Living in China
Low cost of living
The cost of living in China is lower than the most industrialized countries in the world. You can afford a lifestyle you are
unlikely to be enjoying at home: get a housekeeper, travel every month, and enjoy frequent restaurant meals, massages, and
night outs in the town.
Leisure activities in China
China has a wide range of regional cuisines. Whether you're enjoying a meal with friends, working out at the fitness club,
or getting a massage, you'll find that leisure activities are often very affordable in China.
Cost of transportation in China
China has excellent, yet inexpensive, public transport and taxi rides. Chinese people often commute by bicycles, but this
mode of transport is only for the bravest of foreigners.
Inexpensive travel in China and beyond
Any traveller on a budget loves taking trains in China. Trains are numerous and increasingly high speed rail services connect
large regional cities. Domestic flights are also usually inexpensive.
Food
Local fruits and vegetables and other goods (like frozen chicken and fish) can be purchased at reasonable prices at local markets
and western style supermarkets (of varying quality). Many big supermarkets have a separate imports section.
There are many restaurants in Beijing, which include Chinese, American, French, Italian, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Thai, and Indian.
It also has the international food chains like Starbucks, McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Hard Rock Cafe, Subway, and TGI Fridays.
Reasonably priced custom made clothes
The cost of having clothes tailor made is very affordable. Once you discover the joys of custom-fit clothing, it may be difficult
to go back to the rack!
Language
Putonghua is the official language of China, although there are many dialects throughout the country. It is not essential to
speak Chinese to survive, especially within the university community.
There is a growing number of local Chinese learning English and it easy to settle in China.