I first went to China as an exchange student as part of my BA in Modern Languages, spending the year in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, known for its giant pandas and spicy cuisine. I spent every spare moment trying to visit as much of the vast country as possible, from the mountains of Tibet to the skyscrapers of Shanghai.
During my time there, I learnt that Chinese people are incredibly friendly, welcoming, and as curious to hear about our experience of the Western World as I was eager to learn about theirs. As I became more fluent in Mandarin, I gained a profound understanding of the people and their culture and am eager to share my love of China with those curious to experience it for themselves.
Q&A with Zoe
What tips would you give for people who want to visit your specialty destination?
China is much more technologically advanced than the UK and heavily relies on apps for everything. I would definitely recommend downloading and setting up the key apps before you go, such as WeChat and Alipay, to ensure a seamless transition when you arrive. These apps are used for everything from ordering in restaurants to renting portable chargers — they're readily available at every street corner with just a scan of a QR code! Finally, I'd also suggest getting an eSIM with a built-in VPN to access Western apps while you’re out there.
What’s the best local dish you’ve tasted?
Spending a year in the gastronomical capital of China exposed me to a plethora of wild and wacky foods, from pig intestine cooked in spicy hot pot broth, to the well-known classic flavors of Pekin duck, or the crispy chilli-dusted scorpion skewers of the street food markets. Chengdu is famous for its bold and flavorful Sichuan cuisine, and kung pao chicken quickly became a staple local dish for me. The combination of spicy and sweet left a special place in my heart — I’ve scoured London’s Chinese restaurants in search of somewhere that does the dish justice.
What’s your most vivid travel moment?
Visiting a wonder of the world is always an exciting moment, but my visit to the Great Wall at Jinshanling was definitely a highlight and perhaps one of the most surreal moments of the trip. After singing away the three-hour drive from Beijing, my friends and I were met with complete serenity, with miles of watchtowers and fortresses and not another tourist in sight. Surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature, I felt as if I were on a private tour of the magnificent wonder, as if it’d been constructed just for us.