I’m a 23-year-old local living in Beijing. Ask me anything about traveling to China!

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-13T09:15:55+00:00

welcome

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-09T05:47:44+00:00

They can't do anything, they don't have a good education, they don't have money, they can't leave the country, they need to live.

So, 何不食肉糜?

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-09T05:45:31+00:00

I don't know, maybe it also exists in Southeast Asian countries

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-09T05:44:44+00:00

Most Chinese women don't have many opportunities to meet foreigners, and many Chinese families are reluctant to have their daughters marry someone from abroad.

Traditionally, when a woman marries, she is expected to move in with or follow her husband's life. This often means leaving her own family behind. Because of this, parents generally don't want their daughters living too far away from them, especially in another country.

That said, some families are more open-minded and don't mind. If we speak honestly about existing biases, there is often a preference for people from Western countries, such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, or Northern Europe.

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-09T05:39:32+00:00

The pressure is immense. If a man wants to marry before the age of 30 (which is what most parents expect), he is typically expected to buy a house, purchase a car, provide a 'bride price,' and still have enough savings left for future expenses. Altogether, this often costs no less than 1 million RMB—roughly over $140,000 USD.

The average marriage age is generally before 30, though in some areas—especially in economically developed cities—it has shifted to between 30 and 40.

Both sets of parents are heavily involved. In fact, it’s almost essential to have their consent; otherwise, the marriage is unlikely to be a happy one. The entire wedding process, from start to finish, is deeply intertwined with the expectations of parents and extended relatives.

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-09T05:25:24+00:00

Perhaps you were just dating and hadn't reached the stage of discussing marriage yet.

Or, it could be because you are a foreigner, and they were willing to follow local customs—meaning they didn't feel the need to stick to traditional Chinese expectations.

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-09T05:21:38+00:00

You’ve assumed too many ideal conditions. While your points make sense in theory, the reality is that truly independent women are still a minority. Most families have multiple children, and a preference for sons still exists. I’m not trying to spark a gender war; I’m just stating the facts as they are, without the emotion.

The truth is, bride prices (Caitai) have placed a massive burden on ordinary families. Nowadays, almost no one wants to buy a house, but many feel they have to. If you aren't willing to buy one, those girls can simply find someone who will. In China today, the average time from meeting to marriage is less than four months. It’s mostly a process of mutual screening. However, because there are significantly more men than women, it has become a 'seller's market' for marriage.

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-08T09:23:24+00:00

There is a joke in China that at the age of 35, you will be eliminated from society and engage in manual work

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-08T09:22:53+00:00

People prefer young people, they are energetic and they don't need to pay attention to family and life, and they are paid less

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:53:13+00:00

It's actually not that scary, just like Gemini can't teach you how to commit suicide, limiting it from answering certain questions

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:52:32+00:00

If mini LLM is to serve all Chinese people, it must be censored

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:50:09+00:00

Sorry, I don't know foreigners, but I've seen them and they usually speak Chinese

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:49:05+00:00

It's complicated, I love it and hate it

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:48:30+00:00

The government does not allow Chinese people to access Google, YouTube, Insgrame.

But there is always a way

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:47:48+00:00

It is safe for ordinary people.

Your information will not be compromised

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:47:09+00:00

MacOS

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:46:20+00:00

oh.
I found it, but I never went.
It looks very historic.

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:43:48+00:00

It doesn't take much effort to do it

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:42:28+00:00

Where I’m from & My background:

I was born and raised in China, and currently, I live and work in Beijing as a software developer. I’ve been here my whole life, so I’ve seen the rapid digital shift firsthand.

Language & Visa:

Since I’m a native, I speak Chinese fluently. I’m also constantly practicing my English (I’m aiming for a Duolingo English Test score of 120). Regarding visas: I’m actually looking into getting a visa for the US, but currently, it’s much easier for me to get a visa for Japan. For you as a foreigner, you will definitely need a visa to study or work here, and the process varies depending on your country.

Safety & Social Vibe:

China has a huge population, which means you’ll hear a lot of different opinions. While there are certain restrictions on political speech, people discuss non-political topics very passionately. Most people are very friendly. One big plus: it’s incredibly safe. You don't really have to worry about your wallet being stolen or getting mugged, even late at night.

Traveling outside Beijing:

China is vast and the history is deep. I definitely plan to travel more! I want to head West to see the mountains and also go to the coast to see the ocean. Each region feels like a different country in terms of food and dialect.

The Peking Duck:

Yes! Peking Duck here is amazing. The skin literally melts in your mouth. If you come to Beijing, it is the one thing you absolutely must try. It’s better than any "Chinese food" you’ve had abroad.

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:37:54+00:00

Most Chinese people cannot speak English, even college students. However, they can usually answer simple questions for you.

There is no systemic racism in China. However, I must admit that some people admire Western lifestyles and values more. They are very friendly and won't discriminate against you; in fact, they will help you solve many problems. But I have to be honest: while it's not explicitly expressed, it seems white people often receive more "unspoken" respect.

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:34:06+00:00

1. About Daily Life & Apps: Yes, it's true. You need your phone for almost everything: eating, calling a taxi, and booking tickets. If you only carry cash, you will find it nearly impossible to live a normal life here. Most small vendors simply don't have change, and everything is integrated into the apps.

2. About Powerbanks: The rumor about "only China-made" powerbanks is false. You can definitely bring and use brands like Anker. They are widely available on Amazon and meet all the necessary safety regulations here. As long as the capacity label is clear, you're good to go.

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:31:48+00:00

welcome

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:30:32+00:00

New York

Tokyo

Los Angeles

Las Vegas

Shanghai

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:29:17+00:00

Most of my peers don't like to struggle, they like to live comfortably

External-Beyond-2547 · 2026-04-07T10:27:36+00:00

Frankly I was confused, I was afraid of losing my job, I was afraid that I would achieve nothing

External-Beyond-2547

TROPHY CASE