Skewered scorpions prepare for deep-frying in Beijing's night market

Chinese cuisine may have outposts all over the world, but in reality once you get to China you'll realise that much of it - the spiciness of the food, the chaos and noise, the no-frills approach, the brazenness with which live ingredients are paraded - are all toned down abroad.

In fact the experience of eating in China is as different as chopsticks are from a knife and fork.

Getting into it requires a leap of faith. You'll often not know what exactly you're ordering or eating - unless you're happy to choose your meal from whatever bobs, scuttles or slithers in buckets - but you can be sure it'll be an experience.

Being bold pays dividends and if you find people who you can communicate with effectively, be sure to pick their brains.

Virtually all Chinese are food-mad and like nothing better than introducing you to their fabulous regional dishes.