A cultural travel guide to the world

Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Understanding local customs is where a journey begins. Find the topics that matter to you and feel at ease wherever you go.

China

1 rules found

Essential restrictionsEveryday mannersPlace-specific guidance · 中国

China: carry your original passport

Do

  • Foreign visitors should carry their original passport

Don’t

  • Carrying only a copy or photo of your passport

Police make random ID checks and do not accept printouts; if you cannot show your passport, you may be fined or detained.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: China travel advice

Site-specific notes 239

Taken from the "don'ts" on each site page here. Open a site for its full etiquette and background.

Tianjin Mazu Cultural Festival

  • Making noise or pushing into queues during ceremonies
  • touching offerings or statues
  • pushing against the flow in crowded parts of Ancient Culture Street

Meizhou Mazu Birthday Ceremony

  • Bringing your own flammable incense or candles to the island
  • talking loudly inside the halls
  • taking photos where the temple marks photography as prohibited
  • cutting across the front of the procession

Dong Sama Festival

  • Making noise or walking around during the Sama ritual
  • touching the symbolic objects of the deity
  • entering the Ransafang without permission

Xijiang Miao New Year

  • Entering private homes or ritual sites without permission
  • making a commotion during rituals
  • touching other people's silver ornaments or offerings casually

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

  • Staying out in the cold for too long
  • touching ice sculptures with bare hands
  • running and playing roughly on the ice

Shoton Festival

  • Making noise or pushing at the unveiling
  • entering monks' areas without permission

Nadam Fair, Inner Mongolia

  • Touching the offerings
  • entering the competition grounds or horse tracks without permission
  • startling the horses
Show 227 more

Qinhuai Lantern Festival

  • Eating in the middle of walkways
  • stopping for photos on narrow bridges and banks and blocking the flow of people

Zigong Lantern Festival

  • Climbing over railings to touch the lanterns
  • lingering in front of installations and blocking the path

Duku Highway

  • Stopping on bends or where there is no parking area
  • making noise or fooling around in the cemetery
  • entering herders' yurts and pastures uninvited

Nalati Grassland

  • Touching your host's belongings casually
  • driving over or trampling the grass and wildflowers
  • littering

Shuidonggou

  • Digging at the site
  • picking up or taking away stones or fossils
  • entering areas that are not open

Helan Mountain Rock Art

  • Touching, tracing or scratching the carvings
  • shouting in the valley
  • littering
  • aiming a flash directly at the rock surfaces

Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio

  • Commenting casually on ethnic or religious topics
  • climbing or defacing the fort walls
  • climbing on or damaging film props

East Taijinar Lake

  • Entering production facilities
  • wading into the lake (the brine irritates the skin)
  • leaving rubbish
  • damaging the salt flats

Zhuo'er Mountain, Qilian

  • Climbing into closed areas
  • leaving the boardwalk to walk on the pasture
  • casually photographing people or religious activities

Hoh Xil

  • Entering the core of the reserve without permission
  • chasing, feeding or disturbing wild animals
  • picking up animal bones or remains
  • leaving rubbish on the plateau

Bingling Temple Grottoes

  • Flash photography inside the caves
  • touching statues or murals
  • making noise in front of the caves
  • carving on the cliffs or walkways
  • leaving the walkways

Baota Hill, Yan'an

  • Carving on the pagoda or the cliff inscriptions
  • climbing the old pagoda or memorial structures
  • crossing fences

Famen Temple

  • Pointing or talking loudly in front of Buddha statues
  • taking photos in halls where it is forbidden
  • photographing monks without asking
  • smoking in the pagoda courtyard or halls
  • touching relics or offerings

Qianling Mausoleum

  • Climbing on or carving the stone sculptures
  • climbing over fences into closed areas
  • talking loudly inside the tomb chambers

Nyingchi

  • Breaking off blossoming branches
  • trampling barley fields
  • leaving the designated routes

Norbulingka

  • Touching murals or exhibits
  • talking loudly inside the halls
  • walking anticlockwise around shrines

Puzhehei

  • Entering homes uninvited
  • taking close-up photos of villagers without asking
  • picking lotus flowers or leaves

Dongchuan Red Land

  • Trampling crops
  • walking into fields for photos without permission
  • flying drones against local rules

