Sapore di Cina

Learn Chinese, Travel or Work in China

Review of NordVPN, a Premium VPN at a Reasonable Price

- Written by 1 Comment

nord vpn review

Born in 2012 as a modest project, NordVPN has become one of the most complete and popular VPNs on the market. Currently, this VPN provider (whether fortunately or unfortunately) is competing to be one of the leading VPNs in China, which is quite possibly the hardest test of the reliability of any VPN service.

Below you will find a complete review of NordVPN.

Features

  • Encryption protocols: OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPsec and IKEv2/IPsec
  • Simultaneous connections: 6 simultaneous connections.
  • Number of countries with servers and server count: 5,118 servers in 62 countries, including 2,314 in the USA, 2,319 in Europe, 461 servers in Asia and the Pacific and 50 servers in Africa, the Middle East and India.
  • Server changes: Unlimited.
  • Applications: Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iOS.

[Read more…]

The 7 Classes of Chinese Tea and the 10 Most Famous Brands

- Written by 7 Comments

Chinese tea

Click here to buy Chinese tea directly from China!

The 7 Classes of Chinese Tea – Index

  1. The different classes of Chinese tea
  2. The 10 most famous Chinese tea
  3. Where to buy Chinese tea
  4. Frequently asked questions

“Rather go without salt for three days than without tea for a single day,” Chinese Proverb.

I’m in love with Chinese tea. I drink it every day and every time I come back to Europe I bring some nice tea packages to my family and friends. Most important, I buy a ton of tea for myself.

My favorite Chinese tea is the Long Jing, the green tea produced close to the West Lake of Hangzhou. I also like flower tea and Pu’er, the fermented tea from Yunnan Province.

If you do a quick search on the internet you’ll find a lot of information about Chinese tea.

I decided to limit this first article about Chinese tea to two topics that I find interesting: the different classes of Chinese tea and the most famous tea brands of China (for each class of tea there are many different brands, for instance you have the Long Jing green tea from Hangzhou, the Bi Luo Chun green tea from Tai Hu and so on). [Read more…]

The 15 Most Livable Cities in China

- Written by 15 Comments

most livable cities in china

The Most Livable Cities in China – Index

  1. Hangzhou
  2. Xiamen
  3. Kunming
  4. Qingdao
  5. Nanjing
  6. Shenzhen
  7. Zhuhai
  8. Beijing
  9. Tianjin
  10. Sanya
  11. Haikou
  12. Chengdu
  13. Suzhou
  14. Guilin
  15. Shanghai
  16. Enjoy the Chinese cities
  17. Frequently asked questions

China is an enormous country full of diverse cultures, cuisines, dialects and living conditions. Travelling from place to place in China you could feel as if you are travelling through a variety of different countries.

The lifestyle in the largest cities differs significantly from that in the countryside, the western and eastern parts of the country feel like completely separate worlds and customs in the north can be totally out of place in the south (and vice-versa). One could easily spend a lifetime exploring China and sampling its massive variety.

That being said, there are some parts of China that are typically more attractive for living in than others. While many people who come from abroad to live in China gravitate towards Beijing and Shanghai, there are many other wonderful cities in which to live in.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to select where you want to live in China (a common perk of being an English teacher) it can seem a little daunting to try to choose which city would be ideal for you.

Therefore, we have gathered a list of 15 cities, which are in no particular order (because tastes truly do vary), that seem to be generally considered the most enjoyable places to live in China.

We have taken into consideration many factors such as cultural and historical significance, economic conditions, cleanliness, cuisine, climate, fashion and shopping, how cosmopolitan a city is and proximity to other areas of interest.

We hope you enjoy our list of the 15 most livable cities in China! [Read more…]

Tours in Vietnam: Everything You Need to Know Before Booking Your Trip

- Written by Leave a Comment

tour in Vietnam

This article is a complete guide with everything you need to know about enjoying a tour in Vietnam. Below, you will find the subjects that we will cover in this article.

