Living in China · Culture & safety
Culture, daily habits and staying safe
The soft landing: getting used to how things are done day to day, and knowing the handful of hard rules that protect your stay. The cultural tips here are experience-based guidance; the compliance rules are law, and they are linked to their official sources.
Checked against official sources on 13 October 2026. Rules change — confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. Sources at the bottom.
Culture
Settling into daily life
Four things newcomers adjust to first: the language, the food, everyday etiquette, and the pace and shape of official processes.
Language
English is common in airports, big hotels, international clinics and universities, but not everywhere. A translation app with camera and speech modes handles most daily situations, and a few polite phrases in Chinese are warmly received. China's immigration authority runs an English-language portal that includes a Chinese-learning section and practical life guidance. Summary
Food and dining
Meals are often shared from the middle of the table, and restaurants may serve dishes as they are ready rather than all at once. Tipping is not expected. Street food and small restaurants are usually excellent value, and asking for less spice or no meat is a normal request. Summary
Everyday etiquette
Use both hands when giving or receiving something, and present a card or gift with the writing facing the other person. Accept an offered cup of tea even if you only hold it. In homes, remove your shoes if your host does. Keep your voice low in temples and museums, and ask before photographing people. Summary
How processes work
Chinese administrative processes are document-driven and sequence-driven: the right paper, at the right counter, in the right order. Bring originals and copies, arrive early, and expect a queue. Staff are generally helpful if you are patient and clear about what you need; a translation app and a prepared folder of documents save a lot of time. Summary
Safety
Numbers, common sense and hard rules
| Number | Service | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | Police | Crime, danger to a person, theft, or a lost passport — report it to the police station where you lost it. |
| 119 | Fire and rescue | Fire, smoke, a gas leak, or someone trapped. |
| 120 | Ambulance | A medical emergency. Give the address clearly and stay on the line. |
| 122 | Traffic accidents | A road accident or a traffic dispute needing an officer. |
| 12367 | Immigration help line | Visas, residence, accommodation registration and exit-entry questions. Around-the-clock, Chinese and English. |
Public safety in practice
Cities are generally safe at most hours, and street crime is comparatively low. Petty theft happens in crowds and on transport, so mind your bag and phone. Carry a copy of your passport and keep the original secure. Women travelling alone should use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps rather than unlicensed cars at night. Summary — general experience
Carry your documents
Foreigners aged 16 and over who stay or reside in China must carry their passport, other international travel document, or residence document, and present it for inspection by a public security organ when asked. In practice this means carrying your passport or residence permit. Verified · official source
Two things to avoid
Do not photograph military installations — buildings, sites and facilities used directly for military purposes — and follow Chinese law when posting on Chinese social platforms. Both are stated plainly in the official guidance for foreign residents. Verified · official source
The compliance lines you must not cross
These are the rules that, if broken, put your stay at risk. Each carries a penalty under the Exit and Entry Administration Law.
| Rule | What the law requires | If you break it |
|---|---|---|
| Do not overstay | You must not engage in activities inconsistent with the purpose of your stay, and you must leave before your permitted period of stay ends. Extensions must be applied for in advance. Verified | Illegal residence brings a warning; in serious cases a fine of 500 yuan per day of overstay, up to a total of 10,000 yuan, or detention of five to fifteen days. If you are removed from China under a removal order, you may not re-enter for one to five years; if you are deported, you may not re-enter for ten years. Verified |
| Do not work without authorization | To work in China you must hold a work permit and a work-type residence permit. No entity may employ a foreigner who lacks them, and working outside the scope of your permit is also illegal employment. Verified | Illegal employment brings a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 yuan; in serious cases detention of five to fifteen days plus a fine. The employer is fined separately, per person. Verified |
| Register your address | Register your place of stay with the police within 24 hours of moving in, unless you are in a hotel that registers you. How to do it Verified | Failing to register as required brings a warning and may bring a fine of up to 2,000 yuan. Verified |
| Stay within your purpose | Activities must match the purpose on which you were admitted. Studying on a student visa, for example, does not authorize employment beyond the rules for student work. Visa types Verified | Engaging in activities inconsistent with your stay or residence can lead to an order to leave within a time limit, and in serious cases to deportation, which bars re-entry for ten years. Verified |
Keep going
Related guides
Living in China
The hub: address registration, first-week steps and essential numbers.
Living overview →Work and residence permits
How the work permit and residence permit keep your stay lawful.
Work & residence →Enjoyed this guide?
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Sources & disclaimer
Facts on this page are linked to the official sources below, checked on 13 October 2026. Requirements, fees and timelines change — always confirm with the issuing authority. This page is for reference only — official sources prevail; always check the latest version with the relevant Chinese authority. General information, not legal advice. Cultural and practical tips on this page are experience-based and marked as summaries — where they differ from the official rules, the official rules apply.
- Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China — Articles 37, 38, 39, 41 and 43 (purpose of stay, carrying documents, registration, work permits and illegal employment); Article 62 (removal: no re-entry for one to five years); Articles 76, 78, 80 and 81 (penalties, including deportation and the ten-year re-entry bar)
- National Immigration Administration — the 12367 service hotline and English-language portal, with around-the-clock Chinese and English service, a life-service section and a Chinese-learning section
- The Central People's Government of China — common emergency numbers: 110 police, 119 fire, 120 medical, 122 traffic
- Guide to Working and Living in China for Foreign Business Personnel (2026 edition) — help numbers, reporting a lost passport, obeying Chinese law on social platforms, and not photographing military facilities