10 New Things to Try When You Just Moved to China

Introduction

Welcome to China! As someone who has called Shanghai home for over 13 years, I’ve enjoyed experiencing this incredibly vibrant culture, rich history, and rapid modern development. Moving to a new country can be overwhelming, but embracing the local customs and trying new activities can make your transition smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you're settling into bustling Shanghai or any other city in China, here are ten must-try experiences that I recommend and will help you immerse yourself in Chinese culture and create moments and stories to tell your folks back home.

1. Order Food Delivery

China's food delivery services, such as Meituan and Ele.me, are highly efficient and diverse. These apps offer many options, from local street food to high-end restaurant dishes. Trying out these services would allow you to explore the local cuisine and also help you settle in the highly digitally transformed city. For newcomers who can't read Chinese, you can use Alipay to search for takeout programs like Meituan and Ele.me, and then use the "Translate" button to view pictures and get dish translations, making it easy to order food for delivery. The initial setup is important, as it involves verifying your identity and phone number and adding your address, but it's a one-time process. In some hotels and serviced apartments, your “Waimai” 外卖 (food delivery) could be delivered by cute little robots.

2. Shopping on Taobao

Taobao is China’s largest online shopping platform, offering everything from clothing to electronics at competitive prices. Navigating Taobao can be a fun and rewarding experience, helping you find affordable necessities and unique items delivered to your doorsteps in a day or 3. Warning: Buying things on Taobao can be addictive. If you don't like the item you received, you can easily go to the after-sales department and initiate a return with just one click. A courier will be sent to your doorstep to collect the item, and you will receive a refund after the seller has received the returned goods. Buying things on Taobao saves so much time, wondering where to buy an item in China; everyone’s answer would be, “Did you have a look at Taobao?” Other than Taobao, we also have JD.com as well as PDD and other social-commerce platforms such as Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), Douyin (China’s Tiktok by Bytedance) and PDD (Pinduoduo). All of these can enable you to buy anything with just 2 clicks on the smartphone. If it’s still too complicated for you, check out Baopals. They offer English services and curate the best products in many categories.

3. Karaoke (KTV)

Karaoke, also known as KTV, is a popular but unfortunately dying business in China. Friends gather in a room equipped with a large screen and three microphones, and everyone can add songs to a queue. The song selection includes options in various foreign languages. While singing, people can also dance, play drinking games, or enjoy local snacks. Whether you're belting out tunes or simply soaking up the lively atmosphere, KTV is a wonderful way to bond and have a great time.

4. Hot Pot and Local Barbeque

Among many Chinese cuisines, I found Hot Pot and Chuan’r the most exotic and popular new dining experiences that newcomers should try.

Hot Pot

Hot pot in general is fun, rich in tates with various ingredients are cooked in a communal or individual pot of simmering broth of many choices, even vegan friendly. It's a social meal perfect for gatherings. Different regions have their own variations, so it’s worth trying different styles to find your favourite. Check out my Hot Pot Guide to get started!

Chuan’r (Skewer)

They are actually BBQ skewers, the variety of choices and pairing with local alcohols are usually spicier. The spices they use on the skewers are a combination of cumin seeds, dried red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and sesame or sesame oil. It originated in Xinjiang and then widely spread to the rest of the country, especially in northeastern China. Some refer to it as” Chinese Kebab,” and these joints usually open until late, well into the early hours.

Check out my Chinese food guide in Shanghai to try more different Chinese cuisines.
Contact me if you want to experience these and are unsure how to get started. I can organize local meals by consulting, providing options of different restaurants that would be the greatest first for your scenarios, making reservations, and ordering the right dishes for you and your party.

5. Street Food (Morning Market)

Be adventurous and find your favourite street food in China

Morning markets are vibrant places to explore Chinese street food. From fresh dumplings and steamed buns to exotic snacks, these markets offer an authentic taste of local flavours and definitely give you a glimpse into daily life in China. Local Favorite morning market items are Jianbing, fried beef Buns, Guotie (Long fried dumplings), Baos (all kinds of fillings), and the famous “Classic 4 worriers” of Shanghai breakfast are Youtiao (Fried Dough), Soy Milk, Sesame Pancake, Rice Rolls.

