DTEDown to EarthCHINA

PRACTICAL CHINA, EXPLAINED.

Live smarter
in China.

Real-world guides to renting, shopping, getting around and managing everyday life—written for people who actually live here.

Popular:Set up Alipay

START WITH A TASK

What do you need to do?

Skip the generic advice. Pick a real task and follow a guide that gets you to the finish line.

YOUR FIRST WEEK

Six steps to make China feel a lot easier.

Payments, connectivity and local apps are the foundation. Set them up in the right order and the rest of daily life starts working.

  1. 1

    Get connected

  2. 2

    Set up payments

  3. 3

    Register your address

  4. 4

    Download essential apps

  5. 5

    Learn local transport

  6. 6

    Start apartment hunting

CHINA APP GUIDES

Tap into everyday China.

AlipayPayments, transport and everyday servicesTaobaoSearch, seller checks, coupons and returns拼PinduoduoLow-price shopping with a strict risk filter值SMZDMHistory prices, deal alerts and community “detox”XiaohongshuLocal discovery without blindly trusting “must-visits”MeituanFood delivery, restaurants and local deals高AmapNavigation, transit and commute planning12306Official train tickets for passport holders

CITY INTELLIGENCE

Choose the China that fits you.

Compare the cost, commute and daily rhythm—not just the skyline.

上海
Most international

Shanghai

Rent
¥¥¥¥
Transit
Excellent
Explore city 北京
Culture & careers

Beijing

Rent
¥¥¥¥
Transit
Extensive
Explore city 深圳
Tech & convenience

Shenzhen

Rent
¥¥¥
Transit
Excellent
Explore city 广州
Food & trade

Guangzhou

Rent
¥¥¥
Transit
Strong
Explore city 成都
Lifestyle & value

Chengdu

Rent
¥¥
Transit
Growing
Explore city 杭州
Digital & scenic

Hangzhou

Rent
¥¥¥
Transit
Strong
Explore city

RECENTLY VERIFIED

Useful now. Checked recently.

Every changing guide shows when we last checked the app, price or official information.

01Start HereYour First Week in China: The Essential Checklist

Set up connectivity, payments, registration, transport and deliveries in the right order.

11 minChecked Jul 202602Start HereHow to Set Up Alipay as a Foreigner

Register, link a supported international card, understand QR flows and troubleshoot payments.

12 minChecked Jul 202603Start HereWeChat Pay for Foreigners: Setup and Limitations

Understand card linking, QR payments, mini programs and the functions that may remain limited.

11 minChecked Jul 202604Start HereAccommodation Registration in China: The 2026 Guide

The 24-hour rule, hotel and private-home responsibilities, the seven-region online pilot, documents and proof.

15 minChecked Jul 2026