Moving to China can feel like stepping into another world — exciting, fast, and full of daily surprises. I thought I was prepared, but there were a few things I wish someone told me earlier. If you’re planning to move or you just arrived, these five notes will make life much smoother. 1) Cashless Life is Real QR codes run everything. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay as soon as you can....

In other cities, midnight is a polite cough telling you it’s time to go home. In Shenzhen, it’s the moment the city leans in, winks, and says: “Sit down, this is where it gets interesting.” The malls roll down their shutters like a theatre ending its matinée show — and outside, the streets immediately start the late-night premiere, with a bigger cast, a...

Greetings are the first step to connecting with people. In Chinese, they are simple, polite, and easy to learn. Here are the most common ones you’ll hear every day. 👋 Common Greetings 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) — Hello (most common, polite for most situations) 早上好 (Zǎoshang hǎo) — Good morning 下午好 (Xiàwǔ hǎo) — Good afternoon 晚上好 (Wǎnshàng hǎo) — Good...

Hafrik: The Digital Home for Foreigners in China A community-driven platform helping foreigners in China connect, thrive, and build bridges with Chinese society. What Is Hafrik? Hafrik is a lifestyle, business, and community platform designed specifically for foreigners living in China. Life in a new country comes with challenges — from language barriers to finding trusted services...

Qingming Festival 2025: 3-Day Holiday with No Makeup Work Days 📅 March 13, 2025 | 📰 Source: GuideinChnExpat Good news for everyone planning ahead! According to the official 2025 holiday schedule, Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) will be observed from April 4 to April 6, 2025. That’s a full three-day holiday — and the best part? There will be no makeup working days....