ID document(s), including visa and entry stamps, plus copies; Foreign driving permit with copies and certified Chinese translations; Money for fees—each test costs around 50 CNY (7 USD). Uber is not available in the country. When you stop using the bike, make sure it is left in a secure location and that it is locked. Recruiter. I flout rules constantly. You can rent a car if you have a Chinese driver’s license and are over the age of 18. Information about routes and times is typically listed at bus stops in Mandarin. The listings provide an ever-growing directory with the ability to get free quotes.Whether they are looking for an international removal company, medical insurance, or … Not everyone can cope with the difficulties of living in China. Read this guide to feel more prepared for your move. Join. China book. “East Road” would not be written anywhere on the sign. If you are involved in an accident and have been drinking, you are likely to have to assume the responsibility for the accident, even if it was not directly your fault. Second, people may not explain exactly what you are eating. China, officially the People's Republic of China, is the largest country in the world today.In January 2013, the Chinese Government released data confirming that the population of China was an impressive 1,354,040,000, although this does not include Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.As of September 2013, that number had grown even further to 1,360,720,000. Keeping calm is important. Speak to your insurance company for further directions. The pollution is caused by many things, and it’s mostly present in major cities, where manufacturing is present every day. Motorized vehicles didn’t exist then and to still be able to walk the streets and touch these walls that people have … As with everywhere else, China is experiencing rising costs, and no one knows when those rising costs will stop. If you stick to public transportation in China, basic knowledge of Chinese characters and pronunciation helps. You Prefer Squat Toilets. As a result, bullet trains in China are now the fastest worl... Chinese high-speed bullet trains may be breaking speed records, but they are certainly not the only mode of transportati... To an expat, the Chinese culture and mindset can seem baffling. Always ask a close friend what the Chinese characters on a sticker mean, or the general concept behind the image. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. See our Banks and Taxes in China guide for more details. Best to start early! This means that the currency code is RMB inside China and CNY outside the country. Depending on the location you live, it can be extremely cheap to live in China. Generally, people will be careful and do everything they can to help you. Similar to WhatsApp, you can create and join groups on WeChat. Many colorful Chinese festivals with long-standing traditions are celebrated in China throughout the year. The maximum blood alcohol level is 0.8%. The easiest way to do this is to state clearly all of the food that you cannot eat or have a written list to show wait staff. Expensive mooncakes contain salted egg yolk, and Starbucks and Haagen-Dazs have their own famous versions. If you cause injury to another person, you may need to pay for their hospital fees and cover their wages while they are recovering. Therefore, you must be prepared to get yourself used to the Chinese version of the internet, apps or websites that are built and accessed in China. Well-known car rental companies that operate in China include: Katie Melua once sang that there were “nine-million bicycles in Beijing.” True or not, this number sticks with visitors to the capital who see the huge number of bikes and cycle highways around the city. Many cities in China have their own airports and even their own airline. What is interesting for most expats is the ways these customs have been adapted into modern Chinese society. Learning what makes the Chinese tick and why they act li... People in China love to partake in a wide range of Chinese sports, games, and leisure activities, which you can observe... Crime rates in China are relative low — at least according to official statistics. According to the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, all citizens are equal and enjoy the same rights, regar... A wedding should be a joyful occasion, but for expats in China it is often stressful and confusing. It is all too easy to send a sticker that has a rude message by accident. If you want to hire a taxi for half or a whole day, negotiate the price beforehand. Yes, comparatively speaking life in China is cheaper than that in most other Western countries. Head to your nearest Department of Motor Vehicle Administration with the following documents: Note that the exact application requirements may vary depending on where in China you apply. However, your overall cost of living in China also depends on the lifestyle you choose. These include: Other holidays are celebrated without a day off, such as Teacher’s Day (10th September). There are four stages of culture shock, initial euphoria, irritation and hostility, gradual understanding, and adaptation. It may shock you that panhandlers and people selling small items on the street will ask you to scan their QR codes, rather than accept cash. Chinese food is legendary (or infamous) across the world. As expats, we understand what you need, and offer the the essential services to help you move and live abroad easily. If you are interested in living in Hong Kong or Taiwan, please