Sapore di Cina

Learn Chinese, Travel or Work in China

Traveling to Ningbo: The Port on the East China Sea

- Written by Marco Oliveri Leave a Comment

Traveling to Ningbo

Traveling to Ningbo – Index

  1. How to get to Ningbo
  2. Where to stay in Ningbo
  3. What to see and do in Ningbo
  4. Typical dishes

Located in Zhejiang Province, southeast of the famous city of Nanjing, an ancient imperial city where even today you can admire its beauty and historic past, as well as the main city of Jiangsu Province (more specifically the eastern coast), Ningbo is one of the oldest cities in China and owns its fame mostly due to its port, which is among the most important and well-known.

In fact, after the First Opium War (1839-42), with a stipulation in the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842, it was listed among the five ports open to international commercial traffic. We also know that Ningbo has a history going back more than 2,000 years thanks to its frequent commercial exchanges along the Silk Road, which especially intensified during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) Dynasties.

According to recent statistics, the city of Ningbo stands out as 16th place on the national classification of the best economic cities list of 2018, and at the same time, it’s considered one of the 30 cities that have the highest rate of innovation and creativity.

[Read more…]

Eternal Pig

- Written by Kandido Burenson Leave a Comment

Eternal pig

“…it all started when the pig began to eat itself.”

An economic metaphor of modern China.

I was traveling in the remote mountains of Yunnan. That time by horse with a motor of flesh, bone and also sweat. I was together with a local guide and a family of modern nodmads.

This was in the Spring of 2007. In Lijiang I met Pana and Haydeh who with their two children wanted to take a trip to get them ready to go to Mongolia on horseback that very summer. Having experience traveling in Mongolia with horses I’ve bought, I offered to accompany them. It seemed to me as a great idea considering all those friends who transform having kids in to an excuse not to travel anymore. Yes, you can travel with a family and without a lot of money.

Certainly with two young kids the trip wouldn’t be the quickest. The newborn, named Nugaj like a Mongolian prince, screamed out his warrior roots and there were frequent breaks to nurse him and placate his discomfort. The other kid – a four year-old – became impatient: his horse was under the watchful control of the guide who got nervous because he couldn’t go as quickly as he had planned: it wasn’t good business for him especially with people who didn’t even speak Mandarin.

He was only there to get paid for the job and wanted to finish as soon as possible. So before leaving, another farmer joined the group so that, as the guard explained to us, he would help bring back the horses: all at his own expense. [Read more…]

10 Ideas for Buying Souvenirs in China

- Written by Aldo Terminiello Leave a Comment

Souvenirs from China

Traveling the world not only allows you to get to know new places and people, but also objects you’ve never seen before. Anyone who’s been to China well knows that many things, even the most common ones, can be very different than what we’re used to. The same goes for a ton of objects that can’t be found anywhere but the Middle Kingdom.

With this article I hope to gather a few ideas about souvenirs you can buy in China. By reading it, you’ll have a few more choices the next time you need to bring some “little gifts” to your friends and family. If you have no intention of visiting China…you can think of something for someone who’s going to bring you, taking advantage of someone else’s trip!

What souvenirs to bring home from China? – Index

  1. The “Classics”
  2. Chopsticks
  3. Tea
  4. Foods
  5. Seeds
  6. Calligraphy Tools
  7. Pictures and Calligraphy
  8. Silk
  9. Technology
  10. Jianzi
  11. Final Advice

[Read more…]

How to Use Didi: The Best App to Book a Taxi in China

- Written by Rita Andreetti 9 Comments

How to use the DiDi app – Index

  1. How DiDi works
  2. What you need to install Didi (cell phone number, payment method, etc)
  3. How to install DiDi on your cell phone
  4. The type of rides that DiDi offers
  5. What is the difference between Taxi and Express
  6. How to reserve a car with DiDi
  7. Quick guide on how to take a trip in ten steps
  8. Frequently asked questions

If you don’t use DiDi you could have some problems in China. Sure you could always wave your hand at the side of the road and a taxi will still stop. But if it’s bad weather or rush hour, there’s no longer any hope of finding a taxi without this new app.

DiDi dache or DiDi chuxing (滴滴打车 or 滴滴出行) is the name of a cell phone app which makes it possible to contact both taxis and private cars with professional drivers.

In other words it’s like a local Uber. DiDi is not the only one on the market, but it’s certainly the most widespread and above all it has a convenient version in English.