Shaxi Ancient Town

  • Crowding around stalls at the market
  • bargaining and then walking away without buying
  • scratching or carving on old buildings and flagstones

Zhijin Cave

  • Touching stalactites or crystals
  • aiming camera flashes at the fragile stone flowers
  • shouting inside the cave

Zhaoxing Dong Village

  • Entering villagers' homes without permission
  • touching the woodwork or drums of the drum towers casually
  • making loud noise in the village

Qingyan Ancient Town

  • Carving on the walls of old buildings
  • lingering at residents' doors
  • making noise in religious sites

Langzhong Ancient City

  • Carving on the woodwork or stone carvings of old buildings
  • lingering to stare at residents' courtyard gates
  • blocking the lanes while taking photos

Seda

  • Watching monks and nuns going about their daily lives
  • flying drones
  • entering areas marked as closed
  • watching or photographing sky burials
  • commenting casually on religious topics

Hailuogou

  • Stepping onto restricted ice areas
  • photographing casually in Tibetan villages and temples
  • picking alpine plants

Liziba Station

  • Jumping the queue or blocking the passage
  • climbing over railings
  • shining flash straight into the carriages
  • trusting roadside sellers offering so-called paid photo spots

Mount Jinfo

  • Using flash in front of Buddha statues
  • climbing outside the boardwalk railings
  • picking wild flowers, fruit or plants

Baidi City

  • Climbing on statues or inscriptions for photos
  • leaning out beyond the riverside railings for photos
  • touching offerings casually

Boao

  • Swimming outside designated areas
  • making loud noise at the forum site
  • making a scene around fishermen in the port and market
  • entering conference areas that are closed to visitors

Wuzhi Mountain and Li Villages

  • Smoking or using fire in the rainforest
  • climbing peaks that are closed
  • picking rainforest plants
  • jeering at villagers or brocade weavers
  • entering villagers' homes uninvited

Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone

  • Making loud noise or smoking in the halls
  • climbing on Buddha statues or garden features
  • photographing or making a scene around monks and worshippers
  • giving loud guided commentary inside the temple

Beihai Old Street

  • Smoking under the arcades
  • climbing the old buildings
  • making a scene in front of shopkeepers and residents
  • entering private homes that are not open to visitors

Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge

  • Smoking or using fire on the wooden bridge
  • climbing the pavilions or railings
  • jeering at villagers or performers
  • entering villagers' homes uninvited

Nanhua Temple

  • Making loud noise or smoking in the halls
  • climbing the pagoda or the old trees
  • photographing or making a scene around monks and worshippers
  • giving loud guided commentary inside the halls

Nan'ao Island

  • Swimming outside designated areas
  • venturing onto the rocks to forage at low tide
  • making a scene around fishermen and drying nets in harbours and villages
  • entering aquaculture areas

Shaoshan

  • Do not talk loudly indoors
  • do not touch exhibits or furnishings
  • do not take photos where photography is prohibited

Mount Langshan

  • Do not push or crowd in the rock alleys
  • do not climb the rock faces
  • do not throw anything into the river

Mount Heng

  • Do not touch statues or offering vessels
  • do not carry burning incense into the halls
  • do not run or play on steep stone steps

Enshi Grand Canyon

  • Do not crowd or play around on cliffside paths
  • do not climb over railings for photos
  • do not smoke or light fires

Three Gorges Dam

  • Do not cross boundaries to take photos or enter closed areas
  • do not linger near the locks or power station facilities
  • do not throw anything into the river

Mount Laojun

  • Do not touch statues of deities or offering vessels
  • do not run or play near cliff edges
  • do not smoke outside designated areas

Yuntai Mountain

  • Do not push or crowd
  • do not climb over railings for photos
  • do not feed the macaques
  • do not smoke or light fires

White Horse Temple

  • Do not talk loudly in the halls
  • do not carry burning incense into the halls
  • do not touch statues or offering vessels

Taierzhuang Ancient City

  • Making noise or horsing around at the memorial area
  • touching the bullet-hole walls or other relics
  • leaning out of the boat
  • carving or scribbling in the ancient city

Penglai Pavilion

  • Making noise inside the halls
  • touching statues or stone inscriptions casually
  • climbing over guardrails
  • falling for sales pitches that trade on the "fairyland" name

Mount Lao

  • Making noise inside the halls
  • touching statues or offerings casually
  • leaving the trails
  • picking plants or carving on rocks

