Living in China — Your Complete Expat Guide
Practical guides for everyday life in China: housing, food, transport, visas, shopping, entertainment, and the routines that help you settle in faster.
SimplyChina's Living in China hub groups practical expat guidance by topic so you can quickly find the visa, housing, food, travel, and entertainment answers you need.
Browse By Topic
Start with the topic that matches your next real-world question
Visa & Residency
Visa types, permits, renewals, and residency basics for foreigners in China.
Work, study, and long-stay paperwork explained clearly.
Housing & Renting
Apartment hunting, contracts, deposits, and renting tips for expats.
Leases, deposits, neighborhoods, and renting pitfalls.
Food & Dining
Dining culture, local dishes, grocery basics, and easy recipes.
Ordering, groceries, local dishes, and eating with confidence.
Travel & City Guides
Where to go, what to expect, and how to move around cities in China.
Transport, destinations, and city-by-city orientation.
Entertainment
TV, movies, novels, and fun ways to understand modern Chinese culture.
Shows, books, and culture picks worth your time.
Featured Reading
Latest and most useful guides in this section
Quick Answers
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