There are two ways to use DiDi: [Read more…]

Travel to Yunnan – A Complete Guide to The South Western Province

- Written by Harley Greenberg 17 Comments

travel to yunnan

This article is a travel guide to Yunnan Province, in the South West of China. It was written by Harley Greenberg, who works with a local travel agency (WindhorseTour) in China.

Travel to Yunnan – Index

  1. Yunnan basic travel facts
  2. Possible itineraries
  3. The Stone Forest near Kunming
  4. Dali Ancient Town
  5. Lijiang Ancient Town
  6. Shangri-la
  7. Lugu Lake
  8. Yuanyang Rice Terraces
  9. Frequently asked questions

Yunnan Province is famous for its diverse scenery and for being home of a third of all China’s ethnic minorities. It has lots to offer any traveler!

Yunnan basic travel facts

A trip to Yunnan province realistically takes at least one week. However, if you want to cover all the highlights I encourage you to spend twelve days or longer. [Read more…]

Vacationing in China: The Complete Guide to Chinese Holidays

- Written by Manuel Recchia Leave a Comment

Guide for vacations in China

Vacations are the most eagerly awaited time of year for all, during which we can finally relax or change scenery even for just a few days. The first question we ask ourselves though is always the same: where should we go?

In recent years China has become a growingly popular tourist destination not just for solo travelers but also for families.

However when you decide to travel to China for vacation, you have to pay particular attention to the time period; by carefully choosing the dates you can attend very fascinating cultural celebrations or festivals from a historic point of view.

At the same time it’s possible to avoid the worst times to be a tourist in the country (if you choose wrong your vacation can turn into a real nightmare, with endless lines to buy tickets to tourist sites and hordes of people visiting the attractions along with you that won’t allow you to enjoy what you paid and waited in line for).

In this guide I’ll try to list the main Chinese holidays (there are, in fact, many other minor and strictly cultural ones that by now are almost completely lost, though no less interesting) and everything you need to know about them: anniversaries, legends, historical and cultural elements and some travel advice.

Guide to vacationing in China – Index

  1. Chinese New Year
  2. Festival of Lanterns
  3. Qingming Festival
  4. Dragon Boat Festival
  5. Chinese Valentine’s Day
  6. Mid-Autumn Festival
  7. National Holiday
  8. Festival of the Double Nines
  9. Winter Solstice Festival
  10. Labor Holiday

[Read more…]

Trying Out Different Types of Massages in China – The Guide

- Written by SDC 1 Comment

type of massage china

China is without a doubt a paradise for massage lovers, as you can find quality massages at very reasonable prices. However, this paradise can turn into a nightmare if you don’t choose the right place.

This essay, written by Ginés Olivares, is in my opinion a lively description of the types of situations you can find yourself in when trying to get a massage in China. Enjoy!

I have been a massage lover my whole life and have gotten them everywhere I have gone. I loved the massages I got in Hungary, in famous hot springs resorts across all of Europe, as well as in Central America and the pristine hotels in the hot springs region of Chile. Nobody can deny it: there exists a close relationship between hot springs and massage therapists.

After submitting your body to the so gratifying caress of hot springs, a massage from expert hands becomes a necessity, relaxing and removing tension and pain from the body. I need to be honest and I can’t forget the massages in Nordic countries, where the cold makes people turn to saunas and all of their additional features, but it seems like there doesn’t exist such a thing as a place that doesn’t offer a restorative pause for your body.

In Asia, Thai massage stands out, and for me was a unique experience, as at times I didn’t know if I was enjoying it or if they were massacring me, or the delicate massage of a geisha, a delight reserved for special occasions. However, in this story, I am going to recount my three experiences in China. [Read more…]

Traveling to Anhui: Province of the Yellow Mountain (Huang Shan)

- Written by Armando Turturici Leave a Comment

Traveling to Anhui

Traveling to Anhui – Index

  1. A little history
  2. Location and climate
  3. The prefecture city of Huang Shan
  4. Hongcun and around
  5. Tunxi and around
  6. Hefei
  7. Huang Shan
  8. Jiuhuashan

A little history

The province of Anhui 安徽 – abbreviated as Wǎn 皖 (a character used on car license plates for example) – located in eastern China halfway between the Yellow and Huai Rivers, is one of the three most prosperous provinces of the Chinese coast along with Jiangsu and Zhejiang, though it’s the poorest of the three.

