on
April 10, 2013 in
Asia Expat, InterGlobal Expat Article
China’s national drink and a substance that was once even designated as the state currency, tea has an important place in the country’s culture and economy. References to tea in Chinese literature can be found in 5,000 year- old texts, though the beverage’s exact origin is unclear. Folklore states that the first cup of Chinese
on
March 11, 2013 in
Asia Expat, Expatriate Lifestyle
Here I was finally in Beijing, the final city on my longer-than-originally-anticipated stay in China. Treating myself to ‘soft sleeper’ class for the 14-hour overnight journey from Xi’an, I found myself in a comfortable, though suitably austere, double-bunked lockable compartment with three Chinese businessmen for company. The perfect tonic for a great night’s sleep, though
on
March 5, 2013 in
Expatriate Lifestyle
There are some cities that most expats would love to live and work in, and then there are others than need serious consideration. Hardship postings are overseas assignments that are considered difficult due to political unrest, poor infrastructure, crime, harsh climates, pollution, limited health care and other factors. Underdeveloped cities and places considered dangerous because
on
February 19, 2013 in
Asia Expat
Of all the Southeast Asian cuisines, Filipino cuisine is probably the richest and least healthy. However, for expats willing to consume the extra calories, and venture beyond their culinary comfort zone, Filipino food certainly promises many surprising flavours. Filipino fare is influenced by the ingredients and cooking methods of the Austronesian populations of Southeast Asian
on
January 9, 2013 in
Asia Expat, Expatriate Lifestyle
Although not on the traditional Chinese tourist trail, a visit to an old friend and British expat living in Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei region, provided a thoroughly enjoyable diversion on route to Xi’an. I will admit that I had never heard of Wuhan before my friend moved there but soon learned that it
on
November 27, 2012 in
Middle East Expat
If you ever doubted the authenticity of Dubai being a multicultural city, a trip to Dubai Global Village will definitely put those doubts to rest. Dubai Global Village is the country’s largest cultural and tourism destination. The idea behind it is simple: Every country has its own pavilion where they showcase and sell their country’s
on
November 15, 2012 in
Asia Expat
On the southern coast of China’s Guangdong province, just a short distance from Macau and Hong Kong, is the city of Zhuhai, one of China’s original Special Economic Zones established in the 1980s. Dubbed the Chinese Riviera, Zhuhai is a premier golfing and tourism destination for mainland Chinese and visitors from Asia. Zhuhai is also
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October 25, 2012 in
Asia Expat
Chengdu, also known as “country of heaven” is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China and one of China’s most important economic and cultural centres. Named the fourth most livable city by China Daily, Chengdu has becoming home to an ever growing number of expats. Though expats living in the city itself may not 