Exploring China: From tea terraces to hotpot culture

COUNTRY EXPERT

Phillip Wang

Head of eCommerce Unit, APAC
China offers far more than first-time visitors might expect. It's a country that constantly balances heritage and innovation, tradition and transformation. To uncover some of the experiences that make China so fascinating, local Kaspersky employee Phillip Wang shares his personal recommendations on where to go, what to eat and how to experience the country like a local.

What to see

Longjing Village: If you’re looking for something iconic

Longjing which literally translates to ‘Dragon Well’, is where China’s most famous green tea, Longjing tea, is cultivated. Expect lush tea terraces and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of China’s buzzing cities.

Local tip:

Longjing Village

For me, having lived in the old historical centre for three years at University, Venice is best experienced in those simple moments, sitting by the water at sunset with a drink in hand, watching everyday life unfold. That’s when the city feels real, not just iconic.

Zhoushan Islands: If you’re looking for natural beauty

Located near Ningbo and Shanghai (which are worth travelling to in their own right), the Zhoushan Islands are where you’d want to go if you are craving some sand beneath your feet, local fishing markets, and some cold drinks to wind down. It’s also close to other famous travel destinations like Mount Putuo (one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains) and Shengsi Islands (home to a deserted village taken over by greenery).

Chongqing: If you’re looking for a personal favorite

Chongqing is a city very popular amongst influencers as of late for its ‘cyberpunk’ aesthetic. That aside, come here to experience a more organically laid-back city culture than the always future-looking Shanghai or the traditional roots of Beijing.

‘West Bund’ in Shanghai: If you’re looking for a hidden gem

Everyone has heard of ‘The Bund’, the waterfront promenade with one of the most famous skylines in the world, but how many have heard of ‘West Bund’? It’s no kept secret amongst locals, but it offers a completely different experience compared to jostling with others just to snap a photo of the famous Pudong skyline - imagine open, spacious riverside walks, a dog’s paradise, and many discreet museums and cafes.

Local tip:

Payment in China

Get used to cashless payments! These days, cash-carrying wallets are hardly used, since almost all transactions are handled through digital mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay. Paying for anything, like a $1 bottle of water, with a quick scan of a QR code is a little moment that will instantly make you feel less like a visitor.

What to eat and drink

Chinese food is as diverse as the country is large, so it’s quite impossible to choose just one. But if I had to pick one for its uniqueness, slight initial shock factor, tastiness, and just ‘fun factor’, it has to be hotpot. It can be a bit intimidating with the ‘do-it-yourself’ style of choosing raw ingredients and boiling them in a pot of hot broth yourself, plus its communal cooking focus. But I think its playfulness is a great representation of how much food is a focus for the body as well as social connection in Chinese culture. It’s also very tasty!

I’d recommend giving ‘Haidilao’ a go as your intro to this type of meal. After you get comfortable, you can explore other variants of hot pot with coconut broths, traditional Beijing hotpot, Chongqing hotpot, and more.

Local tip:

Shanghai, where I live, has fully embraced café culture (fun fact: Shanghai has more coffee shops than any other city in the world).

It’s different from what you may have in other Asian coffee loving hubs like Vietnam, Korea, or Japan, but equally delicious. One café I enjoy is: 晶吉一泓咖啡馆 (Jīngjí Yīhóng Kāfēiguǎn) – a down-to-earth café and roastery with a diverse mix of customers.

Staying safe during your travels in China

How to stay safe:

Use mobile data or a trusted personal hotspot whenever possible. If you need to connect through public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing online banking, corporate systems or other sensitive accounts. Using a trusted VPN can also help encrypt your internet traffic and better protect your personal information. Kaspersky Premium includes a built-in VPN designed to help secure your connection while traveling.

How to stay safe:

Enable device encryption, strong screen locks, and remote tracking or wipe capabilities before travel. Keep devices secured and out of sight where possible, and report any theft immediately to local authorities and relevant service providers. Storing passwords, payment details and important travel documents in Kaspersky Password Manager can also help you securely regain access to your accounts and essential information if your device is lost or stolen.

How to stay safe:

Access payment services only through official applications and websites, and enable multi-factor authentication where available. Verify transaction details and payment amounts before authorization, and regularly monitor account activity for unauthorized transactions. Security solutions with anti-phishing protection, such as Kaspersky Premium, can provide an additional layer of protection by warning you about suspicious websites and payment links before you share sensitive information.