There's definitely a level of snobbery when it comes to travel. I have to laugh at some of the online reviews of some of my favorite restaurants in Shanghai when diners whine about being among "too many foreigners". Or when visitors to the city tell me they don't want to go see the sights because they're too touristy.

I do get it and I've been there. I understand wanting to soak up the vibe of a place instead of jumping from sight to sight (...with the frequency of a shortwave radio) all the while snapping pictures and trying to catch what the guide says from the back of a crowd of thirty overzealous tourists. But I've always told people who come to China - and it's my belief about every place you travel - almost any experience you have is "authentic" because you're having it in a foreign country. Sitting in Starbucks in Shanghai is authentic because you're in...Shanghai. Sure you'll see lots of laowai faces, but you'll see lots of Chinese faces too. By all means, don't spend all your time abroad in the comfy familiarity of known brands and places, but don't beat yourself up about it either. Grab your coffee and then get out and walk the neighborhoods.

There's an interesting article dealing with authenticity in travel by Daisann McLane on National Geographic Traveler. She joins a Chinese tour group and experiences authenticity, China-style.

The good folks at Urbanatomy have recently put together a great list featuring many of Shanghai's bath houses. What's great about the list is that it includes not only reviews but also some etiquette pointers (see "Manners in the Mist") as well as average visit price for a visit. I've touted Xiao Nan Guo as one of the greatest pampering experiences ever but Urbanantomy's list gives you the scoop on many more.

Now that it's officially winter, get yourself out to one of these steamy sections of paradise and enjoy. It's a good remedy for any cold.

Read More:

• My review of Xiao Nan Guo Spa
• Urbanatomy's Bath Houses in Shanghai Full Article

Photo: Xiao Nan Guo's lobby. Photo property of XNG group. All rights reserved.

If you've booked your China Travel with a tour group, then you'll follow the flag-waving guide and group check-in to your next destination. You might wonder what MU stands for (China Eastern Airlines) but you probably won't pay much attention. But if you're doing your own booking - which is getting ever-easier with fantastic booking sites like Travelzen, CTrip and eLong, then you may want to know a little about the airline with which you'll be taking on Beijing or Xi'an.

Check out this handy listing of China's major domestic airlines. I've even given you the Mandarin pronunciations so you can hang out in the gate testing your Chinese. A little tip: the word for airline sounds just like "Hong Kong" to the untrained ear...but not everyone's traveling to Xiang Gang (Hong Kong in Mandarin). OK, we'll leave the Chinese lesson for later.

Photo: China Photos / Getty Images.

Well, reader responses are in and 80% of you know that the World Expo is happening in Shanghai next year. 63% of you have been to an Expo and might even travel for one. (Only 1 person admitted to not knowing what Expo is.) So that's a much higher understanding rate than I would have imagined. Although if you're reading my blog, you're interested in China, so that makes you (not only really very cool) but also in the know.

One commenter mentioned how much he's not looking forward to living in Shanghai and living through all the security checks, traffic and other hassles that are sure to follow. While I see his point, those of us living here are already suffering constant construction and seemingly endless renovations, so I have to say I'm looking forward to seeing it all finished. But yes, random security checks on the subway, increased surveillance and all that is tiresome. But still, it'll be nice to hear the sound of silent drills. (Or is that just wishful thinking on my part?)

More to come here about the Shangai Expo that's on from May-October 2010. If you're interested in learning more about it elsewhere, check out the official English language site: http://en.expo2010.cn/