China!
– an introduction

Wondering what it's really like to live in China? Navjot Singh has been there and done it – and he's willing to share with you the experience he's gained. Read more about this fascinating country in his three-part series.

China! - Part One: Overview

"People always ask me the obvious question, "What's it really like living in China?" - and it's quite fun to listen to the stereotypes that many people have in their minds. Communism? Is it safe to live there? What's the food like? What do people wear? Can you get by with not speaking Chinese? It may sound weird, but with these kinds of questions, people get so worried that they make China sound like some kind of remote place!" British expat and old China hand Navjot Singh explains why China is no longer Mao suits and bicycles...

China! Part Two - An Emerging Giant

"Bicycles and Mao suits are yesterday's products, seen only in museums, universities or rural areas! Instead, over 1,300 Boeing or Airbus planes proudly grace the Chinese skies; there are so many cars on the streets that traffic jams are becoming the norm in most cities and most middle-class youngsters are donning the latest designer wear (FCUK, Gucci, Armani etc.)!" Navjot describes the blistering pace of modern China's economic growth.

China! Part Three: Feast for the Eyes... and the Stomach!

"It's all up to personal choice, and also different people react differently to foreign food. I mean, I have eaten street food (such as Chinese style sausages, hot sweet potatoes or boiled eggs), without any problems and I loved it, but then I would not dare not touch some "hard core" street meat such as chicken feet or scorpions etc. (enough said!). However, someone else may have no problems even with that!" Navjot Singh concludes his overview of China with a look at food and leisure.

Expat Profile: Navjot Singh

"For me it was meant to be just a short holiday. I knew nothing about the culture (apart from what you hear and see in the news) and there was no real interest in China for me. It never really occurred to me that I would be coming back to China on a long-term basis until I was exposed to the country’s fast-paced economic growth and immense beauty." Travel guide author Navjot Singh describes his own route towards becoming an expat - and falling in love with China.

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