Living in China

Hainan Is the Easy Part — Building Your WeChat Life Is the Real Mission For South Africans planning a move to Hainan Province, China, the first big question is often practical: “Cool, but how do I actually settle in?” You may be heading there for studies, a language programme, a job opportunity, or simply because island life sounds better than another winter morning back home. Fair enough. Sunshine, sea air and a fresh start have a certain pull. ...

Your +27 Number Is Small, but It Can Cause Big WeChat Drama Picture the scene: you have just landed in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou or Changsha. Maybe you are heading to university, starting a job, visiting family, or simply trying to get your feet under you in a new city. Someone says, “Send me your WeChat.” Another person wants to add your South African number. Then a verification code does not arrive, a call fails, or your number is saved in three different formats. ...

DIRCO South Africa and WeChat: sort the basics before China sorts you out For South Africans preparing for China, “DIRCO South Africa” often becomes a late-night search term for a very ordinary reason: you are trying to get your paperwork, travel plan and emergency contacts in one place before the wheels-up date. Fair enough. China can be brilliantly convenient once you are settled, but the first few weeks can feel like a full-time admin job with noodles on the side. ...

From Cape Town to China: Why WeChat Is Your First Survival Tool For someone leaving Cape Town, South Africa, for China, the big worries usually sound familiar: finding a room, sorting out campus life, getting around, making friends and not getting rinsed by a dodgy listing before you have even unpacked. Fair enough. China can feel enormous at first. One moment you are used to WhatsApp groups, a quick voice note and a braai invitation; the next, people are sending location pins, mini-programme links, QR codes and payment requests in WeChat. ...

Shanghai weather isn’t fancy — it’s moody, wet, and very much in the chat If you’re a South African living in China, or you’re packing your bags for Shanghai and wondering what the weather’s really like, here’s the honest version: Shanghai can be a bit of a weather chameleon. One minute it’s bright and usable, the next it’s damp enough to make your socks feel personally attacked. That matters more than people think. Weather in Shanghai doesn’t just affect your weekend plans; it affects how you dress for class, whether your phone battery survives the commute, whether you arrive at work looking human, and whether your apartment feels cosy or like a basement with opinions. For students and newcomers, that first shock is often not the big-city pace — it’s the humidity. ...

Weather China Shanghai: The Stuff That Hits You First If you’re a South African landing in Shanghai, or even just thinking about it, the weather is usually one of those things that looks simple on paper and then slaps you in the face on day one. You check the forecast, see a temperature, and think, “Cool, I’ve got this.” Then you step outside, the air feels thick, your shirt is sticking to you, and suddenly you’re negotiating with reality. ...

Lottery in China: the real story behind the tickets If you’re a South African in China, or you’re packing your bags for a study trip, job, or exchange term, the lottery can look like one of those very normal “everyday China” things you spot at a convenience store and think, hmm, maybe a lucky smallie could change the mood today. But before you start dreaming about a life-changing win, there’s a bit of common sense needed here. ...