C H I N A
A glimpse into my life and adventures in China.
I first moved to China in 2018, before taking a three-year detour to Zambia. After that incredible chapter, I found myself returning to China once again. I've spent most of my time living in Changsha, but I'll soon be beginning a new adventure on the tropical island of Hainan, often nicknamed China's Hawaii.
Home is a weird concept for me. It is of course where my parents are, but I have also spent so much of my adult life abroad, that England no longer feels the only place I belong. China has become just as much a home to me. It's where I've built a life, made lifelong friends, and experienced countless adventures and hardships.
One of the things I love most about China is its sheer size and diversity. You could spend a lifetime exploring this country and still never see everything it has to offer. From tropical beaches and rainforests to snow-covered cities, ancient towns, vast deserts and towering mountains, every province has its own personality. Even after years of living here, I still feel as though I've only scratched the surface. There are so many places I can't wait to explore, from Xinjiang and Tibet to the countless hidden towns and landscapes that rarely appear in guidebooks.
Living in China is never boring. Every day brings something unexpected. A new sound, a new peculiarity, a new adventure, even in a place you've lived for a long time. Sometimes it's inspiring, sometimes it's challenging, and sometimes it's simply amusing, but there's always something new to discover.
On this page, I'll be sharing my experiences of life in China through travel guides, destination inspiration, photography and practical advice. You'll also find resources for those interested in teaching, doing business, and navigating everyday life here. Whether you're planning your first visit, thinking about moving to China, or you're simply curious about this fascinating country, I hope these stories and guides inspire you to explore a little further.
My China Bucket List
✅ Walk the Great Wall of China
⬜ Explore Xinjiang ⭐
⬜ Take a road trip through Tibet ⭐
✅ Visit the Harbin Ice & Snow Festival
✅ Go surfing in Hainan
⬜ Visit the Fujian Tulou
✅ See the Bund in Shanghai
⬜ See the giant pandas in Chengdu
⬜ Explore Chongqing
✅ Explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
✅ Go skiing in Heilongjiang Province
⬜ Visit Jiuzhaigou National Park
⬜ Explore the Rainbow Mountains in Gansu
⬜ Visit Huangshan (Yellow Mountains)
⬜ See the Terracotta Army in Xi'an
⬜ Ride an overnight sleeper train
✅ Visit Zhenyuan Ancient Town
✅ Explore Hong Kong's islands, beach and hiking trails
⬜ Visit Guilin and Yangshuo
⬜ Visit the Leshan Giant Buddha
This is my current China bucket list. I've been lucky enough to visit far more places and have many more experiences than you'll see here, but not every adventure starts as a bucket list item. In fact, some of my favourite memories have come from the places I knew nothing about before I arrived. This list is simply a collection of the iconic destinations and experiences I'm still dreaming of, alongside a few I've already been fortunate enough to tick off.
