Tips for Living in China

In this section you will find first hand tips for living in China that will help you to adjust and make the most of your day-to-day life. It takes a special kind of person to adapt to living in any foreign country. Most are not prepared for the initial loss of independence when you can't read or speak the language. Suddenly, you must rely on others for every little thing until you learn your way.

Allow yourself time to get used to your change in diet and any jet lag you may have. Also, expect that you will likely get sick in your first 6 weeks, once you body encounters new germs and viruses. This is common for foreigners. Most contract an airborne virus which affects the respiratory system. You will probably need antibiotics to get better. Read the section below on Hospitals so you know what to do if this happens.

Learning Mndarin - not as difficult as you think!
How the Chinese View Foreigners
How to Eat in a Chinese Restaurant
Mastering the Chinese Toilet
Shopping in China
Amazing, Cheap, Chinese Massage!
Doing Laundry in China
Drinking the Water
Hospitals in China


The best advice anyone could ever give you is to relax and go with the flow. China will be full of surprises and unexpected events - but don't let it ruffle you. It's not fair to make comparisons and snap judgements - although as humans, we always will. But the more you get to know China and it's people - the more you learn that not everything is black and white and there is definitely more than one way to do things when living in China.

Living in China, you will experience days of frustration and days of bliss and soon you will start to look forward to what new, weird and wonderful thing you will discover next. Every day can be a new adventure - or a tribulation. It all depends on your personal outlook. Give yourself time to acclimatize. Learn as much about China as you can, BEFORE you live there. Know that you will suffer culture shock to some degree - and welcome the differences. After all, isn't that why you wanted to go to China - to be in some place different that your homeland? To have new experiences? To make new friends?

Another tip for living in China is to always remember, your time spent in China will be as good or as bad as your perspective and your expectations. Be open-minded and not quick to judge. There is a story behind everything and a reason for everything. It may not make sense in our society, but it will make sense in the cultural values that govern the Chinese society. People are people everywhere - so don't start to think you are better than the Chinese because you come from a more advanced country and the Chinese treat you like you are something special. This is an easy trap to fall into. It was the brilliance of these people that brought us many inventions that led to our own modern day civilization. While visiting, always keep in mind that you are a guest in the country of China. To have the best experience and to be respected by the Chinese people you interact with, act like an ambassador for your own country and bring on the best you can be!

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