Tours in Vietnam – Index

  1. What are the most popular tours in Vietnam
  2. How to choose a travel agency
  3. What to consider before booking your trip to Vietnam
  4. When to book a tour and when to travel independently
  5. How to prepare for your trip and what to bring
  6. Frequently asked questions

[Read more…]

Review of VyprVPN – The Most Secure VPN for Asia

- Written by Leave a Comment

most secure vpn in asia

Over the past few years, we have been using VyprVPN in China to browse the internet securely and to access websites blocked in this county. During this time, VyprVPN has demonstrated that it is a fast, reliable, and extremely secure VPN. Below, we describe our impressions of this VPN and why we believe that it is one of the VPNs that offers the best security when you browse the internet.

VyprVPN’s features

  • Encryption protocols: PPTP, OpenVPN™, L2TP/Ipsec, Chameleon™
  • Simultaneous connections: Up to 5 simultaneous connections (depending on the plan you choose)
  • Server count and location: More than 700 servers in 50 countries
  • Server changes: Unlimited
  • Applications: Apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, Router.
  • Money back guarantee: 30 days
  • After-sale service: 24 hours a day all year round
  • Extras: NAT Firewall

Pros of VyprVPN

  • Simultaneous connections: The “pro” option allows you to use three simultaneous connections with the same account (you can have 5 with the “premium” option). This is very useful, as it means that you don’t have to disconnect the VPN from your laptop every time you want to use your smartphone. Many service providers offer a discount if you want to buy a second account, but buying and creating another account is not practical whatsoever.
  • Security: It is in terms of security, in our opinion, that VyprVPN stands out, an aspect which I will further discuss below.
  • Applications: Apps are designed for a broad range of systems, and are very well-designed.

[Read more…]

ow to Access Gmail in China – Receive and Send Emails from China

- Written by Leave a Comment

accessing gmail account in China

If you’re reading this article, it’s highly likely that you know that in China, Gmail as well as all of Google’s services are blocked.

In this guide, we will give you a step-by-step explanation on how you can access your Gmail account and any other online service that is blocked for users in Mainland China.

What do I need to access my Gmail account from China?

To access your Gmail account, as is obvious, you are going to need an Internet connection as well as a system for getting around the Great Firewall of China.

Currently, the most popular and easiest to use system for getting around the Great Firewall of China is a system called a Virtual Private Network or VPN.

What’s a VPN?

Without getting into the details, a VPN is a system that helps maintain Internet security and anonymity by “tunneling” your connection through a server located elsewhere. The connection between your device and the server selected is encrypted so that third parties can’t see your activities online or the origin of your connection.

On the practical level, a VPN will make your IP address and online activity private (websites or applications online will see the server IP address, not yours), and this lets you get around the Great Firewall of China, as it will look like you’re connecting to the Internet from where the VPN server is located, and not from China.

What VPN to use in China

[Read more…]

Doctorate Programs with the Confucius China Studies Program

- Written by Leave a Comment

Doctorate programs

We’ve received and publish this article written by Giovanni Ruscica, taken from his personal experience.

Confucius China Studies Program – Index

  1. Ph.D. in China Fellowship
  2. Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship
  3. “Understanding China” Fellowship
  4. Young Leaders Fellowship
  5. Publication Grant
  6. International Conference Grant

40 years of reforms and opening in China, along with its current One Belt, One Road initiative, have allowed this nation to emerge as a protagonist in a global contest.

Every year there are more people interested in traveling to China, motivated out of curiosity for a partially unknown world, for business, or for reasons of study.

In this last case, China offers countless opportunities to win a scholarship. The most popular are those from the Chinese government, the Chinese provincial governments, and the Confucius Institute. In addition there is another scholarship capable of financing periods of study in China.