Jinggang Mountains

  • Do not touch exhibits
  • do not carve on monuments or the walls of historic sites
  • do not take photos where photography is prohibited

Tengwang Pavilion

  • Do not carve on plaques, steles or woodwork
  • do not use flash directly on exhibits
  • do not talk loudly

Mount Longhu

  • Do not touch statues or offerings
  • do not photograph rituals without permission
  • do not stand up on rafts
  • do not carve on cliffs or inscriptions

Mount Taimu

  • Do not touch Buddha statues or offerings
  • do not shout or litter in the caves
  • do not carve on inscriptions or rock walls

Pingtan Island

  • Do not climb closed sea cliffs or rocks
  • do not enter private homes uninvited
  • do not carve on stone-house walls
  • do not go swimming where it is not allowed

Yongding Tulou

  • Do not walk into residents' private rooms
  • do not carve on the earthen walls
  • do not make noise in front of the ancestral hall

Mount Qiyun

  • Do not touch statues or offerings
  • do not photograph statues inside halls without permission
  • do not carve on inscriptions or cliff faces

Tunxi Old Street

  • Do not bargain and then walk away without buying
  • do not block shop doorways while taking photos
  • do not carve on the walls of historic buildings

Mount Tianzhu

  • Do not touch Buddha statues or offerings
  • do not climb closed rock faces
  • do not carve on inscriptions or rock walls
  • do not smoke or light fires on the mountain

Xixi Wetland

  • Do not feed birds or fish
  • do not pick plants
  • do not leave the boardwalks

Mount Mogan

  • Do not enter villa areas that are not open to visitors
  • do not leave the trails

Nanxun Ancient Town

  • Do not enter private homes without permission
  • do not climb over the guardrails

Tianyi Pavilion

  • Do not use flash photography
  • do not touch the old books or the woodwork

Yuantouzhu

  • Do not break cherry branches
  • do not trample the lawns
  • do not throw anything into the lake

Nanjing Museum

  • Do not touch the exhibits
  • do not use flash photography
  • do not eat or drink while visiting

Dazhao Temple (Hohhot)

  • Making noise inside the halls
  • taking photos where photography is prohibited
  • stepping on thresholds
  • touching Buddha statues or prayer flags

Ejina Poplar Forest

  • Breaking branches or carving on trees
  • leaving the boardwalks and paths to go deep into the forest
  • lighting fires in the open inside the reserve

Arxan

  • Trampling or carving the fragile moss on the volcanic rocks
  • lighting fires in the forest

Xiangshawan

  • Stepping on the threshold when entering a yurt
  • taking photos without permission during a ritual

Mausoleum of Genghis Khan

  • Making noise inside the mausoleum palace
  • touching the ritual vessels
  • taking photos where photography is prohibited

Sun Island

  • Chasing the squirrels or feeding them non-designated food
  • climbing the snow sculptures
  • leaving the paths into the wetland ecological zones

Zhalong Nature Reserve

  • Feeding or disturbing the birds
  • photographing flocks with a flash
  • leaving the boardwalks for the deep reeds
  • making noise inside the reserve

Jingpo Lake

  • Throwing anything into the lake
  • leaving the paths in the crater forest
  • entering the water to imitate the divers at the diving show area

Wudalianchi

  • Climbing, sitting or lying on, or knocking volcanic rocks
  • drinking excessive amounts of spring water
  • collecting rock specimens inside the geopark

Chagan Lake Winter Fishing

  • Entering the ceremonial area
  • making noise during the ceremony
  • approaching ice that is not open to visitors
  • cutting ice or setting nets yourself in the fishing area

Wusong Island (Rime Island)

  • Trampling crops
  • entering villagers' courtyards uninvited
  • making noise that disturbs villagers
  • shaking branches to knock the rime off

Hukou Waterfall

  • Do not climb over guardrails or step into restricted areas to take photos near the water
  • do not throw objects into the river
  • do not push on the viewing platforms or occupy the best photo spots for long
  • do not shout and disturb others

Qiao and Wang Family Compounds

  • Do not touch or scratch the brick and wood carvings or the furniture on display
  • do not enter courtyards that are not open
  • do not shout or run inside the compounds
  • do not smoke or eat inside the old houses

