Yes, you can hug in China, but public hugging, especially between opposite sexes, is less common than in the West due to cultural norms emphasizing modesty and respect, though this is changing, especially among younger people in big cities, where hand-holding and arm-around-the-shoulder are more accepted, while passionate displays remain less so. Close friends or family might hug, but greetings often involve nods, handshakes, or a light touch rather than full embraces.
In China, however, although shaking hands is becoming more common, people do not hug and kiss during greetings, even amongst good friends. A common greeting is a warm "Hello" and a nod, but nothing more physical than shaking hands, even among women.
The "Three Ts" in China refer to the highly sensitive topics of Taiwan, Tibet, and Tiananmen Square, which are major taboos and subjects of strict censorship, with discussions often discouraged or forbidden due to their challenge to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) narrative and authority. Foreigners are often advised to avoid these topics to prevent discomfort, legal issues, or awkwardness with Chinese citizens.
China's "3-hour rule" for minors restricts children under 18 to playing online video games for only three hours per week, specifically from 8 PM to 9 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, to combat gaming addiction and improve health. Implemented by the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) in 2021, the rule mandates gaming companies use real-name verification and facial recognition to enforce limits, though some children bypass it using adult accounts.
Knowing what not to do when visiting China includes being mindful of affection in public. While holding hands is fine, kissing or hugging passionately in public is often viewed as inappropriate, especially in traditional or family settings. Keep affection private and respectful.
7 Rules of Etiquette When Eating & Traveling in China
Although wearing revealing clothing isn't illegal in China, a lot of guys will leer at you. And that just makes for an unpleasant trip. So, I suggest you avoid wearing low-cut shirts that show your cleavage or shorts so short they ride up you.
China's "0.1% rule" refers to its October 2025 export controls, requiring licenses for foreign products containing ≥0.1% by value of certain Chinese-origin rare earths or made with controlled Chinese rare earth tech, extending China's jurisdiction extraterritorially to high-tech supply chains like EV magnets and AI chips, impacting global industries by giving Beijing leverage over critical materials. This "de minimis" rule creates significant compliance burdens for foreign firms, potentially halting supply of advanced tech.
If you hold an ordinary Australian passport, you may be able to enter China without a visa for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, visiting family and friends or transit. Chinese authorities will assess your eligibility to enter China.
The pooled mean sleep duration of 21 studies with available data was 6.82 hours/day (95% CI: 6.59-7.05 hours/day). The estimated proportions of sleep duration <5 hours/day, <6 hours/day, <7 hours/day were 18.8% (95% CI: 1.7%-35.9%), 26.7% (95% CI: 19.7%-33.7%) and 42.3% (95% CI: 34.8%-49.8%), respectively.
In 2018, according to Business Insider, China ordered that the Winnie the Pooh theme be banned and replaced with a new one due to the character's use in censored internet memes.
A foreigner staying in China with tourist visa is not allowed to engage in activities unfitted to his position, such as employment, study, and illegal journalist interviewing. Foreigners staying in China must abide by Chinese law and respect Chinese habits and customs.
Standing with your hands on your hips or with arms crossed conveys arrogance or defensiveness in Chinese culture. Watch out for your feet. Pointing your feet towards someone, or touching someone with your feet, is considered impolite in Chinese culture. The feet are seen as the lowest and dirtiest part of the body.
Don't point at people. Especially when talking or gesturing, and definitely do not point your finger at someone. It's considered hostile and extremely rude. Don't talk business too soon.
No. China carries out the monogamous marriage system. The act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another are called bigamy in China, which is invalid and also constitutes a crime. Criminal Law of China: Article 258.
We nod hello, hold doors, and smile on the street. In China, these acts aren't expected—and smiling at strangers can even seem odd or suspicious in some regions.
Five US dollars (around 35 Chinese Yuan) isn't a lot in China for tourists but is a meaningful amount for daily necessities, buying several street food meals or bus rides, though it won't go far in big cities for luxuries, varying greatly by location and type of purchase.
Yes, it's generally considered safe for Australians to travel to China, but the Australian Government advises exercising a high degree of caution due to strict local laws, potential scams, and risks of arbitrary detention for even minor infractions, especially concerning national security, so staying informed via Smartraveller and being aware of petty crime is crucial.
All prescription medications should be carried in their originally labeled bottles, preferably with the reasons you are taking them. Medical insurance is crucial when traveling, particularly if you have medical considerations or health concerns.
Google has a difficult history in China. The company pulled its search engine out of China in 2010 because of government censorship and what the company said was a cyberattack from Chinese hackers trying to gain access to human rights activists' email accounts.
The 4-2-1 family structure refers to families in which three generations coexist in a variety of family forms. The structure emphasizes a social living community, including four older people (paternal and maternal grandparents), two parents, and one child, based on relationships of marriage, kinship, and adoption.
“996” working hour system referred to as “996”, is a work schedule which encourages or forces employees to extend their working hours or even work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. This is a common phenomenon among Chinese tech companies and startups.
The 3-3-3 clothing rule is a simple styling method for creating many outfits from few items: choose 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes, which allows for 27 potential combinations (3x3x3) and reduces decision fatigue, often used for travel or building a minimalist capsule wardrobe. It's a versatile concept, sometimes expanded to include 3 layers (like jackets or cardigans) for even more looks, making dressing easier by focusing on mix-and-match versatility with core pieces.
The dudou (literally 'belly cover') is a type of old-fashioned Chinese bra first worn in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and then in the Qing Dynasty. Unlike bras today, the dudou was worn to flatten the breasts as flat-chested women were thought to be graceful while busty women were considered a temptation.
"Normal people will not swim or sunbathe naked in a public place," Xinhua quoted Hainan's provincial party secretary, Luo Baoming, as saying. "This kind of behaviour is not consistent with China's cultural traditions," Luo said.