A simple, transparent overview of the cookies and similar technologies we use on Hidden China — no ad trackers, no cross-site profiling, just essential site operation.
Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your computer, phone, or tablet when you visit. They help the website remember things about you — such as your language preferences, last search, or the fact that you have already seen a given notice — so you don't have to re-enter that information every time you move between pages.
This Cookie Policy explains the categories of cookies Hidden China ("we", "us", or "our") uses, why we use them, and how you can manage or delete them if you prefer.
We only use a minimal set of cookies — no third-party advertising trackers, no social media pixels, and no cross-site advertising profiling.
These cookies are essential for the basic operation of the website. Without them, core features would not work properly. They are set automatically in response to your actions and are not used to track you across the internet.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | Maintains your session across page requests (e.g., if you submit a feedback form or interact with a dynamic page). | Session (deleted when you close the browser) |
| cookie_consent | Remembers that you have seen and acknowledged this Cookie Notice so the banner is not shown again on your next visits. | 6 months |
| lang_pref | Stores your display language preference if a language switcher is offered. | 12 months |
We use privacy-friendly analytics to understand — in aggregate, not individually — which guides, routes, and pages are helpful to travelers, so we can improve content quality and fix broken pages. Where required by applicable law, we only set these cookies after you accept via the consent banner.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| hc_anon_id | Random, anonymous identifier used to count unique visitors and page sessions without identifying individuals. | 24 months |
| hc_session_id | Groups page views into a single visit for aggregate path analysis. | 30 minutes or on browser close |
Analytics data is aggregated, anonymized where possible, and never sold or shared with third parties for advertising.
We may also use a small number of similar technologies for specific features, such as:
You can control cookies through your web browser. Most browsers let you:
Because browser controls vary, please refer to your browser's help pages for exact instructions:
If you choose to block all cookies, the website will still display content, but some interactive features — such as preserving search keywords across pages or remembering expanded sections — may not work as expected.
Very occasionally, a page may embed third-party content (for example, an iframe of an official government site, or a panorama viewer hosted by a trusted partner). When you interact with that embedded content, it may set its own cookies according to its own privacy policy. We recommend reviewing the privacy and cookie policies of any third-party provider before interacting with their embedded content.
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect legal requirements, new features, or changes in how we use cookies. The "Last Updated" date below will be revised accordingly, and we will present a renewed consent banner if the changes are material.
For questions about cookies on the Hidden China website, email privacy@hiddencn.com.
Last Updated: August 2026