Ever booked a hotel in China, rolled in with your suitcase all excited, only to hear that dreaded line: “Sorry, we’re not qualified to accept foreigners”? Yeah… me too. Awful. It’s been repeated so often it might as well be part of the hotel’s welcome script when a foreigner walks in. And the reason they give? “According to the law…” Well,...

Just as important as saying hello is knowing how to say goodbye. In Chinese, the most common phrase is 再见 (Zàijiàn), which literally means “see you again.” 👋 Common Ways to Say Goodbye 再见 (Zàijiàn) — Goodbye / See you again 拜拜 (Bàibài) — Bye-bye (casual, borrowed from English) 回头见 (Huítóu jiàn)...

Chinese Learning – Class 3: Ordering Food and Drinks Food is a big part of life in China. In this class, let’s learn how to order food and drinks. 🍜 Key Phrases 我要… (wǒ yào…) – I want… 请给我菜单 (qǐng gěi wǒ càidān) – Please give me the menu 一杯水 (yì bēi shuǐ) – A glass of water 一碗米饭 (yì wǎn mǐfàn)...

Golden Week is one of the busiest travel times in China. Millions of people are on the move, which means it’s important to stay safe while enjoying the celebrations. Here are some quick tips to keep in mind. 1. Book in Advance Train and flight tickets sell out quickly. Always book through official apps like 12306 for trains and trusted airline platforms for flights. 2. Travel Smart...

Looking for a quick escape this Golden Week? If you want to avoid the big crowds but still enjoy the holiday, here are some of the best day trips you can take from major cities in China. Beijing ➝ Great Wall Hike the Mutianyu or Jinshanling sections of the Great Wall for stunning views and fewer tourists compared to Badaling. Shanghai ➝ Suzhou Known as the “Venice of the...