China

• Tea ceremony scam — friendly students invite you for 'tea' then you get a massive bill.
• Art student scam — similar to tea, but they take you to a 'gallery.'
• Taxi meter manipulation — use DiDi app instead.

• Air pollution can be severe in northern cities — check AQI and bring masks.
• Drink only bottled water.
• Excellent hospitals in major cities.

• Hepatitis A, Typhoid recommended.
• Japanese Encephalitis for rural areas.
• Routine vaccines up to date.

• Learn basic Mandarin phrases — English is limited outside tourist zones.
• Try regional cuisines — Sichuan, Cantonese, Hunan, Beijing are all distinct.
• Visit both ancient sites (Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors) and modern cities (Shanghai, Shenzhen).

• Don't tip — it's not part of Chinese culture and can cause confusion.
• Don't discuss Taiwan, Tibet, or Tiananmen Square politics.
• Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice — it resembles funeral incense.

Do NOT tip. Tipping is not customary and can be seen as insulting. Service charge included at upscale hotels.

Casual and practical. Modest at temples. Chinese cities are fashion-forward.

Buddhist, Taoist, and folk religion traditions. Remove shoes at temples. Don't point feet at Buddha statues. Respectful behavior at all religious sites.