Food, pace and breathing room
Everything worth preparing and knowing for a trip to China: documents, internet and payments, along with practical advice for transport, food and day-to-day travel.
Food is a huge part of the experience in China, but it is also somewhere to move patiently. If you don't know the local cuisine, order a few dishes at a time, taste, then add more. It is much easier to find what suits you that way, instead of covering the table with dishes you won't finish.
On travel days, keep water and a small snack with you. Between trains, security, taxis and getting to the hotel there isn't always a convenient stop for food — and even when there is, it isn't always easy to work out what to order on the spot.
Don't fill every hour of the itinerary. A lot of the magic in China is in side streets, small markets, neighbourhood gardens and moments that appear on no list. Good planning leaves room for an unplanned stop, a quiet coffee, or an early return to the hotel when you need it.
In summary
- Save the names of dishes you liked so you can order them again.
- If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, prepare a clear wording in Chinese.
- Plan anchor points for the day, but leave air between them.