Stephane – China travel advisor at China Roads
Portrait of Stephane in video
A few questions for Stephane – his story, his advice and his favorites
Your first trip to China?
My first trip to China lasted 8 years… In 2003, I went back to university and met a Chinese man with whom I quickly became friends. He introduced me to his circle of Chinese friends with whom I hung out for 2 years. They introduced me to Chinese food, Chinese culture, the Chinese language… The second year, during a discussion, this first Chinese friend asked me “why don’t you go to China to learn the Chinese language, like we do in France?” I left for 6 months in September 2005, and in the end I stayed there for 8 years!
Where do you currently live?
The place I spend the longest time during the year is Brittany, but I don’t really live there permanently… Thanks to our teleworking opportunities within the agency, I alternate between Brittany, Auvergne, Paris. And of course China, I go back there at least once a year, and I aspire to return there permanently in the coming years.
What is your favorite place in China?
Qingdao! It’s kind of my hometown in China… I lived there for 3 years, 3 memorable years. It’s a port city/seaside resort on the east coast of China, it’s also a former German concession, which explains the architecture of some of the houses and especially why they make the best beer in China there!
When are you going to China?
Personally, I really like the month of September, or even early October. It’s still warm, but not unpleasant. Students are back in class, which means you’ll encounter “a little” fewer people at tourist sites. I put “a little” in quotation marks because it’s China after all, there are always people…
An experiment to do?
Wulingyuan National Park in Zhangjiajie. This park inspired the sets of the movie “Avatar,” and it’s definitely worth a visit. If you’re looking for a thrill, try the famous glass bridge…
A place in China you would gladly return to?
Qingdao… I haven’t been back for a few years, I think it must have changed a lot and I would like to see the changes and developments in the city.
A favorite hotel?
The 4-star SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund – Narada in Shanghai offers a perfect blend of comfort, hospitality, budget, and location.
What travel destinations do you recommend in China?
For a first trip to China, I would recommend classic destinations like Beijing, Shanxi Province, Xi’an, and Shanghai. You can also add Guilin Province for a more natural experience. You can’t be disappointed with such a trip, even if these are classics. For a more in-depth exploration of China, try the more rural provinces of Hunan, Anhui, or Guizhou.
A restaurant or dish you love
Sichuan fondue, on the other hand, is spicy… But that’s how it’s best!
A souvenir to bring back from China?
Tea !