6. Shared Bicycle

Unlock your new mobility in a new city

Shared bicycles, such as those from companies like Hello Bike (Blue ones, Alipay), Meituan (Yellow ones) and Didi (Green ones), are an efficient and eco-friendly way to explore Chinese cities, especially in the French Concession of Shanghai, as many roads are one-way only. Simply scan the QR code on the bicycle to unlock, and you’re ready to go. It’s a convenient way to navigate traffic and see the sights. The price is also very affordable, usually 1.5 RMB ($0.20) per ride of less than 30 minutes or 17 RMB ($2.35) per month, all you can ride.

7. Watch a Movie in a Cinema or at home

Going to the cinema in China can be an exciting experience. You’ll often find a mix of local films and international blockbusters, although we should always check if English subtitles are available for foreign and local films. Cinemas in major cities are modern and comfortable, with options of IMAX (57 in Shanghai), Onyx and DOLBY theatres in Shanghai. You can use Alipay to check seat availability, time and schedule of the desired movies.

Not ready to go to the cinema yet? Check out this full-length movie called Shanghai Calling on YouTube. It was made in 2012, and even though time flies a lot of things mentioned can still be relevant to today’s Shanghai. Filmmakers should seriously think about making a sequel.

Watching TV series and movies is my favourite pastime when I am not at work; while living in China, accessing YouTube would require a VPN service. I wrote here before to recommend a few reliable and affordable options. If you would like to inquire about setting up a TV box which allows you to access Live TV of over 200 channels from all over the world, including news, local stations of major foreign countries such as CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, AXN, HBO and many other on-demand streaming contents, please reach out. I would be happy to help you setup the solutions you need.

8. High-Speed Railway (Bullet Train)

China’s high-speed railway network is one of the most advanced in the world. Travelling by bullet train is fast, efficient, and comfortable. It’s an excellent way to visit other cities and experience the country’s vast landscapes. We have 4 railway stations in Shanghai, but 2 are the most frequently used by locals and travellers. The first one is called Shanghai Railway Station, which is the closest to downtown Shanghai, while the newer one, which opened in July 2010, with more high-speed trains, is called Hongqiao Railway Station. Hongqiao Railway Station can be easily reached via Metro Line 2, 10 and 17. You can easily reach Suzhou or Hangzhou from Shanghai in 20-60 minutes for short trips. Recently, night sleeper trains have been going between Hong Kong and Shanghai, Beijing. Travellers can book their train tickets no more than 14 days in advance, and English speakers can use Trip.com without the hustle to verify their passport/phone number and email. Of course, 12306 is a one-time setup and much easier to use after the setup, and the official app is cheaper, too. Remember, your passport is your train ticket, and you should arrive at the train station no later than 35 minutes before your train departure time. Use the Manned lane to enter the station and platform for foreign passport holders.

9. Visit a Traditional Chinese Tea House

Experience the art of Chinese tea culture by visiting a traditional tea house. Enjoy a variety of teas, learn about the different types, and partake in a tea tasting. This can be a relaxing way to immerse yourself in Chinese traditions and socialize with locals. I always recommend guests to Wanling Tea House, which is hidden in the former French concession, and I can always learn so much from Wanling herself, sharing the wealth of her knowledge of Chinese and Tea culture. Highly Recommended!

10. Explore a Historical Landmark or Ancient Town

China is rich in history and has numerous ancient towns and historical landmarks to explore. Consider visiting places like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, or ancient water towns like Wuzhen or Lijiang. This will give you a deeper understanding of China's historical and cultural heritage.

Conclusion

Moving to China is a thrilling adventure, filled with endless opportunities to explore and learn. From the modern amenities and fast-paced city life to the deep cultural traditions and historical sites, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I’ve cherished my 13 years in Shanghai, and I’m excited for you to discover the wonders of this fascinating country. Embrace these experiences, and you’ll feel right at home in no time. Welcome to China, and happy exploring!