Sapore di Cina

Learn Chinese, Travel, Study or Work in China and Asia

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How to Use Didi: The Best App to Book a Taxi in China

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How to use the DiDi app – Index

  1. How DiDi works
  2. What you need to install Didi (cell phone number, payment method, etc)
  3. How to install DiDi on your cell phone
  4. The type of rides that DiDi offers
  5. What is the difference between Taxi and Express
  6. How to reserve a car with DiDi
  7. Quick guide on how to take a trip in ten steps
  8. More information about DiDi
  9. Frequently asked questions

If you don’t use DiDi you could have some problems in China. Sure you could always wave your hand at the side of the road and a taxi will still stop. But if it’s bad weather or rush hour, there’s no longer any hope of finding a taxi without this new app.

DiDi dache or DiDi chuxing (滴滴打车 or 滴滴出行) is the name of a cell phone app which makes it possible to contact both taxis and private cars with professional drivers.

In other words it’s like a local Uber. DiDi is not the only one on the market, but it’s certainly the most widespread and above all it has a convenient version in English.

There are two ways to use DiDi: [Read more…]

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The 15 Most Livable Cities in China

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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. Cost of living in different Chinese cities
  17. Frequently asked questions

China is an enormous country full of diverse cultures, cuisines, dialects, and living conditions. Traveling from place to place in China you could feel as if you are traveling 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…]

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The Postal System in China: Sending Goods Within, From, and To China

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sistema postal china

The postal system in China is probably one of the cheapest and most efficient in the world. In this article, I am going to give a small description of the different needs, the sending possibilities that exist, and the advantages and disadvantages of each service. Below, you can find the points I am going to cover. [Read more…]

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International Medical Clinics in Asia – Our Complete Guide

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International Medical Clinics in Asia

Living in Asia has many perks in terms of weather, low living costs, great food, and business opportunities. Having said that, it also comes with some responsibility as you’re sometimes not protected by a national welfare system.

Health insurance and medical access are some of the prime examples. Surprisingly, I still come across people who don’t have any health insurance or have no clue what medical facilities to visit if they get sick.

This is almost reckless and one should have a thorough knowledge of how to act in an emergency. Therefore, we have written this article where we go into further details about what international medical clinics are, why you should have private insurance, and more.

Let’s get started.

International Medical Clinics in Asia – Index

  1. What is an international medical clinic?
  2. Do I need private insurance?
  3. How do I find international medical clinics?
  4. Top international hospitals by countries in Asia

[Read more…]

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Top 5 International Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Guangzhou

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Gynecologists in Guangzhou

  1. Guangzhou Elizabeth Women’s Hospital
  2. Guangzhou United Family Hospital
  3. Guangzhou Can Am International Medical Center
  4. International SOS
  5. Clifford Hospital

Do you live in Guangzhou and look for an international obstetrician and gynecologist?

Compared to cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong, you won’t find as many alternatives in Guangzhou. It’s not strange, as the city has comparably fewer foreigners and expats. With that said, the city is renowned for its medical healthcare.

We decided to write this article where we list some of the top international obstetricians and gynecologists available in Guangzhou. We explain their history, the services offered, what makes them unique, and more.

If there’s anything else you wonder about or if you have other recommendations, just write a comment at the end of the article. [Read more…]

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Top 4 International Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Shenzhen

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Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Shenzhen

  1. International SOS
  2. Vista-SK
  3. HKU-Shenzhen Hospital
  4. HarMoniCare Shenzhen Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Do you live in Shenzhen and plan to visit international obstetrics or gynecologists?

Despite being a financial hub and one of China’s biggest cities, Shenzhen doesn’t have as many clinics with expertise in these fields compared to places like Shanghai and Beijing. It’s not strange, as Shenzhen developed later and is comparably smaller.

With that said, you still have a handful of trustful options available. In this article, we list some of the leading obstetricians and gynecologists in Shenzhen. We review their history, services, and what makes them unique. Let’s get started. [Read more…]

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Top 5 International Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Shanghai

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Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Shanghai

  1. Shanghai East International Medical Center
  2. Parkway Pantai
  3. English-International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital
  4. Renai Hospital
  5. WorldPath Clinic International

Do you live live in Shanghai and you are looking for an obstetrician or gynecologist in the city?

Shanghai has many international hospitals that have catered to foreigners for decades, but it’s not always easy to find them online. Therefore, we have written this article where we list some of the top international obstetricians and gynecologists in the city.

We start and review a brief introduction about their history and what makes them special. We will also check what services they provide, where they are located, and more. Let’s get started. [Read more…]

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Top 4 International Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Beijing

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Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Beijing

  1. Oasis International Hospital
  2. Beijing United Family Hospital
  3. American-Sino Medical Group
  4. International Medical Centre Beijing

Are you looking for an international obstetrician and gynecologist in Beijing?

