After 4 weeks in China, the longest we’ve spent in any country together outside the U.S., we are fulfilled with the various sights, diverse cuisine, and friendly interactions we have been fortunate to experience. Uprooting our expectations, China was the most challenging country so far in our travels, despite its relative wealth and modernity. Here are some of our observations:
Payment and Language
We could only use a credit card twice during the entire month. China’s banking system and mobile apps are independent, bubbled away from Google, Facebook, and U.S. banking (the former two are blocked, along with many other websites disliked by the Chinese government). We sometimes had to search awhile to find ATMs or get change to use for transit tickets, which was frustrating when Chinese citizens could scan ubiquitous QR codes for payment by using WeChat or Alipay, two incredibly popular apps.
Very little English is spoken in China, although younger people are more familiar with it because it is now taught in schools. Even when we could not communicate, people usually repeated what they said in Chinese a few times, so Google Translate was a huge help (you can access blocked websites with a VPN app). Despite the language barrier, people were friendly, teaching us how to use chopsticks, sharing food, introducing us to their children, taking pictures with us, and helping us navigate. These interactions were especially appreciated in light of the somewhat stressfully crowded tourist attractions. Security
China has a LOT of security compared to the U.S. - a bag scan and metal detector is in every subway station and tourist attraction. There are uniformed guards on public buses. Passports and sometimes fingerprints are required for buying just about any ticket. Chinese citizens scan an ID card and are subjected to facial recognition technology just about everywhere. All of this seemed a bit strange because of China’s low violent crime rates. At least for us, these security checks often seemed hasty and perfunctory. We still don’t quite understand why public busses have a driver, ticket agent, and security guard - at least there are plenty of steady jobs!
Cultural Differences
Chinese etiquette, especially among the older generations, is quite different than that in the U.S. Noisy spitting, children with split pants using the street as a toilet, and aggressive shoving in crowds are just a part of daily life. These differences were, of course, a bit jarring. Our understanding is that there are some major divides between traditional, older, and more rural people and the emerging global, urban generation. Before a trip to China, it is worthwhile to learn about these habits, so you know what to expect!
Food and Diversity
While China is 90% Han Chinese, each region we visited boasts delicious and distinct cuisine. Mouth-numbing peppercorns and chili sauce in Sichuan, chewy Xi’an noodles and Chinese Muslim lamb skewers in Shaanxi, and hearty noodle soups in Hunan were just some of the great dishes we enjoyed. China’s vastness makes it a fantastic culinary destination, and we were thrilled to eat Chinese food for a month, as food is always a highlight of traveling for us. Chinese food in China is much different than the standard fare in the U.S. - it is worth a visit to Chinatown to seek out some authentic dishes. When visiting China, make sure to grab some fruit from the many produce sellers, as your main dish will likely be cooked with oil.
Our Route through China
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September 2018
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