Useful tools and tips for living in China
Robert Qiu
Last Update 4 jaar geleden
- Clothing: bring just the necessary, travel light. Clothing is cheaper in China so you can bring just what you need in the first couple of months. There are two semesters in China, autumn intake that starts in September and spring intake beginning in March; when packing, bare this in mind and do some research about the climate of the city you are going to.
- Bring some medicines from home, those you are used to and especially prescribed ones if you have any health conditions. Some brands might be hard to find in China or have other names and looking for them when the language barrier is still an issue is not recommended. This tip applies to cosmetics and other personal products like deodorants.
- Bring some cash for the first few weeks and bring a Visa/MasterCard debit card with international withdrawal enabled. Having cash at first is very important until you have opened a Chinese bank account. Most foreigners in China use their debit cards from back home to withdraw money using the ATMs around China; this way you could have family or friends deposit in your account and you withdraw it in China. NOTE: get a Chinese bank account and mobile phone number as soon as possible to enjoy the conveniences of a cashless society. Paying with cash in some cities has become a myth now.
- Probably you have heard that Facebook cannot be accessed in China, well, that is true and applies to WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube and many other apps you are used to. Fortunately there is a way around by using an app or software called a VPN. Some popular VPNs for expats in China are ExpressVPN and Astrill.
- Download WeChat and create an account. WeChat is the most popular chatting app in China, the equivalent of WhatsApp, but more than that, it allows you to do payments, transfer money between friends, call a taxi/Didi, buy movie tickets, flight tickets, and more! WeChat will be your best tool here and it is a MUST to be familiar with it before you arrive. To use most of its functions you will need to get a Chinese bank account and phone number first. Another e-wallet option is AliPay; with these two you will never need to carry cash again!
- E-commerce is everywhere in China. What you cannot find in-stores most probably is online. Begin trying with Apps like Taobao, T-Mall, JD.com and Meituan. As all these apps are in Chinese language, you will need help from a Chinese friend to begin with.
- Always carry with you a copy of your passport, your temporary residence permit and your student card. Whether it is for identification purposes or you just got into trouble, having these to show to authorities is important or sanctions may apply.
- And last but not least, begin socializing and make Chinese friends as soon as possible. There is no better help than a Chinese friend to help you beat the cultural shock, get you immersed into the local society and better understand the people. Don´t make the same mistake as some expats and international students of just hanging around friends of other countries; although this is a good chance to enhance cultural exchange, always try to get the most out of the country you are in.