Beijing is the home of multiple international hospitals, some with decades of experience of catering to locals and foreigners. Many of them have specialized in obstetrics and gynecology from the start and have a reputable track record.

They also collaborate with most of the international insurance providers and put patients first, offering high-quality services. In this article, we list some of the top international and gynecologists, explaining their history, facilities, services, and more. [Read more…]

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Top 5 International Pediatricians in Guangzhou

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Pediatricians in Guangzhou

  1. Guangzhou United Family Hospita
  2. Clifford Hospital
  3. Guangzhou Elizabeth Women’s Hospital
  4. iBorn Clinic
  5. Guangzhou CanAm International Medical Center

Do you live in Guangzhou and currently look for a reputable pediatrician? Being one of China’s Tier 1 cities, you won’t have any major issues to find a good pediatrician, but it can take some time.

To help families getting in help with pediatricians quickly, we have written this article where we list some of the leading service providers in the city. They have catered to foreign patients for years and have well-developed pediatrics departments.

Let’s start. [Read more…]

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Top 4 International Pediatricians in Shenzhen

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Pediatricians in Shenzhen

  1. The International SOS Shenzhen
  2. Wellem
  3. Vista-SK
  4. Raffles Medical Shenzhen

Do you live in Shenzhen and currently look for pediatricians? Shenzhen has plenty of clinics that offer services in pediatrics, but it’s not always easy to find the best options. It can be a hassle, especially for families who need to find a reliable service provider fast.

To give you a helping hand, we have written this article where we list some of the leading international pediatricians in Shenzhen. You can find a link to their websites as well as information about their office addresses. [Read more…]

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Top 5 International Pediatricians in Beijing

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Pediatricians in Beijing

  1. International SOS Beijing
  2. Oasis International Hospital
  3. Beijing Puhua International Clinic
  4. Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics
  5. International Medical Center Beijing

Beijing is a Tier 1 city that has plenty of expats who work in everything from automotive to the insurance industry. Due to its size and economic importance, foreigners have poured into Beijing in the past two decades, creating an increased demand for various medical services.

As expat families move to Beijing, we’ve also seen a greater demand for pediatric services. And no matter if you live in Beijing now or if you plan to move there later, it can be a wise choice to identify quality service providers before you come across any issues.

Therefore, we have written this article where we oust some of the best and most popular pediatricians in Beijing. [Read more…]

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Top 5 International Pediatricians in Shanghai

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Pediatricians in Shanghai

  1. Parkway Pantai Shanghai
  2. International Peace Maternity and Child Hospital of China (IPMCH)
  3. SinoUnited Health
  4. Shanghai East International Medical Center
  5. United Family Healthcare

In the past decade, many foreigners have moved to Shanghai thanks to the many business opportunities and quality of life offered.

The city can now proudly say that it’s a developed city by Asian standards and it’s generally easy to get by here. Foreigners and expats won’t have any issues finding both public and high-quality private healthcare either.

In this article, we list some of the best international pediatricians in Shanghai, explaining their history, what services they offer, and where they are located. Let’s get started and check one of the biggest service providers available. [Read more…]

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Top 3 International Ophthalmologists & Optometrists in Guangzhou

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  1. Eye Clinic – United Family Hospital (GZU)
  2. Guangzhou AIER Eye Hospital
  3. EuroEyes Laser Eye Center Guangzhou

Guangzhou is a Tier 1 city in China that attracts a great number of foreigners who either study or work in the tech and manufacturing industries. With a metro population of 25 million people, it’s not strange that we also see a demand for international ophthalmologists and optometrists here.

However, if you recently moved to Guangzhou or plan to move there, chances are that you aren’t that familiar with the options available. Therefore, we have written this article to give you a helping hand and where we list some of the biggest and most popular ophthalmologists and optometrists in this metropolis.

If you have any other recommendations or want additional information about the clinics, you can contact them directly or drop a comment below. [Read more…]

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Top 4 International Ophthalmologists & Optometrists in Shenzhen

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Ophthalmologists & Optometrists Shenzhen

  1. Shenzhen AIER Eye Hospital
  2. EuroEyes Laser Eye Surgery Center
  3. Shenzhen Huaxia Eye Hospital
  4. C-MER Dennis Lam Eye Hospital

Shenzhen is one of the biggest metropolises in China and has grown from as little as 60,000 inhabitants to more than 10 million in less than a few decades. Along with this meteoric rise and Shenzhen’s new status as being one of China’s financial centers, foreigners have poured into Shenzhen in great numbers.

