Real expat guides to living, working & traveling in China in 2026. Privacy tips, visas, flights, bringing your dog, and daily life hacks from IkkyInChina.
Peking duck is one of China’s most famous culinary exports and eating it in Beijing is a ritual that blends imperial history, expert roasting craft, and social dining. This guide explains where to find the best Beijing duck restaurants, how to choose between styles and price tiers, what to order beyond the duck, how to…
Moving to China with a dog requires careful planning, specific veterinary paperwork, and coordination with airlines and Chinese customs. Only dogs and cats are permitted as personal imports in most cases, and there are strict rules about microchips, rabies vaccination and testing, health certificates, and quarantine that vary by origin country and arrival port. Quick…
Chengdu has grown into a major education hub for expatriate and internationally-minded families, offering a range of international curricula including American, British, and IB programs. Different listings and directories show varying counts and types of schools, reflecting rapid change and differing inclusion criteria among providers and regulators. Why families choose an international school in Chengdu…
This guide explains Mandarin Blueprint pricing tiers, payment options, what you get for the money, how to evaluate value against alternatives, budgeting tips, and real-user perspectives so you can decide whether the course fits your goals and wallet. What is Mandarin Blueprint and how it positions itself Mandarin Blueprint is an immersive Mandarin course and…
WeChat Pay now supports adding both Chinese and many foreign credit cards, letting foreigners and domestic users pay at merchants, transfer funds, and top up services without a Chinese bank account. This guide explains requirements, step-by-step setup, verification, troubleshooting, fees, and best practices so you can add a Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, or local UnionPay…
China National Railway Corporation optimized its “Rail Easy” frequent traveler membership effective October 20, introducing expanded rewards and broader points redemption options. The upgrade notably targets members aged 14 to 28 by increasing points accrual and adding an on-board seat-upgrade function that allows members to redeem points for better seats on any unused segment of…
This article explains four recent local changes to China visa and residency processing that affect foreign workers, employers, and families: Each section contains precise requirements, practical preparation steps, document checklists, templates, risk-mitigation strategies, and authoritative links. Shanghai Songjiang degree reverification for intercity work-permit transfers Songjiang District immigration and foreign-expert authorities require incoming work-permit transfer applicants…
Credits to Prince Jatin for sharing the info first hand! China Eastern Airlines will resume scheduled Shanghai–Delhi commercial flights from November 9, 2025, reopening a key direct link between two of Asia’s largest economic and cultural hubs. The restart follows a multi-year suspension of many China–India passenger services and represents a major step in restoring…
Chengdu is an ideal base for short adventures that range from ancient engineering marvels and UNESCO sites to scenic mountains, historic towns, and cultural highlights. This guide lists the best day trips from Chengdu, how to get there, sample itineraries, travel tips, and a comparison table to help you choose the right trip for your…
Chengdu is a relaxed, sensory-rich city where ancient temples sit beside modern shopping districts, teahouses hum with conversation, and pandas steal the spotlight. This guide covers must-see attractions, neighborhood-by-neighborhood suggestions, food and drink, practical tips, and three sample itineraries (1-day, 3-day, 5-day). Use it to plan a visit that balances nature, history, food, and downtime….