For those keeping track, it’s currently Day 72 of my Asia Adventure, and Day 36 of my stay in China. Tomorrow I will be leaving this beautiful coastal city (Dalian) and heading further North by plane to Harbin, then by car to a nearby city known as Daqing. I plan to stay in Daqing until August 1rst, then depart by train back to Beijing (arriving the following day: August 2nd).

Though I have grown more and more familiar with Chinese people, culture, food, and the language(s), I must admit many things still surprise me. So I really don’t know what to expect each time I visit a new city. China is indeed both vast and diverse. That being said, the majority of it is undeniably Chinese. I guess the best advice I can give to any non-Chinese person planning to visit China is to be open to many new (and seemingly strange) things, to be polite and courteous whenever possible, and to be humble/willing to learn from your mistakes. The kindness you experience here is undoubtly different from that of anywhere else, and it takes some getting used to. But it is important that you recognize it as kindness, and avoid being offended by a simple misunderstanding or cultural gap. If you can do this, then China is a wonderful place to travel.

Peace from Dalian,

-A.Z.