Hitting the China travel trail doesn't have to be a struggle if you arm yourself with the right knowledge.
Top China travel tips —
Hitting the China travel trail doesn't have to be a struggle if you arm yourself with the right knowledge.
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Shanghai taxi drivers don't like small bills, such as 1 yuan or 5 jiao notes. Conversely, in northern and western China, expect market vendors to reject coins outright.
Follow proper currency protocol —
Shanghai taxi drivers don't like small bills, such as 1 yuan or 5 jiao notes. Conversely, in northern and western China, expect market vendors to reject coins outright.
STR/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
You want rice? You gotta say it aloud. Rice is rarely served during a meal in Chinese restaurants, being seen as a cheap way to fill up at the end if needed.
Ordering rice —
You want rice? You gotta say it aloud. Rice is rarely served during a meal in Chinese restaurants, being seen as a cheap way to fill up at the end if needed.
China Photos/Getty Images
More traditional Chinese scenes are hidden in alleyways. Those worn footpaths into lanes and hutongs are public spaces, which hold some of the most captivating views in China's big cities.
Trespass with confidence —
More traditional Chinese scenes are hidden in alleyways. Those worn footpaths into lanes and hutongs are public spaces, which hold some of the most captivating views in China's big cities.
FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Image
In order to get some local color, "take to the backstreets behind your hotel for an early breakfast of dumplings or noodles and watch the area wake up while you eat," suggests Australian business traveler Matthew Tobin.
Get a backstreet breakfast —
In order to get some local color, "take to the backstreets behind your hotel for an early breakfast of dumplings or noodles and watch the area wake up while you eat," suggests Australian business traveler Matthew Tobin.
TEH ENG KOON/AFP/Getty Images
Some boutique hotels provide interesting art experiences, like this wall comprising more than 6,000 drawers at Opposite House Hotel in the Sanlitun area of Beijing.
Find art in unusual places —
Some boutique hotels provide interesting art experiences, like this wall comprising more than 6,000 drawers at Opposite House Hotel in the Sanlitun area of Beijing.
Courtesy Opposite House
China grows some of the world's finest tea. If you can't <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2014%2F06%2F22%2Ftravel%2Fchina-tea-travel%2Findex.html%3Fhpt%3Dhp_c5">make it to the source</a>, Shanghai's Laoximen Tea Plaza houses a variety of specialty tea shops.
Tea education —
China grows some of the world's finest tea. If you can't make it to the source, Shanghai's Laoximen Tea Plaza houses a variety of specialty tea shops.
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