China trips

Mandarin is the official language of mainland China, while Cantonese is widely spoken in Hong Kong. Any effort with the language is genuinely appreciated. Start here: 

• Nǐ hǎo: Hello 

• Xièxiè: Thank you 

• Bù kèqì: You’re welcome 

• Duìbuqǐ: Sorry / excuse me 

• Shì: Yes 

• Bù: No 

• Zài nǎlǐ...?: Where is...? 

• Wǒ yào...: I would like... 

• Gānbēi: Cheers—literally “dry cup”

China is vast, layered, and endlessly surprising. A few things to know before you arrive: 

• Cash and mobile payments rule. WeChat Pay and Alipay are used for almost everything in mainland China. Have some Chinese yuan (RMB) on hand as backup, especially in smaller towns and markets. 

• The internet is different. Google, Instagram, and many Western apps are blocked in mainland China. Download a VPN before you leave home if you want access to your usual apps. 

• Chopsticks etiquette matters. Don’t stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice—it’s associated with funeral rituals. Rest them on the chopstick holder or across your bowl. 

• Bargaining is expected at markets. At street markets and smaller shops, negotiating the price is completely normal. Start lower than you’re willing to pay and work from there. 

• Tipping is not customary. In mainland China, tipping is not expected and can sometimes cause confusion. In Hong Kong, 10% is more standard at restaurants.

Chinese cuisine is one of the most diverse and complex in the world—and what most people know as “Chinese food” is just one small corner of it. Here’s where to start: 

• Peking duck: The most famous dish in Beijing—lacquered, roasted, and served with thin pancakes, cucumber, and hoisin sauce. Find a restaurant that’s been doing it for decades. 

• Hand-pulled noodles (la mian): Watching a chef stretch and fold dough into perfect noodles is a show in itself. Eating them is even better. 

• Dim sum: In Hong Kong especially, dim sum brunch is a full event—steamed dumplings, har gow, char siu bao, and endless pots of tea. Go with a group and order everything. 

• Hot pot: A bubbling broth at the center of the table, raw ingredients on the side, and a meal that goes as long as you want it to. One of the most social eating experiences in the world. 

• Xiaolongbao: Shanghai’s famous soup dumplings—thin-skinned, broth-filled, and dangerously easy to eat too many of. Bite carefully. 

• Mapo tofu: A Sichuan classic—silken tofu in a fiery, numbing sauce made with chili and Sichuan peppercorns. Not for the faint-hearted, and completely worth it. 

• Street food: From jianbing (savory crepes) in Beijing to egg waffles in Hong Kong, China’s street food scene is one of the best in the world. Eat where the locals eat.

China rewards the curious at every turn—and the scale of it means there’s always more to discover: 

• The Great Wall: One of the greatest human achievements ever built, stretching thousands of miles across northern China. The Mutianyu section offers stunning scenery with fewer crowds than Badaling. 

• The Forbidden City, Beijing: The imperial palace at the heart of Beijing, home to 24 emperors over nearly 500 years. The scale and detail are extraordinary. 

• Shanghai’s skyline: The Bund waterfront at night, with the futuristic Pudong skyline reflected in the Huangpu River, is one of the most dramatic urban views in the world. 

• Chengdu’s panda base: The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the best place in the world to see giant pandas up close. Go early for the most active feeding time. 

• Hong Kong: A city unlike any other—a dense, vertical, endlessly energetic mix of East and West, with world-class food, hiking trails, and a harbor that never gets old. 

• The water towns near Shanghai: Zhujiajiao, Tongli, and Wuzhen are ancient canal towns that offer a completely different pace and a glimpse of a China that’s been here for centuries. 

• The Temple of Heaven, Beijing: A stunning complex of imperial religious buildings set in a vast park—and one of the most beautiful examples of traditional Chinese architecture anywhere.

China’s culture is one of the oldest and most continuously developed in human history—and it shows up in everything from the food to the architecture to the way people interact: 

• Respect for elders: Confucian values around respect for age and hierarchy are deeply embedded in Chinese culture. Deferring to older people and showing respect in interactions goes a long way. 

• Face (miànzi): The concept of “face”—social standing, reputation, and dignity—is important in Chinese culture. Avoid putting people in embarrassing situations, and accept hospitality graciously. 

• Food as connection: Sharing a meal in China is one of the primary ways people show care and build relationships. Accepting food that’s offered to you is a sign of respect. 

• Tea culture: Tea is not just a drink in China—it’s a ritual with centuries of tradition behind it. A tea ceremony is worth experiencing properly at least once. 

• Festivals: Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Dragon Boat Festival are celebrated with enormous energy and deep cultural meaning. Timing your trip around one is unforgettable. 

• Ancient and modern side by side: China is simultaneously one of the world’s oldest civilizations and one of its most rapidly modernizing countries. That tension and coexistence is part of what makes it so fascinating to visit.

China is a massive country with hugely varied climates—timing depends on where you’re going: 

• Spring (April-May): One of the best windows across most of the country. Mild temperatures, blooming landscapes, and manageable crowds. A great time to visit Beijing, Shanghai, and the water towns. 

• Summer (June-August): Hot and humid in most of eastern China, with a rainy season in many areas. That said, it’s peak travel season and the country is fully alive. Chengdu and higher-altitude areas are more comfortable. 

• Fall (September-October): Arguably the best time to visit. Cooler temperatures, clear skies, and the country at its most visually stunning—especially for the Great Wall and rural landscapes. 

• Winter (November-March): Cold in the north (Beijing can be brutal in January) but mild in the south and in Hong Kong. Crowds are thinner and prices are lower. Chinese New Year (late January or February) brings incredible celebrations but also the busiest travel period of the year—plan accordingly.