Are you about to complete your masters program with the idea of a doctorate or are you a graduate student wanting to deepen your studies in China? Then this program is just for you! [Read more…]

How to Unblock Facebook and Facebook Messenger in China

- Written by Leave a Comment

how to use facebook messenger in china

As you most likely know, in China, Facebook, just like many other websites that are popular in the West, are blocked. Facebook’s instant messaging app, Facebook Messenger, is also blocked. In this article, we’ll give a step-by-step explanation of how you can access Facebook in China without restrictions.

Keep in mind that if you follow these simple steps, not only will you be able to access Facebook, but also other apps and websites that are blocked in China, such as WhatsApp, all Google services, Line, Twitter and Instagram, among others. In addition, you will be able to browse the Internet without restrictions.

What do you need to connect to Facebook in China?

Accessing Facebook and its messaging app is very easy. All you’ll need is access to the Internet and software to get around the Great Firewall of China (which is the reason for the restrictions on Internet use).

1. Access the Internet

It’s obvious that if you want to use Facebook or its apps, you will need an Internet connection. In China, connecting to the Internet is relatively easy, either through the numerous public Wi-Fi networks or by buying a prepaid SIM card with a data plan.

2. An app to get around the Great Firewall of China

There are multiple ways of getting around the Great Fireball of China that vary in effectiveness, but without a doubt, the most popular and effective way is to use a system called a Virtual Private Network (or VPN).
[Read more…]

How to Unblock and Access Reddit in China with a VPN

- Written by Leave a Comment

Accessing Reddit in China

Is it still possible to access Reddit in China? Despite the fact that China blocked access to Reddit in August 2018, you can still access Reddit without problems if you know how.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to access Reddit and other websites blocked in China in a simple way.

What do you need to use Reddit in China?

To access Reddit or any other website that’s blocked in China, obviously, you are first going to need to be connected to the Internet. After that, you will need a system to “get around” the Great Firewall of China.

1. An internet connection

Accessing the Internet in China is relatively easy. Free Wi-Fi networks are available at many places, such as restaurants, hotels, cafés, and airports, among others. You can also get a SIM card with data just by showing your passport at one of the official stores of China’s three main telephone operators, China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom. Getting a prepaid SIM card is relatively cheap, and with around 200 Yuan, you will have all of the services necessary for a month (SIM, data and calls).

2. A system to get around the Great Firewall

There currently exist multiple systems to get around the Internet restrictions of the Great Firewall of China. Among them, the most efficient and easiest-to-use system is without a doubt a Virtual Private Network or VPN.

[Read more…]

How to Access Tinder in China (and What Alternatives Exist)

- Written by Leave a Comment

Access Tinder in China

For the past few years, Tinder has been blocked in China. However, using Tinder in China is easy if you know how.

In this article, we give a simple explanation of what you need to unblock Tinder in China, what a VPN is and what are the best VPNs for accessing any apps blocked in China. Last of all, we explain what type of people you can find on Tinder and what alternatives exist in China for dating.

What do you need to access Tinder in China?

1. Internet access: It’s obvious that to access Tinder, you will first need to be connected to the Internet. However, is it difficult to access the Internet in China? As opposed to what some people might think, accessing the Internet in China is relatively easy.

  • Public Wi-Fi networks: The majority of public places, including restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels and airports, have free Wi-Fi networks available for their customers. In small cities, it can be a bit more difficult to find places with free Internet, but you can still find it at places like hotels.
  • A SIM card with data: If you want to use Tinder in China, the most convenient thing might be to have mobile data access, and unless you want to spend a lot of money on roaming, the best idea is to buy a Chinese SIM card. Getting a prepaid Chinese SIM card is cheap and relatively simple. All you have to do is take your passport to an official store of one of the country’s main operators (there aren’t big differences between them). Normally they will ask you to choose a telephone number from those available and a monthly data plan. For the majority of people, approximately 200 Yuan should be enough for a SIM card, a decent data plan and a bit of credit in case you need to make a call.

