Oliver Bennett's report on China - Best Avoided
Posted On
20.03.07
Politics China is changing fast, but there is not yet a culture of open debate. Conversations about human rights, Tibet, and the students of Tiananmen Square may embarrass locals. Tough, you might reasonably argue, but remember that etiquette and 'face' are important in China.
Shopping at Badaling Don't steam in and buy souvenirs from the aggressive vendors at Badaling and the Great Wall. It's best to wait till you go to a mall in Beijing - better choice, lower prices, more competition.
Protected species for supper The food is one of the great reasons to go to China, and it is a great source of delight and on occasion, disgust. So go ahead and be adventurous but remember that some dishes - including some kinds of Shark's Fin soup, for instance - may be made from protected species. You may also be distressed to find turtle on some menus.
‘Designer’ shopping Bear in mind that all those lovely Kate Spade handbags, North Face jackets and up-to-the-minute DVDs that you will encounter in Chinese markets are likely to be fake. The counterfeiting industry is massive in China.
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