Why I Built This
I moved to Chengdu in 2023. Before that, I spent weeks reading travel blogs about China — and most of them were useless. "Bring cash!" (cash is dead here). "Use Google Maps!" (it doesn't work). "China is dangerous!" (it's one of the safest countries I've lived in).
The advice was written by people who visited for a week and never came back. I decided to write the guide I wished I'd had — practical, honest, and based on actually living here.
What I Write About
Every guide on this site comes from real experience. When I write about setting up Alipay, it's because I stood at a street food stall in Chengdu, fumbling with my phone, while the vendor patiently waited. When I write about VPNs, it's because I've tested them myself — during Chinese New Year, when everyone is video-calling home and the networks are slammed.
I cover the stuff nobody else tells you:
- How to actually pay for things (hint: it's not cash)
- Which VPNs work right now, this month, in this city
- Where locals eat — not the tourist traps with English menus
- How to navigate a country where Google doesn't exist
- The real safety situation, not the scare headlines
How I Work
I live in Chengdu. I write from experience. When I recommend a restaurant, it's because I've eaten there. When I say "take Metro Line 3," it's because I've taken it myself, at rush hour, with a suitcase.
I update guides regularly because things change fast here — new metro lines, new apps, new visa rules. If something on this site is wrong, tell me and I'll fix it.
I'm Not a Travel Agency
I don't take commissions from hotels or tour operators. I don't have sponsored content. My only goal is to make your trip to China smoother. If I recommend something, it's because I think it's genuinely useful.
What's Next
Right now I cover Chengdu (my home base), Shanghai, and Beijing. I'm expanding to Xi'an, Chongqing, Guilin, and more. I'm also building tools to help you plan trips, translate on the go, and navigate China's digital ecosystem.
If you have suggestions, corrections, or just want to say hi — I'd love to hear from you.