I grew up in Singapore, did my undergrad in Australia, and recently moved to China for a master’s in STEM.

Not gonna lie, I’m finding the whole research culture here a bit hard to wrap my head around, especially how postgrad students are managed.

The usual expectation in my lab is pretty much 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week, and lately it’s been going beyond that sometimes. There’s a massive emphasis on being physically in the lab, doing what you’re told, and being available whenever something comes up.

What really gets me is that supervisors sometimes expect us to sort things out after 9 pm as well. I get that research can be unpredictable and some experiments take ages, fair enough. But the idea that you’re basically expected to be on call all the time is a bit wild to me.

I also just can’t stay properly focused for that many hours. I work much better when I’ve got a decent routine and can actually get some sleep. And honestly, part of me keeps wondering whether I’m just not cut out for this, or if I’m being a bit soft about the whole thing.

Back in Australia, I always got the impression that uni research was more about getting things done and managing your own time, rather than clocking ridiculous hours just to show you’re there.

I’m not saying the whole system is like this, and I’m sure it depends heaps on the supervisor and the lab. I’m genuinely just trying to figure out whether this is pretty standard for STEM postgrads in China.

Has anyone here studied in both Australia (or elsewhere overseas) and China? Did you eventually get used to it, or did you find the work culture a bit much as well?

Honestly, I can’t tell if I’m just having a massive culture shock or if this is genuinely a bit cooked.

i’ve tried searching it by name everywhere, on pinduoduo, on taobao, i’ve tried reverse image search too, but i just cannot find this product. it’s just a small muffin type snack but it tasted SO GOOD. please help me find this on taobao or anywhere that i can buy it!!!

My school (university) asked me to sign a 1.5 year contract. I only mentally planned to stay one more year. (already been there one year) the job is good and not much of an issue really. But another friend here told me it’s hell if you leave a contract early. That the school will hold your visa hostage? I didn’t really understand what he meant. Is this common? Or did he just have bad experiences? This is of course leaving with ample notice that the contract requires and in between semesters, not just up and leaving without notice.

I 34f moved here two months ago and have been meeting guys on tinder and bumble.... its going so so bad. Even if I get someone who has a real conversation with me, they start pressuring me about sex during the first date, either suggesting we go to a hotel immediately or telling me that the next date will be at their place or not at all. And most of my messages are fairly explicit descriptions telling me how curious they are about American women.

Now, this is unusual for me. I have heard friends in the US say guys on tinder talk like this, but I've never personally seen it before, and I'm pretty conservative so not looking for anything like that.

But if I'm gonna be living here, I'd really like to find a relationship. I had planned to stay for a few years but I have never had so much trouble dating before. So like, why is no one taking me seriously?

Is it just how apps are? If so... how else do I meet men? They also don't seem to approach randomly here, which is also unusual. I don't know if I've ever gone to a bar alone and not had a man sit down with me before.

Is it possibly because my photos show a low cut dress? I know its not common here but i heard its about like tradition, not morals, so I didn't think it would be an issue.

Is it possibly because I'm overweight?... I'm like I think 72 kg so should I not bother till I address that... idk

Edit. Is it considered embarrassing to post a personal ad on rednote? Or normal? 😅

Hi everyone! I will be travelling back to China next month with my 2-year-old son. I’m looking for recommendations on safe, reliable milk brands for him while we’re there.
I’m planning to buy UHT milk (shelf-stable milk) from Walmart China, but I’m not sure which brands are the most trustworthy. I’ve heard of Yili (伊利), Mengniu (蒙牛), and New Hope (新希望), but I’d love to hear other parents’ experiences.
A few questions:
Which milk brands do you trust most for your toddlers?
Which specific products would you recommend? I’m looking for plain, unsweetened whole cow’s milk.
Is it safe to buy milk through Pinduoduo (拼多多), or is it better to buy directly from Walmart or another reputable supermarket?
Are there any brands or products you would avoid?
I’m especially interested in genuine products with reliable quality control, as food safety is my main concern.
Thank you so much for any advice! ❤️

Hi! Has anyone travelled outside China and returned using two passports, with a valid Chinese residence permit in the old passport marked “CANCELLED”?
Did you have any problems at immigration, or did you need to transfer your residence permit to the new passport first?
I found an official Shanghai Government FAQ saying this may be allowed. I’d appreciate any firsthand experiences. Thanks!

I'm going on a 3 month long trip to China soon and my mother is warning me about Chinese scams, where they befriend you for long term or simply attempt to sell you something on the street. She's kind of scaring me with the news. I do plan to make and meet friends, possibly romantic, but how trustworthy are most people? Anything I should look out for?

I’ve travelled to china for a long time but always struggled with gaming here.

Trying to play call of duty on my switch 2. Got a decent connection in my phone but it’s just too laggy.

Hotel WiFi is worse.

I’ve read about get
A UU enabled router but that won’t work for me in hotels and using my phone.

Is there any apps I can download on my phone that would help ?

