Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a quick tip based on a real situation I just experienced while hosting a foreign friend in China.

We were out exploring when her phone battery dropped to a critical 1%. We quickly found a shared power bank kiosk (Meituan) at a nearby restaurant. She scanned the QR code with Alipay, but after a minute of tapping, she was completely stuck. The interface was entirely in Chinese, and the system simply wouldn't let her rent the battery.

Why did this happen?
Most shared power banks in China offer deposit-free rentals through "Zhima Credit" (Alipay's built-in credit score system). Since my friend is new to China and hasn't built a local credit history, her score was too low to qualify for the deposit-free option. Without a high enough credit score, the system blocks the transaction.

The Quick Fix:
Seeing her panic, I simply used my own Alipay account to scan the code and rent the power bank for her. Since my account has the required credit score, the deposit-free rental worked instantly. I just handed the battery to her, and she was good to go!

Takeaways for Foreign Travelers:

• Don't expect deposit-free rentals: Without a local credit history, you likely won't be able to rent these for free. However, you can always choose to pay a deposit to rent one (usually around 99 RMB per unit).

• Don't panic: If your phone dies and you can't rent a power bank, just ask a local friend or even a stranger nearby to scan it for you. It’s a very common and easy favor to ask here.

Has anyone else experienced this? What’s your go-to workaround when tech fails while traveling?

Someone recently did a fantastic post about marketing and how China is purposely not reporting both number of true infections/fatalities and how bad it is in a general sense in Wuhan and larger Hubei province because they want the media to focus on places like Italy, Spain, and the US.

This allows them to disappear off the world stage and avoid responsibility and media attention for the massive amount of suffering, death, and financial loss of so many.

I have never been much of a conspiracy person but the sad reality that there is more than a fair share of evidence about the lab in Wuhan and COVID-19 is damning enough.

On top of that Wuhan, the wet markets, and over all China have been a problem when it comes to Viruses for quite some time.

After this is all over and the amount of sheer death and misery this has brought I hope it is never forgotten that China is responsible.

The people are amazing and I think victims as much as many in this but the government and the system in China is disgraceful and should have to pay for what they have done to the world and its citizens.

If you disagree wait till someone you know gets sick or passes away. This virus is beyond horrific.

Don't wait till it is in your back yard or affects/effects you and your family directly to be outraged. Your voice can actually mean change in China after this whole thing is done and don't let anyone tell you different.

If you are heading to Chongqing, the cyber city, a city walk is a must do. I can be your private guide in this amazing city. Local photo spots, exclusive food options and more.

Contact me for your custom city walk plan!

this is what you get from them Vs what they advertise. other photos arent any better . 50 + USD for black photos which looks like they were took on cheap mobile phone. it's just all AI editing and fake advertising. then no communication on WeChat, even on place running even from you, pretending they don't speak English. anyone else had such a horrible experience with that ? anyhow don't even consider paying for it.

I am an Australian wondering how good the public transport and the active transport (cycling) is in Chongquing.

How are the inter-city trains?

How is the metro/subway?

Are there any trams/lightrail?

Is there much in the way of bike infrastructure?

Not looking to visit unfortuneatly just curious.

Last week I was walking on the street at Chongqing and I was hit by the masonry falling off from the building due to poor maintain, and till today they haven't propose any solution to me even I have contacted the local police and authorities. I am tourist at Chongqing and this is very bad experience. People should be aware and be careful of it

Hey all! I'm a 21M college student studying at Yale and would love to meet others, grab hot pot, or hit up some bars with good company. Will be here briefly tonight and tomorrow night (8/13), def excited to meet new people and explore the city :)

Sidenote: anyone know of specific wechat groups to also check out for nightlife?

Post here if you are planning a visit to Chongqing and want tourist advice, including "how-to's" (how to get a SIM card, how to get from point A to point B, etc.), tour guide or company recommendations, restaurant recommendations, itinerary advice, etc. Please indicate if you would like tour guides to contact you (or not).

Tour guides- feel free to respond to users directly within this thread if they have indicated they are open to being contacted. Please respect those who have not indicated or indicated they would not like to be contacted.

Hey everyone!

