Chinese culture
Explore festivals, food, and everyday customs.
Festivals
节日Explore festival dates, traditions, and their meanings.
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Delicious
饮食Discover delicious everyday dishes, festival foods, and tea traditions.
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Etiquette
礼仪Learn practical etiquette for greetings, home visits, and shared meals.
Explore etiquetteFAQ
Why do some Chinese festival dates change every year?
Many traditional festivals follow the Chinese lunisolar calendar, so their Gregorian dates move from year to year. The 24 solar terms follow the solar year and stay close to the same time each month.
Are all festival dates public holidays?
No. A festival date marks the occasion itself. The official public-holiday break and any adjusted workdays are published separately for each year.
Is Chinese food always spicy?
No. Chinese cuisines include mild, savoury, sweet, sour, aromatic, and spicy dishes. Spice levels also vary by region, restaurant, and family recipe.
What should I do at a shared Chinese meal?
Let the host guide the start of the meal, use serving chopsticks or a serving spoon when provided, and ask about ingredients or spice if you are unsure.
What is a polite way to greet someone older?
Greet them first and use the family or social title offered by the host. If you are unsure, ask how they would like to be addressed instead of guessing.
Where should I start learning Chinese culture?
Choose one topic that connects with your daily life—an upcoming festival, a dish, or a greeting. Learn its Chinese name, one useful phrase, and one custom, then explore further from there.