They say traveling to China means entering another world — and sometimes, that “world” is made of wild Chinese myths.
From dragon-filled skies to parents hunting spouses in public parks, the rumours are as spicy as Sichuan hotpot. But once you actually visit, you realize the truth is way more interesting (and often way funnier) than the fiction. So, grab your chopsticks and let’s bust some of the most popular Chinese myths one by one!
I experienced China in a 2-week independent tour that included Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Guilin and area, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Although only visited the East Coast, the huge distances resulted in dramatic changes both in culture and food. Here are some impressions and myths debunked (in no particular order) for your travel to China!
Food related Chinese myths
Travel and getting along related Chinese myths
Lifestyle related Chinese myths
Food related Chinese myths
“Chinese food outside China is authentic.”
Reality: Oh, how wrong! The food in China tastes nothing like your local takeaway’s “special fried rice.” It’s a whole different universe. Maybe it’s the spices — cardamom, star anise, coriander leaves — or maybe it’s just the sheer amount of them! Sometimes my taste buds cheered, other times they politely asked for mercy. Add in fermented sauces (yes, the ones that smell a little… adventurous) plus endless soy sauce and vinegar varieties, and you’ve got flavours that dance — and sometimes wrestle — on your tongue.
Read more about authentic Chinese food here!
“It’s easy to have a European or American breakfast in China.”
Reality: Not unless your idea of breakfast is dumplings and noodles! Our hotel “breakfast” felt more like lunch in disguise. I once reached for what looked like a sweet bun, only to bite into something that tasted… well, like nothing sweet.
When we went roaming in Chinese shops for something we could identify as breakfast according to my standards, it was hard to find something satisfactory. Bread, sandwiches or cold cuts were as rare as hen’s teeth. That’s how KFC and McDonald’s became our unexpected morning heroes. (I never thought I’d be so happy to have a burger for breakfast!)
“There’s no dessert in China.”
Reality: While Western-style desserts are as sweet as if someone accidentally dropped too much sugar, Chinese sweets — red bean soup, sesame balls, mooncakes, and glutinous rice treats — are often less sugary, but rich in texture and symbolism.
More surprising, the sweet closest to my heart, chocolate, is hardly available in China. This happens for two reasons: it is not part of the balanced flavours highlighted in traditional medicine, and, chocolate is perceived rather as a luxury item than a usual snack. So, you either please yourself on traditional less-sweet sweets or walk your way for chocolate or sweet pastry.
China is full of interesting surprises. Read more about them in Not what you expect: my lived experiences in China!
“Shopping for food in China is as easy as ABC.”
Reality: Hell, no! In fact, it was one of the hardest things to do and very unexpected (to me)! In two weeks of intense walking, I didn’t spot a single Western-style supermarket. It seems whenever there’s a spare 10,000 square meters in China, someone builds a skyscraper instead. The grocery shops are small and mysterious — no bread aisles, no cheese displays, no windows full of veggies.
The typical items are tofu, soy, sweet snacks (candied fruits, biscuits, wafers) and savory ones (dried seaweed sheets, chips with unique local flavors), frozen meals and meat jerky.
The real treasure? Street markets, full of fresh produce and smiling butchers. That’s also where the best street food hides — smoky, sizzling, and impossible to resist.
“Chinese food is always spicy.”
Reality: Not even close! Only some regions, like Sichuan or Hunan, will set your tongue on fire. In other areas — especially Cantonese — food is all about freshness and subtlety. The north is about comforting dumplings and noodles. So no, you won’t be sweating through every meal… unless you want to.
“Chopsticks are hard to use and only for noodles.”
Reality: Nope! They’re used for everything — rice, veggies, even soup noodles (yes, really). Once you get the hang of it, it’s like second nature. And there’s something elegant about it — eating slowly, mindfully, without stabbing your food like a barbarian.
Don’t worry if you can’t make it – I couldn’t…. They give you fork and knife instead.
“They eat every living organism in China.”
Reality: That’s one of the oldest and most exaggerated myths. It was surprising that everywhere we asked, we found out the meat was mainly pork or chicken. Exotic dishes do exist, but they’re rare and region-specific, and not part of daily life. As far as I understood, they are more present in the south.
The most “exotic” items we saw in China were snake soup (Hong Kong) and frog.
But the real challenge? Ordering. Menu photos can be, let’s say, creatively misleading. Sometimes you have no idea what’s on your plate.
“You can try Western food at all times while in China.”
Reality: You’ll be surprised, but no! Unless you count KFC, McDonald’s, or Starbucks, Western food isn’t exactly everywhere. We only managed to find proper European-style meals twice — and that was after some searching. If you’re craving comfort food, bring snacks or embrace the adventure.
“Chinese portions are generous and satisfactory.”
Reality: Not exactly. Chinese dining is about sharing, not stuffing yourself. A group orders several dishes, and everyone tastes a bit of everything. Occasionally, there are rotating tables, so that each one can experience everything that’s available.
Sometimes the portions seem tiny — until you realize you’ve tried eight different plates. When we had our glorious Peking duck, we accidentally ordered a boneless one (rookie move!), which meant we missed out on some of the most delicious crispy skin. Lesson learned: when in doubt, order the full duck!
“Street food isn’t safe to eat.”
Reality: Street food in China is legendary. Follow the locals, pick a busy stall, and you’ll eat some of the best food around. Whether it’s sizzling skewers or dumplings from a night market, it’s where flavour meets fun. Your stomach — and your wallet — will thank you.
Travel and getting along related Chinese myths
“You can’t get along in China with English.”
Reality: English is indeed a hidden gem in China, but you can get by easily with translation apps, big smiles, and wild hand gestures. We used AliPay, which has an incorporated translation part, written or speech form. (Or you can download any good translation app before leaving home).
