How to survive in China

According to Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced on Monday, the Foreigner's Permanent Residence Card, known as the Chinese " green card ," will also be upgraded to new version from July this year. 1 What is new "green card"? Compared with the previous version, the new "green card" will be m uch more intelligent. 1.  Name changed The previous name, Foreigner's Permanent Residence Card, will also be changed to Foreigner's Permanent Residence Identity Card. 2. Chip with identity information is embedded A chip with identity information will be embedded in the new card, making it machine-readable. F or  the information shared by railways, airlines, insurance agencies, hotels and banks , foreigners can buy  railway and flight tickets, book hotels directly like Chinese citizens, while the current "green card" holders need to go to customer service for help. The improvement  will bring much convenience for fo...

When you fail to meet the requirements for China's green card, marrying a Chinese person probably won't make you a Chinese citizen, but it will open certain doors with regard to visa applications. Unfortunately, not as simple as you might hope. Working only with Q visa is illegal According to the regulation, you should also be aware that getting married will not enhance your chances of getting a Z visa, also known as 'Work Visa', at all. If you're not able to find a job with a company who can secure you a work permit, the ring on your finger is not going to help you get a work visa. The one visa that marriage will help you to secure is a Q visa. The Q category is for spouses and family members and allows you to stay in China to be with your family. Note again that a Q visa does not allow you to work – working on a 'Q' visa is as illegal as working on a tourist visa. Think of it as allowing you to enter the country to begin looki...

Welcome to the new weekly food discovery series. Experts say "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." At first glance, it seems like the Chinese food culture may have forgotten this golden rule. But look again. There are plenty of amazing Chinese breakfast options, and we will be featuring some of our favorites that can help you start your day, Chinese style. Fan Tuan   (饭团) So what is Fan Tuan? It's pretty simple actually. Fan Tuan 饭团 literally means rice (Fan 饭) ball (tuan 团). It's fried dough (油条 Yóutiáo) and maybe some pork floss (肉松 Ròusōng) encased in sticky, glutinous rice. It's a sweet rice breakfast burrito! There are a few variations to this delicious Chinese breakfast based on the region you get it in. You can get egg or meat on the inside. It can come long and skinny or in a ball. And even get flavored rice. Test out a few different ingredients to see which you like best. Add sweet or savory soy milk to make fan ...

Shanghai's seasonal critter is back on the menu this fall. Hairy crab is a local delicacy known for its sweet meat and buttery orange roe, and is only in season during the ninth and tenth lunar months of the year. If you’re yearning, plenty of places offer it including most high-end hotels’ Chinese restaurants and most local Shanghainese restaurants. The crabs can be found served whole, or used in a variety of dishes like silken tofu or xiaolongbao. Not sure how to eat hairy crab? You’ll learn as you go. Just bear in mind, it’s a task that requires patience. Whatever you do, do not eat the crescent shaped lungs or intestines. Without further ado, here are some places you can eat hairy crab in Shanghai. Hotel Restaurants Gui Hua Lou, Pudong Shangri-La Address : 1/F, River Wing, Pudong Shangri-La, 33 Fucheng Lu (near Mingshang Lu)  富城路33号浦东香格里拉大酒店浦江楼1层 (近名商路) Tel : 6882-8888 Gui Hua Lou at the Pudong Shangri-la is serving a...

Whether you are allergic to alcohol, pregnant, or you just don't feel like getting hammered on a night out, Shanghai has plenty of options for non-alcoholic drinks. Sure, you can always order a juice or soft drink, but why do that when some of the world's best bartenders can make you something amazing? Antique Café Virgin Pandan Colada (RMB 68) Lemon Juice Pineapple Juice Coconut Syrup Fresh Pandan leaves If you enjoy a South East Asian twist to your drink, look no further. The sultry smell of coconut syrup and fresh Pandan leaves is the perfect mocktail to leave you satisfied.  Cobra Lily Peace in Penang (RMB 50) Kaffir lime Citrus Coconut milk syrup Soda Water If you are not a fan of citrusy flavors, don’t worry. The coconut milk syrup mellows down the tangy taste of citrus, leaving the drink with a mild, subtle sweetness. This is the drink you want when you miss the taste of South East Asia. All you need is to close your eyes...