On arriving in central Shenzhen, I noticed that the huge city was similar to most cities, with a plenty to see, eat and do, and while the people in it were not as heterogeneous as the cities I had known before, foreigners were not an uncommon sight day to day.…...
China Expectations vs Realities by Lindsay Daitch
Before coming to teach in China, I had a vague idea of what exactly I was getting myself into. My friends and family had asked me multiple questions about the job that I could not answer. Yet, I still thought that I had done a thorough amount of research…...
Phones in China: A Tale of Four Phones by Molly Oberstein-Allen
I came to China with a well-loved iPhone. It got me through an unexpected few days in Hong Kong with no money for a visa and a hostel reserved for the wrong week, and it helped me navigate the seemingly identical streets of Shenzhen during my first few weeks –…...
Leaving China: A Weekend at Uncle Li’s by Laura Grace Tarpley
My husband and I were nervous about this weekend. We work at a lovely Primary School together in Shenzhen. Our principal, Mr. Li, is friendly but doesn’t speak much English. One day at lunch he said, “Daniel! Lola!” (How he pronounces Laura.) “You. Me. Hometown. Saturday.” At first, I was…...
Overcoming Your Fears with Lucas: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Eastern Style Toilet
After 3 days of intense stomach churning, I must’ve visited well over 20 public bowls around Shenzhen. Surviving the gauntlet, yet still new to China, one skill I have already mastered is the ability to use a squat toilet. Train stations, Mom and pop restaurants, KFC’s you name it, I’ve…...
Shenzhen Hot Spot: Window of the World by Ashley Dubois
Upon walking into Window of the World (WoW) in Shenzhen, I was worried I’d been ripped off to the tune of 180RMB and a very long subway ride. The entrances to different attractions aren’t well marked and when you first enter the Global Arena, all you can see is a…...
Weekend Day Tripping to Avatar Land in Hunan Province by Jessica Addington
A week before I came to China, my best friend gave me a Lonely Planet: Discover China book with handwritten tips about China. Stuck in the front of the book was a note that said “Unmentioned…Zhangjiajie- best place in China.” After I did more research, I found out it was…...
Weekend Wanderlust: Urban Footprints in the Rural Jungle of Lantau Island by Molly Oberstein-Allen
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go visit my friend on an eco-farm on Lantau Island, an outer island of Hong Kong. The trip to Lantau isn’t bad from Shenzhen – you can take Hong Kong’s metro, the MTR, to Mui Wo Port from Futian Checkpoint, and from…...
Get Your Culture on at Dafen Oil Painting Village by Leanne Overby
After realizing that my dreams of traveling around mainland China on weekends could not become a reality, I decided to switch gears and start searching for write-home worthy hidden gems in this crazy, massive city I call home. I live in the outer Longgang District of Shenzhen, and I’ll be…...
What’s Next? Stay or Go by Leanne Overby
The time has come for us expats to take pause from our blissful existence and face a reality that is coming at us faster than a speeding bullet: it’s time to decide our next move. It’s easier said than done, especially for us wanderlust folk who are constantly in conflict…...