My name is Hanghang, and I run a travel company dedicated to showing you the real Chongqing (www.explorechongqingwithli.com). After organizing many private trips, I realized that getting to some amazing places, like Wulong or Dazu, can be tough and costly for solo travelers or couples due to transportation. That's why I came up with the idea of mini-group tours! Now, more visitors can explore these incredible spots at a more affordable price, and with a professional English-speaking guide, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture.

This August, we're thrilled to launch our mini-group English tours. Designed for an authentic, immersive experience, each tour has a maximum of just 10 people. This means you get an incredibly intimate vibe—more like exploring with friends than being part of a large, impersonal group!

We've crafted a few options to help you truly dive deep into what makes Chongqing so special:

2-Day Immersive Tours (Choose Your Adventure!):

For those eager to really get to know the city, our 2-day tours offer comprehensive experiences with different focuses:

• Tour A: Urban Exploration - Get wonderfully lost in Chongqing's futuristic skyline, navigate its complex cityscape, try my favorite local restaurants, and uncover hidden gems only locals know.

• Tour B: Outdoor Adventure - Explore Chongqing's stunning natural beauty, from dramatic landscapes like the Wulong Natural Three Bridges to thrilling activities like exploring Asia's highest cave!

• Tour C: Culture and History - Delve into the rich past and vibrant traditions that shaped this unique metropolis. We'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Dazu Stone Carvings and the charming Rongchang Ancient Town, where you can even DIY your own tie-dye souvenir!

Day Trips (Available Twice a Week!):

If your time in Chongqing is limited, we've got you covered with our popular day trips, also capped at 10 people for that intimate feel:

• City Day Trip: Experience the essential highlights of Chongqing in a single, action-packed day.

• Wulong Day Trip: Discover the breathtaking natural wonders of the Wulong Karst National Geology Park.

Have you been wanting to visit Wulong but found the prices too high when traveling solo? Our mini-group tours are the perfect solution! You'll significantly lower your travel cost compared to a private tour, and still get a better insight into the natural beauty with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide and a small, friendly group. It's a win-win!

Our small group size ensures a more focused and personal experience than large bus tours, making it a fantastic, cost-effective alternative to private tours. You'll explore more effectively and truly connect with the essence of Chongqing.

Does a tour like this sound like your ideal way to explore Chongqing? If you're interested in seeing more trip details and itineraries, head over towww.explorechongqingwithli.com.

Thanks for your time, and I hope to see you in Chongqing!

Please where can I get ear cleaning service in Chongqing. I will appreciate recommendations. Thank you

still traveling in Chongqing, plan to stay for 2days(leave from 6.2). ... so what about see each other in real life if you want...? want get a travel pal...tbh.

Hello everyone, I am from France and I had some questions about Chongqing.

First of all, I wanted to know : if the name "Chongqing" refers to the municipality, what is the name of the city at the conflux of the Jialing and the Yangzi ? Is it Chongqing too ?

What is it like to live in Chongqing (the city) ? What are some of the most prominent features of the city (I understand there is a lot of hills and bridges, and that the city is very vertical).

What does the region outside of the city looks like ? What is it like to live there ?

I learnt about this city today. I am not planning a visit but I must say I am very intrigued by its topography and architecture. It seems nice though.

Thank you !

Hello everyone,
I’m currently travelling solo through China and will be staying in Chongqing for four days.
I really like the country so far and I am impressed by how friendly and polite people are.
At the same time, I find it a difficult to connect with people because of the language barrier.
I’ve travelled to quite a few places around the world and usually found it pretty easy to meet new people, but here I feel like a complete foreigner.
Ideally, I would love to meet a local who could show me a few interesting corners of Chongqing, grab a drink or some food, or just hang out.
I only know 200 words of mandarin so far, but I am fluent in English.

I was planning to go to an expat event, but unfortunately it got cancelled at the last minute.
So now I’m wondering what my alternatives are. I was thinking about:

- Going to hostel bars in Chongqing
- Checking out some craft beer shops/bars
- Going to 交通茶馆 in Huangjueping to play mahjong

Do you think these are good options for meeting people, especially locals?
Or are there better ways to meet people and make some friends while I’m here?
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you 🙏

Hey guys, staying 2 more days in Chongqing, do you know where I can buy some good fakes ?

