Have you ever heard the myth that living in China is unbearably difficult and that the country is technologically decades behind the rest of the world? Even if you don’t reside in China, you’ll be able to see that the country is moving so quickly. Life in China has become remarkably easy and pleasant as a result of the rapid growth of technology and industry. For the last three years, I’ve been teaching English in China, and I’d want to offer my thoughts on the experience.
How Is it convenient to live in China??
In the following, I’ll discuss my ideas on five different fronts:
Commuter Trains and Buses
As long as you have access to transportation, you can easily go from point A to point B. Bus, metro, shared bicycles and electric cars may all be used for a few RMB to get to the destination, which is both ecologically responsible and economical. High-speed rail is the best mode of transportation for trips to nearby cities (such as Shenzhen-Huizhou). 15-50RMB (on average) is all you’ll need to get there in 15-30 minutes (on average).
Tip: If you don’t speak Chinese, using the subway is your best bet since the stations and trains themselves have English translations, and the flight attendant will announce when it’s time to disembark in English. Because buses only have Chinese signage, it is necessary to acquire some basic Mandarin or memorize the Chinese name of your destination if your city does not have a subway.
24-hour meal delivery service
While relaxing at home over the weekend, you discover that all of the food in your refrigerator has been eaten. There is no need to stress; just pick up your phone, go to a takeout app (such as Meituan or ELEME), choose the cuisine you like and make your order. Even in the middle of the night or early in the morning, it’s easy to get your hands on the food you want. There is also a little shipping cost, usually from 1-10 RMB (on average, according to distance).
Both WeChat and Alipay may be used to transfer money.
You may save a lot of time and effort if you utilize Alipay and WeChat in China. In China, you may use them to pay utility bills, order meals, and purchase movie tickets, as well as to transfer money. Lastly, make sure that your bank card is linked to the mobile apps.
Buying goods and services over the internet
If you don’t want to go shopping, you may purchase practically everything you need or desire online from China’s major shopping websites (such as Taobao and T-mall). Most items don’t need to be sent and may be received within a week. You may also save a lot of money on special days like Double Eleven (November 11) and Double Twelve (December 12). (maybe 50 percent off or buy one get one free).
There is another well-known Chinese shopping website, JD.com, for purchasing virtual goods and electronics.
Food
When moving to a new country, it’s important to think about food options and costs. People from all over the globe can get food in China, so you won’t have a problem adapting to Chinese cuisine. It is possible to have a nice lunch at a cheap local restaurant or at a posh restaurant in the heart of the city. There are many fresh fruits, veggies, and meats available in your local markets and supermarkets if your income isn’t enough to cover your extravagant dining habits.
My decision to live and teach in China was one of the best I’ve ever made, and I’m really happy with my current situation. If you’ve never been to China before and are thinking about coming to teach there, you may want to take a look at these five things to keep in mind before you go.