According to the World Tourism Organization, U.S. tourist travel to China is up more than 300 percent from 1990. However, for even the most intrepid traveler, a trip to China can be intimidating. This is understandable, since the language, customs and etiquette are often wholly different than those in the West. Moreover, customs on the Mainland differ from those in Hong Kong. Given the growing popularity of travel to China, Nikko Hotels International polled experts for tips that will make the most of your visit to the world’s most populous nation and its oldest continuous civilization.

Keep the following in mind while traveling in China: