Practical tips for living,travelling and settling in
Save the address of your hotel, dorm or meeting place in Chinese. Show it to the taxi driver — simpler and more effective.
Don’t stick chopsticks upright in rice, don’t flip the fish, share dishes — it’s customary and shows respect for the culture.
In China, Amap shows accurate routes, public transport and walking directions.
Meituan and Ele.me are the most popular services. You can order food, groceries and even medicine.
For high-speed trains, arrive 40–60 minutes early. Check your waiting hall and platform number.
The camera in WeChat or Baidu Translate helps translate menus, signs and documents.
Photograph the apartment’s condition when moving in to avoid disputes over the deposit later.
Bring your passport, health insurance and, if possible, a list of symptoms in Chinese.
WeChat has mini-programs for taxis, food, translation, doctor’s appointments and much more.
Take photos and scans of your passport, visa and student ID, and save them in the cloud and on your phone.
Dianping helps you find good restaurants, salons, hotels and even hospitals. Check the photos and real reviews.
Buy a Chinese eSIM and, if needed, set up a VPN before your trip so you have access to the services you need right away.
Always check the date, time, train number and passport details. Save a screenshot of the ticket.
Download an offline pack in your translator (e.g. Baidu Translate) so it works without internet.
Bargaining is fine at markets and small shops. Smile, be polite and name your price.
Friendliness and a smile help in any situation. People in China value a positive attitude! ♡