Hello and a very warm welcome! We are absolutely thrilled that you’ve found your way to Egg & Banana. If you are looking for authentic insights into traveling between China and Europe, you’ve come to the right place. We aren’t an anonymous travel portal or an AI-generated info site—we are a real couple eager to share our passion for Chinese and European culture with you.
Who we are: A Chinese-German Adventure
Behind this blog are Hong and Lars. We are a Chinese-German married couple who have been exploring China together since 2021. Our journey began when Lars moved to China for professional reasons and met Hong there. What started as a career chapter quickly evolved into a deep love—not only for each other but also for the incredible diversity that China has to offer.
Lars, who grew up in Germany, loves spending his free time playing the piano or diving into strategic board games. Hong, on the other hand, grew up in China but expanded her horizons early on by doing volunteer work in Indonesia and traveling all over Europe during a semester in the Czech Republic. When Hong isn’t busy discovering new places, you’ll usually find her staying active with sports. Since 2024, we have been living together in Germany, where we both work as engineers, but our hearts continue to beat for travel between our two home continents. Additionally, hiking is a shared passion of ours, for which we are lucky enough to find excellent conditions in both China and Europe.
Why “Egg & Banana”?
The name of our blog is a playful nod to the nicknames our friends gave us. It symbolically represents diving deep into each other’s culture: Lars is our “Egg”: white on the outside (Western), but on the inside, he has adopted many facets of Chinese culture and ways of thinking. Hong is our “Banana”: yellow on the outside (Asian), but through her time in Europe and her life with Lars, she has adpoted many German habits.
We use these terms for ourselves with a wink as a motto for cultural exchange. It is important for us to note: these labels are purely personal and meant jokingly between the two of us. We expressly distance ourselves from any form of racial reduction based on color or origin. While we enjoy using these names jokingly regarding ourselves, it is not okay to project them onto others. For us, the name is a great motto for our blog, representing how mental boundaries blur when you truly immerse yourself in a foreign culture.
Authentic Travel Experiences instead of a Travel Agency
In a world full of automated texts and commercial interests, one thing is particularly important to us: honesty. Every article you read here is based on our personal experiences. We are not a travel agency chasing commissions. We want to show you China exactly as we experience it—unvarnished, fascinating, and full of contrasts. Our tips are first-hand. Since Lars has a passion for writing, most of the texts come from his pen, while Hong’s local expertise and her perspective as an “insider” ensure that we capture the fine cultural nuances as well.
Our Vision: Building a Bridge between Europe and China
After three eventful years in China, we have now settled in Germany, but our suitcases never stay in the closet for long. We take every opportunity for short trips within Europe and regularly fly back to China to visit family and discover new hidden gems. Our goal is not only to show you the sights but also to sharpen your understanding of cultural differences.
We want to build a community here where curiosity comes first. Whether you are planning your first independent trip to Asia or simply enjoy reading stories about life between two worlds—we’re taking you with us.
Do you have questions about a specific place or want to learn more about cultural peculiarities? Just write to us! We are always looking for inspiration for new blog posts and love sharing our knowledge with you. We’re so glad you are part of our journey!