Ever booked a hotel in China, rolled in with your suitcase all excited, only to hear that dreaded line: “Sorry, we’re not qualified to accept foreigners”? Yeah… me too. Awful. It’s been repeated so often it might as well be part of the hotel’s welcome script when a foreigner walks in. And the reason they give? “According to the law…” Well,...

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....

 Essential Chinese Phrases for Daily UseStudying a new language opens a new window into life. It encourages understanding, broadens perspective, and allows communication with a wider range of people. Among the many languages worldwide, Chinese is gaining international significance, hence making it a wise investment for personal or career growth. Having a basic understanding of essential...

With over 1.4 billion people, social media plays a significant role in every aspect of daily life, from communication and entertainment to business and government. However, foreigners living or visiting China face a distinctive challenge as many global platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are blocked. Instead, there’s a set of local platforms that dominate the market. Here’s a...

1. Can Foreigners Start a Business in China?Yes! Foreigners can legally register and operate businesses through structures like:Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE)Joint VentureRepresentative OfficeMost expats prefer a WFOE for full control. 2. Choosing the Right Business TypePopular options for foreigners:Consulting & education servicesSourcing, logistics, and tradeFood &...