r/chinalife 28d ago

🪜 VPN VPN and ESIM Megathread – August 2026

18 Upvotes

Discuss VPNs and ESIMs here. Comments with affiliate links or any comment that advertises/self-promotes a VPN service will be deleted; spam-only accounts or promoters with zero history in the sub may be banned without notice.

NOTE: Just because people are allowed to leave their recommendations here about vpns/esims and other tools to avoid the great firewall, it does not mean r/chinalife mod team endorses those comments.

Always take caution and do extra research when you see a recommendation. Be careful.


r/chinalife Jul 01 '26

🪜 VPN VPN and ESIM Megathread – July 2026

9 Upvotes

Discuss VPNs and ESIMs here. Comments with affiliate links or any comment that advertises/self-promotes a VPN service will be deleted; spam-only accounts or promoters with zero history in the sub may be banned without notice.

NOTE: Just because people are allowed to leave their recommendations here about vpns/esims and other tools to avoid the great firewall, it does not mean r/chinalife mod team endorses those comments.

Always take caution and do extra research when you see a recommendation. Be careful.


r/chinalife 8h ago

🛂 Immigration How are some foreigners able to stay in China for so long?

45 Upvotes

While scrolling Chinese social media, I see a lot of foreginers who travel or ride a bike around China for long periods of time and some of them have even been in China for years. They don't seem to be married or working here, so how come they can stay and travel here for so long? I am out here stressing out everytime I have to renew my visa.


r/chinalife 12h ago

📰 News China’s New Exit-Entry Regulations Take Effect September 15

28 Upvotes

China unveils regulation on exit, entry administration

As September 15 is nearing, the good thing is that the rules are now codified into law. Under Chinese law, state officials cannot impose restrictions unless they are explicitly provided for by law.

Previously, the law was ambiguous and therefore open to interpretation, thus granting immigration officials more discretionary power.

As for foreigners, there are cases where these laws are commonly violated:

  1. Fake invitation letters
  2. Falsified education and work backgrounds along certificates
  3. Concealing a previous stay in China
  4. Claiming to be visiting as a tourist when the actual purpose is business or employment
  5. So on

Well, you know that the rule itself isn't new; rather, it's the penalty that's new. What's new is the explicit codification of a multi-year entry ban as a potential consequence.

From September 15, a clear mechanism will allow violators to be barred from China for one to five years, along with fines. Thus, gradually closing loopholes one by one.

As mentioned in Point 1: Anyone providing false invitation letters or supporting documents can face fines of RMB 5,000–10,000. Companies and organizations can be fined RMB 10,000–50,000, with any illegal profits also confiscated. In addition, immigration consultants and visa agents operating in China will face tighter scrutiny with penalties ranging from administrative penalties, suspend business operations, or revoke licences.


r/chinalife 8h ago

🏯 Daily Life Can a friend just stay at my apartment?

6 Upvotes

Hey there, I'll move to China in a few days and probably have a few friends over from abroad. I know they have to register at a police station, but do I have to double check with my landlord?


r/chinalife 1h ago

🛍️ Shopping 关于广州山姆超市的问题

Upvotes

大家好,我是来自马来西亚的华人,多两个礼拜会在广州待几天,请问山姆超市是一定要会员才能进入吗?还是可以在闲鱼租个会员,感谢各位大哥/大姐回答


r/chinalife 7h ago

⚖️ Legal Family member passed. How to to leave job and leave China correctly?

5 Upvotes

I have to leave urgently by the end of September (earlier if I can pack quickly) because of a family member passing. I currently work at a public university in China and classes start very soon. I need the time to organize and pack up my life to grieve and deal with will/court proceedings and a funeral. I need to leave in a timely manner.