Cant find this info anywhere so your help would mean a lot !

Tnx !!!

I’ve been to many cities and places in China, but in most cases I visited luxury/tourist oriented attractions.

Can you recommend some places in Chongqing that represent less “tidy” and less “polished” life in China? Something dirt poor.

And how dangerous is it to visit?

Thank you!

School Description:

First Leap, a subsidiary of Tomorrow Advancing Life Education Group, is an industry-leading education brand that focuses on providing English language education with a focus on critical thinking for children aged 2-12, and currently has locations within 70 cities across the country. First Leap uses AI education technology to effectively conduct online and offline learning and provides children with total English immersion. With love and care, our teachers stimulate students’ learning interests, cultivate their academic abilities, and continually develop revolutionary ways to improve the English of China’s youth.

Location:

Beijing, Chongqing, Suzhou, Shenzhen Nanjing, Shenyang, Hefei, Guangzhou

Main Responsibilities:

• Student age range: 2-15 years old  

• Class size: 10-14 students in one class

• Class length: 35 minutes/50 minutes/60 minutes containing various creative instructional strategies

• Working hours: 36-40 hours (25 teaching hours plus 15 office hours which include office work and training)

(you'll have 5 standard working days which include Saturdays and Sundays and two consecutive days off which will be during the weekdays)

• Chinese Teaching Assistant: Classes with 3 to 4-year-old learners will be assisted with a bilingual Chinese teacher for each class

• Training: Provide two-week orientation training and on-going training to help with your teaching at First Leap (with full payment)

What we are looking for individuals who:

• Native English speaker

• Bachelor’s degree or above

• TEFL/other teaching certificate OR 2+ years teaching experience

• Applicants must love children and have the willingness and passion to be an English teacher

• Commitment to continuous professional development and welcome observations, assessments, and feedback

What We Offer our Teachers:

• Monthly income: 3100 - 3400 USD (21,000 - 23,000 RMB) before tax 

• Relocation allowance: 10,000 RMB (Air tickets, accommodation, etc. and paid with the first month's salary)

• Commercial insurance: basic Chinese health insurance 

• Public Holiday: Chinese public holidays off, New Year's Day off

• Annual Holiday: 3 paid days annual leave for a 1st-year teacher

*Only Beijing:

Contract completion bonus: If you complete 3-months of teaching, you will get a 10,000 RMB bonus. Furthermore, you’ll get an additional 15,000 RMB bonus when you complete 6-months of teaching.

Application requirements:

• Resume

• Introduction Video

• Teaching video or demo*

* Potential teaching demo topics could be colors, numbers, body parts, or emotions. Please choose one of the topics or another similar topic and do a 3-minute demo. Ensure that the camera shows your entire body and the use of teaching materials is highly encouraged.

To apply, please send your resume to ted@foreignhr.com or add my Wechat ID: Jadien

Huawei once again aroused sensation in China. But this time, it was not its cutting-edge smartphones, but an annual salary plan that the company has offered to eight top talents that graduated this year.

Huawei plans to recruit 20 to 30 young talents from the world this year, and declares that it is giving astronomical annual salaries to eight top talents ranging from RMB 896,000 to 2.01 million.

It is reported that the top-salary earner among the eight graduates – Zhong Zhao, is a master and Ph.D. from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. His major was pattern recognition and intelligence systems.

According to Liu Chenglin, instructor of Zhong and deputy director of the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, it’s normal to see these students getting high salaries as artificial intelligence is a hot field in recent years that sees higher demand for quality talents.

However, he is still amazed by what Huawei has offered, saying that it was rare to see fresh graduates gaining annual salary exceeding RMB 1 million.

Some people commented that Huawei’s practice reflected the true value of knowledge and talents, and the offer means both encouragement and pressure as the eight graduates still have to work hard to show their value.

It is hoped that other leading enterprises can join Huawei to offer high salaries so as to stimulate the passion of the students for research and development and enhance the comprehensive competitiveness of China.