Like Izabella I too travelled solo in China. I will always remember the word MAO, loosel translated as No, or I cant be bothered, not interested , and varieties of same . From Xinjang through Sichuan to Beijing, I was fascinated. On a train journey they all chewed on chicken feet, spat bits on the floor, then along came to car attendant with a mop and bucket for the diners to clean up!
Some places I went into the kitchen to see what was on offer and ate well, but other places the menu was all in Chinese, so I just pointed in hope.
years after I travelled with my husband, ate deep fried grasshoppers, and by the end could read a menu to ask for chicken.
They have a vvery interesting way of counting with palm and fingers . I was taught that by a monk on Omei San, a holy Buddhist mountain.
Fascinating place but I would find group travel awful. And yes the toilets with access at the back for removing th residue covered in hand wiping, least said the better, use your imagination