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.…...
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…...
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…...
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…...
Chinese Culture Shock in Three Easy Steps
I’m alert in the packed line four train. Immediate Culture Shock: A 4’11 woman stands with her forehead buried in my back, as a man’s elbow stabs me in my side. Then I hear the telltale signs of impending, unpaid sick leave in the air…cough, cough. At first, the gravelly…...
On the Outskirts of Shenzhen: Dapeng, a New District by Alistair Heald
Shenzhen is a major city in Guangdong Province, China. It is also one of the wealthiest cities in China. Shenzhen’s temperate climate, relatively low pollution levels, and close proximity to Hong Kong, Macau, and several other interesting destinations make Shenzhen one of the China’s most desirable cities to live…...
Branching Out For Better Stories: My B-List Celebrity Experience by Laura Grace Tarpley
When I opened the text message asking if I wanted to be in a video about Bao’an District in Shenzhen, I was hesitant. “The video is about a Western girl who rides her bike around Bao’an,” Jason, the SDE employee, explained in his message. I assumed the “Western girl” was…...
Chinese Street Food From Breakfast to Beyond
Hi, I’m Amanda. Officially, I’m here to teach, but unofficially I’m here to eat all Chinese street food in sight. This isn’t a strictly Chinese phenomenon: I’m a really good eater, and I’ve spent the last few years grazing my way across countries. I have no known food allergies, am…...
Teaching Abroad: 8 Epiphanies
Teaching Abroad I’ve slowly become a person who believes that ‘everything happens for a reason', as cliché as it may sound. Truthfully, I never prepared myself for an teaching abroad in China. For someone who decided to move to the opposite side of the world, I didn’t consider a lot…...