The abbreviation Wǎn 皖 comes from the historic state in this province with the name, the State of Wan, actually; in fact, in Anhui there’s still the Wan River 皖江 and Mount Wan 皖山. [Read more…]

The 10 Most Popular Sports in China

- Written by SDC Leave a Comment

Most popular sports in China

We receive and publish this interesting article written by Lavrentiy Klimov

Most Popular Sports in China – Index

  1. Table tennis and badminton are top China’s national sports
  2. Basketball, soccer and running are among most influential sports in China
  3. Bright future of winter sports in China
  4. Some popular sports in China you probabaly never heard of
  5. Frequently asked questions

China has become not just an economic, but also a Sports superpower. According to Daxue Consulting, China is a huge sport market. Some Chinese athletes like Yao Min (姚明), Li Na (李娜) o Lin Dan (林丹) are popular around the globe and represent different sports brands. Also, sports in China receive great support from the government.

According to the Telegraph, China wants to complete a transition from a big country to a strong nation in sports. The purpose is to have one third of population (or 435 million people) to do physical exercises by 2020. Obviously, it is a very ambitious purpose. But have you ever thought what sports do Chinese people like? Let’s have a closer look at most popular sports in China!

Table tennis and badminton are top China’s national sports

Table tennis once considered as a “cheap” sport with no need for spacious facilities, has been declared by Chairman Mao as a Chinese national sport. It is also a national pride: 6 gold medals were won at London Olympics (2012) and a total sweep was completed by Chinese national team in Rio de Janeiro (2016). In China you can see tables for ping-pong in university campuses, local parks and yards. This sport does not require expensive equipment or to be very athletic. Come to China and give it a try to play with locals!

Another national sport is Badminton (国球, guoqiu). It is one of the most favorite sports in China. People are playing badminton in the streets both in the cities and in the villages. Many locals play it before work, during their lunch time or in the evening. Chinese dominance on the international level is unprecedented. One of the reasons is the Chinese unique training system, and a huge pool of talents, who are willing to sacrifice a lot to become champions. [Read more…]

How to Get a Mongolian Visa: The Complete Guide

- Written by SDC 8 Comments

mongolian visa

How to get a Mongolian Visa – Index

  1. Do I need a visa for Mongolia?
  2. How long does it take to get a Mongolian visa?
  3. How much does a Mongolian visa cost?
  4. Where can I get a Mongolian visa?
  5. Can I get a visa upon arriving in Mongolia?
  6. What are the basic requirements for getting a Mongolian visa?
  7. What other requirements may be necessary to get a Mongolian visa?
  8. What are the validity and duration of the visa?
  9. Can the visa be extended?
  10. Do transit visas exist?
  11. Frequently asked questions?

[Read more…]

The Writer Zhang Yueran: Her Life and Most Important Works

- Written by SDC Leave a Comment

The Writer Zhang Yueran

We’ve received and publish this article written by Olimpia Ciccotelli

Her life

Zhang Yueran 张悦然 is a contemporary author who in spite of her age (37 this year) can boast a literary career spanning over two decades. She was born in 1982 in Jinan 济南, capital of Shandong Province 山东.

Daughter of a college literary professor, she has a well stocked family library and her house is often frequented by writers, colleagues and her father’s friends. For this reason, since she was little she has been in contact with and absorbed national literature.

She started writing at the age of fourteen, publishing her first works in magazines like Shanghai wenxue 上海文学 (Shanghai Literature), Qingnian sixiangjia 青年思想家 (Young thinkers) and Renmin wenxue 人民文学 (Popular literature).

In 2001 she won first prize at the third edition of the young writers competition Xin Gainian (New Concept Writing) and, thanks to this visibility, her stories were gathered and published by the publishing house Zuojia Chubanshe.

Initially, the author considered writing just a pastime and decided to study computer science, thinking that it would give her a more well-paying career. At nineteen years old she got a government scholarship in Singapore and left China for a year. [Read more…]

How to Get a Visa for Hong Kong: The Ultimate Guide

- Written by SDC Leave a Comment

Hong Kong visa

How to Get a Visa for Hong Kong – Index

  1. Do I need a Hong Kong Visa?
  2. How long does it take to process a Hong Kong Visa?
  3. How much does a Hong Kong Visa cost?
  4. What are the different types of Hong Kong Visas?
  5. Where can I get a Hong Kong Visa?
  6. What are the documents required for a Hong Kong Visa?
  7. Frequently asked questions

Hong Kong is a melting pot of different cultures and has one of the most business friendly climates in the world. With skyscrapers standing tall, islands, low taxes and a well-functioning system, it’s not strange why many professionals and travelers go here.

