Understand Chinese culture to make your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable
Choose the cultural topics that interest you to learn more about China
The most important cultural points at a glance
Slight nod or handshake when meeting, avoid overly intimate physical contact
Wait for elders to start eating first, don't stick chopsticks in rice
Accept gifts with both hands, avoid giving clocks or white flowers
Mobile payments are popular, WeChat Pay and Alipay are most common
Subway and buses are well-developed, ride-hailing apps like Didi are convenient
VPN needed for some foreign websites, WeChat is the main social tool
Learn about important Chinese festivals and cultural activities
How to handle cultural conflicts when they arise
Situation: Unable to express or understand in Chinese
Solution: Use translation apps, gestures, or writing
Useful phrase: "Please help me" (qǐng bāng zhù wǒ)
Situation: Accidentally violated cultural etiquette
Solution: Sincerely apologize and explain cultural differences
Useful phrase: "Sorry, I don't understand" (duì bù qǐ, wǒ bù liǎo jiě)
Situation: Don't know how to order or eat
Solution: Observe others, ask the waiter
Useful phrase: "Please recommend" (qǐng tuī jiàn)
Situation: Don't know how to pay
Solution: Ask if cash or credit cards are accepted
Useful phrase: "Can I pay with cash?" (kě yǐ yòng xiàn jīn ma?)