Visit religious places quietly
Look for instructions about dress, entry, photography and where visitors may stand. Follow the staff’s guidance and keep clear of worshippers and ceremonies. A courtyard open to visitors does not mean every hall or room is open.
If you want to take part in an activity, ask how it works first. Watch how other visitors move through the space and leave room for people using it for worship rather than sightseeing.
Ask before making a person the subject
For a close portrait, ask clearly and accept the answer. This matters in a market, workshop or village as much as at a religious site. Avoid photographing children closely without the responsible adult’s permission.
In museums, read the sign for the gallery you are entering. Photography, flash, tripods and filming may have different rules, and a temporary exhibition may differ from the permanent collection.
Keep residential life moving
Walk in small groups through narrow lanes and leave doorways and delivery routes clear. Keep voices down near homes, especially early or late in the day. Ask before entering a courtyard or photographing through a window.
At a food stall or shop, browse without blocking the working space. Ask before filming staff at close range, and discuss any purchase, demonstration or workshop price before it begins.
Keep everyday interactions simple
Join the queue and keep the entrance clear while looking for tickets or payment details. At a shared table, order a manageable amount first; you can discuss adding more once you know the portions.
A short greeting, a thank-you and a clear request often work better than a long conversation through a translation app. Show a written address or phrase when a place name is difficult to pronounce.
Leave the setting as you found it
Stay on open paths in gardens, forests and terrace landscapes. Do not climb historic structures, touch exhibits, pick plants or move stones for a photograph. Carry waste to the appropriate bin and follow local sorting signs.
Keep a viewpoint stop short when others are waiting, and move to one side before reviewing photographs. If a route closes or staff ask visitors to move, follow the instruction even when a map still shows the path.
Common questions
Can I photograph everything in a temple or museum?
Read the rules for the specific area. Ask staff if you cannot tell whether photography, flash or filming is allowed.
Do I need to speak Chinese to be polite?
A few greetings help, but clear requests and respect for signs, space and other people matter most.