Xiangyang

City‑centre hotels

Near Xiangyang Railway Station, easy access to bus and attractions

Budget hostels

Options in the Ancient City area, 5–7 km (3.1–4.3 mi) from the airportOptions in the Ancient City area, 3.1–4.3 mi (5–7 km) from the airport

Etiquette

• Greeting: Handshake and a nod; use surnames with a title; avoid: Hugs and cheek kisses
• Face: Disagree privately and indirectly; avoid: Correcting or embarrassing someone in front of others
• Gifts: Give with two hands; expect the gift to be refused once or twice and opened later; avoid: Clocks, umbrellas, white flowers, sets of four
• Business cards: Present and receive with both hands, read it, keep it on the table; avoid: Writing on it or pocketing it at once
• Queues and crowds: Hold your ground politely in scrums at buses and lifts; avoid: Taking pushing personally
• Temples: Walk clockwise around Tibetan stupas and prayer wheels; remove hats; avoid: Touching statues or photographing where signs forbid
• Politics: Listen; follow your host's lead; avoid: Raising Tibet, Taiwan, Xinjiang, 1989 or the party leadership
• Numbers and colour: Red and 8 are lucky; red envelopes carry money gifts; avoid: Writing names in red; the number 4

Scams and watch-outs

• Night taxis cost slightly more; have destination written in Chinese.
• Some older buses lack English stop announcements – check real‑time apps.
• Peak traffic 7:30–9:00 am and 5:30–7:00 pm can delay transfers.