Hi, I am looking for MBBS Moe listed, and actually good university, I am doing my survey these days so just wanna know good suggestions
Moe listed, ecfmg approved, with good faculty, no Hsk exam in first year, Good domintary, (cooking allowed), I know they are a lot of things, but I am a lil scared to go to a entire new country, but I am really passionate about it.

Also wanna know how’s guangdong medical university?

If any current students or alumni please share your experience thanks.

A scarepark is where actors dress up to scare patrons as they enter through a maze.

I know there's a scarepark at Universal Studios, Beijing.

Just wondering if there's a market for such scare houses in China, in general - especially for smaller towns in the provinces.

Hi All
I am going to Japan and then travelling to Beijing and staying there for a week. In Japan I really want to buy a kitchen knife, maybe even a set. Could I bring this into my checked baggage to Beijing and leave it in my hotel and take this back to the airport and fly out to London as normal?

I've spent more than ten years travelling around China, mostly on my own. I live in Guiyang, so this might sound a bit disloyal, but winter wouldn't be my first choice for bringing someone here for the scenery.

The damp cold gets old. You'll see 5°C on your phone and think it looks fine, then spend the day feeling cold anyway. Sometimes going indoors doesn't help much either. I'd take a colder day with some sun and a properly heated room to come back to.

Guizhou, the Sichuan basin, and parts of Hunan and Hubei can all be like this in winter. I'd still visit for food or to spend time in the cities. But if you're coming mainly for scenery views, a run of grey, wet days can take a lot out of the trip. 🥶

Beijing would be higher on my list. It's cold, but I find the dry weather and indoor heating easier to deal with. Qingdao and Dalian are worth considering too, though I'd be less enthusiastic about spending hours by the sea in that wind.

If you want the full snow-and-ice trip, then Harbin. Possibly Mohe as well, if you've got the time. There's a reason so many of us from southern China want to go up there. It's so different from winter at home, and the huge ice structures at Ice and Snow World are something I'd plan around. Check its opening dates first, though. And Harbin in winter definitely isn't a low-season bargain. Mohe also needs more time than a quick extra stop on the itinerary.

The place I'd most want to go back to is the northwest. Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia. I did a two-week road trip around the northwest a couple of years ago and, out of all my trips, that one is still my favourite.

It takes more work to arrange, especially in winter. I drove myself, but I wouldn't casually tell someone unfamiliar with icy roads to do the same. I'd look at a small group with a local driver and leave some room for the weather to change the plan. Still very much worth the effort to me.

I've mostly talked about scenery here. Winter festivals are another reason to go, including winter Naadam in Inner Mongolia. I'll leave those for another post before this gets too long.

If you're thinking about the north in winter, you're welcome to DM me&check out my profile about the route I took.

This passport was taken away for visa processing, and the visa issued was not a Chinese visa, and how should take the train or plane and then stay at a hotel during this period?

I love looking through illustrated reference books. Currently, my collection focuses mostly on insects and similar subjects, but I am interested in purchasing reference books from China—is it possible to buy them from overseas?

I’ve come across some books—such as field guides, texts on the ecology of various creatures, or simply volumes with beautiful covers—that I would really love to own. Could you please let me know how I might go about purchasing them?

Hey everyone, I’m John—from Hong Kong and bilingual. I’ve been in Shanghai for about six months now, and honestly, it’s a great place. I’m a big fan of the internet cafes and coffee shops here. I mostly hang out in Jing’an District. If anyone’s up for grabbing a bite, a drink, or just having a chat, feel free to DM me! Nice to meet you all (Mandarin is so hard!).

24 years old, native English speaker.

A question I get a lot from people planning treatment in China: how do I know which hospital is actually good?

Public hospitals here are graded — 三级甲等 (Grade 3 Level A, "3A") is the top tier, covering size, staffing and quality standards. That's your first filter.

Beyond the tier, three useful distinctions:

1. 国际部 / International departments — the expat-friendly arm of large public hospitals: English-speaking staff, often faster. Costs more than the regular outpatient line, but it's the same hospital, same doctors, same standards — not a separate "VIP hospital."
2. 国家临床重点专科 (National Key Clinical Specialties) — a national list of departments with proven specialization. If you need a specific field, a hospital on this list for your condition is a strong signal.
3. Private hospitals — some are excellent (often joint-venture, like United Family), some are fine but unremarkable. The tier system doesn't apply the same way, so check accreditations and track record case by case.

How to check from abroad: confirm the 3A status, search the National Key Clinical Specialty list for your specialty, and — for international patients — verify the international department's actual process (English records accepted? video consult? transparent pricing?) before you book anything.

Happy to answer specifics in the comments — I help overseas patients navigate exactly this.

Out of curiosity — if you're planning treatment abroad, which worries you most: finding the right hospital, the language, or the cost?

I am interested in watching popular dramas of this genre, both to learn about history and to gain insight into the perspectives of the Chinese people.
Could you please provide the titles? I would like to try and track them down to watch.

Thailand, Mexico, Turkey, everyone knows those. But China has huge hospitals, tons of specialists, and prices that look even lower