There might be a chance for you to take a business trip to China if you have working relations over there. Probably you also want to get prepared beforehand to make your stay there smooth and rewarding. But still, there will be myths; and fun but true facts you will want to know.

According to our own experience of receiving westerners visiting us in China, we have gathered up some tips that will come in handy if you are going to take a journey and see about China by yourself.

1.Squat Toilet

A comment on Quora says that China has “the worst public toilet ever”. Well, Chinese might say that’s only half true. 

First thing you need to know is that most toilets here is squat style. Although there are western style toilet in most star-rated hotels or fancy restaurants here is China, but that won’t change how we are used to “doing our business”. No matter how well we know about using a western toilet, many of us can’t help but using it our own way: stepping on it and squat again…LOL…Why? Because we have a stereotype about it here: not clean to use a western style in public places. Only the thought of using it after so many people’s butt even with a toilet paper will totally scares us away; and some of us even scares that the water in it sprinkles on the butt. Nowadays, an increasing number of Chinese are using western toilet but mostly for home and private places. That’s where you can be sure of its good sanitation. 

So, here comes your tip for using a toilet here. Be careful when you use a western style especially in public places. You may find it either is clogged or have footsteps on. LOL…That will leaves you an option to just try squat style and get used to it. If there is no way you can do it, then find a clean western toilet of desired sanitation in a five-star hotel or any fancy places you find uncrowded. 

Another important thing to remember is to always bring toilet paper by yourself. In most cases, there won’t be any paper in public toilet. 

2.Strange Food.

It’s safe to say every Chinese is crazy about Chinese food. There is a great variety and even ourselves have not enough chance to try them all or have the guts to do so. 

Many of you may have heard that Chinese eat dogs, cats, snakes, insects, and even monkey...But that, is only a small part of our food culture many of us don’t take well as other foreigners do.

Speaking of Cantonese food, people will compliment how delicate it can be. But that’s only one side of the story because delicacy is only meant for dim sum type of ordinary food specialties. What about the unordinary food type: fried insects? Toasted mice? Snakes? If you are not local Cantonese, it will be too horrifying and shocking to hear it for the first time and you don’t even have the slightest guts to give it a go. 

Well, that is not the very first thing foreigners should know about Chinese food. No matter how many type of flavors and cuisines there can be, just remember three elements: no raw meat, rich seasoning and complicated 

cooking methods. 

Many food are served hot and warm and well done. Even in hot summer, we won’t say no to a hot and spicy hotpot over cold beers. It’s hard to find raw meet to eat in Chinese cuisine but you will love the way it’s done. You will be amazed by how raw materials are cooked to be such a palate cleaner.

For your first time here in China, those food are strongly recommended: Kungpao chicken(you will see the difference from the one you ate in your country), hotpot (it will be much more fun to eat it with company instead of eating alone), and traditional Sichuan food (mapo tofu; pork slices with fish flavored seasoning; tofu pudding with crispy tofu skin and so much more…)