Contrary to popular belief, life in China is not as restrictive as it may seem. While it certainly requires some adjustment when coming from Europe, where rules are fundamentally different, it offers numerous advantages both economically and culturally. Let us present you with a few of them…

1. The Cost of Living in China:

 Life in China is very affordable when you come from a country like France. China, renowned for its low prices, offers us significantly greater purchasing power than our home country and leaves us the opportunity to make some savings. The rule holds true in every way: housing, food, entertainment, transport (a 20-minute taxi ride will cost you about 30 Yuan), phone, shopping… with the exception of major cities like Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong, which may offer prices equivalent to those in France, particularly for housing.

2. Negotiating in China:

 Negotiation in China is inevitable. In shops, markets, and sometimes even in hotels, prices are negotiable as long as they are not displayed. Negotiation is viewed as a game by the Chinese population. Armed with time and patience, you can significantly reduce the price of a product. You would be surprised at the savings you can achieve!

3. The Admiration for Westerners:

 The Chinese population is very respectful towards us Westerners. They hold us in surprisingly high regard, even going so far as to photograph us at every opportunity. Compliments about our appearance abound, and curiosity about our culture quickly becomes apparent. They take interest in our every move and try their best to speak to us in broken English. They are very helpful and will most often prefer to tell us what we want to hear rather than the truth, for fear of offending us. Our opinion of them matters greatly to them, which is why they make every effort to satisfy us as best they can.

4. Chinese Heritage:

 China possesses a very rich historical and cultural heritage. Consequently, it is filled with temples, museums, parks, and typical markets ideal for tourism. Every street corner is likely to reveal a Buddhist temple, a magnificent Chinese garden, or a famous memorial. As night falls, some major cities such as Guangzhou or Hong Kong offer a breathtaking light show for the greatest pleasure of the eyes.

5. Landscapes of Remarkable Beauty:

 With an area of more than 9.5 million square kilometers, China offers an extremely diverse natural environment. Such biodiversity benefits landscapes and delights tourists eager for adventure and travel. Despite an ever-growing Chinese population, China consists of two-thirds mountains, deserts, or wasteland. A multitude of natural sites such as the world's highest mountain range, one of the hottest deserts, or tropical rainforests are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

6. Chinese Cuisine:

 Certainly, this is not to everyone's taste, but regardless of what one might say, Chinese cuisine offers varied dishes and a wide range of flavors and tastes. Chinese gastronomy blends sweet and salty, spicy and peppery flavors to create dishes that are all surprising in their own way. It is worth noting that this diversity of flavors stems from regional cuisines, each with its own specialties, products, and recipes, which contributes to making this cuisine one of the most renowned in the world.

7. Chinese Culture:

 Chinese culture places great emphasis on family and sharing. The Chinese cultivate their traditional values despite increasing modernization. They also value work and leisure. All these customs are reflected in their daily lives: in restaurants, numerous dishes are presented so that food is shared in its entirety, with each person selecting from the dish of their choice; in the streets, the population gathers for activities (dancing, singing, games…); families spanning two or three generations often share the same roof, etc… 

8. The Chinese, Hard Workers:

 The Chinese population does not shy away from hard work. Supermarkets are most often open until 10 p.m., small shops remain accessible 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, traditional boutiques are still operational at 2 a.m., taxis are within reach at any hour of the day and night...

9. Entertainment in China:

 The Chinese love to entertain themselves in the evening at places such as restaurants, karaokes, or nightclub bars. Since the Chinese are not great dancers, they spend their evenings drinking and playing. The trendiest nightclubs, directly inspired by Western discotheques, offer shows with dancers for a most pleasant atmosphere.

10. Safety in China:

 Many prejudices exist concerning insecurity in China. Contrary to what we might think, it is possible to walk late through dark alleys without fear of being attacked. However, inequalities can lead to some acts of delinquency similar to pickpocketing in crowded places, such as metro stations or train stations. On our part, we have never been victimized in several months spent here.

This non-exhaustive list aims to put an end to the prejudices that tend to tarnish the image of China. Pay minimal attention to resolutely biased television reports and come form your own opinion!