If you have traveled a bit, you know that bathroom/toilet standards can vary – a lot, even within a country. So, how are Chinese toilets? Well, this requires a long answer because the standards span a very wide range. To sit or to squat? There are two types of toilet … read more
Beijing’s population spans a huge range of income and wealth, from the ueberwealthy to the migrant worker and the new middle class in between. Therefore you can get a fancy dinner for at least as much as you would pay in a Western metropolis or a filling bowl of noodles … read more
Taxes follow you everywhere you go… For expat taxes you have to consider the tax situation both in your home and your host country. This post is intended to give you a high level overview of the expat tax situation when earning income in China, plus more specifics for US … read more
Usually, when you move, you give people your new address. This becomes a bit trickier with a foreign address. When the foreign address uses Chinese characters, it can be a real challenge. Here are ways to make it work. Chinese address written in English Honestly, this is hit and miss … read more
Chinese like to eat out and there are restaurants on every corner of a Chinese neighborhood, from hole-in-the-wall to multilevel banquet halls. In Beijing restaurants you can explore authentic Chinese food (not what is served as Chinese food in Western countries) or fall back on the more familiar Western cuisine. … read more
Once you move into your rented apartment in Beijing, you are responsible for the typical housing utilities like gas, water, and electricity. You also have to set up and pay for your phone and internet connection. Let’s have a look at how that works in Beijing. (To learn how much … read more
Moving to China is a huge change for almost everyone. It certainly was for me. And I had traveled to China and many Asian countries and moved across continents before moving to Beijing. How happy you will be living in Beijing, and in China in general, will depend a lot … read more
Going shopping is ingrained in our everyday lives, whether for daily necessities, favorite items, or just some window shopping or retail therapy. Part of the fun of exploring other countries is to check out what is being sold, how and where. My husband and I like to browse through markets … read more
When moving to a huge metropolis at the other end of the world, the question of safety certainly comes up. Let’s look at 5 different areas to see how safe Beijing is. Violent crime is relatively low Beijing is probably one of the safer capital cities in the world with … read more
When living in or travelling to China, the Beijing Smog is always a hot topic. Environmental issues in China recently made international news, especially in January 2013, when Beijing was blanketed by heavy smog. Air pollution is a serious concern and can affect everyday life. Is the air quality in … read more