Culture · Taboos & scams
Most interactions with people in China are friendly and uncomplicated. But a small number of cultural missteps can cause genuine offense, and a handful of well-practiced scams target tourists every day. This guide covers both—so you arrive confident, stay respectful, and keep your money where it belongs.
Chopsticks pointing straight up in a bowl of rice resemble the incense sticks burned at funerals and for ancestors. It's one of the strongest dining taboos in Chinese culture. When not using chopsticks, rest them horizontally across the bowl rim or on the chopstick rest. Also avoid passing food chopstick-to-chopstick; it mimics another funeral rite (passing bones at a cremation).
"Giving a clock" (送钟, sòng zhōng) sounds identical to "seeing off the dead" in Mandarin—a very bad omen. Shoes can imply you want someone to "walk out of your life." Umbrellas (伞, sǎn) sound like "scatter" or "break up." Green hats (绿帽, lǜ mào) symbolize infidelity—never give a man a green hat. If you're bringing a gift, safe options include food, alcohol (in a nice gift box), or branded goods. Wrap in red or gold; avoid white or black wrapping.
White flowers—especially chrysanthemums—are associated with funerals and mourning. Avoid giving them in any context other than a funeral. Yellow flowers can carry a negative meaning in some regions. Red roses are romantic and fine for a partner. If in doubt, bring food or a practical gift instead of flowers.
The head is considered the most sacred part of the body in Chinese (and broader East Asian) culture. Patting a child's head as a gesture of affection—common in Western cultures—is unwelcome in China. Adults also dislike having their head touched without permission. Keep your hands to yourself when greeting or expressing warmth; a nod or smile is appropriate.
Presenting or receiving a business card, a gift, or even a small item with both hands shows respect. In formal or business settings, this matters a lot. In casual tourist interactions it's less critical, but using both hands when handing something to an older person or a host is always a good instinct.
"Face" (面子, miànzi) is central to social interaction. Criticizing someone publicly, getting visibly angry in a dispute, or pressing someone into an uncomfortable admission embarrasses them and damages the relationship. If something goes wrong—a service error, a misunderstanding—stay calm and address it quietly. A composed, private approach almost always gets a better result than a public confrontation.
Cover your shoulders and knees at active religious sites. Don't point at Buddha statues or religious figures. Don't climb on statues or touch sacred objects. Don't step on the center of a threshold (the wooden bar at the bottom of doorframes in old temples)—step over it. Don't burn incense unless invited or shown how; do it if you want to, following what others do. Photography may be restricted inside prayer halls—check signage.
Tibet, Taiwan, Tiananmen 1989, Xinjiang, and the leadership are sensitive topics. Raising them in conversation with strangers or in public is likely to create discomfort; it won't change anything and may cause problems for locals you're speaking with. If someone asks your opinion, a neutral "I don't know enough about it" is sufficient. Focus on culture, food, and travel—there's plenty to talk about.
How it works: Friendly locals—often young women, sometimes in pairs—approach you near a tourist attraction and invite you to a "traditional tea ceremony" or their "art class." The tea is real, the conversation is pleasant. At the end, a bill arrives for ¥500–3,000 or more. The exit is often blocked and pressure is applied.
What to do: Decline any unsolicited invitation from strangers in tourist areas, especially around Wangfujing (Beijing), the Bund (Shanghai), or near major temples. If you end up inside, pay only a reasonable amount for what you consumed, remain calm, and leave. Take a photo of anyone who tries to physically detain you and threaten to call police (110).
How it works: Someone approaches saying they're an art student and invites you to see their "graduation exhibition." You end up in a gallery where you're pressured to buy overpriced prints at 10–50× their real value. Guilt and social pressure keep people from leaving.
What to do: You don't have to buy anything. If you go in, admire the work, decline politely ("I don't have space in my luggage"), and leave.
How it works: A person in monk's robes offers you a blessed bead or bracelet. Once you accept it, they ask for a donation—becoming aggressive if you refuse or try to give it back. Real monks at legitimate temples do not solicit donations on the street.
What to do: Don't accept anything handed to you by strangers in tourist areas. If you've accepted a bead, hand it back firmly and walk away.
How it works: Cycle rickshaws or unlicensed car drivers offer a "cheap" ride. The price is not agreed in advance, or is shown on a rate card in a currency you mistake for RMB. At the end, a wildly inflated amount is demanded.
What to do: Always agree on the price before you get in (get it in writing or show on phone calculator). Use metered official taxis or Didi. At airports and train stations, ignore anyone soliciting rides in the arrivals hall—follow signs to the official taxi queue.
How it works: You inspect a product at a market stall; the seller quickly switches it for a damaged or counterfeit version before bagging it. You only notice later.
What to do: At street markets, watch the item being placed in the bag. Check what you've received before walking away. Buy branded goods at official stores, not street stalls.
How it works: At tourist-area restaurants, the table may have pre-placed items (peanuts, tea, towelettes) you didn't order. These appear on the bill at a charge. Some restaurants add a "service fee" or charge a "cover charge" not mentioned during ordering.
What to do: Check the menu prices for table items before eating them, or send them back. Ask to see the full itemized bill if something looks off. Look at reviews before choosing a restaurant—this is much more common in places that cater exclusively to tourists.
How it works: Less common than before, but change given in dark bars or taxis occasionally includes fake ¥50 or ¥100 notes.
What to do: Check larger notes under light—genuine RMB has watermark, color-shift ink, and security thread. Get cash from bank ATMs rather than money changers. Use mobile payment (Alipay/WeChat Pay) where possible to avoid cash entirely.
For travel safety tips specific to solo female travelers, see the solo female travel guide. This guide is for general awareness and does not replace local legal advice.