I just spent the last 2 weeks of April and made a trip to China to deal with some family issues. So here is the China Life (+ My Tips & Recommendations) Coming Your Way!
1. Exploring Nanning: One of the Southern cities in China, Nanning is also called “Green City,” where there is never snow in the winter, and it Is always green in all seasons.
2. What I packed the most are Tee-shirts & sneakers; while many local people still like to use umbrellas to protect from the bright sunlight, I feel a hat is much easier, together with my everyday SPF 50+ sunscreen.
5. When you visit my hometown, Nanning, China, you really must try the”Fen” (noodles) — there are so many different kind of noodles, cold, hot, in different styles, shapes, and flavors. There are some noodles with strong smell and flavor, some might feel they are “weird” (like my husband), but some would appreciate them as unique and delicious.
6. It’s so convenient to pay when in China; I used this app called Alipay. I just linked one of my American bank cards to the app and paid for everything I spent there, including renting bikes, taxi, and all my restaurant and store shopping — all of them — without using any cash or credit cards at all.
7. There is this trend called “China Chic” in fashion in China right now, and almost every one of my friends likes to have several “QiPao” dresses to wear for hosting parties in their homes.
8. Instead of cafes, tea houses are more popular in the city I visited. There is also tea culture that I feel is very interesting; I don’t really know a lot about Chinese tea, but I have been told that drinking the right tea is very good for your body and soul.
9. Before my trip, I applied for the International Data Day Pass for my phone, and once I landed in China, my phone was immediately connected and able to contact my friends and family in China and the U.S. One of my Chinese friends suggested I should buy mobile data in China I was there, which is cheaper. I tried, but if you need to access Facebook, Instagram, Google, and many popular other websites, only an American data plan can access them.
10. When in China, you must experience the night life! Most people in my city still have an “afternoon nap” habit from 1-2 p.m., then have dinner around 6 p.m. or 7p.m., then hit a Karaoke bar until late. That is when business and friendship are built.