[Read more…]

Personal Banking in China: How to Open a Bank Account in China

- Written by 26 Comments

How to Open a Bank Account in China

Having an account at a Chinese bank can be an advantage, even if your stay is only for a few weeks or months.

In this guide, you will find all of the information you need to know before opening a bank account as well as how to do it. Below are the main subjects that we will cover:

Personal Banking in China – Index

  1. Reasons to open a bank account in China
  2. What do I need to open a bank account in China
  3. What bank to choose
  4. Banking procedures
  5. Obtaining debit and credit cards
  6. Union Pay compared to Visa, MasterCard and American Express
  7. Taking money to China
  8. Bringing money back from China
  9. Online and mobile banking
  10. Frequently asked questions

Reasons for opening a bank account in China

Even if you are in China for a short period of time, opening a bank account in China can make your life easier for multiple reasons: [Read more…]

The Complete Guide for Planning your Trip to the Canton Fair

- Written by 13 Comments

The Canton Fair

The Canton Fair is held every six months on the island of Pazhou, at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (380, Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou).

This is the biggest Commercial Exhibition Fair on the planet. Just to cite a few numbers, in the Spring edition of 2015, some 24,713 manufacturing companies (or wholesalers) participated and 184,801 foreign importers.

In this article you’ll find all you’ll need to plan your trip to the fair. Specifically, we will cover the following topics:

Canton Fair – Index

  1. When does the Canton Fair begin?
  2. How to sign up for the Canton Fair
  3. Visa for the Canton Fair
  4. International flights to China
  5. How to get to Guangzhou from Hong Kong, Beijing or Shanghai
  6. Tour to attend the Canton Fair
  7. Hotels for the Canton Fair
  8. Health Insurance
  9. Internet and communications
  10. Getting around Guangzhou by taxi or metro
  11. Translators
  12. Frequently asked questions

If you’ve already decided that you want to attend the Canton Fair but you don’t want to worry about organizing your trip, we can suggest a trustworthy travel agency that will do it for you. Click here to contact us. [Read more…]

The List of Blocked Websites in China

- Written by 166 Comments

The list of blocked websites in China

¿Do you want to access any website in China without restrictions? Click here and check out the comparison of the top VPNs that really work in China

Latest important information

VPNs continue to provide access to websites blocked in China

Despite the rumors, VPNs continue to be the best way to get around the Great Firewall of China. Nonetheless, due to an intense campaign during the second half of 2017, many VPNs have stopped working or their services have been affected substantially.

In this article, which we update monthly, you will be able to see which VPNs continue to work in China.

Currently, WhatsApp does not work in China

Since September 2017, WhatsApp has been almost completely blocked in China. Currently, without using a VPN, you can’t send or receive voice messages, videos, images or any other types of files.

Text messages are sometimes capable of getting around the restrictions, but they can arrive hours late.

Skype continues to work in China

In December 2017, the Skype app disappeared from the App Store and other app markets in China. Even so, Skype has never stopped working in China.

VPN apps for Apple are not blocked in China

The apps have not been blocked. Even so, the App Store has blocked downloading these apps for users who are located in China, which means that you will not be able to download the apps or update them unless you have a VPN active on your phone (manually configured or by downloading the app in advance).´

Google maps is still blocked in China
Recent news pointed to the possibility that China may release the block to Google Maps for users in Mainland. However at the present moment Google Maps is unavailable in China without a VPN.

You probably already know that sites such as Facebook, Youtube or Google.com are blocked in China and that the only way to access them is with a VPN.

But what about the other hundreds of web sites that we normally use?

Are we sure that they’ll work in China?

One of the most frequent questions we receive is if a certain website or app, such as Dropbox Google Play, is blocked in China.

In this article we’ll list all web sites, which at the moment, don’t work beyond the Great Firewall of China, or the system developed by the Ministry of Public Security, (MPS) to control access to websites considered “dangerous” for Chinese citizens. [Read more…]

Mount Kailash Tour – All You Need to Know Before planning a trip to Mount Kailash

- Written by Leave a Comment

Travel to Mount Kailash

This article was written by Harley Greenberg, manager at WindHorseTour.