Jinci Temple

  • Do not touch the painted statues, ancient trees or steles
  • do not throw coins or rubbish into the spring
  • do not shout or smoke inside the halls
  • do not pick flowers or break branches

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

  • Do not touch or knock the timber components or statues
  • do not use flash on the statues and murals inside
  • do not shout, run or jump inside the pagoda
  • do not enter storeys that are not open

Beidaihe

  • Swimming in sea areas not open for bathing
  • climbing over fences into the inner courtyards of the protected villa zone
  • littering or setting off fireworks on the beach
  • disturbing resting flocks of birds

Zhaozhou Bridge

  • Climbing the balustrades or carving the stonework
  • throwing objects into the river
  • cycling or chasing about on the bridge deck

Zhengding Ancient Town and Longxing Temple

  • Climbing, carving or touching the relics and statues themselves
  • using flash or tripods inside the halls
  • shouting, playing or chasing about in the temple
  • entering the halls wearing a hat or smoking

Mount Pan

  • Touching Buddha statues or ritual objects inside temple halls
  • carving or scribbling on cliff inscriptions and historic remains
  • smoking on the trails or using open flames in the forest
  • leaving the trails to climb wild slopes

Tianjin Eye

  • Rocking the cabin while it is moving
  • leaning out of the windows
  • carrying dangerous items onto the wheel
  • smoking in the cabin
  • shouting and disturbing others' views
  • letting children run around in the cabin

Ancient Culture Street

  • Touching the statues or offerings inside Tianhou Temple
  • using flash photography inside the halls
  • shouting inside the halls
  • smoking in the incense areas
  • handling craftspeople's works or tools without asking

Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site

  • Knocking on or digging at the caves and excavation areas
  • carrying away any stones or soil samples
  • stepping into fenced excavation areas
  • using flash photography inside the caves
  • smoking or eating inside the caves

Yonghe Temple

  • Touching the Buddha statues, ritual instruments or thangkas in the halls
  • taking photographs or videos inside the halls
  • treading on thresholds
  • smoking or talking loudly in the incense areas
  • crowding around chanting monks to take photographs

Old Summer Palace

  • Climbing, carving or scribbling on the ruins' stone carvings or surviving structures
  • climbing over fences into unopened ruins areas
  • shouting or chasing about in the park
  • walking on the lake when it is frozen

Sayram Lake

  • Do not throw anything into the lake
  • do not enter herders' fences or yurts without permission

Turpan

  • Do not carve on or climb the ancient city ruins and caves
  • do not use flash in front of murals

Kanas Lake

  • Do not enter homes or fences without permission
  • do not leave the boardwalks for the core area of the reserve
  • do not light fires outdoors during the autumn fire-prevention season

Heavenly Lake of Tianshan

  • Do not throw anything into the lake
  • do not enter herders' fences or yurts without permission
  • do not leave the trails to climb

Labrang Monastery

  • Do not take photos inside the halls without permission
  • do not touch Buddha statues or ritual objects
  • do not crowd around debating monks to photograph them at close range

Maijishan Grottoes

  • Do not take photos or use flash inside the caves without permission
  • do not touch the statues or murals
  • do not push or crowd on the walkways

Zhangye Danxia

  • Do not climb over guardrails
  • do not climb or step on the Danxia rock
  • do not carve on the rock

Jiayuguan Pass

  • Do not carve on or climb the ancient walls and ruins
  • do not climb unrestored, closed sections of the Great Wall without permission

Mount Hua

  • Do not push or crowd on the perilous paths
  • do not climb over guardrails

Tashilhunpo Monastery

  • Do not take photos in chapels where photography is forbidden
  • do not touch Buddha statues or ritual implements
  • do not crowd around monks to photograph them at close range while they chant or debate

Yamdrok Lake

  • Do not make noise or fool around on the shore of the sacred lake
  • do not throw anything into the lake
  • do not enter herders' fences or tents uninvited

Namtso

  • Do not photograph pilgrims circling the lake or practitioners at close range
  • do not throw anything into the lake
  • do not land on the islands without permission

Meili Snow Mountains

  • Do not speak or behave disrespectfully towards the sacred mountain
  • do not disturb pilgrim groups
  • do not make noise near prayer flags and mani stone piles
  • do not climb peaks where climbing is banned

