"Being in love was like China: you knew it was there, and no doubt it was very interesting, and some people went there, but I never would. I'd spend all my life without ever going to China, but it wouldn't matter, because there was all the rest of the world to visit"

This quote by Philip Pullman is a metaphor for the feeling of being in love. He is comparing it to the nation of China, which is a large and mysterious location. He is stating that although he may never experience remaining in love, it does not matter because there is still so much else to check out in life. He is recommending that although remaining in love is a terrific experience, it is not required to have a fulfilling life. He is stressing that there are lots of other things to experience and check out in life, which it is not needed to experience being in love in order to have a meaningful life. This quote is a suggestion that although love is a gorgeous thing, it is not the only thing that matters in life.