Real questions, honest answers.
From travelers in China right now — answered by expats and our team. No marketing fluff, no AI guesswork.
All questions
212 questionsWhen I leave China, which salary deductions can I usually get back: housing fund, pension, medical, or other insurance?
Housing provident fund is refundable, returning the full personal-account balance.
Can I order food delivery to my seat on a Chinese high-speed train?
Seat delivery is real on G and D trains through the official Railway 12306 app, but it is unreliable.
Can I get a temporary driving permit in Guangzhou and use it for a Xinjiang self-drive trip?
The temporary driving permit is province-specific; a Guangzhou permit is for Guangdong, not nationwide.
What is Jinshan, Shanghai like, and is it too far from central Shanghai?
Jinshan is a quiet southwest Shanghai district, not a central neighborhood.
If salary is the same, should a foreign teacher choose Xi'an, Beijing, or Shanghai for one year in China?
Choose by priority: Shanghai for social ease, Xi'an for savings and immersion, Beijing for history.
For a first China itinerary, are night trains worth using between major stops?
Night trains save a full daytime and depart from central stations, not distant airports.
Is it normal for China teaching-job interviews to go through recruiters instead of the school contacting me directly?
It is normal for the school to communicate through the recruiter who sourced your interview, right up to the contract stage.
What should I do if a flight cancellation could make me overstay my China visa or visa-free stay?
Clearing exit immigration before midnight is what counts; a flight leaving a few minutes late is fine.