Your Guide to China

Everything You Need to Know

Real, on-the-ground guides for travel, daily life, and everything in between — written by an American who actually lives here.

City Guides
🏙️
Shanghai
The international city
🏯
Beijing
History & culture
🤖
Shenzhen
Tech & manufacturing
🐼
Chengdu
Food & laid-back life
🌿
Guangzhou
Canton & trade hub
🎋
More Cities
Coming soon
Coming to China
🛂
Visas — What You Actually Need
Tourist, business, and long-stay visas explained simply
Soon
✈️
Flights & Getting Here
Best routes, airports, and what to expect on arrival
Soon
💉
Health & Vaccinations
What you need before you go
Soon
Setting Up Your Life in China
📱
SIM Cards & Mobile Data
Best plans for foreigners, eSIM options & setup
Soon
🔐
VPNs — The Real Guide
What works, what doesn't, and how to set it up before you land
Soon
💚
WeChat — Your Lifeline
Setting up WeChat Pay, finding people, everyday use
Soon
🏦
Banking & Money
Opening a bank account, Alipay, cash vs. digital payments
Soon
🚗
Getting Your Driver's License
Step-by-step for foreigners converting or applying fresh
Soon
Getting Around
🚄
High-Speed Rail
How to book, what to expect, best routes
Soon
🚕
Didi & Getting a Ride
China's Uber — setup for foreigners without Chinese
Soon
🚇
Metro & Public Transit
Navigating city subway systems with no Chinese
Soon
Daily Life
🍜
Food — What to Order & Where
Real Chinese food, delivery apps, and how to eat well for cheap
Soon
🏠
Finding a Place to Live
Renting as a foreigner — apps, agents, what to watch out for
Soon
🗣️
Language Basics That Actually Help
The phrases that get you through daily life without Mandarin
Soon
Manufacturing & Business
🏭
Sourcing from China
How factories work, finding suppliers, avoiding scams
Soon
🤝
Canton Fair & Trade Shows
What they are, how to attend, and how to make them work for you
Soon