Ready to take the plunge and see firsthand what life in China is really like?

If you can appreciate life in China, you'll:

find your way around easier
make more Chinese friends
notice things you have in common with Chinese people rather than feeling disturbed by the differences
and have more fun!

A little bit of preparation will go a long way to helping you enjoy your travels to China.

In my experience

While I was dating a woman from the Dominican Republic, her mother once said: "If you love a Dominican woman, then you must love Dominican food, you must love the Dominican people and you must love the Dominican way of life."

So I took this dear woman's advice to heart. Fueled with an intensity and passion that would rival a field researcher for "The Lonely Planet", I meticulously studied the people, the lifestyle and the food...of the nearby "all-Inclusive" resort!

When I came to China, my lazy attitude hadn't changed much. I learned the bare minimum about life in China. I skimmed a couple books, and learned the basic phrases to survive in the cities.

So what changed?

I met my Chinese girlfriend. And fell head over heels in love.

Now I was REALLY motivated with passion to learn more about her, to understand her native language and to discover her puzzling culture.

“In Sichuan [Szechwan] dogs bark at the sun (because it’s a rare sight in that misty region)—an ignorant person makes a fuss about something which he alone finds strange.”

-A Chinese-English Dictionary

If you share this desire and you are deeply motivated to learn more about life in China, then this site is a great launching pad for you.

Chinese symbol for love

Whether it's your first or your fifteenth visit to China, don't forget to bring an open mind.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

-Ancient Chinese Proverb

One easy way to prepare for life in China is to take a visit to your local Chinatown (if you have one nearby). Those parts of Chinatown that feel different from your home country are exactly what you will see more of in China.

If you can enjoy a day in Chinatown, especially if you can appreciate those “weird” areas of Chinatown, then you're ready for the real thing.

Check out these pictures of China to get a taste of life in the land of the rising sun. More...»

And if you enjoyed those pictures, be sure to check out the entries for the “Your New Chinese Love” Photo Contest. Mark Schönhage of The Netherlands was the contest winner with his breathtaking photo of Tai Shan mountain. You can read more of Mark's adventures in China on his website, Your Mark in China.

If you're like most first-time visitors to China, you are probably wondering about the elecrical power in China. And more importantly, will your stuff work?

Read this 2-step system to make sure your gadgets are compatible with the China power grid. More...»

How to send “Chinese yuan” (China's currency) to someone in China. More...»

Judi's website is filled with stories about her adventures in rural China. I often get asked for advice about going to China. Judi put together a survival guide of tips on everything from eating to doing laundry and using the toilet. Read her take on “Living in China.”

Will I be called a “white ghost” when I'm in China? Probably not. If you are, chillax. Keep your cool. More...»

What does English footballer Paul Gascoigne say about life in China?

“I'm enjoying every day. I've tried everything: duck's head, chicken's head, chicken's feet and bats and hopefully, if I keep that up, I'll be flying.”

-Paul Gascoigne

What an open mind and adventurous attitude! Anyone who opens their mind and heart toward Chinese culture will be embraced in return with a warmth and hospitality that few visitors ever experience.

Plus you'll have a lot more fun!

Return from Life in China to My New Chinese Love

Chinese symbol for love