China can open doors, but it doesn’t promise an easy path. A lot of people arrive with expectations of instant jobs and fast money. The truth is different, and the reality hits quickly if you don’t prepare. Expectation 1: “I’ll get a monthly job quickly.” Most foreigners discover that monthly jobs aren’t as common as they imagined. Only a small number...

While the weather has been a little unpredictable of late, when the sun does shine and you’re looking for a spot of alfresco dining or drinking, there is no shortage of stunning rooftops and terraces here in Beijing. To kick off this series, we're going to take a look at some of the rooftops and terraces situated around the Sanlitun and Gongti area, so grab your sunglasses and go...

Wealthy, Educated Man Chooses to Live on the Streets Zhao Dian, a 32-year-old from China, has sparked widespread debate after abandoning an elite lifestyle to live as a homeless individual, surviving on just 100 yuan (US$14) a month. Despite his prestigious background — having lived in cities like Sydney, New York, Beijing, and Paris while earning multiple degrees in finance —...

In other cities, midnight is a polite cough telling you it’s time to go home. In Shenzhen, it’s the moment the city leans in, winks, and says: “Sit down, this is where it gets interesting.” The malls roll down their shutters like a theatre ending its matinée show — and outside, the streets immediately start the late-night premiere, with a bigger cast, a...

Today we're continuing our journey exploring rooftops and terraces in Beijing, and after looking at ones around Sanlitun, the hutongs, and the Liangma River, we're now turning our attention to the CBD. Xun Terrace The newest place on this list, Xun Terrace only opened up earlier this year. Hidden away on the 25th floor of an office building near the Kerry Centre, here you...