Books

Dive into "River Town"

Amy Adoyzie Lam

11 Mar 2009

China

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Peter Hessler's account of his two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in central China is a good introduction for a fresh-faced Western perspective on the rapidly developing superpower. He writes about the cultural nuances of one of the oldest civilizations of the world and its fascination with the West. This book is even more fitting for younger folks, as Hessler was in his mid-20s when was there and offers a recent college grad perspective about who he is and how he's perceived as an American living in a small town by the Yangtze River. He also touches on all the myriad of frustrations and miscommunications that stems from the complexity of culture and language. He still resides in China, so he must have done something right!

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Getting Around

You don't need to tip taxis

Melissa Sconyers

07 Dec 2009

China

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The overall rule of thumb in China is "just don't tip." Taxis in Mainland China will always give you exact change, but its more Westernized counterpart, Hong Kong, will generally expect you to round up. Thus, HK$22.50 will be HK$23. If the fare doesn't exceed the minimum (HK$18), make sure you pause an awkward second before reaching for the door handle, and they'll be sure to hand you your HK$2 coin. If not, sometimes they will turn around, and hope that you'll get out without asking for it. From these spare odds and ends, a taxi driver can expect to make an extra HK$100 a day (approximately US$12.50).

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Festivals & Events

A day to NOT go to temples

Katrina Klett

24 Jun 2009

China

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There is a time to stay away from China's many beautiful temples: Spring Festival. There are so many people there that you can barely walk. My first week in China, I was taken to a festival and was in no way ready for the sheer volume of beings fighting for a place in line to get to the small snack stands they set up all around the temple grounds. It may sound tempting to see the Chinese population in full force, but trust me--it is a bit overwhelming!

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Culture Shock

In Hong Kong, parasols are still in fashion

Nadia Sheng

15 Apr 2010

China

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It's a hot, sunny, not to mention humid day. You, in your cut-offs, sipping cool, refreshing water suddenly notice that the young women zooming by you are either holding umbrellas or wearing cardigans. At this point, you wipe your brow and think you are hallucinating though in actual fact had just happened to inadvertently experience culture shock. Sun is plentiful, and so umbrellas - used as parasols - are used to keep the sunshine at bay. Cardigans, that aren't as good or comfortable an idea, are worn for the same purpose - to avoid sun intake.

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Must Do

Explore traditional hutong neighborhoods

Natalie Clay

19 Mar 2009

China

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Grab a lot of friends and take a rickshaw ride through a hutong neighborhood. If you're lucky, a family may invite you in to share a meal.

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Etiquette

Avoid taking pictures of monks

Natalie Clay

19 Mar 2009

China

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They get a little angry.

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Food

Bring Your Own Chopsticks

Camilla Zanzanaini

18 Jul 2010

China

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The government in China has technically banned the use of disposable chopsticks and all restaurants are supposed to have re-usable sets, however like most regulations in China, few are implemented, and most restaurants will automatically give you the disposable wooden kind. Help out the environment by getting your own portable pair! They're easy enough to find and come in all forms, from foldable chopsticks to slip-on ones, screw-on ones, and if you're lucky you can also get some trendy cartoon character or elegant bamboo ones!

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Film

The World in Beijing

Amy Adoyzie Lam

05 Mar 2009

China

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"The World" (Chinese title: "Shijie"), directed and written by Zhang Ke Jia, revolves around the lives of ordinary Chinese folks who work at a theme park that is a miniaturized version of the world with famous international landmark attractions. This films provides a good view into modern China, especially the plight of its common people who migrate to the bustling cities from the countryside to find work and wealth and are usually summarily disappointed. The juxtaposition of the wealth of Beijing and the lifestyle of the working class who keep it up is an amazing contrast to take in. Watch this film before visiting to appreciate the complexity of contemporary life in China.

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Packing

Small Collapsible Nylon Bags

Melissa Sconyers

05 Mar 2010

China

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These are also essential for packing. You always end up taking home more than you took with you, and you don't want to get screwed last minute while trying to buy an extra suitcase, duffel bag, or other carry-on device while at the last stop market or worse, at the airport. It's good to pack away a few small collapsible nylon bags of varying sizes -- when you find good ones, they're barely more than the size of a pair of socks. Very unobtrusive for big value.

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Fashion

T-shirts with English phrases that make no sense

Katrina Klett

08 Jun 2009

China

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It's common to find Western sayings, phrases, and characters stitched across Chinese t-shirts. And it's also common for these slogans to make absolutely no sense. There are endless examples of funny and misused English phrases; here is one from a shop in XishuangBana.

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Slang

Pretty fly for a laowai

Katrina Klett

26 Mar 2009

China

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As a foreigner in China, I am quite used to overhearing conversations about myself in public places. They usually range from guessing my country of origin to commenting on my clothing, etc. One day, while eating lunch, I overheard some men at the next table talking about my, well, physical attributes. After several minutes, I turned to them and used this idiom: "Dui zhongguo ren shuo, tian bu pa, di bu pa, zhi pa laowai shuo zhongwen hua!" It means, "The Chinese do not fear the earth nor the the heavens, they only fear the foreigner who can speak Chinese!" I use this phrase only when I overhear things about myself I would rather not be hearing. Feel free to do the same.

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Being an American

Why can't I just look it up?

Anna Schwaber

20 Nov 2009

China

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When in China, don't freak out when you find websites like Wikipedia blocked. The Golden Shield Project is essentially an Internet firewall using proxy servers that block access to certain websites and content. If you're really stuck, you can always email someone to do the research for you.

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