you've grown up here and you've never eaten jioazi? wow!

Ha..ha. Can't be! Impossible! It's like saying I've lived in Kunming and never have eaten 面条.

1. Experience the cuisine.
2. Go to Beijing and suffer through the Forbidden City. Despite the crowds and con artists, it really is a fabulous wonder of the world to see.
3. Go to KTV with Chinese people.
4. Try to ride a scooter around central Kunming.
5. See the beautiful landscapes in the rural areas.
6. Go to some small village and meet the people. They will invite you to stay in their homes probably. Do it. Eat their food, and see how the real people live.
7. Smile when people on the street stare at you and say, "Oohh! Kan, laowai!"

eat at KFC!

Ha..ha. Can't be! Impossible!

Not impossible, but to me it suggests cultural indifference given that jiaozi is a staple food and it's a traditional dish at new year's.

In fact, I'll take it a step further. MAKE jiaozi. And THEN eat it.

For the non-initiated first timers to China (just in case a newbie would read this thread in the future) - the most important thing to bring to China is an open mind, infinite patience, a desire to explore and experience, and did I mention infinite patience...

Then - everything is a wonderment - as opposed to a frustration. Every obstacle is an opportunity to learn, make friends, and experience something unique - as through a child's eyes.

Open mind, and diarrhea medicine for open bowels an essential part of the experience.

haha i have eaten jiao zi and made it before it was just an example x)

I'd certainly agree with laotou's infinitie patience, adding (cliche though it might be) a ready smile and sense of humour. A multitude of difficult or frustrating situations can be defused and worked through if you spray smiles around to all concerned.