Differences between Chinese and Western Tourism Culture

【Abstract】： This paper analyzes the manifestations of the difference between China and West in tourism culture， and it also attempts to explain the reasons for the differences. We should try to strengthen the awareness of intercultural communication and reduce communication barriers during our intercultural communication in tourism.

【Key words】： tourism， China and the West， differences

1.Introduction

Each kind of cultural state is tend to present its own characteristics. As a kind of special cultural exchange activity， tourism culture is influenced by the differences between Chinese and Western cultures. This paper mainly explores the manifestations of the difference between China and West in tourism culture， and it also attempts to explain the reasons for the differences.

2.Representations of Difference between Chinese and Western Tourism Culture

2.1 Different Attitudes to Tourism

In European countries， most people hold that trips and vacations are the most important parts of life. Once people have enough money or time， they would not hesitate to go out for a trip or vacation. While in China， due to the impact of economic and traditional values， it is generally believed that tourism consumption is not a necessary expenditure in daily life， but a kind of luxury out of life.

For the relationship between work and travel， Westerners can abandon their job completely when they are on vacation， so they have an opportunity to enjoy their pleasant holiday. However， from Chinese's point of view， tourism is an extension of work. Most of the Chinese people choose to travel in order to perform better in the next phase of the work. So when they travel， they must keep their cell phones or laptops with them in order to keep in touch with work unit when they are on vacation.

2.2 Different Behaviors of Tourism

Western people advocate outward exploration and adventure travel， so they like to decide on their own schedule and route and Westerners generally choose the way of self-service travel. While the Chinese people promote moderate tourism and pay more attention to the safety of the journey， so group travel is their first choice.

When it comes to taking photos in the process of tourism， the difference between Chinese and Western tourists can also be reflected. Chinese tourists are tend to have a photo taken with the scenery to show they have been there. While Western tourists can photograph anything beautiful， except themselves.

2.3 Different Destinations of Tourism

Both Chinese and Western tourists have a certain tendency in the choice of tourist destination， which also reflects the differences between them. In China， due to the conservative view of tourism， They always choose tourist destinations in the inland region， especially in the territory of their own country. Western people are full of longing for the outside world and they are not satisfied with the narrow range of their own land. Throughout history， Western tourists tend to choose challenging tourist destinations， and they always preferred places and countries that they don't know about.

3. Reasons for the Differences between Chinese and Western Tourism

3.1 geographical environment

Natural geographical conditions determine the initial direction of the cultural development of all ethnic groups. China is surrounded by the plateau and the sea， and pretty closed regional characteristics make the ancient Chinese culture is basically isolated from the outside. However， it also provides favorable conditions for the development of agricultural civilization. Europe is located near the Mediterranean， and there are some good harbors. Marine environment makes Western nation tend to be adventurous and place a high value on freedom. Therefore， Westerners regard West as the starting point of themselves， outward development， and constantly pursue innovation.

3.2 Political System

In ancient China， under the environment of national integration and the political system of autocratic monarchy， people formed the cultural concept of ruling the country like a family and monarchical supremacy， so the Chinese people pursue moderation and harmony. In contrast， the democratic political system of ancient Greece makes the democratic idea and the legal consciousness become the consensus of the members of the whole society. They think that all men are equal in ability， equal in status， and free in action， so they formed open， proactive and innovative national spirits.

3.3 Life Style

Chinese people believe that the true meaning of life are to enjoy the simple and leisurely life and share the joy of family life and the harmony of social relationship. As a result， Chinese people show the characteristics of mildness and introversion. Westerners also seek enjoyment， but they have a strong sense of utility. People strive to pursue material wealth， hope to transform and conquer nature， thus stimulating the enthusiasm of the west to obtain and create.

4. Conclusion

Because of the differences in geographical environment， political system and life style， Chinese and Western people have created different national cultures in their respective social activities. Differences between Chinese and Western tourism culture is one of the main aspects of the cultural differences between China and Western countries. Under the background of economic globalization， we must constantly improve our awareness of intercultural communication and try to reduce the communication barriers.

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作者簡介：路如月（1992—），女，漢族，山東鄒城人，山東師范大學外國語學院2015級碩士研究生，研究方向：課程與教學論。