put the hotel address on a piece of paper in case you get lost.

[GKU35]

I went a few years back. Found the staff in hotels and restaurants had passable English but elsewhere it was very limited. Biggest problem I had was trying to get the taxi driver at the ferry terminal in Hong Kong to understand "Airport!" Finished up flapping my arms and making aeroplane noises!! Fortunately was saved by a friendly native.

[maclarencat]

Thanks everyone will give it a try this year I think