The journal

Notes From the Spring City

No theory, no folklore — only what works: prices, routes, contracts, apps. Written from 15 years of practice.

One-sentence description Money

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One–two line teaser: the hook that makes the reader click “Read More”.

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Bright apartment interior in Kunming with mountain view Housing

How I Found an Apartment in Kunming — Step-by-Step

From agent chats to contract stamps: the exact route I walk with every client, with real Kunming prices and the clauses to cross out.

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Passport, SIM card, phone map and checklist on a table Arrival

First 48 Hours in China: The Survival Checklist

Police registration, SIM card, cash, apps — the order matters. Here is the checklist I hand to every newcomer at the airport.

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Calm lakeside city versus dense futuristic skyline City Guide

Kunming vs Shanghai: Where to Live Cheaper and Better

Rent ×3, coffee ×2, pace ×10. A calm comparison of two very different Chinas — and how to choose the one that fits you.

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Smartphone with QR payment, yuan banknotes and a bank card Money

How a Foreigner Opens a Bank Account in China — Real Instructions

Which bank says yes to foreigners, what to bring, and how to bind WeChat Pay the same afternoon. Real instructions, no myths.

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Newcomer with suitcase and boxes on a Chinese street Mindset

Top 5 Mistakes Newcomers Make When Moving to China

Overstaying, overpaying, trusting the first agent — the five traps I fell into myself so you don’t have to.

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More articles are being written from the field — new notes every week.