Real expat guides to living, working & traveling in China in 2026. Privacy tips, visas, flights, bringing your dog, and daily life hacks from IkkyInChina.
Traveling with pets has always been a challenge, especially for long-distance journeys. Airlines impose strict rules, buses often lack proper facilities, and private cars can be inconvenient for cross-country trips. Enter the high-speed rail pet transport serviceโa modern solution that is transforming how pet owners in China and beyond travel with their furry companions. Chinaโs…
China saw roughly 25.59 million foreign entries in the first eight months of 2025, driven by a large visaโfree share (about 15.89 million, or 62.1%) and rapid yearโonโyear growth. Short stays dominate: the average international guest stayed about 1.6 days, which shapes product, distribution, and marketing choices for hotels and destinations. Who the foreigners are…
Tickets for the 2026 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix go on sale at 11:00 AM on December 11, as announced by the Shanghai Sports Bureau and local event pages. The official sales channels are the ไน ไบไฝ่ฒ platforms: the ไน ไบไฝ่ฒ App and the WeChat and Alipay mini programs; international buyers can use the appโs international storefront…
Russia has introduced a temporary visaโfree regime for many categories of Chinese travelers allowing stays of up to 30 days, effective immediately and running through Sept 14, 2026. The measure mirrors Beijingโs earlier oneโyear visa waiver for many Russian passport holders and is framed as a oneโyear trial that strengthens bilateral ties. Who is eligible…
The China Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) updated its recognized-institutions database and removed 270 overseas institutions, a change that directly affects diploma verification used for civil service eligibility, hukou procedures, professional licensing, and some employment checks. This update followed a routine quality review focused on accreditation, curriculum standards, teaching quality, and institutional compliance. Immediate…
Singapore is a premier financial hub offering stability, transparency, and tax efficiency. For British expats in China, it provides a safe, globally connected base for wealth management. ๐ Singapore Economic Development Board ๐ฆ Banking & Account Setup for NonโResidents Opening a multiโcurrency account is the first step. Bank Account Type ExpatโFriendliness Notes DBS Multiplier Account…
Living and working in China while supporting family, paying rent, or managing bills in Europe means you need a remittance method that is affordable, fast, and compliant with both Chinese and European rules. Traditional bank wire transfers can be slow, opaque, and expensive โ with hidden fees, poor exchange rates, and long processing windows that…
Sending money from China to the United States can feel complicated: multiple routing numbers, fees, exchange-rate markups, and delayed arrival windows. This guide walks you through a practical, step-by-step process to send money from China to the U.S. cheaply and quickly using SkyRemit. It compares SkyRemit with traditional banks, explains the exact information U.S. recipients…
Sending money from China to the UK can be frustrating: opaque fees, slow bank wires, and confusing recipient requirements. This guide gives a complete, practical walkthrough to send funds cheap and fast with SkyRemit, compares costs with traditional bank transfers, explains technical requirements (IBAN vs account number, sort code), and offers step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting advice,…
Shopping in Chinese supermarkets feels like a crash course in a new culture: products are unfamiliar, systems for weighing and payment differ, and helpful English signage is inconsistent. With the right approach you’ll save time, avoid awkward lines, and discover great ingredients and snacks you didn’t know you needed. This guide condenses practical tips, cultural…
