Aug 23, 2023
In a culture where fake and authentic things are sometimes hard to distinguish and where a good copy trumps copyright, many an expat has asked, “What is the real China?” Read more>>
Aug 10, 2023
Some Chinese rules of social engagement can be complicated for foreigners to understand. Let’s take a look at some of the social constructs expats in China typically struggle to navigate. ... Read More>>
Jul 12, 2023 Comments(1)
The path to speaking fluent Chinese is a long and rocky one. While everyone has their own methods, techniques and tactics, no matter what level you’re at, there are some definite Dos and Don’ts of learning Chinese. ... Read More>>
May 31, 2023 Comments(2)
There comes a time in every longterm China expat's life when you realize that you’re starting to adopt the cultural nuances you found so strange on arrival. Here are eight signs that you’ve gone native as an expat in China. ... Read More>>
Apr 21, 2023 Comments(3)
Much ink has been spilt on the things expats find weird when they arrive in China. But how about the things Chinese people find funny about foreigners? ... Read More>>
Mar 08, 2023 Comments(4)
Marrying into a Chinese family can be intimidating. Family obligations are stronger here than they are in much of the West, while independent-mindedness is not. ... Read More>>
Jan 17, 2023 Comments(4)
Whether you have family of your own or you’re accompanying a friend or loved one, here are a few tips for celebrating Spring Festival with a Chinese family. ... Read More>>
Dec 07, 2022 Comments(2)
When it comes to Western food in China, it can be a heartbreaking experience. Away from the top tier cities, there are few places to choose from and many disappointments. Here are seven ways to spot a bad Western restaurant in China. ... Read More>>
Oct 26, 2022 Comments(11)
What is it that makes Mandarin so hard for us laowai to get our heads around? Let’s take a look at the major hurdles for foreigners learning Chinese. ... Read More>>
Sep 14, 2022 Comments(4)
While some Chinese may be overeager to make your acquaintance, you’ll find befriending coworkers, classmates, neighbors, or whoever, may take a bit more work. Here are a few ways expats can find and keep Chinese friends. ... Read More>>
Aug 04, 2022 Comments(4)
Most foreigners come to China for a short stint and don’t want to spend a fortune finding and furnishing a new home. If you’re in this boat, here are some tips on how you can move to China on the cheap. ... Read More>>
Jun 07, 2022 Comments(4)
Finding the right apartment in China is fairly easy. Not always so easy is finding the right housemates. ... Read More>>
Apr 11, 2022 Comments(5)
Working in a Chinese office can be quite the culture shock, but teaching in Chinese schools is arguably more so. Here are a few important points to know about the Chinese education system. ... Read More>>
Mar 11, 2022 Comments(4)
The teaching industry is far more diverse and nuanced than people realize, with many different ways to start and end your journey. Here we take a look at just some of the typical career paths for teachers in China. ... Read More>>
Jun 01, 2021 Comments(14)
Many of us experience extreme culture shock when we first move to China. But over time, we somehow learn to adapt. Before we know it, we realize we’ve picked up the local customs and habits. ... Read More>>
May 25, 2021 Comments(17)
We’ve all heard about the habits we should avoid picking up as an expat living in China, but what about those things we should learn? ... Read More>>
May 20, 2021 Comments(9)
Not all sports are made equal when it comes to making local friends in China. Here I bring you five of the best for this specific purpose. ... Read More>>
May 18, 2021 Comments(10)
Even thought he died more than 2,000 years ago, Confucius still often comes up in conversations about Chinese behaviour and the Chinese psyche. ... Read More>>
May 13, 2021 Comments(21)
I asked a diverse group of expats to share what they most disliked about living in China. Here are the results: ... Read More>>
May 11, 2021 Comments(105)
I spoke to a bunch of China expats to find out what they like most about their lives here. ... Read More>>
May 06, 2021 Comments(11)
Whether in a social or work setting, expats in China often find themselves awkwardly thrown together with a group of locals and at a loss as to how to build camaraderie. ... Read More>>
May 03, 2021 Comments(10)
Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, is a far cry from the bright lights of the country’s first-tier cities. Here I bring you a day in the life of an ESL teacher in Urumqi, China. ... Read More>>
Apr 22, 2021 Comments(12)
Just because most of us can’t travel abroad right now, doesn’t mean you can’t get a taste of the exotic right here in China. ... Read More>>
Apr 20, 2021 Comments(7)
Given that daily meat consumption is a fairly modern phenomenon here in China, many of the tastiest and simplest dishes are entirely meat-free. Here I bring you five amazing vegetarian/vegan Chinese dishes that are easy to cook at home. ... Read More>>
Apr 15, 2021 Comments(6)
China has developed at an unprecedented rate since it opened to the world in the early 80s. Many of the gripes and complaints that some of us expats had when we first arrived have disappeared in the intervening years. ... Read More>>
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