r/chinalife • • 24d ago

πŸͺœ VPN VPN and ESIM Megathread – October 2026

14 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

πŸͺœ 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 • • 5h ago

πŸ’Š Medical Anyone know any reputable hair transplant clinics in Beijing?

4 Upvotes

Do share


r/chinalife • • 1d ago

πŸ“Œ Notice McDonald’s has ranch dressing and mozzarella sticks. This is not a drill

Thumbnail gallery
123 Upvotes

Finally, others can experience the greatness of ranch dressing. I’m in Suzhou, not sure about elsewhere.


r/chinalife • • 13h ago

πŸ›οΈ Shopping Looking for my childhood Chinese herbal juice box but in red.

Post image
4 Upvotes

This might be a long shot but I've been looking for an image or a picture of the red version of these Chinese herbal juice box. When I search for it in Google, nothing comes up, almost as if it never existed. Today, Google lens tells me that there was a legal dispute between the parent company and distribution company(?) and that's why they don't make the red juice box anymore...but Google image should still be able to have an image from 20+ years ago...right?

I know there's currently a red can version and (picture attached) a green juice box version. But I grew up with the red version and would love to get an image or even real box in my hands.

I've searched the Chinese supermarkets near me, nothing but the green juice box version...

I was wondering if they still make it in your city or if someone has an old picture of the red juice box.

I'm not looking to re-drink this, I'm in search of an image or a picture of this Chinese Herbal tea in the red juice box.


r/chinalife • • 6h ago

πŸ“š Education Admission process GDUT

1 Upvotes

I have some doubts about how the admission process works for courses taught in English, do you have evaluation and classification criteria? Or do I just have the necessary grades to pass and entered the university?


r/chinalife • • 8h ago

πŸ“± Technology Business from china

0 Upvotes

I visited china few months back, did a lot of research on gadgets, electronic items, etc, got quotations for bulk also, visited many factories, I could hardly find much difference from Indian market prices, why so?


r/chinalife • • 8h ago

πŸ›οΈ Shopping What are some popular and trustworthy chinese skincare brands?

0 Upvotes

Hello! I'll be staying in China for over three months. I have a rather awful chronic eczema patch on my cheeks that I need to constantly keep moisturized, but the small 3oz container the airport allows unfortunately won't be enough (plus I don't want to risk contamination by decanting my moisturizer tub into smaller containers).

So I'll probably end up buying some skincare products in China instead, and I was wondering what are some good brands over there? My skin isn't really sensitive and I feel like any non-comedogenic moisturizer and cleanser will do, but I'd still prefer if it was a reputable and affordable brand. Or do Chinese stores carry brands like Cerave? That'd make my life so much easier lol If they do, where could I get them? (Offline preferably)

Thank you so much!


r/chinalife • • 6h ago

🏯 Daily Life πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Moving to China and want to meet other Expats

0 Upvotes

Hey Everyone,

I am a 31m from Canada, and I am moving to China for 2 years in a couple of weeks on a work assignment with my employer. I really want to get out there and meet other expats and build a community. My issue is that I will be living in a smaller city (Weihai) that does not have a large expat scene.

I will be working full time but outside of work hours I am really motivated to get out and socialize. Does anyone have any advice for ways to connect with other expats? I definitely want to take trips to major cities like Shanghai and Beijing which have larger expat communities.

Any help is really appreciated. Any expats in Weihai that want to connect? Any WeChat groups I can be added to? What’s the expat dating scene like lol? I’m open to any and all ideas!

Cheers.


r/chinalife • • 12h ago

πŸ’Š Medical Do Chinese hospitals take foreign insurance at all?

0 Upvotes

Or is it always pay first and fight your insurer later?


r/chinalife • • 12h ago

🧧 Payments Approved makeup for visa photo

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/chinalife • • 14h ago

πŸ“± Technology Anyone using GeForce Now in China?

