Culture & Safety

Chopstick rules: NEVER stick them upright in your rice bowl (resembles funeral incense). Don't use your personal chopsticks to pick food from shared plates — use the serving chopsticks (gong kuai) provided. Lightly tap the table with two fingers when someone pours tea for you — it means 'thank you'.

Chinese people tend to stand closer than Westerners. Don't be offended - it's a sign of friendliness, not intrusion.

Always ask permission before photographing local people, especially in rural areas and minority villages. Some sites prohibit photography.

Keep valuables secure in crowded places. Watch your bags on public transport. China is generally very safe for travelers.

Tap water is not safe to drink in most areas. Always buy bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth.

Dial 110 for police, 120 for ambulance, and 119 for fire. Have your hotel address written in Chinese for emergencies.

Altitude sickness (AMS) is common at destinations above 3,000m (Tibet, Daocheng Yading, Jiuzhaigou high routes, Nyingchi in Tibet). Symptoms: headache, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness. Prevent by ASCENDING SLOWLY (don't fly direct to Lhasa if possible), avoid alcohol first 3 days, drink lots of water, don't over-exercise. Portable oxygen cans are available everywhere. If symptoms worsen, DESCEND immediately — severe AMS can be life-threatening.

Major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu) have international hospital wards with English-speaking doctors, but care is expensive without insurance. Remote areas have very basic clinics — carry your own basic meds. Recommended personal pharmacy: paracetamol/Ibuprofen, cold/flu pills, anti-diarrhea (Imodium) + rehydration salts (ORS), motion sickness pills, antihistamine for allergies, band-aids, altitude pills (Diamox if you go high). You won't find familiar Western brand OTC meds in small towns.