In this article, I would like to share all you need to know before you plan your trip to Mount Kailash.

P.s. If you are just looking for a tour quotation, you can click here and head directly to the tour form. We will put you in touch with a tour agency based in China, which specializes in tours in Tibet.

Mount Kailash Tour – Index

  1. An introduction to Mount Kailash
  2. How to get to Mount Kailash
  3. The best time to visit Mount Kailash
  4. Suggested itineraries for a Mount Kailash Tour
  5. Cost of a Mount Kailash Tour
  6. Travel regulation, China Visa and Tibet Permit to Mount Kailash
  7. Packing list for your Kailash trek
  8. Accomodation at Mount Kailash
  9. Food on a travel to Mount Kailash
  10. Staying healthy and avoiding altitude sickness
  11. Frequently asked questions
  12. Get a free quotation for your tour to Mount Kailash!

[Read more…]

Raising an Expat Kid in China – The Complete Guide

- Written by Leave a Comment

Early years

This article is written with the voice of expat parents, children, and young adults all currently or recently living in China.

If you make a conscious decision to become an expat anywhere in the world, it’s best to adopt the philosophy, “embracing where you live”. You and your children will get so much more out of the incredible experience of living abroad if you do!

Let’s get started!

Having a baby is stressful!

Don’t get me wrong, it’s probably the most memorable experience in a parent’s life. Have you ever noticed how soon-to-be parents seem to glow when they’re expecting? They kind of seem like they are floating around on a cloud of bliss.

But still, it’s full of huge decisions that could influence you and your baby’s health. Luckily, you have have family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and a few random strangers that can all tell you how wonderful their obstetrician was, and where they bought the “must have” stroller. [Read more…]

Coliving spaces in Hong Kong: A Complete Guide

- Written by Leave a Comment

Coliving space in Hong Kong

Coliving space in Hong Kong – Index

  1. What is a coliving space?
  2. For how long time do I need to sign up?
  3. Best coliving spaces in Hong Kong
  4. How much does it cost to rent or share a regular apartment in Hong Kong?
  5. Should I choose coliving or a regular apartment?

Hong Kong has the most expensive real estate market in the world and the young generation is mainly to suffer. However, as property prices reach all time highs, we’ve seen a new industry and trend popping up, namely “coliving”.

In this article, you’ll learn what coliving really means (in modern terms), which companies that offer this kind of service in Hong Kong, how much it costs, and more.

Let’s start and have a look what the definition of coliving is.

[Read more…]

How to Choose the Right Place to Live in Thailand

- Written by Leave a Comment

where to live in thailand

Where to live in Thailand – Index

  1. The purpose for moving
  2. City, mountain, or sea?
  3. The weather
  4. Alone or accompanied?
  5. Budget and cost of living

Deciding on the place that would become your new home in Thailand is an important and personal choice that can vary widely depending on many aspects such as age, the reason for moving, your budget, your monthly income and so on.

Nevertheless, to decide on a final destination, there are some questions that anyone who is planning on living in Thailand should consider before leaving:

  • What is the reason for your move? Are you looking to establish Thailand as your base of operations for traveling through Southeast Asia, or are you looking to work in the Land of Smiles?

    Another still is: have you chosen this country as a retirement destination or do you still not have a well-defined plan and in the meantime are enrolling in a school to learn Thai?

  • Would you rather live in a city, like Bangkok or Pattaya, or in a smaller place in the countryside like the province of Kanchanaburi? If you’re a fan of the mountains and want to settle in a cool and peaceful place like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai, or would you prefer a life of sun and sea that you can find on the islands?
  • What type of climate do you like? Are you a fan of constant heat, or do you prefer mild temperatures that can go down as far as 15 degrees in the winter?
  • Are you moving to Thailand alone or with your family? Do you have school-age children?
  • How do you plan on supporting yourself during the time you’ll be living in Thailand? Do you have savings or a fixed income, or do you intend to look for work?