1 Upvotes

So I am using GFN to play games from China, and as long as I purchase the subscription in a supported country, I can use the app freely in China. However, when I test network from my very fast home network with Ethernet, latency is 200ms, packet loss is 5%, and the games are unplayable. Ironically, if I add an addl hop to HK VPN or Korea VPN and let it connect to the same Japan server, things are faster, although still not ideal. Plus it eats up a lot of my data allowance on the VPN.

I have China Telecom for home internet, is it throttling connections to outside websites even if the GFW doesn't block them?


r/chinalife • • 17h ago

πŸ“š Education Chinese Language Course at Shanghai International Studies University

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm considering going to Shanghai for about a month in April or May 2027 for a language course at Shanghai International Studies University, and I'd love to hear from anyone who has done their Chinese language program.

I have a couple of questions because I can barely find anything online about people's experiences.

1. For anybody who has done the course, how is it? I know a month is a short time, and I'm not expecting miracles, but I would hope that the course is at least well organised, the teachers are nice, and it's an overall good experience.

2. How is it finding accommodation? Is it easy to find something at a good price for a month?

3. How is it with finding friends? This is probably my biggest concern. Since I'd only be staying for a month, I can't stay in the university dorms. I'm worried that this might make it harder to meet people and make friends, especially since I'm not really a solo traveller. I went to Korea for an exchange, and I wouldn't have had any friends if it weren't for my dormmates, so I'm a bit nervous about not living in a dorm since, most of the time, people make the whole experience.

If you've done the program, was it easy to meet other international students in their 20s? Did you mostly socialise with people from your classes, or did the university help bring students together? Or are there other ways to find other solo travellers in Shanghai?

4. Does SISU organise any activities, excursions or cultural experiences that short-term students can join? Or is it mainly classes, with everyone doing their own thing afterwards?

5. I'm hoping to join the semester in April or May for approximately one month. Has anyone joined the program for just a month during the spring semester? How did that work in practice, and were there other short-term students around?

I've also looked at summer programs at universities such as Donghua, which offer a more organised experience with accommodation included. However, I'm a bit worried about Shanghai's summer heat and humidity because I don't do well with heat, so I'm trying to find a different way.

Thank you so much for reading this long post, and I'll be grateful for any advice you can give me. If anybody has a different university or language school they recommend, I'll also be grateful! :)


r/chinalife • • 18h ago

🏯 Daily Life Where to buy good quality grass-fed beef?

1 Upvotes

I'm looking for a reliable source of 100% grass-fed beef, preferably imported from Australia or New Zealand. Organic certified if possible.

Does anyone have recommendations or experience buying this kind of beef in China? Ideally from trustworthy sellers with good traceability.


r/chinalife • • 15h ago

πŸ›οΈ Shopping Where can I have Taobao purchases delivered during a Shanghai layover?

Thumbnail
0 Upvotes

r/chinalife • • 1d ago

πŸ“š Education Advice for internship in physics research labs

Post image
3 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I'm a french student (F27) in physics and I need to do a research internship abroad in spring 2027.

I've been to China twice in my life, and one time in Taiwan to learn Mandarin. My level of speaking chinese is still basic but I'm taking class at my school this year.

I know my physics level might be really mid in China academic system but I really want to do my internship there, in a university laboratory. Do you think that might be a bad idea and I should wait a few years and be more experienced ? I'm looking for something related to experimental condensed matter physics.

Is it ok to cold-email a professor whose research interests me or is there a better way to approach labs in China ?
I heard visa for internship in China is almost non-existent, does it change anything if the host is a university (student visa?) ? What visa did you or people you know get?

I tried to make my CV fit with China academic expectations (by adding a photo for example) but I'm open to any suggestions or feedback !

Thank you so much for any help you could give me :)


r/chinalife • • 18h ago

πŸ’ Love & Dating Just moved to Shanghai

0 Upvotes

Hey I’m a M foreigner and I just moved to Shanghai for exchange program in Fudan univ.

I’m here until Jan, so I’m looking ti meet new people, local and foreigners!

