Living and Working in China: The Ultimate Guide for Expats
- Foreign Teacher
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
Living and working in China is a transformative experience filled with opportunities, cultural richness, and unique challenges. Whether you’re preparing for your first teaching contract or have been living in China for years, knowing the right digital tools, resources, and local hacks can make a significant difference in your day-to-day life.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential apps, platforms, and resources that make navigating life in China smoother and more rewarding for foreign teachers and expats alike.
Essential Apps for Living and Working in China
China’s tech ecosystem is unlike any other, with much of life managed through mobile apps. From ordering dinner to paying rent, these tools are indispensable.
Communication and Social Apps
WeChat (微信): An all-in-one platform for messaging, payments, social media, and more. It’s the first app you should download when moving to China.
QQ: Popular among younger users and university students, often used in both educational and casual settings.
WeChat Work: The professional version of WeChat, used widely in schools and workplaces for internal communication.
Navigation and Travel
Baidu Maps and Gaode Maps (Amap): Google Maps doesn’t work well in China, so these are your go-to navigation apps.
Metro Man: Ideal for navigating China’s extensive subway systems with ease.
Didi (滴滴出行): China’s equivalent of Uber, with an English interface in many major cities.
Language and Translation
Pleco: A robust Chinese-English dictionary with handwriting recognition, OCR, and flashcards.
Google Translate: Especially useful for image and voice translation in daily life.
HelloTalk: A language exchange platform where you can practise Chinese while helping others with English.
Transportation and Travel
12306: The official railway app for booking high-speed train tickets—essential for weekend getaways and travel across China.
Ctrip (Trip.com): A reliable service for booking domestic and international travel and accommodation.
Food and Groceries
Meituan and Ele.me: Top choices for food delivery, groceries, and even errands.
Taobao and Tmall: China’s Amazon equivalent—perfect for shopping everything from electronics to imported cheese.
Finance and Payments
Alipay: Alongside WeChat Pay, this is one of the two dominant mobile payment systems in China.
Bank Apps: Chinese banks like ICBC, Bank of China, and China Merchants Bank offer user-friendly mobile apps for transfers and bill payments.
Healthcare and Well-being in China
Accessing healthcare in China is becoming more streamlined for expats thanks to a variety of helpful apps and institutions.
Ping An Good Doctor: Offers online consultations and prescriptions, saving you a trip to the clinic.
AirVisual: Stay updated on air quality—crucial in cities like Beijing or Chengdu.
MindFi: A mindfulness and meditation app to support your mental health while adjusting to life abroad.
Emergency Contacts
It's crucial to memorise or save these emergency numbers:
Police: 110
Fire: 119
Ambulance: 120
For more serious medical issues, many expats rely on private providers such as International SOS or United Family Healthcare, both known for their English-speaking staff and high standards of care.
Building a Support Network: Expat Communities in China
Finding your community in China is just as important as knowing the language. These online forums and communities can be lifesavers:
The Beijinger: A hub for news, classifieds, and forums for expats in Beijing.
Shanghai Expat: A similar platform focused on life in Shanghai.
Internations: Offers expat events and networking opportunities in multiple cities.
Reddit (r/China): A crowdsourced goldmine of advice and first-hand experiences.
WeChat Expat Groups: Search for groups relevant to your city or interests. Some groups require invites, which you can often request via expat forums.
Navigating China’s Government and Visa Systems
Dealing with visas and legal documentation can be daunting, but knowing where to look helps enormously.
National Immigration Administration: The go-to source for visa updates, work permit information, and residency regulations.
Chinese Embassy Websites: Always check your country’s Chinese embassy website for the latest on entry requirements.
China Foreign Expert Affairs: Useful for foreign teachers, this site includes updates on work permits and regulations.
These official sources should always be consulted over unofficial blogs or hearsay.
Books and Resources for Understanding China
If you want to go beyond the tourist’s view, reading up on Chinese history, culture, and society is a must.
Recommended Books:
River Town by Peter Hessler – A memoir by an American teacher that captures the essence of life in small-town China.
The Search for Modern China by Jonathan Spence – An excellent historical overview.
Wild Swans by Jung Chang – A sweeping narrative of modern Chinese history through three generations of women.
Factory Girls by Leslie Chang – Explores migration and labour in China's rapidly urbanising landscape.
Language Learning:
Integrated Chinese (Textbook series) – Often used in formal learning environments.
ChinesePod – A flexible online learning platform.
HSK Resources – For those aiming to certify their Mandarin skills, HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) study materials are widely available online.
Cultural and Social Resources
Understanding China’s rich culture is just as important as learning the language. These platforms provide news, etiquette tips, and insights:
Cultural China – Articles and resources about festivals, customs, and traditional arts.
China Daily – English-language news that’s useful for staying informed.
That’s Magazine – Lifestyle-focused publication with editions for multiple cities, great for discovering local events.
Final Thoughts on Living and Working in China
Adapting to life in China can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right digital tools, community resources, and a willingness to learn, the experience becomes not just manageable, but incredibly rewarding. Whether you're navigating a classroom, exploring ancient temples, or just ordering a meal online, being prepared makes all the difference.
Keep this guide bookmarked, and explore the many resources linked here to deepen your knowledge, stay safe, and thrive while living and working in China.
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