Comments on: What Hitchhiking Solo as a Female in China Taught Me

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 22:45:55 +0000

I’m a female who lived and worked in Shanghai for three years (2009-2012) and I never thought about hitchhiking there, mostly because when I got out of the city into smaller towns I was with a group of friends. Also, although I studied Mandarin with a tutor while there, I wasn’t especially confident in my language skills. Finally, as an American, I was always warned against doing so for safety reasons. However, I like to think that if I did have an occasion to do so, I would have had the same good experience that Kristin had. I’ve lived in different cities in the US and traveled to many more around the world, and Shanghai was the safest city I ever lived in and I’m sure will ever live. I could walk anywhere by myself at any time of day or night (or very early morning 🙂 and feel totally comfortable. And when interacting with locals with even a little Mandarin, they were usually kind and helpful; perhaps more so in smaller towns because they just aren’t used to foreigners and are hence very intrigued with us. The familial culture is part of that, but I believe the lack of violence is also caused by both the lack of guns and the fact that the penal system there is very harsh.

Not matter the cause and no matter which way you travel around the country, I definitely recommend visiting China, both its large cities and small villages, if you ever have the chance. It has thousands of years of history, yet is very dynamic – plenty of noticeable changes just within those three years. I look forward to going back sometime in the next few years to see at least some of the many places I missed while living there and to see the changes that are sure to have come on the ones familiar to me.

By: Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 09:34:55 +0000

Nope. In fact the out of 13 rides only one had a girl in the car. I did wonder about that but none of them ever acted inappropriately.

I don’t think my mother was too pleased!

By: Andy Wolf

Andy Wolf — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 03:48:47 +0000

I spent my teenage years in China. While I found a lot of things (govt, the way some people are treated, polution) deplorable, I also saw a side most expat kids overlooked. I ran away from home for a bit. The working class Chinese were so wonderful to me. I worked with them, lived with them, ate with them. They really treated me like family.

I eventually turned myself in and got sent back to the US. Those city blocks have been demolished and their residents displaced.

By: Veronika

Veronika — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 23:04:56 +0000

Great stories..! Yes, Chinese people are very hospitable. Especially if you’re a foreigner speaking the language (at least a little bit). They often feel honoured to show you their country and are genuinely interested in your impressions of China.

Although I didn’t hitchhike in China at all, I also kept experiencing their kindness. When stuck at a cave site, far from Yangshuo where I was staying, a kind couple took me back to the city on their tiny motorbike. Needless to say that specifically in Yangshuo and surroundings not more than 2 persons are allowed to ride on a motorbike.. So they even risked being fined!

By: Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 09:35:51 +0000

In reply to Charlie. Same here and honestly without Ya Ting I would have never tried. Now I see it differently but I needed a little hand-holding at first.

By: Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 09:34:43 +0000

In reply to Linda. That's great, Linda! I'm glad it inspired you.

By: Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 09:23:10 +0000

In reply to Sigurdur Bjorgvinsson. It really was that easy! It seems more accepted in China that in other countries. Worth a try if you're feeling adventurous.

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 09:00:34 +0000

This is such a great read and very inspirational. China is still such a mystery to us in the West and we can learn so much from their generous and friendly culture. I would never have thought China was an easy country to travel round, but after reading this article I hope to be able to visit there soon.

By: Christine

Christine — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 08:59:37 +0000

You’re making me wish I tried hitch-hiking in China, it sounds like a perfect way to experience Chines culture!
It’s great that you can speak Mandarin, it must have been great to not have to worry about not being able to communicate with the Chinese people. 🙂

By: Sky

Sky — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 04:13:13 +0000

What an amazing experience…I would honestly never consider hitchhiking, even though I’ve seen other travelers do it. The idea just seems to go against everything I’ve ever been taught…which is probably more of a reason why I should do it. I think, though, that as a younger female, I should probably wait until I am more confident traveling in general.

Though this does make me want to go visit China…