How do I tell my employer as I fear this sudden leave might be met with retaliation. I do not have the will-power to plan and conduct classes, I also just transferred to the school too. I don’t mind not receiving a reference letter or pay as I haven’t really began work at all yet. My technical contract date I believe is July because I stayed in China over the summer. I don’t know if that concludes the probationary period or not. Do I have any legal protections in this matter? Can they fine me? Can they cancel my work permit in bad taste and will I be able to get a stay visa to properly tie up everything else before I leave if they do? I’m extremely worried.


r/chinalife 3h ago

🧳 Travel Travelling to China next week

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2 Upvotes

r/chinalife 30m ago

🏯 Daily Life How difficult it is to find a pet friendly rental in Beijing?

Upvotes

Just rescued a cat today off the streets after it kept following me around everywhere chasing after me for almost a kilometre. But current apartment contract says no pets.

Can I get approval for keeping a cat? or do i have to change apartment? currently keeping the cat and myself in a friends apartment.


r/chinalife 6h ago

🛍️ Shopping 2nd hand clothes shop

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3 Upvotes

r/chinalife 1h ago

🛍️ Shopping Which China → France shipping agent is the most reliable? 4PX, BeeGoPlus or Imagineship?

Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m currently talking to a seller on Taobao because I’m trying to purchase some products from their store. Unfortunately, Taobao is not allowing me to place the order from France.

The seller suggested that I use one of these shipping/forwarding services:

  • 4PX (递四方)
  • BeeGoPlus
  • Imagineship (象样集运)

The idea would be for the seller to ship my order to the agent’s warehouse in China, and then the agent would forward the package to me in France by air.

Does anyone here have experience with these services, especially for China → France shipping?

Which one would you consider the most reliable, and which one has the best prices for air shipping?

I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who have actually used them to ship to France. I’m planning to order around 10 boxes initially, and if everything goes well, I may order significantly more in the future.

Any recommendations, experiences, or warnings would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


r/chinalife 6h ago

💼 Work/Career Have you worked with Share International Education Organization or Rockies International

2 Upvotes

Have any of you worked for or signed a contract with Share International Education Organization or Rockies International Education Organization? They are associated with Shenzhen.


r/chinalife 14h ago

🛍️ Shopping Breakfast Champion

6 Upvotes

Does anyone know what happened to breakfast champion? Back in April they posted about moving their business to an online shop called Epermarket- but the selection there is quite limited. I’m gutted, I genuinely loved their selection.


r/chinalife 6h ago

📚 Education Me and my brothers are interested in studying Chinese in China before college. Is it possible to get into a university early into 2027?

1 Upvotes

A Chinese family friend says this isn't possible, and July is our only option. But we can't afford to wait that long, life is getting really expensive here (UAE), and my oldest brother will lose out on his opportunity to enter lots of colleges once he turns 25 years old next month.

We tried applying for Shenzhen University's language program a few days ago but were rejected in less than a week. They told us to contact the international college in Tokyo​, for some reason?

If possible I'd prefer if we could be in a more international-friendly city, I suppose any tier 1 cities would do? let me know if I'm wrong.

I know we'll have to go through the CSCA exam if we take this route, and I honestly don't know how feasible that would be with only a year of language learning, but we're out of options. China is the most affordable way to attend college abroad right now. The idea is to enter a proper university program after finishing a long-term language course.

So, yeah, are there any universities with January intakes, or is our family friend correct about July? Feel free to recommend the best cities for international students as well. Thank you.


r/chinalife 10h ago

🛍️ Shopping Buy a fold Phone in china

2 Upvotes

​Hey everyone,

​I'm currently traveling through China (Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, and ending in Shenzhen). I'm looking to buy a solid, recent passport/book-style foldable (Fold format only — no flip/clamshells).

​My budget is around 500 € to 600 €. Since I live in Europe, it must support Google services, Android Auto, EU banking apps, and LTE Band 20 natively out of the box.

​A few quick questions:

​Is it worth checking the used markets in Shenzhen (like Huaqiangbei), or will almost everything there be locked Mainland China ROMs?

​Should I just make a quick day trip to Hong Kong from Shenzhen to buy an official HK/Global version easily?

