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

[KayleighKins]

^ isn't that Japan?

Bring LOTS LOTS LOTS of toilet paper/pack of tissues whereever you go. China's bathrooms 90% of the time do not have tissues for you. Have it handy so you won't be looking it with your butt hanging out.

The water is horrible. I stayed in China for a month and was stomach sick the entire time. Bottle water is your friend and bring/buy upset stomach/diarrhea medicine with you to make you more comfortable there. You can't avoid it. It's in the food and everything.

Done and done. I only have one question...how do you go to the bathroom in those places? Wearing jeans? Will I have to take them off? If so, I'm just wearing skirts the entire trip.

And I told my doctor I'm going to China, so he gave me some strong antibiotics and I bought some pepto, just in case.