All Articles
More Than a Dish: Peking Duck as Beijing's Letter to the World
Welcome, everyone, to Quanjude. Before I take you through the process of making Peking duck, I'd like to ask a question: do you know how many days it takes from the time a Peking d
Cash or Mobile Pay? What You Need to Know Before Visiting China
Three years ago, foreign visitors arriving with a stack of renminbi were common. Today, pull out cash at a Beijing convenience store and the cashier might pause — not because they
Chinese Tea Culture
China is the birthplace of tea with over 4,000 years of drinking history. From field to cup, tea is more than a beverage — it's social etiquette and life philosophy.
Waiting Ten Minutes Outside a Neighborhood Repair Shop, I Finally Understood Why People in China Always Say, “Let’s See If It Can Be Fixed First”
When something broke, my first instinct used to be simple: maybe it was time to replace it. That was especially true for the in-between kinds of things—small appliances, zippers, l
Chongyang Hiking: China's Most Beautiful Mountains
The Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang) on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month is also called the "Height-Ascending Festival." Traditional activities include climbing mountains, admir
One Slow Network Minute Taught Me the Value of Screenshots
He held his phone beside the ticket gate, and the small circle on the screen spun once, then again, stretching one minute into something much longer. The people behind him did not
On a Rainy Afternoon in Hangzhou, My Child Asked a Stranger to Play Together
The rain in Hangzhou was light but persistent, turning the stone paths by West Lake glossy and dark. Our boat ride and long walk had to be pushed back, so we ducked into a lakeside
Creative Souvenirs: Palace Museum to Local Museums
Chinese museum merchandise has evolved from "tourist souvenirs" to "cultural trend items," led by the Palace Museum with others following.
September Weekend Getaways Near the City
September — between summer vacation and Golden Week — is the perfect travel window. Fewer crowds, lower prices, and pleasant weather.
Dragon Boats Aren't Just Racing: 3 Years of an Outsider Learning Duanwu
My first impression of the Dragon Boat Festival was a zongzi. Specifically, a bamboo-leaf-wrapped triangular object my Guangzhou colleague handed me that I had absolutely no idea h
What Makes Xi’an and Luoyang Compelling Is Not Their Dynastic Vocabulary but the Way You Can Still Walk Up to the Past Today
When foreign creators write about China’s historic cities, two problems appear repeatedly. The first is that the content becomes too textbook-like, reducing the city to dynasties a
What Dali Taught Me First Was Not the View, but How to Steady My Steps Outside the Old Town
On my first day in Dali, I did not rush to judge it with words like “relaxed,” “romantic,” or “healing.” Those words too easily leap out of short videos and guesthouse copywriting,
Medical & Insurance Guide for China Travel
Major cities' top-tier hospitals have international/VIP departments with English-speaking staff — more expensive but no language barrier. Regular outpatient visits require registra
Between the Yellow River, Bridges, and Night Markets, I First Fit Lanzhou into My Phone Screen
On my second morning in Lanzhou, I placed my phone on the table by the hotel window as if checking an important tool before going out. Outside, the Yellow River had not yet been fu
The Most Valuable Lesson in Suzhou at Night Is Often Not One More Bridge but Knowing When to Stop at the Beautiful Moment
Many cities build their night routes by pushing toward a climax. Suzhou does not. The deeper the evening goes, the easier it becomes to fall into a quiet illusion: if the city is t
Payment Failed? A Visitor's Emergency Guide
The payment code spins for ten seconds. Red text appears: "Payment failed." Five people are waiting behind you.
China by High-Speed Rail: How to Link Your Entire Trip on the Bullet Train
Our editorial team did an experiment — 14 days, relying solely on high-speed rail (plus a bit of metro and bus), traveling from Beijing all the way to Kunming, no flights. The verd
How to Buy China's High-Speed Rail Tickets: A Complete Guide for Foreigners
I've taken China's high-speed rail at least fifty times — Beijing to Shanghai, Chengdu to Chongqing, Guangzhou to Shenzhen — each time less hassle than flying. But the first time I
Understanding Chinese History
China is one of the few civilizations in the world that has never been interrupted. From the Xia dynasty (~2100 BCE) through Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing
Foshan Lion Dance: The Martial World Behind a Lion
The day I went to Foshan's Ancestral Temple, I was originally there for the Wong Fei-hung Memorial Museum.
Best Seasons & Climate Guide for China Travel
September–October (autumn) is the universally best travel season: pleasant weather, high visibility, autumn foliage (Beijing Fragrant Hills, Zhangjiajie). April–May (spring) is sec
8-Day Northeast China Winter Tour
At minus thirty on Harbin's streets, your breath turns to white fog instantly, frost crystals form on your eyelashes — a winter southerners can never imagine.
E-CNY Is Here — How Does It Actually Work for Foreign Visitors?
You've probably heard the term "e-CNY" (digital yuan) floating around, but once you're actually in China, staring at your phone — WeChat Pay works, Alipay works, so what exactly is
Sichuan-Tibet Highway: Route Breakdown & Altitude Tips
The southern Sichuan-Tibet Route (G318) spans about 2,150 km from Chengdu to Lhasa, crossing 14 mountain passes above 4,000m. Allow 7-10 days, passing through Kangding, Litang, Man