Chinese Culture and Travel
Learning more about the culture and the places you can use your new language skills is all part of your learning adventure. If you’re looking for some extra cultural tips or you have an experience to share, welcome! You can browse the topics, do a search in the top right corner of this page, or start a new conversation. Don’t be shy!- Book Recommendations Hi all, I have just started the course and I am definitely enjoying it so far. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for books that describe what life in China is like for everyday people. I think these do a really good job illustrating t...2 replies • Last post by Eleanor-Rocket-Chinese-Tutor • Apr 29, 2026
- Chinese Music Well, I have been searching for some classical or traditional Chinese music to listen to as I work on my Mandarin lessons. I haven't met much success just searching the internet, but did get a couple albums by Lei Qiang but I would like to add some divers...5 replies • Last post by JeffD20 • Dec 10, 2024
- Sun Tsu: The Art of War Hello! I recently bought the classical book “The Art of War” by Sun Tsu, with the bilingual Chinese and English text, in order to improve my Chinese skills. Therefore, I would like to know if anyone has ever read this kind of bilingual book in or...4 replies • Last post by DANNY321 • Sep 21, 2024
- Cultural Question: Business Cards Is it bad etiquette to write on the back of a Chinese business card? I am going to a large conference in China and want to make notes and write prices about the products they show me?4 replies • Last post by Robert-C7 • Nov 23, 2021
- Hotels What is the difference between fàndiàn, jiǔdiàn & bīnguǎn ?2 replies • Last post by Lin-Ping • Nov 23, 2021
- Rocket Chinese Premium Plus (Level 2) Hi. I am now about to buy "Instant 24/7 Lifetime Online Access to Rocket Chinese Premium + FREE Bonus Package". If I plan to buy "Rocket Chinese Premium Plus (Level 2)" someday in the future, will I get the discounted price ? Thanks a lot.4 replies • Last post by marieg-rocket languages • Oct 27, 2020
- A recommendation for Mandarin students who are ready to swim in the deep end. I recently spent 3 months in Taichung, Taiwan attending one-on-one daily classes at the Taipei Language Institute (TLI) and those few days in class greatly enhanced my listening and speaking abilities. I highly recommend Rocket Chinese as a starting poin...2 replies • Last post by Eleanor-Rocket-Chinese-Tutor • Mar 30, 2019
- Off to China? Hi there, is anyone of you traveling to China soon? Or did you just return from a great trip to China? We would love to hear your stories, what you did, where you went, how you got on with your Chinese etc. Don't be shy ;)70 replies • Last post by Eleanor-Rocket-Chinese-Tutor • Jan 14, 2019
- Study in Suzhou I will be studying in Suzhou (near Shanghai) this year and have heard it is a very foreigner friendly city. I wonder if anyone has been there before and if they have any advice? I want to immerse myself in the language as far as possible; if most of the...3 replies • Last post by Erubar • Jul 22, 2018
- Chinese movies Does anyone here have any good tips for chinese movies that is possible to find on the internet?3 replies • Last post by Robert-C7 • Jan 5, 2018
- downloading audio and video screens I have purchased both premium levels of Rocket Chinese. I will be away on a long cruise this winter, with internet both unreliable and expensive. I would therefore like to know how I can download both audio and video screens for the 2 premium ...6 replies • Last post by marieg-rocket languages • Aug 15, 2016
- ham in China As I was researching how to say 'ham' in Chinese, I learned it was 火腿 (huǒtuǐ). That literally translates to "fire leg". Now most ham I have encountered here in the USA is either Butterfield Ham (kindof sweet) or Virginia ham (very salty). So, I was wo...8 replies • Last post by David K • Aug 13, 2016
- Haircut Going to have a haircut in Chin must rate as one of the most stressful interactive events. Could you do a lesson on this or tell me where I can find info?2 replies • Last post by Robert-C7 • Aug 1, 2015
- fasion These posts are blank to me. Your other posts aren't blank.9 replies • Last post by Aidan-T1 • Mar 13, 2015
- Chinese Audio Ni Hao! I was wondering if anyone knew of a place to find more things to listen to in Chinese. I think if I could listen to more Chinese conversations, lectures, etc... it might help me learn. Thanks! Nicole13 replies • Last post by Robert-C7 • Jan 9, 2015
- Mainland Film Can anyone recommend some good Mandarin-spoken films? I'd like movies something like "Beijing Bicycle"... the type with deep themes that give insight into modern day-to-day life. Hearing a lot of native speaking will no doubt be good for pronun...20 replies • Last post by bi-ai-sheng • Jan 9, 2015
- Chinese Names Tiko, Ki Lan, Shiko, Shak Ra, Cheni, Chena, Kedoy, Conna.29 replies • Last post by bi-ai-sheng • Jan 9, 2015
- please leave a message when you hear the tone How would you say on your answering machine "please leave a message when you hear the tone" in Chinese. Google translate thinks it should be this: qǐng liúyán, dāng nín tīng dào tíshì yīn 请留言，当您听到提示音 I am wondering if a better translation might be this...6 replies • Last post by bi-ai-sheng • Jan 9, 2015
