Chinese Travel Taboo Behavior Cheatsheet
| Category | Taboo Behavior | Reason/Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Taboos | Speaking loudly in public | Considered uncivilized behavior |
| Openly criticizing Chinese government or sensitive political topics | May cause unnecessary trouble | |
| Casually photographing military facilities or government buildings | May be viewed as espionage | |
| Social Etiquette | Pointing at others with your index finger | Considered impolite |
| Excessive physical contact (e.g., hugging or cheek kissing) | Chinese people usually maintain social distance | |
| Displaying excessive intimacy in public | May be seen as inappropriate | |
| Dining Taboos | Sticking chopsticks upright in rice | Associated with funeral rituals |
| Making loud noises while eating | Viewed as bad manners | |
| Pointing at others with chopsticks or waving them in the air | Considered impolite | |
| Religious Taboos | Touching Buddhist statues or other religious items without permission | Seen as disrespectful |
| Wearing revealing or inappropriate clothing in temples | Disrespectful to religious sites | |
| Speaking loudly or playing around in religious places | Disturbs others or disrespects the venue | |
| Gift-Giving Taboos | Giving clocks as gifts | “Giving a clock” sounds like “attending a funeral” in Chinese |
| Gifting sharp objects like knives | Symbolizes cutting off relationships | |
| Giving umbrellas as gifts | “Umbrella” sounds like “separation” in Chinese | |
| Number Taboos | Using the number 4 | Sounds like “death” in Chinese, considered unlucky |
| Using number combinations like 14 or 24 on important occasions | These number combinations are considered unlucky | |
| Transportation Etiquette | Occupying priority seats on public transportation | These seats are reserved for those in need |
| Talking loudly on the phone in subways or buses | Disturbs others, considered impolite | |
| Eating or smoking in the front passenger seat of taxis | Seen as disrespectful to the driver |
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