Yet, before you embark on your journey to Hong Kong, it’s important that you know if and what type of visa you need. This article covers most of the information you need to know when applying for different visas in Hong Kong.

[Read more…]

The Hutong of Beijing: Ancient Places Tied to Chinese Tradition

- Written by SDC Leave a Comment

The best Hutong in Beijing

We’ve received and publish this article written by Alessandra Fratoni

If it’s your first time in Beijing and you’ve never heard of the Hutong, or are familiar with them but only from what you’ve heard, you need to take a pen and paper and write down which are the top 5 Hutong in Beijing that you can’t miss.

First of all we need to clarify what the Hutong are and where they came from.

The Hutong of Beijing – Index

  1. What are the Hutong?
  2. The history of the Hutong
  3. The Hutong today
  4. Top 5 Hutong not to miss
  5. How to visit the Hutong

[Read more…]

The 7 Classes of Chinese Tea and the 10 Most Famous Brands

- Written by SDC 7 Comments

Chinese tea

Click here to buy Chinese tea directly from China!

The 7 Classes of Chinese Tea – Index

  1. The different classes of Chinese tea
  2. The 10 most famous Chinese tea
  3. Where to buy Chinese tea
  4. Frequently asked questions

“Rather go without salt for three days than without tea for a single day,” Chinese Proverb.

I’m in love with Chinese tea. I drink it every day and every time I come back to Europe I bring some nice tea packages to my family and friends. Most important, I buy a ton of tea for myself.

My favorite Chinese tea is the Long Jing, the green tea produced close to the West Lake of Hangzhou. I also like flower tea and Pu’er, the fermented tea from Yunnan Province.

If you do a quick search on the internet you’ll find a lot of information about Chinese tea.

I decided to limit this first article about Chinese tea to two topics that I find interesting: the different classes of Chinese tea and the most famous tea brands of China (for each class of tea there are many different brands, for instance you have the Long Jing green tea from Hangzhou, the Bi Luo Chun green tea from Tai Hu and so on). [Read more…]

The 15 Most Livable Cities in China

- Written by Richard Kronick 15 Comments

most livable cities in china

The Most Livable Cities in China – Index

  1. Hangzhou
  2. Xiamen
  3. Kunming
  4. Qingdao
  5. Nanjing
  6. Shenzhen
  7. Zhuhai
  8. Beijing
  9. Tianjin
  10. Sanya
  11. Haikou
  12. Chengdu
  13. Suzhou
  14. Guilin
  15. Shanghai
  16. Enjoy the Chinese cities
  17. Frequently asked questions

China is an enormous country full of diverse cultures, cuisines, dialects and living conditions. Travelling from place to place in China you could feel as if you are travelling through a variety of different countries.

The lifestyle in the largest cities differs significantly from that in the countryside, the western and eastern parts of the country feel like completely separate worlds and customs in the north can be totally out of place in the south (and vice-versa). One could easily spend a lifetime exploring China and sampling its massive variety.

That being said, there are some parts of China that are typically more attractive for living in than others. While many people who come from abroad to live in China gravitate towards Beijing and Shanghai, there are many other wonderful cities in which to live in.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to select where you want to live in China (a common perk of being an English teacher) it can seem a little daunting to try to choose which city would be ideal for you.

Therefore, we have gathered a list of 15 cities, which are in no particular order (because tastes truly do vary), that seem to be generally considered the most enjoyable places to live in China.

We have taken into consideration many factors such as cultural and historical significance, economic conditions, cleanliness, cuisine, climate, fashion and shopping, how cosmopolitan a city is and proximity to other areas of interest.

We hope you enjoy our list of the 15 most livable cities in China! [Read more…]

Mount Kailash Tour – All You Need to Know Before planning a trip to Mount Kailash

- Written by Harley Greenberg Leave a Comment

Travel to Mount Kailash

This article was written by Harley Greenberg, manager at WindHorseTour.

In this article, I would like to share all you need to know before you plan your trip to Mount Kailash.

P.s. If you are just looking for a tour quotation, you can click here and head directly to the tour form. We will put you in touch with a tour agency based in China, which specializes in tours in Tibet.