Luckily, street signs and metro directions are bilingual, and in places like Shanghai or Hong Kong, young people often speak decent English.
Worst case? You’ll star in your own episode of Charades: The Travel Edition.
“You can’t access the internet at all.”
Reality: The Great Firewall is real, but it’s not unbeatable. Apps like Google, Instagram, and Facebook are blocked, but with a VPN (we had Astrill) and a good e-SIM (Nomad), you’ll stay connected just fine. Download Alipay and WeChat before you go, and save offline maps (like maps.me). Sure, Google Maps sometimes forgets what “directions” mean in China, but hey — getting a little lost is half the fun.
“You can’t pay for anything without Chinese apps.”
Reality: This one is mostly true — cash is practically vintage in China. We paid for everything through Alipay, from fancy mall dinners to skewers at tiny street stalls. The setup is easy: install it at home, grab an eSIM and VPN for smooth sailing, and you’re good to go. Just scan the QR code and — ping! — payment done.
WeChat Pay worked here and there, while our poor bank cards mostly gathered dust (except in Hong Kong and airports). So yes, embrace the QR life!
“Traveling around China is difficult.”
Reality: Oh, please — China’s transport system runs smoother than a cup of jasmine tea. High-speed trains can whisk you from Beijing to Shanghai in under five hours, subways are spotless and efficient, and airports are massive but surprisingly well organized.
Even traffic has its charm — a chaotic dance of electric scooters, buses, and the occasional honking symphony. You’ll get used to it. Just don’t try crossing the street without a bit of local confidence (and fast reflexes). The number of scooters exceeds all expectations.
Find out more about Getting around China: My lived travel experiences and essential tips here!
Lifestyle related Chinese myths
“Chinese parents spend weekends arranging marriages in parks.”
Reality: Okay, this one is kind of true — but not in the dramatic “arranged marriage” way people imagine. In big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, parents really do meet in places like People’s Park to advertise their adult children’s dating profiles on paper sheets (think: age, height, job, sometimes even astrological sign).
But the kids? They usually have no idea their love life is being marketed between tai chi sessions. It’s less “parental control” and more “loving meddling.” Most young Chinese people still meet partners the usual way — at work, through friends, or on dating apps. The park matchmaking scene is just one of China’s most unexpected (and slightly awkward) weekend traditions.
“It’s too modern to feel authentic.”
Reality: Think China traded all its ancient soul for skyscrapers? Nope! Even in the shiniest, most ultra-modern cities—the kind that make your head spin—you can still catch folks practicing morning Tai Chi in the parks and find grumpy, charming old men presiding over tiny teahouses. Chinese culture lives in the everyday chaos of bustling night markets and ancient alleys.
You don’t have to look hard; just look around!
“China is boring.”
Reality: If you think China is boring, your travel agent might be plotting against you. This country is basically a giant, beautifully chaotic surprise party!
Take Beijing, the capital of history (by definition!) Sure, you have the epic Forbidden City and temples, but they rub shoulders with the traditional, maze-like hutongs, each one with its own unique personality. Within a 90-minute dash, you’re hiking the Great Wall, having only scratched the surface of a city that also features royal summer palaces, modern art districts, and Olympic history.
Then there’s Shanghai. Yes, it’s a shopping and financial hurricane, but dig a little deeper! Duck into a subway, and a few minutes later, you’re walking through the French Concession, suddenly feeling like you need a baguette and a beret. Or, hop on a quick train to Suzhou, a canal town that took our breath away. It’s postcard-perfect in its old quarter, yet simultaneously a modern metropolis of skyscrapers and high-speed rail on the other side.
Confusing? Yes. Boring? Never.
“Chinese People Aren’t Proud of Their Legacy.”
Reality: Au contraire, my friend! The Chinese people absolutely wear their history with pride—sometimes quite literally!
Walk any major tourist spot, but not only, and you’ll see streams of people—especially young women—dressed in gorgeous traditional Hanfu costumes for elaborate photo shoots. They look incredible, and it’s a vibrant, living display of heritage. You’ll also spot the legacy translated into everyday traditional food, preserved customs, and the quiet pride displayed by citizens wearing shirts or carrying small red flags with yellow stars.
The past isn’t just in the museums; it’s on the streets.
“Traveling to China is expensive.”
Reality: Exclude the plane ticket (because, let’s face it, no intercontinental flight is cheap), and a stay in China is surprisingly wallet-friendly!
Anything locals use is usually affordable. You can snag great hotels with surprisingly good service for very reasonable prices. I’d suggest booking.com or trip.com. And the food? If you stick to local restaurants and street food, your wallet will be sighing with relief. We only really hit Chinese “expensive” when we splurged on tourist traps like that fancy Peking Duck dinner or that amazing Western-style pub.
The main place tourists get financially ambushed? Those English-guided tours. Skip the costly middleman where you can!
“Traditional Chinese medicine is a myth.”
Reality: Oh, it’s very real — and it’s been keeping people balanced for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) revolves around the idea of maintaining your body’s Qi (that’s your life energy) and keeping Yin and Yang on good speaking terms. When they fall out of sync, that’s when trouble starts. Its goal is to recreate the original balance in the body. Core practices include herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage (Tui Na), and movement therapies like Tai Chi.
Instead of pills, TCM uses nature’s pharmacy — herbs and minerals brewed into earthy teas (decoctions). Living proof for it stand the morning tai-chi park sessions, acupuncture places and the short nap at work (culturally permitted and encouraged) for a better energy running through your body.
Have you been to China? Did you have a cultural shock or try anything interesting? I’d be more than happy to hear about your experience!