An increasing number of people of all ages dream of going to live in a tropical paradise like Thailand. The Kingdom of Siam offers so much in human and landscape terms, as well as completely overturning your life (in a positive way). [Read more…]

Review of Surfshark VPN – An Alternative for China

- Written by Leave a Comment

Surfshark review

Created in 2018, Surfshark is definitely one of the most promising VPNs at the moment. Despite not having been around for a long time, Surfshark has a broad network of physical servers across the globe, excellent security and privacy services and a broad offering of extra options, all at a very competitive price. Without a doubt, Surfshark is a premium VPN at the price of a budget one.

For users in China, Surfshark offers excellent connectivity but doesn’t offer the services of the most popular VPNs currently used in the country. In any event, this VPN is definitely an excellent alternative to large-scale VPN providers, especially if you consider that it’s one of the few VPNs that includes the possibility of using Shadowsocks.

Click here to try Surfshark!

Features

Encryption protocols: IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN UDP, “Shadowsocks”.

Simultaneous connections: Unlimited.

Number of servers and location: Surfshark offers more than 800 servers in more than 50 different countries.

Server changes: Unlimited.

Applications: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, iOS, FireTV, Apple TV, Xbox, Playstation.

Trial period or guaranteed money back: It offers a free trial period of 7 days and 30 days guaranteed money back.

After-sale service: It has a 24/7 seven customer service system via live chat or email.

Extras: CleanWeb (ads and malware blocker), Whitelister (allows certain applications or websites to ignore the VPN), Kill switch, Multihop (connect to multiple countries at the same time), NoBorders (avoid restrictions).
[Read more…]

Kung Fu Tour: Visit The Shaolin Temple With a Travel Agency

- Written by

Kung Fu Tour

Kung Fu Tour – Index

  1. Why it’s difficult to travel to the Shaolin Temple
  2. Why visit Shaolin Temple
  3. Most popular tours
  4. Other tours
  5. Where can I hire these types of tours?
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. Are you looking for a travel agency?

For anyone interested in Chinese martial arts, I’m sure that one of your dreams is to be able to visit a place as emblematic as the Shaolin Temple, and that it would be even better if you could interact with some of its masters.

However, organizing a trip to the Shaolin Temple is not an easy task. In this article, I want to discuss why it isn’t easy to get to the Shaolin Temple and explain what the most popular tours which include a visit to the temple offer.

If you have already decided that you want to hire a tour but you don’t know which agency to choose, we can recommend a trustworthy agency to you, just contact us through this form. [Read more…]

China’s Fake Markets: The Complete Guide for Foreigners

- Written by 2 Comments

Fake markets in China

China’s Fake Markets – Index

  1. What are the Chinese fake markets?
  2. Rules to not get ripped off at the fake market
  3. Where to find the fake markets in Beijing?
  4. Where to find the fake markets in Shanghai?
  5. Frequently asked questions

What are the Chinese fake markets?

The first time that I went to China, right after leaving one of my friends told me:

“Don’t come back to Italy without checking out at least one of the fake markets in Beijing.”

Fake market? What did that mean?

I never heard of them, and didn’t know of the existence of this parallel world until one day, at the end of my lessons at the Beijing Language and Culture University, with one of my colleagues I headed toward one of the most famous fake markets in Beijing, the Silk Market (秀水街, Xiushui Jie, in Chinese), in the Chaoyang district.

It was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my first trip to China. After weeks of frustration in university, finally a little shopping and entertainment.

The Silk Street Market is an actual building of fakes, each floor with specific products, from shoes to clothing, to electronics and toys, to perfume to accessories for the home. A shopping mall from which it is impossible to leave without making at least one purchase among the thousands of articles offered. [Read more…]