Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1For communication and money transfers, WeChat is indispensable. For payments and daily transactions, Alipe is key, especially for travelers as it links to international accounts. (1:07)
- Tip 2Familiarize yourself with Chinese visa types: Tourist (L), Student (X), Work (Z), Family (Q/S), and Business (M/F) to ensure you have the correct documentation for your stay. (7:34)
- Tip 3For doctor's appointments, go directly to the nearest public hospital. Bring your passport and use translation tools at the front desk for assistance, often bypassing online booking complexities. (11:37)
- Tip 4Teaching English is a common entry point for foreigners. Requirements typically include a degree, police clearance, and a TEFL certificate. Kindergartens often offer the highest pay but longer hours. (13:04)
- Tip 5Use apps like Anjuke or 58 to find rental apartments. Be prepared to pay an agency fee and a deposit, each equivalent to one month's rent, upon signing a lease. (18:36)
- Tip 6To buy property as a foreigner, you must live in China for at least a year, have stable income, and pay taxes. You can only purchase one property for personal use. (20:28)
- Tip 7Opening a bank account requires a residence visa, passport, and a Chinese phone number. Your bank account will link seamlessly with WeChat and Alipe for daily transactions. (22:43)
- Tip 8Sending money out of China can be complex. Consider using informal networks within the expat community for easier international transfers, though receiving money into China is reported to be more challenging. (23:51)
- Tip 9Crucially, download a VPN before arriving in China, as many international websites and apps like WhatsApp and YouTube are blocked. Popular options include ExpressVPN and NordVPN. (26:25)
Discover the ultimate guide to living and traveling in China with Lizzie, an expert with over seven years of experience. This video breaks down essential apps like WeChat and Alipe, visa types, and the realities of retirement. Learn practical tips on healthcare, navigating doctor's appointments, and finding jobs, particularly teaching English. Understand China's tax system, housing rental and purchase processes, and banking essentials. Lizzie also covers transportation and the crucial need for a VPN before arrival, transforming the potentially daunting prospect of China into an accessible and convenient experience.
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This comprehensive guide, presented by Lizzie, who has lived in China for over seven years, offers invaluable insights for anyone planning to visit or relocate to China. It covers essential apps like WeChat for communication and Alipe for payments and daily transactions, highlighting how Alipe can be linked to international bank accounts and used for various services including ride-hailing and food delivery.
The video also delves into visa requirements, outlining different types such as tourist (L), student (X), work (Z), family (Q/S), and business (M/F) visas. For those considering retirement, Lizzie clarifies that there's no specific retirement visa, but options like a family visa or marrying a Chinese citizen exist. She touches upon the complexities of immigration control and healthcare costs associated with an aging population.
Healthcare and insurance are discussed, with details on employer-provided insurance for legal foreign workers and private plans for others. Lizzie offers practical advice on doctor's appointments, suggesting direct visits to public hospitals with a passport for translation assistance, often leading to quicker service than online bookings. The cost for a basic doctor's visit is noted to be around 50 RMB.
Regarding employment, teaching English is identified as the most common job for foreigners, with options ranging from training centers and kindergartens to universities, each offering different salary and work-hour balances. The necessary qualifications include a degree, police clearance, and a TEFL certificate. Other job possibilities like corporate roles, design, and modeling are also mentioned.
The tax system is explained with a tiered structure based on income, with examples illustrating how taxes are calculated on salaries. For housing, Anjuke and 58 are recommended apps for finding rental apartments, with typical rental agreements being for 3, 6, or 12 months. Renting involves an agency fee and a deposit, both equivalent to one month's rent.
Buying property as a foreigner requires residing in China for at least a year, having a stable income, and paying taxes, with restrictions on purchasing only one property for personal use. Lizzie shares her personal experience of buying an apartment in Kunming, Yunnan province, emphasizing the 70-year land ownership term and the importance of contributing to China's economy.
Banking requires a residence visa, passport, and a Chinese phone number. While daily transactions are primarily handled through WeChat and Alipe, sending money abroad can be complex, often requiring proof of income and tax. Lizzie suggests using informal networks within expat communities for international money transfers. Finally, she stresses the importance of downloading a VPN before arriving in China to access blocked international sites and apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube. The video concludes with encouragement, assuring viewers that adapting to China's technological landscape is manageable and leads to a convenient lifestyle.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What are the most important apps for living or traveling in China?
- A: WeChat is essential for communication, while Alipe is crucial for payments and daily transactions, including linking international bank accounts.
- Q: Can foreigners retire in China?
- A: There is no specific retirement visa. Options include using a family visa or marrying a Chinese citizen. China's immigration control and healthcare costs are factors.
- Q: How can foreigners get healthcare in China?
- A: If legally employed, your employer provides insurance. If self-employed, you'll need a private plan. For appointments, go directly to public hospitals with your passport.
- Q: What are common jobs for foreigners in China?
- A: Teaching English is the most common, with roles in training centers, schools, or universities. Requirements include a degree, police clearance, and a TEFL certificate.
- Q: How does the tax system work for expats?
- A: Taxes are progressive, with 0% tax on salaries up to 5,000 RMB, and increasing percentages for higher income brackets. The video explains the calculation with examples.
- Q: What are the requirements for renting an apartment?
- A: Use apps like Anjuke or 58. You'll typically need to pay a one-month agency fee and a one-month deposit upfront, in addition to rent.
- Q: Can foreigners buy property in China?
- A: Yes, if you've lived in China for at least a year, have stable income, and pay taxes. You can only buy one property for personal use.
- Q: What is needed to open a bank account?
- A: You need a residence visa, passport, and a Chinese phone number. The account will link to WeChat and Alipe for easy transactions.
- Q: Is it easy to send money out of China?
- A: It can be complex, often requiring proof of income and tax. Many expats use informal networks within their communities for international transfers.
- Q: Do I need a VPN in China?
- A: Yes, absolutely. Download a VPN before arriving, as many international sites and apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube are blocked by the Great Firewall.