Tiger Leaping Gorge

  • Do not photograph local residents or religious sites casually
  • do not startle livestock on the trail
  • do not wash at village water sources

Stone Forest (Shilin)

  • Do not carve on inscribed stones or pillars
  • do not climb pillars that are closed to visitors
  • do not photograph local residents casually

Zhenyuan Ancient Town

  • Do not photograph local residents or religious ceremonies casually
  • do not smoke, carve or climb inside historic buildings

Daocheng Yading

  • Do not touch religious objects casually
  • do not photograph pilgrims or religious ceremonies at close range

Huanglong

  • Do not step into the pools
  • do not throw litter around the pools
  • do not chase wild animals
  • do not pick alpine plants

Huangyao Ancient Town

  • Talking loudly in temples and ancestral halls
  • entering the inner courtyards of old houses without permission

Shamian Island

  • Wandering into private homes or office courtyards
  • taking close-ups of residents' windows

Yueyang Tower

  • Talking loudly inside the historic building
  • touching the carved screen or couplets
  • climbing over to the outside of the railings
  • pointing a flash directly at the timberwork or exhibits

Fenghuang Ancient Town

  • Walking into homes or workshops uninvited
  • casually touching ritual objects
  • making noise in residential areas at night

Yinxu

  • Making noise or horsing around
  • touching exposed remains and exhibits
  • using flash
  • making sensational jokes about the human-sacrifice remains

Shaolin Monastery and Mount Song

  • Shouting inside the monastery
  • casually photographing Buddha statues and monks
  • entering the performance area
  • climbing peak sections that are not open

Sanfang Qixiang

  • Do not touch exhibits or the old timber structures
  • do not disturb residents' daily life

Mount Jiuhua

  • Do not make noise in the halls
  • do not casually touch Buddha statues or ritual objects
  • do not light incense or candles outside designated places

Xidi

  • Do not enter private homes that are not open
  • do not touch carved components
  • do not throw rubbish into the streams
  • do not smoke indoors

Zhouzhuang and Tongli

  • Entering private homes that are not open to visitors
  • standing on bridges for long and blocking the way
  • touching old architectural carvings
  • throwing rubbish into the canals

Slender West Lake

  • Breaking off willow branches or picking flowers
  • throwing things into the lake
  • leaning out of the boat to play in the water

Lujiazui

  • Entering non-public areas of office towers
  • stopping on the cycle lane to take photos
  • flying drones against the rules

City God Temple of Shanghai

  • Touching statues or offerings without permission
  • crowding round or making noise during rituals
  • commenting on other people's prayers

Hanging Temple

  • Crowding or pushing on the walkways
  • leaning on the railings or out over the edge
  • making noise inside the halls
  • forcing yourself to the top

Mount Wutai

  • Pointing at Buddha images or monks
  • breaking a temple's rules on photos and video
  • entering monks' living quarters

Yungang Grottoes

  • Touching, scratching or knocking the statues and cliff walls
  • using flash or tripods without permission
  • climbing over railings

Eastern and Western Qing Tombs

  • Shouting or loud talk
  • touching or climbing stone figures and historic building parts
  • carving on relics
  • using flash in the burial chambers
  • entering closed areas

Jinshanling Great Wall

  • Leaving the open trails
  • climbing damaged walls or watchtowers
  • carving on the bricks
  • touching or making rubbings of inscribed bricks

Ming Tombs

  • Talking loudly
  • touching or climbing the stone figures and historic building parts
  • carving on cultural relics
  • using flash indoors

Badaling Great Wall

  • Climbing closed or damaged stretches of wall
  • carving or writing on the bricks and watchtowers
  • climbing over guardrails

Coloane

  • Do not make noise or disturb Mass or worship
  • do not touch statues of deities or enter inner halls without permission
  • do not litter on the beaches or swim outside designated swimming areas
  • do not photograph into private homes' windows or courtyards

Guia Fortress

  • Do not enter the lighthouse without permission (it is an active navigational aid and generally closed inside)
  • do not climb the fortress walls or the guns
  • do not touch the murals or use flash photography

Wunü Mountain City

  • Do not climb on damaged sections of wall
  • do not carve on or touch the site's structures
  • do not bring fire sources up the mountain

Red Beach, Panjin

  • Do not enter the core zone of the reserve
  • do not pick the seepweed
  • do not disturb the birds
  • do not walk on the tidal flats or trample the vegetation