read our guides for these cities. With your salary as an expat, you’ll have a comfortable living there. This is possible when you live in China. Ever heard of stinky tofu? when there was no plumbing or road finishing to the likes we have today. As you can see, the cost of living in China is comparatively low. China is often painted as a society with a strict societal code. Foreigners can rent public bikes using Alipay. Companies will extend this so that employees have a full week (5 working days) off work. In some larger cities, like Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, you have to put your bag through a scanner (like in an airport) before you are allowed to go to the platform. City buses are a popular (and therefore busy and crowded) form of transport, with extensive networks and inexpensive fares. A harvest celebration, this festival is celebrated by setting off lanterns and eating mooncakes (pastries filled with a paste usually made from lotus or mung beans). Tickets are sold out months in advance and tourist spots are extremely crowded. There are no gun rights in China either, so there is little chance that a gunman is going to be running through the streets killing people. Non-Chinese speakers should also have their destination written down in simplified characters, as few drivers understand English. How Has Living in China Changed Me? Fitted Sheets Are Not Popular. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took control of a huge, mostly rural, and poverty-stricken country in 1949. Do not drink and drive in China. Dancers, comedians, and Chinese citizens take part in this celebration, which blends traditional Chinese customs (like dragon dances) with modern performance. You can also join specific groups for hobbies within your city, to advertise your business, and to find out about social gatherings. A foreigner losing their temper with another driver is not perceived favorably. When a person arrives in China, there is little chance that they know how to speak, read, or write much the local language. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Culture shock is a huge drawback for many expats. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. China's economic prosperity is spreading.. For instance in Beijing and Shanghai some costs of living are substantially cheaper such as grocery … Living in China is creating video's about China. Living in Nanjing, China Connecting with fellow expats in Nanjing and other important stuff . All Rights Reserved. Thanks! Become a member. Write in clear sentences that are easy to translate (i.e., do not write slang). These questions show interest in your health and happiness. In Shenzhen, the metro can take you to the border with Hong Kong, or to the ferry port to visit Macau. Learn about emergency numbers, as well as information about public transportation and the risks of driving in China on a foreign license (note: you cannot do this). First, it is worth trying new dishes as most are delicious. Trust me, if a toilet is going to be dirty, you’re going to want it to be a squat … Membership. Learn more about how much it costs to take different types of public transport, including buses, trains, and taxis, in our Living Costs in China guide. If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel should be able to register you with the PSB. We begin with the pros and cons of living in China that you should consider. Living in China for 5 Years. If you like to shop, China is the right place for you! In this case, the employee will be expected to make up the time at work on a Sunday. Sichuanese recipes often use Sichuan pepper, which makes your tongue feel numb. The biggest international airports in the country are: International flights to more remote areas in China will have a layover in one of these airports. Costing around 2–3 CNY (0.3-0.4 USD) per kilometer, cabs are relatively cheap in China. To help finance the continuous expansion of the Chinese road network, a toll is charged on the majority of expressways, express routes, and many national highways. How much cheaper depends on the city you live in. Shutterstock. Chinese dishes can be spicy, and locals ask foreigners if they enjoy spicy food before going for a meal. The cost of living in China is $693, which is 1.06 times less expensive than the world average.China ranked 121st out of 197 countries by cost of living and the 13th best country to live in.. In most cases, holders of a valid foreign driver’s license only need to take a theory test. You will get used to adding people as contacts immediately and will soon wonder how you used to stay in touch with people back home. However, in summer, it does rain, and in addition, thunderstorms in this season are very common. In their everyday lives, Chinese people follow many unspoken rules that you may never have heard of before. The culture will be an eye-opening experience for you, at the same time allowing you to see how things from the past have shaped the future. In winter the temperatures turn around 6ºC, but it is curious that when it is cold, it does not usually rain or snow. In general, you can expect the following. Foreigners are not expected to be able to eat spicy food, so do not hesitate to say “no” or “just a little bit.” Be aware that food from Sichuan province is particularly spicy. China has a history steeped in culture and traditions that stretch back 5,000 years. FINDING AN APARTMENT IS EASY. In the heat of summer, they also feel stifling. You will discuss your marital status, paycheck, and family situation, and prepare to hear that you have put on, or should try to lose, weight. It is an unwritten law that accidents are the fault of the bigger vehicle, even if fault is admitted on both sides. 