This guide will provide you with essential tips on finding housing, understanding rent and contracts, and identifying expat-friendly areas. 1. Understanding the Rental Market in China The rental market in China varies significantly between cities and even within different neighborhoods. While cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen have high rental prices due to their economic...

1. Why Learn Chinese?Communicate easily with localsHandle daily life (shopping, transport, emergencies)Build better relationships with coworkers, classmates, or neighborsShow respect for the culture 2. Focus on Mandarin (Putonghua)China has many dialects, but Mandarin is the official language and widely spoken, especially in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.3. Learn Pinyin...

Visa-Free Travel Between Uzbekistan and China Begins June 1, 2025 – Here’s What You Should KnowFrom June 1, 2025, a new visa-free agreement between Uzbekistan and China will allow citizens from both countries to visit each other for up to 30 days without needing a visa.This agreement was officially signed on December 1, 2024, in Chengdu and has now passed all necessary internal approvals in...

 Breaking Down Mandarin Tones: A Beginner’s GuideLearning a new language can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor, and Mandarin Chinese is no exception. With its subtle intonations and distinct tonal patterns, Mandarin can seem daunting for beginners, but don’t let this intimidate you. By understanding and mastering the basics of Mandarin tones, you'll take a significant step towards...

Aside from essential apps like WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Maps, etc., one of the other apps that I use most often here is Dianping, especially for looking up restaurants and bars. It's a great way to find new places, check opening times and addresses, book tables and get some banging discounts.  Almost every restaurant or bar is guaranteed to have at least one kind of deal or discount....