Embarking on a journey to China can be an enriching experience, filled with cultural discoveries and unique encounters. However, navigating through the linguistic and cultural landscape of the world’s most populous country can be challenging. Chinese Traditions and Culture
This guide aims to provide you with essential knowledge about China’s language, indigenous cultures, religions, etiquette, festivals, and much more. From basic Mandarin phrases to dining etiquette and the significance of popular Chinese festivals, this comprehensive guide is designed to enhance your understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture, thereby making your journey more enjoyable and meaningful. Whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned explorer, this guide offers valuable insights to help you navigate China’s vibrant and diverse cultural tapestry.
Chinese Languages and Greetings Chinese Traditions and Culture
With more than 300 languages and Chinese dialects spoken around the country, China is a linguistic hotbed. However, the official Chinese language is Standard Chinese, which is a standardized form of Mandarin Chinese.
Even though English is a compulsory subject in school, it’s not widely spoken around the country. You’re more likely to find Chinese people who speak or at least understand some English in major cities, like Beijing.
Because of this language barrier, it’s a good idea to know some basic, beginner phrases in Mandarin to help you communicate with locals:
- Hello – Nǐhǎo (nee how)
- Please – Qǐng (cheen)
- Thank you – Xièxiè (shyeah shyeah)
- Yes – shì de (she dah)
- No – Bù (boo)
- How are you? – Nǐhǎo ma? (Nee how ma)
- My name is… – Wǒ jiào (Wor jyaow..)
- How much is this? – Zhège duōshǎo qián (juga doo-shao chien)
- Where is the bathroom? – Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr? (she show jien zai naar)
Greetings Chinese Traditions and Culture
There are two ways you can greet others in China: formal and casual. For the more formal greeting, it’s customary to bow slightly from the shoulders or give a slight nod of the head. For more casual greetings, a handshake or slight nod is fine. These gestures are usually accompanied by saying nihao or hello. As a sign of respect, use both hands when presenting or receiving business cards, and if you’re greeting a group of people, always greet the eldest person in attendance first.
Addressing Others
Unless you already know the person and are on a first-name basis, address others by their formal titles (Mr., Mrs., Miss) and their last name (family name) until a closer relationship is established. Avoid addressing others by their first name unless that person has indicated it’s ok.
Indigenous Cultures in China
China is home to some 55 ethnic groups, with the Han Chinese being the biggest Indigenous group—not only in China, but in the world as a whole. In Mainland China, Han Chinese people make up around 92% of the population, while some 18% of the global population is Han Chinese.
Taking its name from the Han dynasty (circa 206 to 220 BCE), when Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism grew to religious prominence, Han culture has a long history in China, and it’s responsible for much of Chinese culture and traditions today. Many Han Chinese still practice one of these three religions, with respective temples and shrines considered sacred sites and places.
Religion in China
Officially, China is an atheist state, and some polls have found that the vast majority of Chinese people practice no religion. But the country has a long history with religion, a number of which are still widely practiced and present in Chinese culture. Those include Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism, the latter practiced by nearly 16% of the population. Christianity and Islam are also major religions.
Fittingly, as early religions like Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism helped shape Chinese history and culture, today temples, shrines, grottoes, and pagodas are among the most popular tourist attractions. Places like the Longmen Grottoes and the Mogao Grottoes are famed for their towering carved-stone statues of Buddha, while other religious sites, like the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Shaolin Temple, showcase Chinese architecture and Chinese art from a vast array of dynasties. Buddhists in particular make pilgrimages to reach certain sacred sites.
Many temples and religious sites are open to the public for visits, with some rules regarding etiquette that you’ll learn more about below.
Chinese Festivals and Holidays
Chinese New Year Chinese Traditions and Culture
In early January or February, depending on the traditional lunisolar calendar, the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival marks the start of a new year. Celebrated throughout the country by many different ethnic groups, each year is represented by a different animal in the Chinese zodiac.
Chinese families come together for reunion feasts with special dishes. Houses are also cleaned to get rid of bad luck going into the new year, and walls and windows are decorated with red papercuts evoking wealth, prosperity, good luck, and other themes wished for in the new year.
The Lantern Festival
Part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, the Lantern Festival marks the last day of the New Year period festivities. Similarly celebrated throughout the country by many different groups, the festival gets its name from the multitude of lanterns—red-colored for good fortune—that fill streets and cities around China.
Dragon Boat Festival
Honoring the life of the famed poet and scholar Qu Yuan from ancient China, the Dragon Boat folk festival takes place on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar. Along with eating sticky rice dumplings, known as zongzi, and worshiping ancestors and gods, the festival is marked by dragon-boat races on rivers and waterways around China.
Bargaining and Haggling in China
As with many countries throughout East Asia, haggling is a common practice in traditional Chinese culture and places like small shops and street markets. As a foreigner, you’ll likely be quoted a higher price initially for things like souvenirs, so if you’re shopping in markets and non-chain establishments, you can typically barter it down. But there’s a bit of a back-and-forth dance you’ll need to do with the shopkeeper before landing on a price that works for everyone.
