Visiting China for the First Time??
One point, i think all of you that have never been to China before, should be very aware of. ''Do Not Under Any Circumstances'' drink the water straight from the tap. It has gone through only minimal treatment processing. That goes for hotels as well as Private dwellings.
Some hotels ( mainly the big named hotels) will have their own water treatment processing plant, and the water will generally be safe to drink, but ASK the receptionist First. Maybe only special outlets and water fountains will have safe water, these will be situated in the lobby and the corridors on each floor of the hotel. If not sure or can't get any straight answers, ...stick to the bottled water available everywhere....
Same warning goes for ICE, especially in bars and restaurants, ASK if the water used to make the ice has been first boiled (you can bet your shirt, it's not bottled water! ...hahaha!!). Nobody I'm sure wants a dose of the Shanghai trots during there trip, .....Right???
David.....