Reading books on aspects of China that interest you is a fun and instructive way to prepare for your trip. Try some of the books listed below, or search the UNC-Chapel Hill Libraries Catalog for more.

Chunjiang, Fu. Gateway to Chinese Culture. Trans. Geraldine Chay and Y.N. Han. Singapore: Asiapac, 2003.
Originally written in Chinese, this book provides insight into customs you may encounter, as well as topics you may wonder about during your travels, such as handicrafts, traditional medicine, and martial arts. So fascinating, you may want to sit down and read the whole thing.
Davis Library DS721 .G3188 2003

Gunde, Richard. Culture and Customs of China. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002.
The author combines helpful information on life and travel in modern China with commentary on historical origins and context. He discusses arts, clothing, food, gender, holidays, and activities in ways that are both interesting to read and useful for people traveling in the country. The book is small, so if you decide to buy your own copy, you can carry it around China with you.
Davis Library DS721 .G89 2002

Lee, Siow Mong. Spectrum of Chinese Culture. Selangor, Malaysia: Pelanduk Pubns Sdn Bhd, 2006.
Lee discusses major aspects of modern Chinese culture in great depth, such as festivals and "saving face." The author focuses on how Chinese culture has evolved over millennia, and how it makes the nation stronger today.
Davis Library DS721 .L46 1986

Seligman, Scott D. Chinese Business Etiquette: A Guide to Protocol, Manners, and Culture in the People's Republic of China. New York, NY: Warner Books, 1999.
Even if you grew up with gracious Southern manners, you should brush up on the etiquette required for interacting with Chinese businesspeople. Reading through this book will help you prepare to behave appropriately in all settings in China.
Davis Library DS779.23 .S45 1999

Fiction and Photos

China has given the world poetry, storytelling, and art for several millennia. Today we are lucky that so much from the distant and recent past has survived...and much of it is available through UNC-Chapel Hill Libraries. You can find hundreds of selections through the catalog. Try entering "fiction" or "photography" as keywords, and enter additional keywords to help you search for books. For instance, you might try "Shanghai" and "fiction," or "China" and "architecture" and "photography." The NoveList database can also guide you toward Chinese novels.