Robert Thompson’s Complete China Guide: Tips for Travel, Chinese Etiquette

If you have friends or family who are about to visit China, these articles are crucial reading. Complete with translations and photos. Advice from someone who has lived in China for two years. Those travel books are dated!

Here you can find the most current, most relevant tips and advice all in one place with regards to Chinese customs, etiquette, and advice. Simply pick a topic below and comment if you feel like adding something I missed.

Introduction and Key Concepts (Read First)

Introduction and Key Concepts, Respect

Gifts

Gift giving in China, Gift ideas, Taboo Gifts in China

Dining

Introduction, background on dining, chopsticks…

At the Table

Very important table etiquette guide, paying the bill…

Smoking & Cigarettes

Chinese Smoking, Smoking Etiquette in China, Chinese smokers

Drinking Guide

Bottle water questions, tea etiquette, alcohol…

How To Bargain and Negotiate Prices in China

Being a tourist, shopping, dickering…

Nightlife in China

Bars, karaoke, smoking…

That’s just Gross!

Differing views, from Chinese and Western perspectives, on what is disgusting or dirty.

Doing Business, On a Business Trip in China

Business cards, planning, phones…

More articles in the next few days! (Last updated: September 28, 2007)