We’ve seen an increased demand for not only international schools, Western restaurants but also hospitals, including ophthalmologists and optometrists. If you live in Shenzhen or plan to move there and look for an ophthalmologist or optometrist, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we list some of the leading and most popular ophthalmologists and optometrists that are based in Shenzhen. Let’s start and review one of the biggest clinics. [Read more…]

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

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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. Who can open a bank account in China?
  3. What do I need to open a bank account in China?
  4. What bank to choose
  5. Banking procedures
  6. Obtaining debit and credit cards
  7. Union Pay compared to Visa, MasterCard and American Express
  8. Taking money to China
  9. Bringing money back from China
  10. Online and mobile banking
  11. 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…]

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Top 4 International Ophthalmologists & Optometrists in Beijing

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Ophthalmologists & Optometrists in Beijing

  1. United Family Healthcare
  2. Beijing Aier-Intech Eye Hospital
  3. Eye Center – Peking University People’s Hospital
  4. Beijing International SOS

Foreigners who live in China sometimes need to find high-quality medical services and where the professionals are capable of communicating in English. This is especially the case if you have eye problems, might it be with your retina or cataract. To opt-in for a low-quality service provider and where there’s a risk of miscommunication is a big no.

Luckily, Beijing has been the home to many foreigners for decades and we’ve seen many international hospitals popping up, including ophthalmologists and optometrists. In this article, we present some of the top eye hospitals in Beijing, and what services they offer, how long experience they have, where they are located, and more.

Let’s get started and review one of the most renowned hospitals that have thousands of professionals employed. [Read more…]

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Top 4 International Ophthalmologists & Optometrists in Shanghai

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Ophthalmologists & Optometrists in Shanghai

  1. Parkway Pantai
  2. Yosemite Clinic
  3. Shanghai East International Medical Center
  4. Shanghai Aier Eye Hospital

In just over a decade, Shanghai has become one of the world’s most famous metropolises with expats in high numbers and international students that want to pursue studies in the Chinese language.

Along with this, we’ve also seen an increased demand for international healthcare services and where ophthalmology is not an exception. If you need to find an ophthalmologist or optometrist in Shanghai, don’t worry. There are plenty of clinics available with experienced staff that often have studied and/or worked overseas.

In this article, we list some of the most popular clinics that offer ophthalmology services in Shanghai. [Read more…]

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Top 4 International Dental Clinics in Guangzhou

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International Dental Clinics in Guangzhou

  1. Dental Smile Guangzhou
  2. Guangzhou United Family Hospital
  3. Dr. Lu International Dental Clinic
  4. Arrail Dental Guangzhou

Guangzhou is one of China’s biggest Tier 1 cities that attracts plenty of foreign professionals. Located in the large province of Guangdong, the city has flourished together with other cities like Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Luckily, you can find plenty of international medical and dental clinics here, ready to help foreigners who are in the need of dental services. In this article, we’ve listed some of the top international dental clinics available in Guangzhou. [Read more…]

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Best Health Insurance for Expats in China

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health insurance expats china

One of the most important things you need to consider before moving to China to live is whether you need to take out health insurance or not, and what type of policy to choose.

Click here if you want to send a request for a
free quotation to the broker we recommend at the moment

This article is intended to help you understand what you will find in China, and to provide the information necessary for you to be able to decide whether to take out a health insurance policy and how to choose it.

To do so, we are going to cover the following topics (you can click on the index below to skip directly to the section that you are most interested in).

Health Insurance for Expats in China – Index

  1. Medical attention in China
  2. Why do I need health insurance in China?
  3. Hospitals in China
  4. Types of health insurance in China
  5. What is a broker and why you might need one?
  6. Table comparing health insurance policies for China
  7. Other Health Insurances for China
  8. How to evaluate the features of a health insurance policy
  9. Send a request for a free quotation to the broker we recommend

[Read more…]

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Top 6 International Dental Clinics in Shenzhen

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International Dental Clinics in Shenzhen

  1. U-Family Dental Clinic in Shenzhen
  2. Arrail Dental
  3. AKJ Dental
  4. Viva-Dental
  5. Dental Bauhinia
  6. Eco-Dental

Shenzhen is famed for growing from around 59,000 inhabitants in 1980 to 12.5-23.3 million, depending on how you define it. Shenzhen has truly transformed from being a small village to becoming the tech-hub of China, where multinationals like Apple have large operations.

Over the years, many foreigners and expats have relocated to Shenzhen and we’ve seen a greater demand for high-quality dental services since. Whether you plan to move to Shenzhen or currently live there and look for an international dental clinic, don’t look any further.

In this article, we list some of the most reputable and popular dental clinics among foreigners in Shenzhen. [Read more…]