Martial Arts
One of the reasons to visit China is certainly to practice or learn more about martial arts and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). I have tried several kinds of sport from my early childhood till adulthood, but not once had I tried a martial art.
Getting older and especially after being diagnose with mild arthritis in my right knee gave me that little push I needed to make up my mind and start doing something about it.
Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Qi Gong
After searching the web for a good school to learn Tai Chi and Qi Gong, I quickly found out that most of them were Kung Fu academies. I learned that Kung Fu literally means “skill acquired through hard work, practice and dedication“. It doesn’t necessarily have to be related to fighting or the art of self-defence.
You can do Kung Fu while preparing a tea ceremony, while climbing a mountain, while doing your daily job, or while being a parent. It is a wonderful concept, and I am grateful that I could gain more insight into this part of Chinese culture.
Like with everything in life, it is hard to find “your” Master or Shifu. I chose well because of the location of the Academy and the wonderful community of people there. Unfortunately the Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes weren’t very structured which made me switch to Kung Fu.
Everything about this young master Shifu Wang was Kung Fu. His personality, his teachings, his humble way of showing us how great Kung Fu can be. Don’t trust impressive Instagram reels, but talk to people who have actually been there.
I recommend everybody to find your own individual Kung Fu! It is wonderful to develop a skill to perfection in whatever field you like. It really is satisfying to become the very best version of yourself and of whatever you do!
Clean and the Lack of It
Cleanliness, or the definition of spotless, is not only a personal, but also a cultural thing – if you ask me.
The way we were expected to clean at the Kung Fu Academy in Tianmeng was very interesting. To clean the toilets I was given gloves – only after asking what to clean them with. Only gloves – no cloth, no sponge, no toilet cleaner product! Ahh, and there was a can saying “bleaching” and a bottle of “toilet bowl cleaner” at some point. How wonderful!
Visiting public places, such as toilets and restaurants, can sometimes make you wonder about hygiene too. Accepting that there are different standards, is the best way to go. Always bring your own toilet paper (and never flush it down the toilet, though!) and you might need it to clean more than just your derièrre!
The power of Kindness
Kindness takes on a whole different meaning here in China.
Already in Shenzhen, during my stopover at the start of my journey, back in November 2025 I experienced a whole new way of kindness by doing Couchsurfing again. I was offered a wonderful home, without my Couchsurfing host being present. Her trust, in doin so, was beyond anything I had expected!
During my second time in China, I was blessed to experience more of the genuine kindness Chinese people showed towards foreigners (or me in particular).
The multiple free teas I got offered, the crazy night at the rooftop bar in Linyi, where drinks, bottles of Vodka and food was given to us as a gift, free hamburgers from a random guest in a small restaurant, all the helpful people when it came to translations or rescheduling a cancelled flight….
In Chengdu I was offered a free apartment and was guided around during three full days, by a lovely woman called Huqin. She and two of her best friends Yanzi and Yang ke jia, looked after me like family. Without knowing me at all!
Control
In this modern world we are living in, it is quite obvious that we are controlled in many ways by “the system“. If you have or had your doubts about it, go to China!
From the moment you enter this country it becomes very clear, how much information is collected about you. You and everybody else, everything else. The bright flashlights on the highways, constantly capturing pictures of number plates, vehicles and people.
Every ticket or accommodation booking you make requires your passport instantly. If you wonder what gate your flight is leaving from, just stand in front of a screen at the airport and with Face-ID, it show you all you need to know. From your flight number and allocated seat to the gate. No need to type in anything at all!
Very convenient, but a bit scary too!
Language
Part of what makes travelling special has always been LANGUAGE to me. A new, unknown language can be both delightful and challenging. Using body language, gestures, making sounds… Oh dear… my memories of hilarious situations in the past are endless.
Well, that era is gone. Especially in China. When the description of a hotel says “English spoken at front desk” – it means the Google Translate, WeChat Translate or your Alipay will “speak” to you. I was very disappointed by the customer service at airports, front-desks, railway stations,…wherever you would expect some English because of tourism. There is no such thing!
On the contrary, I was several times positively surprised by young children who would come up to me, while waiting for the train or drinking tea at a tea shop. They would politely ask me in perfect (American) English: “Could I have a chat with you?” And then we would start a conversation, so they could practice their English and sometimes they wanted to exchange WeChat numbers, so we could keep in touch in the future too.
So, there’s still hope….? Maybe!
