More and more international travelers come to China for their holidays, which made it one of the most popular destinations in the world in recent years. Generally speaking, China is an extremely safe country to visit. There were very few violent crimes against foreigners. The ladies can walk alone at night without any problem. Therefore, there is no need to worry if an elderly plans a trip to China. Here we would like to give you some useful advice and tips for senior travelers to China, so that you can protect yourself and stay safe and healthy while traveling in China.
Tips for safe senior travel in China:
1. Travel Insurance
The travel insurance is essential to all the travelers, especially the elderly people, who are more at risk of falling down, getting sick, or needing emergent medical care during their trip away from home. Please consult different insurance companies or your travel agent to find the best plan for your trip. Even the best planned trips and vacations don’t always go as planned. If anything goes wrong, a good insurance plan with full coverage can get you out of the troubles soon. Keep the documents and contact with you all the way during the senior trip to China.
2. Plan in advance
For the elderly travelers, traveling to a country like China needs good preparation, after all, there are loads of differences between the country and rest of the world. So plan in advance, you will have enough time to look for an ideal travel agent, who knows about China and can offer valuable advice and elder assistance during the trip plan, so that you will learn as much as possible and get ready before landing on the mysterious land.
3. Air travel
Air travel is the most popular and convenient mode of transport, especially for the long-distance journeys. For your safety and comfort, senior travelers are suggested to consider the direct flights and avoid those connecting ones, which may stop a couple of times at those unfamiliar airports for international transit. You have to catch another flight in a limited time. This is not that easy sometimes for elderly people.
If no direct flight is available, request the flights with more transit time, therefore, you don’t have to be in a big hurry. The same policy should be applied to domestic air travel and train travel.
4. China Train Travel
The punctual and comfortable high-speed rail is the best mode of intercity transport for seniors – and it's very safe. However, still keep in mind that you should be careful of steps when getting on and off the train, the gap between the platform and the train (about 10-15 cm), and the large crowds. For seniors using wheelchairs, reserve wheelchair-only seats in advance and use accessible restrooms.
5. Keep Your documents and Valuables Safe
A lost passport is one of the biggest problems senior travelers may encounter while traveling in China. If you don't need your passport for the day's itinerary, you can leave it in the hotel safe. If you do need it, keep it in a waist bag or close-fitting bag. Just in case, make 2-3 copies of your passport's information page and visa page and store them in different places.
Valuables include your camera, mobile phone, jewelry, watch, etc. Similarly, keep them in the hotel safe or carry them with you. Also, don't carry too much cash.
6. Accommodations
It is important to select a hotel that suits senior travelers’ needs. There are so many options available. You should obtain adequate info before booking an accommodation. Ask the hotel or travel agent to arrange a room close to the elevator if you can’t walk very far, or a room at the lower floor if without an elevator. After you enter the hotel room, don’t leave the valuables in the hotel room, and lock them in the safe box when going out. When you leave the hotel on your own excursion, keep a hotel card in case that you can’t find the way back, or you can simply use your smart phone to take a photo of your hotel with its name on it.
Easy Tour China has experience of arranging private China tours for seniors tourists for over 20 years, we offer a selection of hand-picked senior-friendly hotels in China.
7. Is Your Itinerary Senior-Friendly?
An unreasonable itinerary is one of the biggest safety hazards for elderly tourists traveling in China. So what should you do? Take everything slowly. Create a slow-paced itinerary, spending 2-3 nights in each city, visiting only 2 main attractions per day. Also, try to avoid short periods of walking, especially uphill climbing. It's also a good idea to add some low-intensity, authentic cultural activities, such as practicing Tai Chi, learning calligraphy, or tea tasting.
>> Explore Top 19 Things to Do in China for Seniors
8. High-Altitude Destinations
For intrepid senior travelers looking for adventures in China, Tibet, Qinghai, western Sichuan, and Yunnan (Shangri-La, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) are among the best destinations – but the altitude is over 3000 meters. Before setting off, be sure to consult your doctor. Elderly individuals with severe hypertension, heart disease, or respiratory illnesses should, for their health and safety, rationally postpone their trip.
9. Food issue
China is a paradise for gourmet, its vast territory offers you varieties of food options from east to west and north to south. The seniors tend to have more sensitive tummies, while some delicious Chinese dishes are quite oily, spicy or salty, which may cause unwellness and pain of stomach and intestines.
A good health is the basis of a smooth trip. The elderly travelers in China are suggested to take on relatively restricted diets and healthy Chinese food, just keep the heavy, spicy, greasy food to the minimum.
10. Airport and Train Station
When international visitors are traveling in China, they are amazed by the grandeur and crowdedness of the airports and train stations. For the elderly with limited mobility traveling to China, try to take full advantage of special transportation services offered by airlines and trains to board and alight safely, often via wheelchair. You can tell your travel agent about your request, if the service is available, they will arrange it for you.
In the busy places like the train station, keep cautious. There are no many acts of stealing in China now as more and more Chinese don’t carry cash on hand, but pay by mobile phone. When in a busy spot, you still need to keep your belongings safe, and be cautious of the strangers close to you.
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11. Medication
For senior travelers to China, medical supply is also a must-pack item like cash and passport. You may prepare two dosages of medicines: one set with you in the carry-on bag, another set in checked luggage. Please also check with your doctor whether the medicines are safe to go through the metal detector. If you have a pacemaker or other medical device on the interior or exterior of body, don’t forget to keep the medical device ID card with you during your China trip.
You are also recommended to write down the names of any essential medicines on paper (2-3 copies) in case that you need to buy them in China, both the brand name and generic name.
12. China Emergency Numbers
In case you encounter danger or difficulties and need help:
Other more effective ways to seek help: Contact your tour guide or travel agency directly, or hotel reception.
Other Miscellaneous tips
If you have a smart phone, it is recommended to have a translation APP like Google Translate, Microsoft Translator or Waygo installed in your smart phone, which you can use it offline. So when you get stuck somewhere and need some help from locals, you can use your phone to communicate with Chinese people.
Wearing a pair of comfortable shoes during the trip is a must, which can protect your feet and ankles during the walk. Some parks in China are quite big with many stairs, like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City.
When you walk along the street, someone comes up to you and likes to practice English, he/she might be a student or avid English learner, or possible not. If you are asked to go to any place you are not sure like art gallery, handicrafts shop, KTV or bar, please decline his/her invitation. It can be scam awaiting you there.
Consult your travel agent to book an escorted tour package to China at a good season: not too hot or cold, less chance of rain, which will make your visit smoother and reduce risk of illness. Try to avoid the holiday season of China like the first week of October, all the places of interest are packed with Chinese tourists.