City Guides
Choose the China that fits you.
Honest comparisons of rent, commutes, neighborhoods and everyday convenience.
Essential guides
Start with the most useful walkthroughs in this section.
Your First Week in China: The Essential Checklist
Set up connectivity, payments, registration, transport and deliveries in the right order.
Start HereHow to Set Up Alipay as a Foreigner
Register, link a supported international card, understand QR flows and troubleshoot payments.
Start HereWeChat Pay for Foreigners: Setup and Limitations
Understand card linking, QR payments, mini programs and the functions that may remain limited.
Start HereAccommodation Registration in China: The 2026 Guide
The 24-hour rule, hotel and private-home responsibilities, the seven-region online pilot, documents and proof.
Start HereHow to Get a SIM Card in China: The 2026 Guide
Choose a local SIM or travel eSIM, register with a passport, test compatibility and avoid plan or cancellation surprises.
China AppsTaobao for Foreign Residents: From Search to Returns
Search in Chinese, decode variants, compare sellers, calculate final price and manage returns.
China AppsWhen to Use JD Instead of Taobao or Pinduoduo
Choose seller type, verify electronics, use price protection and value the complete service bundle.
China AppsPinduoduo: What to Buy Cheap and What Not to Risk
Use low prices intelligently with category risk filters, unit pricing and seller checks.
China AppsSMZDM: The Hard-Core Guide to Finding Real Deals
Use price history, deal alerts, community analysis and price protection without buying things you never needed.
China AppsXiaohongshu for Foreign Residents: Search Like a Local
Run useful Chinese searches, mine recent comments and separate local evidence from polished commercial recommendations.
China AppsMeituan and Dianping: Food, Reviews and Group-Buy Deals
Use Dianping to investigate and Meituan to transact, with clear checks for vouchers, delivery, services and refunds.
China AppsAmap and Didi: Navigation and Ride-Hailing That Works
Use Chinese destinations, plan door-to-door commutes and avoid pickup-location mistakes.
China Apps12306 for Foreign Passport Holders
Register, verify a passport, choose stations, use waitlists and handle changes or refunds.
China AppsCainiao, Fengchao and Chinese Parcel Pickup
Track parcels, use pickup codes, select delivery routes and complete returns safely.
HousingRenting in China: The 2026 Guide to Contracts and Costs
Verify the landlord, calculate move-in cash, negotiate the contract and protect your deposit under the new rental rules.
HousingCheck the Commute Before You Rent
A better apartment search method using metro lines, actual rush-hour time and final walking distance.
Daily LifeHow Food Delivery Works in China
Set the address correctly, find the real final price and leave delivery instructions.
Save MoneyRestaurant Discounts: Safer Alternatives to Proxy Payments
Compare Meituan, Dianping, Douyin group buys, memberships and third-party proxy offers.
Save MoneyHow to Pay Less for Movie Tickets Without Taking Unnecessary Risks
Compare official cinema offers, platform coupons and resale deals before chasing the lowest price.