China Survival Guide

(Last updated: 22/9/08)

Guaranteed Surviving Years: 3

If you think you have known the world quite enough, come to China. Three years ago i laid my foot the first time on China soil, and swhoosh! Three years have past, and still counting.

When you first come to China, it doesn’t take you 3 hours to notice that China is different from what you’ve got used to, but it may take you 3 years to compile useful advices for newbies coming to China and survive (and maybe prosper).

Below, you got irregular but constant update on tips on surviving in China.

On money matter

• While you first settle in China, forget Bank of China. If you want more comprehensive ATM and branch network, go for ICBC (Industrial and Commerce Bank of China). If you want better service, opt for CMB (China Merchant Bank). What about foreign banks? That would not be your option if you haven’t obtained a considerable wealth in China, because most of them focuses on wealth management service, and the entry requirement is high too.
• Fake RMB100 bill is all the rage, same goes with the lesser face value bill. So don’t be surprise when you see the cashiers use their finger to rub the bill surface, use ultraviolet light, bill examination device or whatever methods to examine the authenticity of the money you just gave them (i met this cashier once who practically rub every bill that i gave her, from RMB50 to RMB5, while there is a long line behind me).
• If you are unfortunately enough to receive fake bill, before kicking your ass for not noticing it when you got it, try to use it to buy tran ticket at the counter. I notice them rarely examine the bill.

On safety

• If you trust the traffic light while crossing the streets, you certainly put your life on the line. As my friend from Malaysia commented, “The traffic lights here are purely suggestion.” (Post entry 1, Post entry 2)

On food

• Let face it, not all food in China is prepared in a hygienic fashion. Therefore, eat at the street side food stall occasionally. This help you build up necessary immune system within to survive in China for years to come.

On any other things

• I always thought official websites in China, banks and government bodies alike, would serve nicely as case studies on subject “How to Design a Bad Website”. I’m not exaggerating here. Information is hard to find, looking for an enquiry number takes forever. Different provinces for one company have different websites, layout and contents. Would like to know certain train timetable? Try to google “China Railway (timetable)”? No luck for you!

  Instead, if you would like to find certain information, you have better chance asking your Chinese friends or searching in 百度知道 and 雅虎知识堂.