Moving to Xiamen- recommendations for meeting expats

Last activity 07 October 2016 by XiamenFish

1331 Views

3 replies

Post new topic

Tiney4000Member04 September 2016 13:22:25

Hello, I am moving to Xiamen very soon. I have never lived abroad before so I am feeling very nervous. I wanted some general advice about how others found moving to Xiamen.

Also I am specifically interested for advice getting around Xiamen and also finding a gym. I don't speak Chinese but have invested in some phrasebooks and dictionaries. I know that there is supposed to be a subway opening soon, and there are good bus routes but these do not have English translation (unlike Japan where I studied for a month). How easy is it to use the bus without knowing Chinese?

I am also going to be working in a small school with few staff, so i am worried about making friends. I hope to talk to locals but I read that few speak English and my Mandarin will be very basic especially in the first weeks when I fear homesickness may strike. Does anyone have any recommendations for meeting other expats?

Any advice or info anyone could give will be greatly appreciated I am feeling very nervous and excited at the same time! But I don't want nerves / fears to take over before I even set foot in China.

nikocordActive member08 September 2016 14:25:19

When I first came to Xiamen I moved around by writing down my destination and then asking people at the bus station how to get there. Everybody was very helpful. There are some apps that make live easier, but as far as I know they are all in Chinese.
It will take another 1-2 years until the Subway starts to operate, but that's not a big issue. Xiamen is relatively small and you can get everywhere by bus.
There are some bars near Hubin bei Lu where many foreigners are hanging out.
Don't be nervous, Xiamen is a nice city with friendly people. You will always find somebody who is willing to help you. Just send me a PM if you want to get in touch, I'm already living here in Xiamen for several years.

mayday10334Member21 September 2016 05:30:51

I'm moving to Xiamen for work very soon as well. Even my native language is Mandarin (I'm from Taiwan), I'm still nervous. I'd love to meet new people here. Please PM me if you wanna hang out in Xiamen sometime.

XiamenFishNew member07 October 2016 22:53:46

You can use the Translate app on your phone and type the destination you wanna go, translate it to Chinese and show it to Chinese, they can show you how to go. The bus is convenient and take you to most places, especially once you know your routine, it should not be that difficult. I talked to some expats who do not know Chinese living in Xiamen. They survived and made friends soon enough. So do not worry !

Articles to help you in your expat project in Xiamen

Accommodation in Xiamen
Xiamen, located in Fujian Province in China, is one of southern China's most picturesque coastal cities and ...
Finding work in Xiamen
Xiamen is one of the most beautiful coastal cities in southern China and has a lot to offer to expats: from its ...
Accommodation in Dalian
Dalian is the biggest city in Liaoning province. The city is home to over six million people, many of which are ...
Accommodation in Chongqing
Chongqing is an important city in southwest China. It is home to over 30 million people and is considered to be ...
Accommodation in Tianjin
Tianjin is a first-tier coastal city in northern China and a busy and crowded metropolis with over 15 million ...
Buying property in Shanghai
Shanghai has continually appeared close to the top of the list of cities with the most expensive real estate in ...
Finding work in Shanghai
Shanghai frequently tops the list of the most desirable destinations for expats in China — in no small part ...
Accommodation in Guangzhou
Guangzhou is a populous city, and the housing supply is as great as the demand. Its population is over 13 million ...