China Forum

Expats talks about the adjusting to China's squatty toilets, spittoons and small shoe sizes. But, these challenges are outweighed by the friendly Chinese people, affordable tailors on every corner and a surprising number of bakeries.

Expats living in China find learning Mandarin a big challenge, but most say that learning even a little is very worthwhile. They also agree that the spitting, squat toilets and Chinese culture take some getting used to. Expats share their tips and experiences living in China.

Shanghai has a number of great international and bi-lingual schools. Some of these schools cater primarily to expats while others have mostly local students. We cover several popular schools in Shanghai and include feedback from parents.

For American expats looking to dine out on Thanksgiving, here's a list of several restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinners in Beijing.

An American retiree in Nanning, China appreciates the low cost of living and friendly locals. Unfortunately, the traffic is horrendous -- motor bikes are the fastest way to get around.

An expat in Beijing advises newcomers to bring shoes (especially if they were larger sizes), a first aid kit and to install a VPN on your computer and phone before you move to China. He explains that you'll need a lot of cash on hand initially since most apartments require 3-month initial payment plus a 1-month deposit. When deciding where to live in Beijing, make sure you live close to work to avoid spending your life in traffic.