Visiting popular tourists sites around China is always interesting, but sometimes it’s not the attraction itself that leaves an impression but the Chinese tourists you encountered there. That at least has been my experience from travelling in China.

The first time I encountered throngs of Chinese tourists was at Jingshan Park in Beijing. Jingshan Park is a very popular tourist destination because of the impressive views of the Forbidden City it offers. On clear days, it also offers panoramic views of the entire city. Anyway, on that day I was walking along the park heading up the hill when a Chinese woman approached me to have her picture taken with me. She seemed friendly so I agreed. Within seconds, over a dozen other tourists flocked over to have their picture taken. Their excitement and eagerness to be photographed with the “laowai” really startled me. It felt strange that I became an attraction within an attraction. Ever since then I’ve encountered the same situation many, many times.

Another thing I learned about Chinese tourists while sightseeing is their very loud way of enjoying a scenic site. I once climbed up Taishan, one of China’s sacred mountains. Before I embarked on the trip, I imagined finding zen and coming back a more spiritual person. But I didn’t factor in the Chinese tourists. Not only was my “zen” interrupted by herds of loud tour groups, people seemed to favor loud speakers instead of earphones. In other words, I encountered numerous people with CD players or MP3s attached to their bodies blaring out music for all to hear. I didn’t know what bothered me more, them not realising how selfish they were or them actually liking the music they were listening to. Regardless, it was quite an eye opener as I’d never encountered anything like it.

Finally, I figured out how to avoid the tourists: go off the beaten track. In my experience, the majority of Chinese tourists go where the masses go. They have a set itinerary of must-see sites and spots to have your photo taken and then they leave. They very rarely try to sneak off the tourist trail to find an “unexplored” spot (unless it is to go to the toilet). Knowing this has helped me to have a more positive attitude as I know that there is a way to see beautiful China without battling through thousands of music-blaring, red cap wearing tourists. Just don’t go to the established sites in big cities. Head to small villages, mountain regions, areas cut off from civilization or places that require spending hours on a bumpy bus crossing ravines and winding along dangerous cliff edges. It may be more troublesome and time consuming, but if that’s what’s required, I’ll take it!