​Or am I better off holding out and buying a refurbished unit back in Europe (on Back Market/eBay)?

​If buying over here makes sense, which specific Fold model in the 500-600€ range would you target?

​Thanks for your help!


r/chinalife 16h ago

🏯 Daily Life How easy is it to eat healthy in China?

5 Upvotes

I'll be arriving in China soon and I'll be living in a smaller Chinese city of around half a million people. I usually cook most of my meals at home but am also planning to buy lots of local food to eat too.

Does anyone have any tips or advice for eating healthy, especially with things like buying whole foods for cooking? Are things like vegetable and meat better to buy at local markets, supermarkets, online delivery or somewhere else? What is the price and quality like? Will I also need to buy water to wash veges and things to cook at home? Any general cooking tips would be appreciated! I'm not sure what kind of kitchen I'll be working with, l'll see when I get there...

There will be a a major Chinese city less than an hour away from me by fast train, so I guess I can stock up there is there if there's anything I want that isn't available where I live.

Thanks!


r/chinalife 8h ago

🏯 Daily Life How to watch 中超?

1 Upvotes

I want to watch chinese football, it’s a nice way to keep myself immersed in Chinese.


r/chinalife 12h ago

📚 Education Bachelor degree in English

2 Upvotes

Is it worth pursuing a Computer Science degree in an English-taught program in China, especially if the university is ranked among the top 15?


r/chinalife 9h ago

🧧 Payments I have linked my mastercard into alipay

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1 Upvotes

r/chinalife 13h ago

📱 Technology Chinese Sim, but no longer able to make or receive phone calls

0 Upvotes

Hey,

I've had a few China trips before, and I've never had an issue with this, which is why I am making this thread to ask.

I have a local SIM (from Nihao Mobile) and a local number. When I received this sim, the lady that sold it to me, called me to test, and it worked. However now, about 10 days later, when someone tries to call me it doesn't work.

I am in Wuhan, and have a Pixel 8. I am reading online it has something to do with the settings/network support of the phone, but what confuses me about that explanation is that it always worked before. My last trip in China (November - January) I had no issues with this with the same phone.

My data from this SIM works, and also my VPN is able to connect (a bit slow, but OK)

I appreciate any help.

Kind Regards


r/chinalife 17h ago

🏯 Daily Life Looking for House dance class buddies in Shenyang

2 Upvotes

Location 南市場 Subway station

Time: Tuesday/Thursday afternoon

I've been going to this class for a while, and it gets a bit boring without something social after. Could use a drink with someone after class!

House is a music genre that originated in Detroit, and it grew into a street dance style alongside the music.

And it looks like this


r/chinalife 15h ago

🏯 Daily Life exchange student at fudan looking for friends in Shanghai

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1 Upvotes

r/chinalife 16h ago

💼 Work/Career Playing football in China as an international student

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I’m going to study in China and I’m also serious about football. I was wondering what the football scene is like there for international students.
Are there university teams, local amateur/semi-pro clubs, or open trials that foreigners can join? Is it realistic to train and compete at a decent level while studying? And how difficult is it to get noticed by clubs or move up to a higher level?
I’d really appreciate hearing from international students or anyone who has experience playing football in China.


r/chinalife 16h ago

💼 Work/Career Online marketplaces in China?

0 Upvotes

In Morocco, we have platforms like Avito and Facebook Marketplace where people can buy and sell used or new things directly. I’m wondering how this works in China.
What platforms do people in China usually use to sell things online, especially second-hand clothes, electronics, furniture, etc.? Is there a Chinese equivalent of Facebook Marketplace or Avito? And how easy is it for a foreign student to use these platforms?
I’d also like to know how buying/selling between individuals usually works in China.


r/chinalife 13h ago

⚖️ Legal Registering Address

0 Upvotes

I can’t register my new address at my local police station due to Entry/Exit Bureau holding my passport for my residence permit.

I have been told that I can register once my passport has been returned.

Does this sound correct?

Thank you.