Chengdu to Chongqing

Chongqing by night

Travelling to different countries, and experiencing the sights, sounds and tastes of different cultures is a huge privilege. I first experienced China on a holiday over ten years ago – a fantastic trip but a fortnight in which I knew I was very much on the tourist trail with our guide planning and taking care our every move! Since then I have been back five or six times on business – which provides another fascinating window on the country, its’ people and the way things get done. In every city I have been to, one thing always holds true – the Chinese are perfect hosts, nothing is too much trouble, and I am very much treated as their guest. I value those opportunities to spend time with the locals – to have an insight into the way they ‘do life’ …. Except the times when they order food and forget that the British are perhaps not so keen on cow’s stomach (according to my host – its not as bad as it sound!) or intestines!

I am just back from my first visit to Chonqinq – a city in south west China on the banks of the Yantzee River, a couple of hours from Chengdu by high speed train. With a population of 29 million it is bigger than Shanghai. 

The view from the highest point in Chongqing

As a business trip, the location of the hotel was very much driven by meetings – and as such I had the unusual experience of not seeing any other Westerner during the four days I was in China. With every visit I learn more about the approach to ‘doing business’ in China – but away from those meetings (which were fully translated!) I was very struck by the language barrier. A few episodes stood out which still make me smile thinking about them.

First, the seemingly simple task of buying a coffee in the hotel lobby coffee shop. I thought I had it nailed when they understood ‘Café Latte’ – until I noticed that no one pays by cash, but instead ‘waves’ their mobile phone in front of the card reader because they pay through the Chinese version of Whattsapp (WeChat!). You can imagine the gesturing needed to try and persuade them to take cash when its not how they are set up! Encouraged by my coffee success I went to reception to order something from the room service menu for lunch (don’t even think about trying to phone room service – history in other Chinese cities tells me that wouldn’t go well!). Pointing to what I wanted on the menu with 4 different members of the team eventually resulted in success …. The normal reaction on seeing me was for them to laugh nervously and hide until one was brave enough to try their English! Talking of reactions to seeing me – at least 3 toddlers stopped and stared at me for the best part of ten mins (as their parents watched!). I like to think that I have contributed to their education and they now know the world isn’t all Chinese!

In an attempt to get some exercise I thought I would undertake the relatively simple task of going to the gym … as a reasonably regular gym user in the UK – how hard could it be? Well it seems – quite tricky! Six running machines and I totally failed in my efforts to get any of them to work – with no one around (and after the coffee and lunch challenges of the previous day) I decided that a conversation with reception was not going to get anywhere. When I relayed the experience to my Chinese host, it was quite straightforward …. Chinese people don’t go to the gym before lunch, so the running machines were probably not switched on?!

Short work trips understandably leave little time to see places – but I was grateful for the opportunity to get out for a couple of hours for a meal in a traditional restaurant and visit to a Tao temple – another fascinating insight into Chinese culture. 

Tao Temple, Chongqing

Admittedly I did have to politely decline the opportunity to pray to the Tao gods (including one known as the CFO!) , albeit that I may have said a quick prayer when I saw the state of the kitchen at the local ‘restaurant’ we had lunch. Food was lovely – and locals know where to go – but 24 hours later I am thankful for no side effects!