- Tips On Getting a China Visa There is a web site chinavisa.com I used it to get my China visa. Very reasonably priced, if you are not near an Embassy! The embassy charge off $100USD+ $20+- service charge and the cost off Fedex to and return! A whole lot less expensive than traveling ...5 replies • Last post by bi-ai-sheng • Jan 9, 2015
- Calling a Stag a Horse Are there some interesting history stories which are helpful to learn Chinese history? Like Calling a Stag a Horse ([url=http://www.echineselearning.com/url])3 replies • Last post by Sam--369 • Jul 20, 2014
- Name that song Who knows the name of the song used as the lesson 1.0 "Greetings" overture2 replies • Last post by Shawn-K9 • Mar 17, 2014
- Looking to understand China? Harvard has made available a free course on Chinese history as a MOOC (Massively Open Online Course). It's called "ChinaX". This would be a nice complement to your Rocket Chinese studies. This epic course is breathtaking in it's scope, thoroughness, and...3 replies • Last post by William-M43 • Feb 26, 2014
- Chinese dialects Hi! I was wondering if we learn Cantonese as well as Mandarin with this course, or is it just Mandarin?29 replies • Last post by 524822 • Nov 16, 2013
- Using Chinese in Emails Is it considered acceptable to use pinyin in emails and if so, do the tine marks remain? Or is it not considered appropriate in Chinese culture to use pinyin and emails, but rather use proper Chinese characters?3 replies • Last post by 524822 • Nov 16, 2013
- Cheapest Airfares to China Hi, Does anyone know the cheapest way to China from Ireland? I had a look on the Internet but the air fares I cam across seem expensive. My wife and I are hoping to go to Beijing next summer but were checking prices for this summer to get an idea as to p...7 replies • Last post by Lin-Ping • Nov 9, 2013
- Mid-autumn festival 中国人，大家好！ 我是俄罗斯人。我六十岁了。我是工程师，在工厂里工作。 我去过中国很多次，因为我经常来这儿出差。 我检查电动工具的质量。 我叫Vova， 但是有的中国人叫吴文。我自学中文。 今天是中秋节。 最近月亮越来越圆了。 又大又圆，而且很亮。 我前天在商店收到月饼。 这是我的朋友们礼物给我。 非常感谢他们！ 我今天打算坐着窗户旁边吃月饼也赏月亮。 中秋节真是中国人的节日。 那天中国人喜欢团圆，就是全家人聚在一起很幸福。 今年的月亮最圆的时间是9月19日晚上7点13分，记得要看哦。 别忘它！ 祝你们中...3 replies • Last post by Lin-Ping • Nov 9, 2013
- saying Thank-You in China I have been in china for almost two and a half years and it seems when we got for dinner, I am he only-one who says thank-you to our server. When my Chinese wife's mother does me a favor, I say thank-you, her response is "BuYao" I probably say thank-you...5 replies • Last post by Lin-Ping • Nov 9, 2013
- Chinese Music Does anyone know some good Chinese music. I like the classical and folk music with the erhu and stuff like that but it would be cool to find some more modern music, like indie bands, rap, punk, electronic, or rock. Suggestions? I know Lin likes to go to ...6 replies • Last post by Lin-Ping • Nov 9, 2013
- where is the bathroom ? if you ask for the bathroom in China, "xishoujian zai na ma" they will think you are asking to shower ! and it is pronounced " xizaojian" ! If you need to use the toilet, ask for the toilet, ce suo zai na ma.12 replies • Last post by Lin-Ping • Nov 9, 2013
- Tipping in China In one of the lessons, it was mentioned that although tipping is not customary in China, to do so will be greatly appreciated. This may be true in tourist areas of Beijing and Shanghai, but this is very bad advice in 95% of China. I lived in Chongqing f...6 replies • Last post by Alan-R-G • Aug 14, 2013
- Just a further word on Tipping in China As a white Canadian who lived in China for five years, I have been on tours with Chinese tour groups (with my Chinese wife) and foreign tours. A tour guide on a Chinese tour wouldn't dream of asking for a tip...he not only wouldn't get one, he/she would ...1 replies • Last post by Brian-C2 • Jun 17, 2013
- Private tuition while living in a Chinese family Hi there, I would love to spent 4 to 5 weeks in China during this spring/summer and receive private tuition while living in a Chinese family and taking part in social life. Does anyone know where one can get that? Best regards, Roman5 replies • Last post by kathiebaker • Apr 1, 2013
- Chinese Film 大家好！ I believe that watching film is an integral part of learning a language and that it can help to become accustomed to the sounds of the language. Therefore, to start another discussion, I want everybody to introduce themselves and which Chinese films...12 replies • Last post by Jaime_Andres • Jun 19, 2012
- Chinese Name Cards Ni Hao. We are traveling to Beijing in July. I keep reading in guide books that it's customary to exchange name cards with people you meet, and that you should have your name written in Chinese on the cards along with contact information. Is this still...4 replies • Last post by Stephen-Ward • Apr 11, 2012
- 龙年好 大家好. 新年快乐 , 龙年好. 祝大家开心,和平,爱...2 replies • Last post by Oggiedoggy • Jan 22, 2012
- 歌词翻译 我看这些歌词时候，我似懂非懂，但不完全看的懂~ 帮我一下把张杰的 《今生今世》 翻译成英文？I will write what I feel it says on each line. 太阳弹回去 一轮明月 sun bounce back to the moon 花瓣飞回去 芳香你容颜 petals fly back - beautiful your appearance 时针倒回去 赶上了昨天 clock goes back - keep pace with yesterday (i.e. dont ...11 replies • Last post by Lin-Ping • Aug 15, 2011
- Travel to China from the UK Can anyone help? I've travelled to Guangdong a few times and have found that booking via Opodo offers the best fares - but are there any cheaper fares. I also now note that almost all flights to the mainland are routed via Beijing - does anyone know why?2 replies • Last post by Lin-Ping • Aug 19, 2009
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