Mount Kailash Tour – Index

  1. An introduction to Mount Kailash
  2. How to get to Mount Kailash
  3. The best time to visit Mount Kailash
  4. Suggested itineraries for a Mount Kailash Tour
  5. Cost of a Mount Kailash Tour
  6. Travel regulation, China Visa and Tibet Permit to Mount Kailash
  7. Packing list for your Kailash trek
  8. Accomodation at Mount Kailash
  9. Food on a travel to Mount Kailash
  10. Staying healthy and avoiding altitude sickness
  11. Frequently asked questions
  12. Get a free quotation for your tour to Mount Kailash!

[Read more…]

China’s Fake Markets: The Complete Guide for Foreigners

- Written by SDC 2 Comments

Fake markets in China

China’s Fake Markets – Index

  1. What are the Chinese fake markets?
  2. Rules to not get ripped off at the fake market
  3. Where to find the fake markets in Beijing?
  4. Where to find the fake markets in Shanghai?
  5. Frequently asked questions

What are the Chinese fake markets?

The first time that I went to China, right after leaving one of my friends told me:

“Don’t come back to Italy without checking out at least one of the fake markets in Beijing.”

Fake market? What did that mean?

I never heard of them, and didn’t know of the existence of this parallel world until one day, at the end of my lessons at the Beijing Language and Culture University, with one of my colleagues I headed toward one of the most famous fake markets in Beijing, the Silk Market (秀水街, Xiushui Jie, in Chinese), in the Chaoyang district.

It was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my first trip to China. After weeks of frustration in university, finally a little shopping and entertainment.

The Silk Street Market is an actual building of fakes, each floor with specific products, from shoes to clothing, to electronics and toys, to perfume to accessories for the home. A shopping mall from which it is impossible to leave without making at least one purchase among the thousands of articles offered. [Read more…]

The Love for Dogs in Hong Kong

- Written by Ginevra Niccolini Serragli Leave a Comment

Dogs in Hong Kong

How many times have you heard it asked “do they eat dogs in China”?

It’s absolutely true but take note of this important distinction: it’s not as widespread as believed in the West and the dog meat festival in Yulin, in Guangxi province, is at the center of controversy and contention.

Despite attempts to block it by various animal rights groups (and not just them!) even this year, in the early days of May, when the arrival of Spring is generally celebrated and life renews, in Chinese cities they are restaurants and consumers, giving life to a horrible slaughter, consuming between 10.000 and 15.000 specimens in the ten days of the festival; the poor creatures are perhaps glad to end up cooked rather than to stay in le povere bestiole sono forse perfino grate di finire cucinate invece che rimanere in macabre cages.

The organizers insist that there’s no difference between eating the meat of pigs, poultry and dogs, arguing in favor of health benefits. Chinese newspapers speak of the event in purely cultural terms, not at all giving poor Rex, Lilly, Argo or Luna special status and branding like an obsession the criticism of Western public opinion. [Read more…]

Driving in China: How can I get my license?

- Written by SDC 45 Comments

Driving in China

In this article you will find a summary of the information you need to be able to drive in mainland China.

Driving in China – Index

  1. Getting a temporary permit in mainland China
  2. Getting a Chinese driver’s license (if already have one)
  3. Getting a driver’s license for the first time
  4. Web pages and apps to study for the written exam
  5. Frequently asked questions

  • This article is based on the laws of the province of Beijing, and as usually is the case in China, the requirements may vary slightly depending on the city in which they apply.
  • Written exams can be done in English or Chinese. Nonetheless, in some small cities, you may be forced to do them in Chinese (sometimes they may authorize you to bring a translator). On the other hand, in some of the main cities of the country, you may even find exams in other languages (such as Spanish, French, German or Arabic).

[Read more…]

Sending Money to China: The Guide to Saving Money

- Written by SDC 5 Comments

Sending money to China

Do you have to send money to China, perhaps a travel agency, a Chinese school, or your supplier, but your bank asks for absurd commissions and tells you that it will take more than 5 working days?

Keep reading this guide to understand how to save time and money by using TransferWise!

Sending Money to China – Index

  1. What service should I use to save money on bank commissions?
  2. Will I also save time by using Transferwise?
  3. Limitations of using Transferwise (when sending money to China)
  4. Alternate options to Transferwise
  5. Frequently asked questions

What service should I use to save money on bank commissions?

At the moment we can’t help but recommend TranserWise, since we’ve been using it for years – with savings we never thought possible, – both for our own private international expenses as well as for our business.

In few words, Transferwise allows you to send money abroad (not just to China), using the official currency transfer rate and having you pay only a percentage (which is more than reasonable) of the amount sent. [Read more…]