China Guide Blog
523 articles Β· Page 29 of 33
Duke Huan of Qi and Guan Zhong: How a Reformer and His King Built the First Hegemony of the Spring and Autumn Period
From arrow to prime minister ι₯?how Qi Hngong and Guan Zhong forged the first hegemony of the Spring and Autumn Period through radical reforms, strategic
Duke Wen of Jin: How 19 Years of Exile Forged China's Second Great Hegemon
The epic story of Chong'er, who transformed 19 years of humiliating exile into the foundation of China's most enduring hegemony.
King Wu's Victory Over Shang: How the Zhou Dynasty Replaced Divine Right with the Mandate of Heaven
Discover how King Wu's victory over the Shang Dynasty in 1046 BC sparked China's first political awakening.
Best Places to Visit in China for First-Time Travelers (2026)
The best places to visit in China β from the must-see three (Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai) to nature tracks (Zhangjiajie, Jiuzhaigou, Guilin) and culture tracks
Chengdu and Giant Pandas: The Laziest City in China Will Ruin You for Everywhere Else
Why Chengdu moves at its own pace β giant panda conservation that actually works, the neuroscience of mala (Sichuan peppercorn), Sichuan hot pot, and day
Dragon Boat Festival 2026: 3-Day Holiday Expected to Boost Domestic Tourism
China's Dragon Boat Festival (June 19-21, 2026) will create a 3-day holiday. Domestic tourism is expected to reach 55 million trips, with hotspots including
Shopping in China: What to Buy, Where to Go, and How to Bargain Without Getting Played
Tea, silk, custom clothing, and electronics β what is genuinely worth buying in China, plus the psychology of bargaining, the 7 tiers of fake luxury, and
China Surprises: What First-Time Visitors Never Expect (2026)
5 things that surprise every Western visitor to China β the gap between Western media perception and Chinese reality, from beautiful landscapes to leapfrog
Baijiu: China's National Spirit and the Most Consumed Liquor on Earth
Baijiu is the most consumed spirit on Earth β yet almost unknown in the West. We explain what it is, the 4 aroma types, how to drink it at a Chinese
Chinese Mythology and Folklore: What Every Visitor Should Know
Pangu, Nuwa, Sun Wukong, Guanyin, Guan Yu β the essential Chinese myths and legends that unlock the cultural code behind every festival, temple, and idiom
Chinese vs Western Culture: A Deep Comparison (2026)
The real differences between Chinese and Western culture β relational vs atomistic self, guanxi vs networking, face vs reputation, high-context vs
The Digital Yuan and China's Payment Revolution: How to Pay in China as a Foreigner
China went cashless in 5 years. We explain how Alipay and WeChat Pay work for foreigners, what the digital yuan (e-CNY) actually is, and how to set up
The Duke of Zhou: How One Man's Vision Shaped 3,000 Years of Chinese Civilization
Discover how the Duke of Zhou transformed military conquest into civilizational legitimacy through the creation of rites and music ι₯?and why the historical
China Tourism Rebounds to 95% of 2019 Levels in Q1 2026
China's tourism industry continues strong recovery in Q1 2026, reaching 95% of pre-pandemic levels. Inbound arrivals hit 146 million in first four months.
The Hundred Schools of Thought: How China's Most Chaotic Era Produced Its Greatest Philosophy
Discover how the chaos of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods created the perfect conditions for China's greatest philosophical revolution
Lhasa and Tibet Travel Guide 2026: Potala Palace, Jokhang, Barkhor
The complete Lhasa travel guide β Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor pilgrimage circuit, Namtso Lake, permits, altitude sickness prevention, and what