Real expat guides to living, working & traveling in China in 2026. Privacy tips, visas, flights, bringing your dog, and daily life hacks from IkkyInChina.
Russia has introduced a temporary visa‑free 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 Beijing’s earlier one‑year visa waiver for many Russian passport holders and is framed as a one‑year 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. 👉 Singapore Economic Development Board 🏦 Banking & Account Setup for Non‑Residents Opening a multi‑currency account is the first step. Bank Account Type Expat‑Friendliness 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 — 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…
Moving to China is an exciting leap: dynamic cities, rich food culture, and professional opportunities. Most newcomers account for the obvious monthly costs—rent, utilities, groceries, and transport—but many budgets fail when less-visible, irregular, or culturally specific expenses appear. These “hidden” costs can be front-loaded (move-in fees, deposits), seasonal (heating, air-conditioning surges), administrative (visa renewals, notarizations),…
Winter in China extends far beyond the well-known Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Across provinces, lesser-known local festivals, temple fairs, ethnic New Year rituals, and seasonal food celebrations offer immersive cultural experiences and quieter crowds. Many of the events listed below recur annually and align with specific lunar-calendar dates, seasonal weather patterns, and local agricultural…
Living in Shanghai means thriving on adrenaline — fast trains, late-night meetings, and a food scene that never sleeps. But even the most city-loving expat benefits from an occasional reset: slower pace, fresh air, different scenery, and new cultural scenes to feed curiosity. This guide is written specifically for expats: it balances easy logistics (train…