Menu
Expat.com

3 Tips before You Move To China

Last activity 24 October 2011 by Manlin

Post new topic

jsbmeb

3 Tips Before Moving To China
What can you do to be as safe as possible when you move to China?
-- Davis, CA USA


Here's 3 things you can do before you leave. My motto when living abroad is, "Better safe than sorry". These simple tips will give your loved ones back home some peace of mind while you're so far away.


Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the US State Department can better assist you in an emergency.
Let us them know your travel plans through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov. This will help them contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. This is program can be used for Expats living abroad. This is extremely useful when a natural disaster occurs or there is some other type of national emergency in the country where you are living. 
If you are not an American, check to see if your home country provides these services.


Leave copies of your passport and itinerary with relatives. If you will be staying abroad long-term, make sure your relatives have your contact information.


Know Where Your Embassy Is
For Americans in China, go to United States Embassy- China page to find one in your city.


More questions about moving to China or what it's like to be an expat? 
Email Me, The Calculated Adventurist

Manlin

Do you have any tips on how to be safe in the US? :)

jsbmeb

Hahhah. Thats the one we shoud be real worried about right? :)

JWilliamson

Well this is a site dealing with expats coming or are living in Asia so any help is valuable on Asia is helpful right? JW

Harmonie

Hello jsbmeb!

Thank you for these useful tips.;)

Harmonie.:)

Manlin

JSbmeb points are of course valid and not just for the Americans.

However, they are not China specific and maybe less important for Yanks in China than those on assignments to some other countries that are seriously allergic to Americans.

My three tips before moving to China.

1) Ladies buy clothes and Gents shoes before you come to China - the typical female figure is (to be polite) is a lot slimmer than the average American / Westerners. I might be a tad exaggerating but a US small (S) could well be an Chinese XXL. An shoes for guys tend to stop at 43 / 44 (European).

2) Get a VPN/Proxy Tunnel for Internet Access.

3) Learn to use chopsticks.

cardinalrules

Hey Manlin,

Appreciate your posts on the site. Re technology, is it difficult to set up a home wifi and a VPN/Proxy Tunnel? I use Apple exclusively at home and am wondering if I can bring and use my equipment (Time Capsule, Airport Extreme, Apple TV) from the states. I assume so since all the iPad2's for sale in the states were shipped back to China by an organized group that bought up daily allotments for a couple of months in major cities here!

If I move to Beijing (highly likely) my kids want to use FaceTime to connect--is this possible?

Many thanks

Manlin

Cardinalrules hi and welcome to Expat-blog.

Lots of people in Beijing use Apple products (not me personally) and there are quite a few official Apple Stores.

Re work arounds to access non flavour of the month (year / decade) sites best to get before you come.

And a small reminder China works on 220V not 110V. ie your US products will be fried the moment you plug them in. You need transformers or to ensure that your electronics / electrical appliance can work with 220V.

jsbmeb

That brings up a question from me :) What transformer brand do you recommend?

Manlin

Transformers have brands? :/

cardinalrules

Thanks. I travel extensively (been to China a couple of times on business) and lived in Europe and South America so thanks for the reminder on power issues.

Cheers

chatters13

say, for example, I want to go on Facebook to tell my friends I'm safe in China... but I didn't know how to get on Facebook becauwse I'm here already and didn't know about "vpn"... how would I do that? :s

Chinaren

I would actually say don't get your VPN software until you're in China unless someone over here recommends one. 

The reason being is China blocked a load of VPNs a while ago.  Some 'recovered' but others didn't (including the one I was signed up with at the time).  Unless you're here, you don't know which one works and which doesn't!

That said, I use Astrill, and it's been pretty good. If you pay a year in advance it's only about 5USD a month, which is as good as you're going to get for a decent service. 

A decent VPN should be able to be used on any decent computer, or even an Apple. ;)  Astrill works on my Android phone for example.

Chinarensblog.com

[Edit] One other thing.  Watch out for signing onto Paypal from a proxy or VPN.  I did once, (sign on whilst using my VPN) and they suspended my account for a week whilst I argued with them because I'd signed on from 'somewhere else'.  Sheesh.

Manlin

Chinaren

You very correctly mention that the powers that be every now and then block the various options that work. The more a specific solution is mentioned the higher the probability that it will be blocked.

Can I suggest that next time you reply directly to the person who has asked for assistance and do not post the names of the solution options on open forums?

Articles to help you in your expat project in Beijing

  • Accommodation in Beijing
    Accommodation in Beijing

    If you are moving to Beijing, one of the first to-dos on your list will be finding a place to live. China's ...

  • Finding work in Beijing
    Finding work in Beijing

    Beijing is the capital of China, and as the country's major city, it offers a wide range of opportunities for ...

  • Study in Beijing
    Study in Beijing

    China's capital is not only the second largest city in the country (after Shanghai) but also a leading hub in ...

  • The importance of English language in China.
    The importance of English language in China.

    Languages are a fascinating subject, particularly when it concerns the amount of speakers. Currently, the English ...

  • Must-see places in Beijing
    Must-see places in Beijing

    So, now if you’re visiting in one of the national holidays (like I visited during the Tomb Sweeping Days), ...

  • Accommodation in Dalian
    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
    Accommodation in Chongqing

    Chongqing is an important city in southwest China. It is home to over 30 million people and is considered to be ...

All of Beijing's guide articles