I love China, I spent in Shanghai a great year at the university and I can’t wait to go back. Here we give you our best travel tips to enjoy your China holiday or if you decide to move there for work or studying.
Are you travelling or moving to China? It’s a great idea. An exciting country, an old and rich culture, the fastest-developing Asian nation. There are so many things to see, do and discover in Chinese cities that a year in Shanghai for me sufficed me to capture a tiny little bit. And this is one of the main reasons why I can’t wait to go back.
We give you detailed and up-to-date information for planning your first trip and also to get by in Chinese in different situations such as when asking for directions, when you are at the restaurant, if you get sick, when renting an apartment, when you plan a trip inside China and how to deal with money and banks. We also give you some tips on how to bargain in China, an essential step when you go shopping in some markets.
If you want to spend a year studying in the university in Shanghai, China, you can read about my personal experience.
We also found a pretty great book about China, A Geek in China, perfect to understand the local life, traditions and society. A great read for before travelling and while you are already there.
Taking the decision of learning Mandarin Chinese in Shanghai was pretty easy, but making it into practice was a whole different deal. Yet, despite the hardship, I think it’s one of the best things to do in Shanghai to get to know the city and the culture. I won’t lie, my first encounter was a …
Essential words and phrases in Mandarin language that will come in handy when you want to order food at the restaurant in China.
First time in China and you want to travel around the country? In this article I will tackle a topic travelers deal with all the time, and will certainly do so if they plan to stay in China for a while: traveling (lü yóu, 旅游) and booking a room (dìng fáng, 订房) in Chinese language. …
Even though in Chinese cities the names of the streets are written in both Mandarin language and English and Google map covers pretty much everywhere, when you travel to China you might need to ask for directions. If your interlocutor doesn’t speak English, you might find useful some of the Chinese words and basic Mandarin …
Whenever we get out of our comfort zone we always run the risk to get sick. Be it the water, the food or even a sudden change in weather, we need to be able to ask for help. Any of us can be in need of a doctor or a pharmacy, and there is nothing …
Are you planning a trip to China, or better, heading there for a while to work? While in the big cities you might find some English speakers, in smaller towns or even in daily chores you will need to know some basic expressions in Mandarin to help you get by when dealing with money and you …
Are you planning a trip to China or to move as an ex-pat for work or study and need to find a house for yourself and your family? With some useful expressions in Mandarin Chinese to use when looking to rent a place, your task will become easier. This is the fifth part of the series …
Are you thinking about planning your first trip to China and are confused? We hear you. The Kingdom of the Middle is huge, fascinating and can certainly be overwhelming. It’s no secret that we love it and the year I spent in Shanghai was one of the best of my expat life. Even though it …