Here are some protocols to keep in mind to be considered respectful and polite in Chinese culture:
- Dress modestly and don’t wear anything flashy
- Bring small bills
- Shop around to compare prices at different stalls
- Don’t seem too interested or excited about an item, as the sellers will then drive a harder bargain
- Shopkeepers will usually quote foreigners an inflated price, so don’t panic if you’re given a really high price right off the bat
- Counter their offer by saying tài guìle, piányí diǎnr, which means, “That’s too expensive, a little cheaper”
- Your counteroffer can usually be 50% to 75% lower than the initial offer
- Most shopkeepers will have calculators on hand to pass back and forth to ensure everyone is on the same page price-wise
- Don’t feel pressured to purchase if the seller won’t bargain with you. Feel free to walk away; in many cases, they’ll call you back and go down to your desired price
- Purchasing in bulk can score you a better deal (and then you have souvenirs to take home as well)
Chinese Etiquette for Travelers
From how to behave at temples to the proper way to eat, these etiquette rules and guidelines will help you blend in. Chinese Traditions and Culture
Temple and Religious Sites Etiquette in China
When visiting religious sites around the country, be respectful of the rules and follow these basic etiquette guidelines.
- Look for posted signage highlighting any rules and regulations.
- Dress modestly and respectfully with clothes that cover your shoulders, knees, and chest. Some temples may also require that women wear head coverings.
- Remove your shoes if asked to do so.
- Always ask permission before taking photos, and never try to sneak pictures where it isn’t allowed.
- Speak softly and avoid making loud noises to be respectful of others using the space.
- Do not touch objects unless it is expressly allowed.
- Make a small donation in thanks.
Dining Etiquette in China
Chinese cuisine is world-renowned, but what you may have tried in your home country barely scratches the surface of Chinese dining and China’s gastronomic legacy. China actually has eight different styles of cuisine: Sichuan, Hunan, Cantonese, Fujian, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Shandong.
Cuisines vary from region to region, from the spicy dishes of central China to the preferred use of noodles in northern China versus rice in the south. This means you can try wholly different dishes throughout your stay, depending on where you’re traveling.
However, there are some signature dishes that stand out among Chinese cuisines, like mapo tofu, Peking duck, and dim sum. Along with sit-down restaurants, China has a vibrant street-food culture for things like jianbing (crepe-style pancakes filled with ingredients like egg and meat) and baozi (steamed buns).
As familiar as Chinese food can feel due to its global popularity, some aspects of dining culture are different, so here’s some dining etiquette to know before diving into Chinese cuisine:
- Don’t rest your chopsticks sticking up in your rice
- Don’t make gestures (like pointing at people) while holding your chopsticks
- Chinese people drink hot water, as it’s believed to be healthy and cure illnesses, so expect to be served hot water and tea often in restaurants
- Leave a little bit of food on your plate to show that you were given a generous portion
- It’s ok to burp, so don’t be surprised if you hear a burp or two around the table
- Tipping is not common or expected here
How to Dress in China
Out of respect and politeness, dress modestly and conservatively while traveling in China. Avoid shirts, dresses, pants, or skirts that are too short or don’t offer proper coverage. You can still dress casually and for comfort, but choose modest pieces and cover-ups.
Connectivity in China
In today’s interconnected world, effective communication is more crucial than ever. It has become the backbone of our society, driving our personal, professional, and social interactions. With the rapid advancement in technology, we can now communicate in real-time with anyone, anywhere in the world, breaking down geographical barriers and fostering global collaboration. Businesses like Alertify, an online store specializing in eSIM and SIM cards, play a pivotal role in this communication revolution. Alertify provides seamless connectivity solutions that enable individuals and businesses to stay connected, ensuring efficient and uninterrupted communication. Whether you’re traveling abroad or managing a remote team, the importance of reliable communication cannot be overstated, and solutions like those provided by Alertify are instrumental in meeting this need.
If you are traveling to China, here are some prepaid eSIMs:
Other Essential Tips
Here are some other important things to keep in mind during your China travels.
- Personal space: Chinese people prize personal space, so be aware of not invading others’ personal spaces while out in public.
- Elder respect: In Chinese culture, respecting elders is highly valued. Use polite language and be mindful of your behavior when interacting with older individuals.
- Punctuality: Chinese people are very punctual, so make sure you’re on time—being late is a serious offense.
- Gift-giving: When giving gifts, it’s important to show thoughtfulness and avoid overly expensive items, as they can be seen as an attempt to bribe or create an obligation. Instead, consider modest and practical gifts. Red envelopes with money (hongbao) are commonly given during special occasions, like Chinese New Year and weddings.
- Finger-pointing: It’s taboo to point your finger directly at others as it’s considered impolite.
- Hierarchy and Face: Chinese society places significant emphasis on hierarchy and “face” (mianzi), which refers to one’s reputation and social standing. Avoid causing embarrassment or loss of face for yourself or others in public.
- Public Behavior: China has strict rules and regulations regarding public behavior. Littering, smoking in non-designated areas, and spitting in public are generally frowned upon and might even lead to fines.
- Photography: Always ask for permission before taking someone’s picture, especially with older individuals or in more traditional settings.