11. There are supermarkets in the clubs where you buy alcohol and snacks. Express Routes are usually found in cities with a speed limit of 100 km/h (62 mph). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. To put things in perspective, sharing a room in a decent area in Beijing or Shanghai can run you at least 2,500 RMB / month whereas you can have your own place in the Xinjiang capital of Urumqi for as low as 1,500 RMB / month. Regular videos on everything you need to know about living in China. Support me on a monthly basis. These cookies do not store any personal information. Make it a Stress-Free Process with Our Essential Relocation Services. Organizing an international relocation is not something you should do on your own. Our expert expat team is ready to get your relocation going, so why not jump-start your move abroad and contact us today? Do you want to relocate? The legal driving age in China is 18. Copyright © 2020 Panda Buddy. In many cities, there are two types of buses: Normal and express. An important networking skill, it is perfectly fine to ask to scan a person’s QR code at the start of a conversation. However, signs may not be a direct translation but “pinyin,” the Roman alphabet version of Mandarin. Membership $ 5. Buses and trains can take you a few blocks away from your home, and also to a totally different province—though some routes involve two full days of traveling. Whatever stage you are at, InterNations GO! China is quite safe compared to other countries because there is not as much racial tension that is prominent in many other areas of the world. Try to watch the annual New Years’ Eve celebrations, broadcast on state TV. For example, “East Road” may be written in Chinese characters on the road sign, with “Dong Lu” (the pinyin for these characters) underneath. I don’t imagine I’ll stay here forever, but for the time being I’m not done with living and traveling in China… You will therefore need to understand what the pinyin could mean. Living in . The best part is that there are also plenty of international foods available here, so you will never need to go without your favorite Mexican, Indian, Italian, or French dish while living there! In China, there are numerous internet restrictions in place. When you go to restaurants, banks, stores, etc., it is far more likely you’ll encounter someone who can speak English and help you communicate. There are also private buses that follow public bus routes but are typically smaller and less crowded. Those restrictions make it difficult for those foreigners who are used to having access to everything that they want online and much more. Conveniences of Daily Life. It is not recommended to take buses far distances, due to the discomfort of them. 29 likes. You will often receive answers like “pig” or “cow” when asking what meat (and what part of the animal) you are about to consume. It is possible for a person to take the railways anywhere in China, including the more remote mountain areas. The best way to avoid reactions to is to carry around a card that explains in Mandarin exactly what you are allergic to, and the effect on your body if you eat it. You need to score 90% to pass the theory test. For instance, English translations of Chinese newspaper reports, natural disaster warnings, and so on, are found in groups. A single person estimated monthly costs are 556.07$ (3,589.28¥) without rent. Learning about life in this country of almost 1.4 billion people can feel overwhelming. I never really thought twice about my sheets. However, be prepared to say your location in Chinese. This is important for networking, creating friends, and for finding out important information. For example, in Beijing, it’s very high for China, but it’s low when compared with many other Asian cities, such as Tokyo, Seoul, or Hong Kong. Alternatively, you can hire a car with a driver. It allows you to easily travel from one city to another in record time. The most important week in the Chinese calendar, Spring Festival involves one of the largest modern migrations as people return to their hometowns. Getting a pampering massage every now and then, or a one-year gym membership are all very much affordable in China with the income for most expats. Discover best places to live in China. When you are in China, you may also hear yuan being referred to as “kuai” (pronounced “kwai”). While you will find food for different diets in tier one (and many tier two) cities, including vegan and vegetarian food, you should make it clear to chefs and waiting staff if you don’t eat a certain type of food. Get more information and articles written by expats for expats about life in China in our other site Expat-Quotes.. Explore this page to learn what living in China is like, from practical tips on transportation and local emergency numbers to information on culture and social etiquette. If knowledgeable guidance is not available to help them adapt with ease, they might return after a few months. It involves many ingredients, animal parts, and recipes not widely used in other cuisines, not all of it pleasant to foreigners. All major cities have extensive underground networks. It is not as noisy and crowded as Shanghai, but at the same time, it is a capital with its high standard of life, lots of ex-pats and tourists. 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