I’m taking a China tour next year, probably for 19-24 days. Intend to hit the tourist route - Beijing, Xian, Gulang, Shanghai, Three Rivers Gorge. Thought I might invest in a language CD and learn a few phrases. Which dialect would be better for a trip like this?
Since you’re going on tour throughout China, everywhere you go you will find Mandarin speakers. Generally speaking, if you study Cantonese you will only be able to use it in Hong Kong and Guangdong (canton) province, which is not on your itinery.
Long story short, Mandarin is the national language, and is widely understood in all major cities of China (excepting perhaps Hong Kong). Most people in China speak a dialect as a first language. Trouble is, if you study a dialect, you will only be able to use it in that specific area. So, if you learn some basic Mandarin, you will be able to practice throughout your trip and make a lot of “pengyou” (friends) along the way.
IANC, but I’m pretty sure those are all places where Mandarin is the predominant language.
Thanks, guys. I appreciate the help.
Damn!
In China Guy I have some serious competition for first dibs on all the China threads! 
However, let me just say: Mandarin.
OK, that was lame, I know 
— G. Raven
Damn!
In China Guy I have some serious competition for first dibs on all the China threads!
However, let me just say: Mandarin.
OK, that was lame, I know
— G. Raven
p.s.
Almost forgot: have fun! (and visit me in Beijing if you want the honor of taking part in the first ever Asian dopefest!)
Ehm, that was supposed to be ONE post, the latter one that is.
I guess that first one went through by accident before I fixed it in the preview, I’m dumb like that.
If you’re on your own, I might suggest lightening up on the itinerary. China is a BIG country and travel is not as efficient as you might expect. A good way to hate China is to try see every thing on one trip as you will end up spending at least half your time just in transit.
If youé on a tour, well, you’ll still spend half your time in transit but at least someone else will be sheparding you around.
Let us know and if you’re on your own could offer some good suggestions…
Funny, me and my wife were talking about going to China today - we are going SOMEWHERE on vacation this fall, but haven’t decided on where.
Hi! I wanted to send you a personal email re your inquiry about the travel plans. Your profile states that you don’t want to accept personal email. My email address is straykat23@aol.com. I’ve shown you mine, now you show me yours.
I’ve done some Asian travel: Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and lived in Malaysia for nearly a year. China is on my lifetime To Do List and my life expectancy is probably half yours (I won’t be making repeat trips). I have an interest in Xian because I collect replicas of Xian warriors and horses; I have a friend of a friend in Shanghai and hope to visit her there; Beijing has always fascinated me; the flooding of the Yangtze River area makes me want to see it before it happens.
I would love to do the gap-year experience but my funds and time are limited. If you can convince me otherwise, I’m listening.
Hey, I want in on that competition – I live in Guangzhou.
I have not much to add except that even in Guangdong, Mandarin gets you by no problem and in Hong Kong English generally will.
Even the Guangzhou locals complain sometimes that these days a lot of (chinese) people living in the city cannot speak Cantonese.
Ive heard it supposed that if you can speak Chinese (mandarin) and English, you can communicate with a pretty large portion of the world’s population.