Living in China

Chongqing Is Big — and That Changes How You Settle In If you are a New Zealander heading to Chongqing for study, work, family life, or simply a proper China adventure, the phrase “Chongqing China population” probably comes up early in your research. Fair enough too. You want to know whether you are arriving in a buzzing mega-city, a manageable university town, or somewhere so huge that meeting a mate for coffee requires a packed lunch and a navigation plan. ...

Is WeChat Like WhatsApp? Yes — Until You Actually Need It in China If you are a Kiwi packing for Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, or a university semester somewhere you had to find on a map twice, you will probably ask the obvious question: is WeChat like WhatsApp? The short answer is yes. Both let you send messages, create group chats, share photos, make voice and video calls, and keep in touch without hammering your mobile bill. If all you want is a chat app for sending “landed safely” messages back to Mum in New Zealand, WeChat will feel familiar enough. ...

What “china doll” usually means, and why people get tangled up If you’re a New Zealander living in China, planning a move, or just trying to sort your life out on WeChat without getting lost in the weeds, the phrase “china doll” can be a bit of a slippery fish. Depending on where you saw it, it might point to a collectible doll, a style term, a nickname, a product search, or just plain internet noise. And that’s the trouble: search terms that look simple on the surface often mean three different things once you’re actually in the mix. Bit of a classic case of “sounds easy until you’re the one trying to buy it, join it, or explain it”. ...

What China religion means for Kiwis on the ground If you’re a New Zealander living in China, or you’re packing your bags for study, work, or a long stay, “china religion” can sound like one of those topics that’s simple until you’re actually there. Then the messy bits show up fast: where can you visit, what’s considered respectful, how do you ask questions without sounding like you’ve rocked up from another planet, and what should you do if a landlord, school, or workplace has its own house rules? ...