Digital Nomad Life in China

"Expats in China often join language exchange clubs and international schools, which can offer social activities and events for their members. Expats may also join casual meetups focused on hobbies or interests such as travel, yoga, or film. The popular social media app WeChat is also a great way to connect with the expat community and make new friends. Additionally, expats can join online forums such as Internations, attend embassy receptions, or take advantage of the city's nightlife and bar scene," said one expat who made the move to China.

"It's a relatively small English-speaking expat community. There are clubs to join, but to meet others all you have to do is go to The Broadway, a Western restaurant in town. Every expat in the city ends up there at some time or another. For lack of another, it is our community center," explained one foreigner living in Tianjin, China.

"Haven't really found any but I know there are expats teaching at Xiangfan University as well as Expats teaching at various English Learning Centers," said one in Xiangfan.

"My impression is that for most people here, the priorities are work. People work long hours and there's not much else to do unless you leave town," explained one person living in Tianjin, China.

"Living in China as an expat or digital nomad can be incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. It is a country with a rich culture and countless attractions, has a diverse and vibrant nightlife, and offers opportunities to explore everything from bustling cities to tranquil countryside. While much of Chinese culture may be unfamiliar to foreigners, many expats find that they quickly adapt to the language, cuisine, and lifestyle. The cost of living in many cities is relatively low, and expats may find it relatively easy to find short-term and long-term accommodation. The mobile internet is often reliable, and high-speed internet access is now available in many cities. Additionally, business visas for digital nomads have significantly simplified the process for those wishing to work remotely in the country," said one expat in China.

"From what I have seen people usually eat dinner at small restaurants. It was quite busy the other night when I met up with some of my students (I work at an English Learning Center) for dinner. People usually go for dinner around 7PM. People also seem to socialize a lot in the morning and evenings. I live near People's Square (Renmin GuangChang) and there are people practicing Martial Arts and Dancing in the morning and people dancing in the evening. Big organized dancing, sometimes including elements of Martial Arts. This same activity goes on at smaller parks and squares around town as well," remarked one member in Xiangfan.

"If you are looking for a place to live in China, there are several options available to you. You can look online and search through various real estate websites that list rentals and properties. You can also contact a real estate agency, which often knows of listings that are not advertised online. Additionally, you can visit local newspapers and magazines in China to search for listings. Finally, you can contact friends or family who may have information about available houses, apartments, or other rental properties," said one person in China.

"I came here to move in with my BF and he's been living here for few years already," said one expat who made the move to Beijing.

"The people are fantastic when they aren't spitting and crowding onto elevators before letting you get off of one. The opportunities for travel and shopping are incredible. And it's about as exotic a place as there is. But it's lonely at times. And other than shopping and getting out of town, there's little else to do," explained one person living in Tianjin, China.

"Lousy weather - cold, windy winters and very polluted. Hot sticky summers. Little to do aside from eating out and shopping malls. However, there is an airport close by and a train station - and Beijing is 2 hours away," said one expat in Tianjin.

"The ties to family and friends is much deeper and the reliance on others is far more of a necessity than in the US or anywhere else I have lived," said one expat who made the move to China.

"Expatriates in China often appreciate the unique cultural heritage this country has to offer. From Chinese architectural wonders such as the Great Wall to appreciated art forms like Chinese calligraphy, expats find a variety of things to appreciate about Chinese culture. They also relish the opportunity to participate in traditional festivals such as Chinese New Year in order to get a more intimate experience with Chinese culture. Furthermore, many expats in China find eateries featuring authentic traditional Chinese cuisine to be an enjoyable part of their experience in the country," explained one foreigner living in China.

"Expat life in China can be challenging due to differences in culture. Many expats find getting around in a country where Chinese is the only official language difficult. Another challenge is the Chinese notion of 'saving face', which can lead to misunderstandings with locals. Many expats are surprised by the focus on maintaining harmony and avoiding conflicts and by the fact that Chinese people rarely say ‘no’ directly. Additionally, the significantly different dietary customs can be challenging for many expats and the strict censorship of the government on media, internet and television are often shocking for Western expats," remarked one member in China.

"The difference of knowledge of such things as basic science and understandings of how and why things work the way they do is vast. It can be very trying to the patience and can be a significant problem in any type of emergency situation," explained one expat living in China, China.

"I just came with a one year visa "invited" by a female friend I met on the Internet. That didn't work out, but got me into the country for one year," said one person in Nanning, Guangxi Provence.

"In order to stay in China for an extended period of time, you would need to obtain a residence permit or a visa from the Chinese government. Depending on the purpose of your visit, which could include studying, working or researching, the specific travel document would vary. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit. For visits that are shorter than 90 days, a visa is required," said one expat who made the move to China.

"When visiting China, it is important to respect their culture and traditions. Avoid public displays of affection, as physical expressions of love between couples are considered rude in Chinese culture. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the behavior that is considered polite; slurping while eating is considered a compliment, whereas blowing your nose in public or speaking too loudly is not appreciated. Furthermore, try to show respect to those of higher status, such as elders and people in positions of authority. Lastly, it is important to be aware of the Chinese taboos; avoid discussing sensitive topics such as politics, religion, and death," remarked one member in China.

"I had very good handlers so I did not commit any big mistakes. But I saw others do so. One example came when we went out to dinner with a large group of friends and family. The man who invited us, American, wanted to split the bill at the end of the night. This is NEVER done in China. I told him this but he didn't listen. He insisted that we calculate the bill at the table and came up with what he thought everyone should put in. From that day on he was branded a cheapskate and shunned by almost everyone. The word spreads quickly in China and in a few days all of the extended families and friends turned a cold shoulder to him in every way. In China the one who invites, or even suggests, going to a restaurant pays the entire bill, the wives of girlfriends will scrutinize it for any possible errors. It should be paid with no fanfare once the women OK the amount," explained one expat living in China, China.

"It is IMPERATIVE that you speak Chinese or else you need to take someone who is FLUENT in Chinese as interpreter. Some doctors speak English (or rather Chinglish) and communication is critical in receiving appropriate medical care. Also, be aware that the average Chinese person most likely will not have the medical vocabulary, so unless you have a medical interpreter communication will still be challenging, but it will be better than nothing," wrote one digital nomad living in Shenzhen, China.

"Healthcare services in China are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is largely funded by the government and provides basic medical services to citizens. The quality of public healthcare varies from region to region, but generally it is considered to be of a good standard. Foreign residents do have access to the public healthcare system, however, they may need to pay a fee for certain services. Expats in China can use the public healthcare system, but they may need to pay a fee for certain services. In addition, many expats opt to purchase private health insurance to cover any additional costs," said one foreigner in China.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the low cost of living in China, as well as the variety of cultural experiences available. They also enjoy the convenience of modern infrastructure, such as high-speed rail and the availability of international cuisine. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads find the language barrier and cultural differences to be challenging. Additionally, the air pollution in some cities can be a deterrent for some," explained one expat living in China.

"Likes - Climate is great. Busy, dynamic city. Great public transport. Food range and quality is very good. Excellent links to other cities (HSR, Airlines) Dislikes - Cost of housing, lack of services aimed at foreigners/expats, poor traffic enforcement, allowing ebikes on the footpath," said one digital nomad in Shenzhen.