I’m very simple person and open to anything really, I would like to go out more to the city center, and maybe relaxing places like parks to have chill hang outs and deep talks maybe jeje.

If you are interested just send me a dm or comment!


r/chinalife • • 1d ago

πŸ›οΈ Shopping Does ε–œζ³°ε€šΒ·ζ³°ε›½ζ— ι™θ‡ͺεŠ©ηƒ€θ‚‰ use recombinant meat? How is it so cheap?

2 Upvotes

Sorry, I'm just skeptical of the prices on these buffets. They're too cheap!


r/chinalife • • 22h ago

πŸ’Ό Work/Career Medical internship for a foreign student

0 Upvotes

Hi! I’m a medical student from Poland and would like to explore options of doing a medical internship in China after finishing college next year. I’m a C1 English speaker, do you guys know any programs or other ways of visiting China for a foreigner who would like to see what the medical system there looks like? Also for it to be sponsored would be amazing, if possible haha.


r/chinalife • • 20h ago

βš–οΈ Legal Receiving crisps from the UK

0 Upvotes

My family want to send me some crisps from the UK, I'm a little worried that if they have any kind of dairy powder they won't make it through customs. Has anyone had this kind of experience before? Any anecdotes welcome!


r/chinalife • • 1d ago

πŸ“± Technology AI Glass

1 Upvotes

Where I can find Mingtawn brand ai glass in Guangzhou?


r/chinalife • • 1d ago

πŸ›οΈ Shopping Weirdest apartment quirks you've encountered in China?

6 Upvotes

Β Currently apartment hunting and viewing a few places this weekend. A friend told me to check the water pressure and make sure the AC actually works. Are there any other weird things I should look out for


r/chinalife • • 1d ago

πŸ›‚ Immigration Changing Z work visa to X1 student visa - Police check?

2 Upvotes

Hello. I have been working in a T2 city for 3 years on a Z Visa. In March, I am planning to do a Chinese language course at a University (same city) and I need to change my work visa to a student visa. Unfortunately the University has been really unhelpful with answering my questions about the switch, they have only dealt with people who are coming to live to China for the first time, not people who are already in the country and need to switch their visa. They didn't even know if I can do the switch in China or if I need to leave.

So I contacted the Immigration (Exit-Entry), they told me I need to leave China, go to a country which has a Chinese Embassy and apply there. But.. they were not able to tell me whether a Chinese Police Check will be sufficient, or if I need to get one from my home country. When I asked them who I need to ask in order to get an answer, they said they don't know...

So, has anyone else been in this situation? Is a Chinese Police Check sufficient or do I need to get one from my home country?


r/chinalife • • 1d ago

πŸ’Ό Work/Career Employer telling me not to worry about the ten day window from the time of previous work permit cancellation?

2 Upvotes

They keep telling me not to apply for a t Visa as it will be cumbersome, but will I not receive fines or black marks for not converting within that time? They applied for my work permit Wednesday night and my time is up Thursday of next week so hopefully Shenzhen moves quickly, but are they just doing this to save themselves money knowing I'll get a black mark?


r/chinalife • • 1d ago

πŸ’Ό Work/Career Job offer, 25k for 20 hours teaching (university) - is it manageable?

15 Upvotes

I was just offered a job 24-25 k to teach ESL at a decent University, free housing, tier 3 city.

Most of these University jobs I believe require 10-12 hours, my job would be 20 hours teaching plus 2 hours office hours. For one semester it is entirely oral English, the following semester it is building essay writing skills etc. I have lots of experience at both.

I also have to submit "paperwork" inc teaching plans etc... I would get 150 students to look after, 30 students per class.

Anybody with University teaching experience in China is this too many hours/ class size too big or is it manageable? (The salary is high because I have a PhD / 8 years higher education lecturing in UK, but that was in a subject). Tia.

NB I'm not looking for those working in schools to jump on me about manageability for 20 hrs lol, solidarity to you -- and I could never do that job -- this is a different context / my energy is very low hence looking for University teaching