Binhai Road, Dalian

  • Do not climb over the seaside railings
  • do not litter
  • do not block the road when taking photos

Zhaoling and Fuling Tombs

  • Do not climb on or touch the stone figures and historic buildings
  • do not carve or scratch anything
  • the underground palace is closed, so do not go looking for it or spread rumours about it
  • do not break pine branches or carve into the trees

Historic Centre of Macao

  • Do not disturb Mass or rites in progress
  • do not take offerings
  • do not carve or scribble on the walls of historic buildings

The Peak

  • Do not occupy the photo spots by the railings for long

Victoria Harbour

  • Do not make loud noise
  • do not litter
  • do not swim in the harbour without Marine Department approval — offenders may be fined (the amount is as officially published)

Shapotou

  • Do not leave the designated activity areas on your own
  • do not trample the straw-checkerboard sand barriers
  • do not damage sand-control facilities

Caka Salt Lake

  • The lake is still worked for salt, so do not enter salt-harvesting areas
  • do not climb on salt sculptures or facilities
  • do not step on or carve ovoos and prayer flags
  • do not litter in the lake
  • do not take away large amounts of salt or salt crystals (whether any may be taken follows scenic-area rules)

Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Monastery)

  • Do not touch murals, butter sculptures, scriptures, ritual objects or other exhibits
  • do not talk loudly, eat or drink inside the halls
  • do not climb on, step on or carve Buddha statues, prayer flags, mani stones or other religious objects

Qinghai Lake

  • Do not step on prayer flags or mani stones
  • do not throw things into the lake
  • do not disturb birds or pick up eggs
  • do not damage lakeside grassland or wetlands
  • do not enter closed protected areas or pastureland

Qilou Old Street in Haikou

  • This is a residential area, so do not enter private homes or courtyards that are not open
  • do not block the arcades with long photo sessions
  • do not climb on or carve old facades and decorations
  • do not be noisy or hog seats in laoba teahouses

Sanya Bay: Yalong Bay and Wuzhizhou Island

  • Do not touch, stand on or collect coral or marine life
  • do not throw rubbish into the sea
  • do not leave your group alone when diving
  • the eastern part of Yalong Bay has military facilities, so do not enter or photograph restricted zones (as signposted)
  • do not push or crowd on piers and boats
  • do not wander into residential areas or private hotel beaches

Shennongjia

  • Do not pick plants
  • do not feed or disturb wild animals
  • do not bring fire into the mountains
  • do not litter
  • do not chase or surround animals or photograph them close up with flash
  • do not intrude into villagers' homes or places of worship

Yellow Crane Tower

  • Do not make loud noise
  • do not lean on railings
  • do not touch exhibits or murals
  • do not use flash on exhibits (as signposted on site)

Wudang Mountains

  • The temples are active religious sites, so do not make loud noise
  • do not touch or carve relics and statues
  • do not enter halls that are not open

Baotu Spring and Daming Lake in Jinan

  • Do not throw anything into the spring pools or the lake
  • do not step on spring vents or railings
  • do not enter the water
  • do not climb on or carve ancient trees and buildings

Badaguan and Zhanqiao Pier in Qingdao

  • Many villas are sanatoriums, offices or private homes, so do not enter courtyards that are not open
  • do not linger noisily outside residents' doors
  • do not swim in the sea where it is not permitted, and do not play in the water in no-swimming zones
  • do not block traffic when taking photos

Mount Tai

  • Do not make loud noise
  • do not climb on or carve steles and historic buildings
  • do not enter areas that are not open to visitors
  • the mountain is windy and steep, so do not chase or play around on steep sections

Wuyuan

  • Do not enter homes uninvited or linger noisily outside villagers' doors
  • do not crowd around villagers for photos or force them into the background of your shots
  • do not trample flower fields or terrace crops

Jingdezhen

  • Do not casually touch unfired pieces, works in progress or exhibits
  • do not interrupt artisans during demonstrations or push in for close-up photos
  • do not be taken in by claims of "antiques" or "genuine imperial-kiln pieces"

Mount Sanqingshan

  • Do not talk loudly in temples or casually touch statues of deities and offering vessels
  • do not run on boardwalks or cliffside walkways, or lean out over the railings for photos
  • do not pick plants or carve rocks and trees

