China., Culture shock to the EXTREME. Options

[KayleighKins]

So I'm going to China in 6 days and I was wondering if anyone had ever been to China, or was from there. I'd like to have some tips, or whatever, to make my whole trip a little smoother.

Is there anything I should pack that I might desperately need? Is there anything I might need to remember, culturally wise (taboos to thank yous)? Is there a phrase I should learn quickly?

You know where I'm going with this.

I'm going to/on:
. SHANGHAI
. YICHANG
. THREE GORGES DAM SITE
. SHENNONG STREAM or DANING RIVER
. WANXIAN / SHIBAOZHAI / FENGDU
. XI'AN
. BEIJING

I dunno if that helps with the tip giving, but it won't hurt :D

....Oh, and any items of clothing I should have? I'm from Florida, so cold to me is 70s. I already went to a bunch of travel sites and whatever, but I trust you guys with your insider views :D

[dustbunny]

oh yeah, you'll witness the most insane driving ever. INSANE. oh yeah when you're walking on the sidewalk, try to stay in the inside..you never know when a driver will drive onto the sidewalk; i had a friend who got ran over when they were on the sidewalk

[KayleighKins]

oh yeah, you'll witness the most insane driving ever. INSANE. oh yeah when you're walking on the sidewalk, try to stay in the inside..you never know when a driver will drive onto the sidewalk; i had a friend who got ran over when they were on the sidewalk

I heard about that :0

Worse driving then even in Philly? My eyes were wide and my heart was beating the entire time in the taxi, lol. Course, they don't drive on the sidewalks..D: