Looking for the best China blogs in English?
I’ve lived, worked and traveled in China. And whenever I return home, I enjoy keeping that China connection alive.
There’s a number of China blogs and websites I love and read often, and today I’m going to share them with you.
They’re all in English, and none have paid to be included here. So feel free to explore these best blogs about China!
1. LTL
I think it was the enticing blue and yellow design that first got me into LTL’s China blog.
Short for Live the Language, LTL is a leading Mandarin school that offers classes in China, Taiwan, Singapore and online.
There’s a massive amount of free resources to help you learn Chinese. And unlike some other language blogs, LTL’s stuff is very current and super-helpful.
You can even learn about Chinese beers and swearwords in Mandarin!
Best things about LTL:
- Genuinely helpful
- Special offers when you receive their newsletter
- Fresh, youthful content
2. Travel China Cheaper
If you plan on visiting China and want to save a few bucks, this is the blog to read.
For travel resources, tips and guidebooks, Travel China Cheaper has everything you need. Plus, there are expat-friendly resources like how to open a Chinese bank account.
Best things about Travel China Cheaper:
- Money saving tips
- They publish a best-selling guidebook
- Useful visa information
3. Hong Kong Cheapo
Hong Kong is known for being an expensive city, which is why this site is very helpful.
With Hong Kong Cheapo, you can get money-saving hacks sent straight to your inbox.
But even if you’re not on a tight budget, you’ll benefit from the comprehensive articles on what you can do in this amazing city.
Best things about Hong Kong Cheapo:
- Money saving hacks
- Beginner’s guides
- Up-to-date event listings
4. Sixth Tone
For those of you who don’t know anything about Mandarin, the language is made up of five tones. So the Sixth Tone is a cute play on words.
This online publication produces informed and insightful content on contemporary China. When reading, just be mindful that Sixth Tone belongs to a Chinese state media company and is what I would call “light propaganda”.
Best things about Sixth Tone:
- Insights into China that you don’t often get from Western media
- Short and long articles
- Lots of stuff about Chinese people and daily life
5. The Woks of Life
Join a family of four Chinese American cooks who share their home cooked, restaurant-style recipes.
There are recipes for all kinds of Chinese food, including ‘real’ Chinese food as well as the Westernized stuff. But they even help with practical things like how to clean a wok.
Admittedly, I try not to visit this China blog too often. Why? Because I start salivating as soon as I start reading! (I’m not joking.)
Best things about The Woks of Life:
- Over 1,000 recipes
- Lots of detail
- Big site but feels personalized
6. eChinacities
This is mainly for China-based expats or if you’re looking for a job in China. There are thousands of jobs to comb through (buyer beware!) and pages on career advice.
It’s a busy website but that’s because there’s oodles of information, mostly localized for people already in China. I find some of the article comments from disgruntled expats quite funny.
Best things about eChinacities:
- Loads of jobs
- Expat focused
- Guides to major cities
7. Wild China
This is one of the China travel agencies that specializes in luxury travel.
While I’ve never been on one of their tours, I love their blog articles and amazing photography. Some of the photos are so good they’re worthy of being hung in frames.
Best things about Wild China:
- Covers all corners of the country
- Beautiful photos
- Experience China without visiting
8. CNN
Call me crazy, but I enjoy reading CNN’s China news for an American angle of what’s going on in the country.
Like any news site, I take CNN with a grain of salt. That said, I’m kind of addicted to their three-times-a-week newsletter, Meanwhile in China.
If you’d prefer a British take on the news in China, check out the BBC’s China blog instead.
Best things about CNN:
- American angle on China
- Stay up-to-date with their newsletter
- Focuses on big issues
Just note that CNN is banned in China.
9. Culture Trip
Culture Trip isn’t technically a dedicated China blog but its section on China is really comprehensive.
This travel site is refreshing because it doesn’t shove its tours down your throat. Instead, you can read free articles about China to your heart’s content.
And there’s something for everybody, from the must-visit attractions in Shanghai to the more obscure aspects of Chinese culture such as “poems that will make you fall in love with Hangzhou”.
Best things about Culture Trip:
- Lots of helpful content
- No pushy tour sales
- Easy to navigate
Visit Culture Trip’s China blog →
10. Du Chinese
To be honest, I read a few different Chinese language blogs (though not as often as I’d like!).
If you’re serious about learning Mandarin, you should too.
Along with LTL, one of my favorites is Du Chinese. The articles help you learn Chinese, from expressing gratitude to how to order the popular Chinese drink, bubble tea.
Best things about Du Chinese:
- Makes you motivated to learn Mandarin
- Practice examples and sentences
- Written in everyday English
11. What’s on Weibo
In case you don’t know, Weibo is China’s highly censored version of Twitter. Because Weibo is in Mandarin, this site highlights the biggest stories going around – all in English (though it’s also blocked in China).
Getting a roundup of the most topical stuff on Chinese social media is truly helpful.
Best things about What’s on Weibo:
- A window into Chinese social media
- Viral and topical issues
- Covers all kinds of stories
12. The Helpful Panda
I have to save the best to last!
The Helpful Panda is a comprehensive guide to China, whether you’re into Chinese culture, travel, work, study, tech, or food.
Best things about The Helpful Panda:
- Invaluable advice
- Informative and helpful
- Writers based in China or have traveled or worked there
Visit The Helpful Panda’s blog →
That’s a wrap on the best China blogs
I hope this list has helped you find out more about this incredible and crazy country.
If you’re addicted to blogs about China and want to look up even more, head over to Feedspot. But I think the blogs I’ve showcased above are a great starting point.
Finally, I’m always up for learning more about China. So if you feel I’ve missed a great blog, please let me know in the comments below.
Thanks and happy reading!
I hope you liked my article on the best China blogs in English. You can read all of my China stuff here, or check out blogger Olivia’s article on the best China YouTube channels.
Keep discovering China
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Main image credit: Lemau Studio on Shutterstock.