Mount Lu

  • Do not make noise
  • do not casually touch relics or stone inscriptions
  • do not disturb religious ceremonies in progress
  • do not climb over guardrails on mountain boardwalks or beside waterfalls

Koguryo Royal Cities and Tombs of Ji'an

  • Do not climb tombs or city walls
  • do not carve graffiti or take stones away
  • do not fly drones near the border without permission
  • do not photograph border facilities or cross the border

Heaven Lake of Changbai Mountain

  • Do not climb over guardrails, go down to the lake or throw anything into it
  • do not photograph border facilities or cross the border
  • do not pick plants or disturb wildlife
  • do not run or horse around at high altitude

Shenyang Imperial Palace

  • Do not touch relics or painted decoration
  • do not climb platforms, railings or old trees
  • do not lecture loudly or make noise inside the halls
  • do not mock ethnic cultural displays or pose for inappropriate photos

Xanadu Ruins

  • Do not climb the earthen walls or dig
  • do not take away earth, stones or fragments of artefacts
  • do not carve or scribble anywhere on the site
  • do not make noise at or walk into a ritual area uninvited

Hulunbuir Grassland

  • Do not enter private pastures or yurts without permission
  • do not startle or chase livestock, or feed animals casually
  • do not light fires in fire-ban areas of the grassland
  • do not litter

Italian Style Town

  • Do not push or make loud noise when the square and pedestrian streets are crowded
  • do not deface or put up notices on the outer walls of historic buildings

Five Great Avenues Historic District

  • Do not enter private homes and courtyards that are not open
  • do not linger noisily outside residents' doors or block the way while taking photos
  • do not deface buildings or climb walls

Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring

  • Don't suddenly stand up, scream or reach out and pull at the reins while the camel is moving
  • don't cross the fences into the Crescent Spring's water or the protected straw-checkerboard areas
  • don't fly drones without permission or film during no-fly periods

Shaanxi History Museum

  • No use of flash, tripods or selfie sticks to photograph fragile relics
  • no eating, drinking or loud phone calls in the galleries
  • photography of any form is strictly forbidden inside the Mural Treasures Gallery — strictly observe the on-site notices

Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

  • No throwing rubbish into the river and no smoking in the deck's non-smoking areas
  • don't leave the group on your own during port stops to enter unopened tidal flats of the drawdown zone
  • cultural sites such as the cliff coffins and the tracker-path remains must not be climbed or touched

Great Wall at Mutianyu

  • No carving or digging on the bricks and stones, or taking wall bricks away
  • no climbing unopened wild sections of the Wall or broken wall gaps
  • no camping, fires or drone flying on the wall (without permission)

Yu Garden

  • No climbing the Taihu stone rockeries or crossing the garden's railings
  • no smoking, littering or loud noise in the garden
  • don't linger long on the Nine-Bend Bridge posing for photos and blocking the passage

Shanghai Museum

  • No flash photography of light-sensitive objects such as calligraphy, painting and textiles
  • no touching display-case glass and no eating or drinking in the galleries
  • at crowded special exhibitions, don't linger long for selfies in front of the display cases

Sanxingdui Museum

  • Don't spread claims about aliens and the like inside the museum as if they were historical fact, misleading others
  • don't touch the display cases or run and make noise in the galleries
  • don't use unlicensed livestreaming equipment for commercial filming

Cantonese dim sum

  • Don't grab the last piece of dim sum without asking others first
  • don't point the teapot spout at anyone

Butter tea

  • Don't drain your bowl, let your host refill it again and again, and then refuse
  • don't pass or take a bowl with your left hand
  • don't spill tea on the floor

Nanjing salted duck

  • Don't waste food
  • when buying a whole duck, ask the shop to cut it for you rather than rummaging through them

Dongpo pork

  • Don't stick your chopsticks upright in rice
  • don't turn dishes over on the table to pick through them

Yangrou paomo

  • Don't eat or bring pork products into a halal restaurant
  • don't rush the tearing — it's part of the pleasure

Peking duck

  • Don't waste lots of leftovers
  • don't tap your bowl with chopsticks or stick them upright in rice

Arctic Village, Mohe

  • Arctic Village is on the China–Russia border: don't photograph border facilities or cross border markers
  • in winter don't walk carelessly on the ice

The Li River, Guilin

  • Don't throw rubbish into the river
  • at fishing-light shows, don't fire strong flashes at the fishermen and cormorants.

