Before going to the U.S., the visa process can be quite troublesome and sometimes you might even get rejected. You can ask a travel agency to help with the initial paperwork, and then you go for the interview yourself. Of course, if you’ve been to the U.S. before, you won’t need to go through the interview again—just apply for a visa renewal. You can also book your hotel online before departure. And this part—pay attention, it’s important!
Since electrical outlets in the U.S. are different from those in China, if you’re bringing any electronic devices, remember to buy a power adapter in advance. Two-prong plugs are usually fine and generally universal—for example, for phones and cameras. But three-prong plugs are problematic. In China, the three-prong plug has two slots forming an inverted V shape in a triangle, whereas in the U.S., the two slots are in a straight line within a triangle—so they won’t fit.
Most laptops made in China use three-prong plugs, so you’ll definitely need an adapter.
Adapters fall into two main categories: one type is designed specifically for certain countries or a group of similar ones, such as those made exclusively for the U.S. These can be further divided into adapters that convert U.S. outlets to Chinese ones, or vice versa—don’t get them mixed up.
The other type is universal, which can be used in almost any country around the world and is designed more ingeniously.
Here are two personal suggestions:
1. Whether to buy a dedicated or universal adapter: If you don’t travel internationally often, go for a dedicated one; if you visit many countries, a universal adapter is better.
2. When buying one, make sure it’s high quality: Electrical safety matters, so never skimp by buying a very cheap adapter. A low-quality one might work for a couple of times, but it will likely break or even cause safety hazards over time.
Here’s another tip:
You can bring an adapter and also a universal power strip—this way, you can plug in your phone, camera, laptop, and other electronics all at once~~
Then just pack your clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and other personal items. Make sure to keep your ID, tickets, and important documents in a dedicated compartment or pocket to avoid losing them.
Cost Planning Guide:
The cost of living in the U.S. is relatively high, so it’s always wise to bring plenty of money. Exchange some U.S. dollars in advance. Get a VISA card—you’ll be able to use it almost everywhere, and many places also accept UnionPay cards now.
One small detail to note is that since mobile communication costs are getting lower and internet access is widespread, many people overlook arranging an international communication plan before traveling abroad. Some might rent a portable Wi-Fi device, but the rental process is a hassle, the device needs charging, and signal strength can be poor in certain areas... For convenience, it’s recommended to activate international roaming. China Mobile currently offers a 50% discount on voice roaming rates to the U.S.—from October 1 to December 31, 2016, China Mobile customers traveling to the U.S. enjoy a 50% discount on voice roaming, with rates dropping from 0.99 RMB/minute to 0.49 RMB/minute for calls to mainland China, local U.S. numbers, and incoming calls while roaming. Whether you need to contact travel companions, talk to family, or handle urgent work calls overseas, mobile communication is essential. Activating international roaming for the U.S. can save you a good amount of money.
For details, click here:
http://www.10086.cn/roaming/country/indexc.html?countey_id=5&WT.mc_id=Yx35UjZX2tHkyRIDBY2o
Book your flight tickets early, really early!! Generally speaking, the earlier you book, the cheaper the ticket. Many O2O platforms in China allow you to check real-time flight prices. For relatively affordable international flights, try platforms like Ctrip or Alitrip. After comparing prices, choose a comparatively cheaper option. If you have a layover, it’s recommended to call the airline's hotline because if your layover extends overnight, many airlines offer complimentary hotel stays!! And the hotels are usually quite nice!! You get to enjoy quality accommodation and spend an extra night in the city—why not?
Hawaii Section:
Flying from China to the U.S., stopping in Hawaii for a couple of days before entering the mainland is a great choice. Hawaii has a pleasant climate, with coastlines, beaches, and palm trees—pure ocean vibes.
On your first day in Hawaii, focus on resting. Take a walk to Waikiki Beach—the blue sky, white clouds, sea waves, and sandy shore, with the sea breeze and sunset, will definitely help you shake off the fatigue of the journey. The beauty of Hawaii is probably something you’ve heard about, so I won’t go into too much detail, but what many may not know is that Hawaii has a sales tax of only 4%, the lowest in the entire U.S.! Hawaii is truly a shopping paradise!
Famous shopping centers in Hawaii include DFS Waikiki Duty-Free Galleria, Ala Moana Center, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikele Premium Outlets, and Aloha Stadium Swap Meet—come and enjoy some retail therapy!
New York Section:
New York is a city of multifaceted charm and is often the first city to be destroyed in American blockbusters during catastrophic events. Fifth Avenue, Times Square, Wall Street, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Charging Bull, Broadway, the New York Stock Exchange, Rockefeller Center, Chinatown, and the Brooklyn Bridge—these iconic names and Hollywood movie symbols can all be found here. This might be the most familiar American city to you, or your most direct impression of the U.S. So why refuse the chance to experience it up close?
No matter which side of New York you love, give yourself three days to fulfill your expectations. Shop on Fifth Avenue, or enjoy a Broadway show if you’re into music. New York will never let you down.
Los Angeles Section:
Kobe Bryant’s famous quote “4 a.m. in Los Angeles” has made this great industrial city even more well-known. Los Angeles is located in Southern California on the West Coast of the U.S. By population, it is the largest city in California and the second-largest in the U.S., after New York. LA is one of the world’s centers for culture, science, technology, international trade, and higher education, and is home to globally renowned institutions in various professional and cultural fields. The city and its surrounding areas form the foundation of LA’s international reputation and global status in popular entertainment—such as film, television, and music—with the world-famous Hollywood located right here.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios Hollywood, TCL Chinese Theatre, Santa Monica Beach, Beverly Hills, Sunset Boulevard, Disneyland, In-N-Out Burger, The Getty Center, UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), Little Tokyo—these are must-visit attractions in the city.
Alright, my fingers are sore from all this typing. Time for me to go eat my dirt. Wishing you carefree wanderers out there a blast on your adventures...