Travel Tips for Qiqihar

Best Travel Period

Ethnic Taboos

Folk Taboos of the Daur Ethnic Group

1. Most Daur dwellings are spacious thatched houses shaped like the Chinese character "Jie", facing south with their backs to the north, and are distinguished by numerous windows. Inside the house, three heated brick beds (kang) on the south, north and west sides are connected into a curved kang. Fixed seating positions are designated for family members and guests. You must sit in the proper guest area; sitting randomly will be regarded as disrespectful to the host.
2. The Daur people highly respect elders and etiquette, and pay deep respects to senior citizens when meeting them. Their tobacco-offering ritual is distinctive. Even if a guest already has a pipe in their mouth, the host will ask them to remove it, then fill the pipe with home-grown and air-cured leaf tobacco, light it, and present it to the guest.
3. The Daur people believe in Shamanism. Never insult or criticize any Shamanic rituals, religious beliefs or totems in front of them, otherwise you will be treated as an enemy.

Taboos of the Xibe Ethnic Group

1. The Xibe value etiquette. Younger generations perform the bowing ritual of "Daqian" to their elders.
2. Do not place clothes, trousers, shoes or socks taken off before bed on high places, and avoid lying sideways across the kang.
3. Do not step over hats, clothes, quilts or pillows.
4. Do not sit on the threshold or walk around while eating; banging tables or bowls is strictly forbidden.
5. Do not hit cats with chopsticks, as they believe cats can attract snakes into the house.
6. Dog meat is forbidden in their diet.