Jiuzhaigou

  • The lakes are the core of the reserve: swimming, paddling and throwing anything in are strictly forbidden
  • don't feed wildlife
  • respect Tibetan and Qiang customs, and don't ask casually about funerals and similar topics.

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

  • Smoking and fire are strictly banned on the mountain
  • don't climb over railings or carve on the famous pines and rocks
  • the sea of clouds brings changeable weather, so follow the park's announcements.

Hongya Cave, Chongqing

  • On public holidays the crowds are extreme, so watch your step on the stairs and keep an eye on older people and children
  • don't climb railings by the river for photos.

Kuanzhai Alley, Chengdu

  • For ear cleaning in teahouses, choose a proper practitioner
  • don't make loud noise or scribble in the old courtyards.

The Bund, Shanghai

  • Most historic buildings are offices, so don't walk in uninvited
  • watch your belongings on crowded viewing platforms, and don't climb railings.

Fujian Tulou: Tianluokeng cluster

  • People still live in the tulou, so tread softly and speak quietly
  • don't enter bedrooms or photograph interiors without the owners' permission.

Ganden Sumtseling Monastery

  • Don't photograph monks at practice or ceremonies without permission
  • don't point at Buddha images
  • no smoking in the monastery.

Kashgar Old City

  • Don't photograph worshippers at prayer, and always ask before photographing people
  • respect Ramadan and other religious customs
  • observe basic courtesy and don't ask about sensitive topics.

Dali Old Town

  • Accept the three-course tea from your host with both hands
  • don't disrespect benzhu temples
  • don't litter by Erhai Lake.

Lijiang Old Town

  • Ask the owner before entering a Naxi home, and don't step on the threshold
  • don't leaf through Dongba scriptures.

Potala Palace

  • Don't point at monks or pilgrims
  • always ask before photographing people
  • don't point a finger directly at Buddha images
  • don't step on thresholds.

Mogao Caves, Dunhuang

  • No photography or filming in the caves
  • no loud noise, carving or graffiti at religious and heritage sites.

Hongcun

  • People still live in the village, so tread softly and don't walk into homes
  • don't carve on the old bridges and trees
  • don't wash anything with chemicals in the water channels.

Wuzhen Xizha

  • Don't horse around on stone bridges and landing steps — you might fall in
  • residents still live normally on the old streets, so don't walk into homes or make noise.

West Lake, Hangzhou

  • No swimming in the lake
  • don't cycle on the Broken Bridge or Su Causeway (banned on some stretches)
  • don't photograph Buddha images inside Lingyin Temple (watch for signs).

Chengde Mountain Resort

  • Don't point at Buddha images in the temples
  • turn prayer wheels clockwise
  • there are many ancient trees in the resort, so don't break branches.

Summer Palace

  • Don't touch or carve the Long Corridor's paintings or other painted buildings
  • don't walk on ice in areas not open to the public
  • don't feed the black swans and wild ducks.

Temple of Heaven

  • There are many ancient cypresses, so don't break or carve them
  • don't use the platforms of historic buildings for morning exercise
  • test the Echo Wall in moderation, without shouting.

The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)

  • Smoking is banned throughout the complex
  • don't touch door studs, bronze cranes or other relics
  • the interiors of the main halls are generally closed, so look in from the doorway.

Pingyao Ancient City

  • Don't carve on the walls' bricks
  • don't touch the exhibits in the old banks
  • respect the privacy of residents still living in the old town, and don't photograph homes at length.

Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Nanjing

  • This is a burial site: don't play around or make noise on the burial mound or the Sacred Way
  • don't climb or sit on the stone animals
  • don't pick flowers or plants in the tomb area.

Longmen Grottoes

  • Carving on or touching the statues is strictly forbidden
  • no flash in the caves
  • don't play around in religious places.

Xi'an City Wall

  • The wall is a nationally protected monument, so don't carve on its bricks
  • cycle in the designated direction and give way to pedestrians
  • don't climb over railings on the wall.

Terracotta Army

  • Don't point at or make remarks about the figures
  • at a burial site avoid joking about 'ghosts' or 'death'
  • flash is banned in the pits to avoid damaging the figures' paint.