About China · Food & Festivals
Eat brilliantly, time it right.
China isn't one cuisine — it's a dozen. What to try, the phrases that save you, and when the calendar works for or against you.
A taste of the regions
Four very different Chinas, on a plate.
Sichuan & Chongqing
Numbing, fragrant heat
Mála hotpot, mapo tofu, dan dan noodles. Ask for mild — the flavour still shines.
Cantonese · Guangdong
Fresh, light, dim sum
Steaming, subtle seasoning, seafood and weekend yum cha. The gentlest landing.
Northern
Wheat, dumplings, roast
Hand-pulled noodles, jiaozi and Peking duck. Heartier, warming, built for winter.
Jiangnan · Shanghai
Delicate & a touch sweet
Soup dumplings, red-braised pork, river fish. Refined and beautifully presented.
Say it at the table
Six phrases that save the meal.
我吃素Wǒ chī sùI'm vegetarian
不要辣Bù yào làNo spice, please
微辣Wēi làMild spice
我对…过敏Wǒ duì… guòmǐnI'm allergic to…
买单MǎidānThe bill, please
不要香菜Bù yào xiāngcàiNo coriander
The 2026 calendar
When to go — and what to plan around.
The two Golden Weeks (Spring Festival and National Day) are the busiest, priciest times to travel. Lean in for the atmosphere and book early, or sidestep them.
Feb 17
Spring Festival
Golden WeekEarly Mar
Lantern Festival
Apr 4–6
Qingming
Jun 19
Dragon Boat
Sep 25
Mid-Autumn
Oct 1–7
National Day
Golden WeekThe atmosphere
Time a festival, and the whole trip changes.
Spring Festival · Feb
The year's biggest reunion
Lantern Festival · Mar
Lanterns close out the season
Mid-Autumn · Sep
Mooncakes under a full moon
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and shift each year; 2026 dates shown — confirm official public-holiday windows before booking. Photos via Wikimedia Commons, used under their open licenses.