Remote Work in China: Preparation & On-Site Tips

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Table of Contents
Preparation and Setup
Apps and Digital Tools
Travel and Mobility
Working on Site
Work Culture and Conduct
Conclusion

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China isn’t a classic destination for digital nomads, but it’s worth it. Infrastructure, safety, and energy are impressive. At the same time, many things are different when it comes to planning and the way you work.

If you’ve read the general remote-work article first, you know the basics. This post covers my China-specific lessons from a month-long trip through the country.

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Preparation and Setup

The most important rule up front: Set everything up before you land. In China, many Western services are blocked by the “Great Firewall” (the so-called “Golden Shield Project”). To bypass it, you need a VPN for Wi-Fi and/or an international eSIM with data roaming.

VPN:
Install your VPN before entering the country. Many providers won’t work once you’re there. Once configured, you can use WhatsApp, Google, or ChatGPT. I tested my VPN in advance—it saves nerves.

eSIM and network:
I had good experience with Holafly. Thirty days of unlimited data were easily enough for work, navigation, and calls. Still, download important documents for offline use in case the connection stutters.

Payments:
Without WeChat Pay or Alipay, not much works. Both apps can be linked to European credit cards, but only up to certain amounts (usually fee-free under 200 RMB). Cash barely matters—even small food stalls accept QR payments.

I also exchanged a few hundred RMB at the airport in China—just in case a QR code failed. I didn’t need it, but it felt good to have a safety net.

Apps and Digital Tools

The right apps determine your daily flow. My basic setup looked like this:

• Communication: WeChat (mandatory—almost everything runs through it)
• Payments: Alipay & WeChat Pay. Link an international credit card and scan QR codes to pay.
• Navigation: 高德地图 (Gaode Maps / Amap)—Google Maps is unusable; Apple Maps works, but some restaurants are missing.
• Translation: Papago—translate images, record audio messages for automatic Chinese translation, or type text. Communication works even without a shared language.
• Transport: Trip.com for flights and train tickets. Locals also use “12306,” but I missed an English localization there.
• VPN: Install a tested provider beforehand and keep a backup VPN. Each month there’s a megathread on Reddit listing VPNs that currently work best on site. I chose Let’s VPN and was satisfied.

Travel and Mobility

China’s rail network is outstanding. Trains are often much more comfortable than flights. My train took me from Shanghai to Beijing in 4 hours—relaxed and without delays (greetings to Deutsche Bahn).

Tip:
Choose hotels with metro access. Distances in Beijing or Shanghai are long, and a nearby station saves time every day.

Example:
In Shanghai, my hotel was a ten-minute walk from Jing’an Temple. Perfect mix of calm, cafés, and fast connections.

Working on Site

Hotels are often stable enough for work, but location matters more. Choose accommodations near the metro. Cities like Beijing or Shanghai are so sprawling that a poor hotel choice can quickly cost you hours.

In Shanghai I recommend Jing’an or the Former French Concession—popular with expats, so English is more common.

In Beijing, Sanlitun and Lido (both relatively near Chaoyang Park), as well as CBD or Dongzhimen, are good picks—especially if your Chinese is a bit rusty.

Focus times:
China is 6–7 hours ahead of Germany (summer vs. winter time). The advantage: despite its size, the whole country uses a single time zone. So you only communicate the offset once with your team, even if you move within the country.

I used 90-minute blocks for deep work in the morning and worked with the team in the evening. The time shift creates a natural focus window—similar to my first article. Mornings are quiet; calls happen in the evening.

Power & safety:
Charge regularly and mind local plugs. Power banks are allowed, but make sure yours meets airline requirements. Above certain mAh or watt thresholds they’re not permitted.

You’ll find more tips in our previous remote-work article.

Work Culture and Conduct

Work culture:
Discipline and respect are common. Meetings start on time; feedback is conveyed politely rather than directly. I learned that restraint is seen as strength. Coming on too strong costs sympathy.

People work hard—see the abbreviations “996” and “007”. 996 means 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. 007 means 24/7. Work carries immense weight in Chinese culture.

Digital life:
In restaurants or cafés you’ll notice: everyone’s on their phone. Communication is often digital. WeChat replaces email, invoices, and sometimes business cards.

Vibrancy & sensory overload:
At first, I hesitated to enter shops where staff call out to attract customers. But that’s not necessarily a sign of low quality. Chinese cities are loud—music, speakers, street hawkers: it’s part of the culture. The word is “rè nào” (热闹): lively bustle. What sounds stressful to us signals energy and success there. Still, the culture can feel overwhelming at first. Give yourself time to adjust.

Metro conduct:
Lots of people. Tight spaces—especially in Shanghai and Beijing. Shanghai has ~24.9 million residents in its administrative area; Beijing has ~21.9 million.

Don’t take jostling personally. Pushing happens. Boarding may start before everyone exits. Stay calm. Go with the flow. You’ll usually get there faster.

Practical notes:

• Plan more time—especially during rush hours (7–9 a.m., 5–7 p.m.).
• Stand to the side of the doors. Let people exit first, then board.
• Backpack in front. Phone in a safe, quickly reachable pocket.
• Open your ticket QR ahead of time. WeChat or Alipay Transit is fast; many gates also accept MasterCard or Visa.
• Choose the first or last car—often a bit more space. Some stations show current crowding on screens so you can plan your boarding.
• If needed, just wait for the next train. They’re frequent—sometimes every minute at peak.
• Follow floor markings—arrows and lines organize flow.
• Keep your voice down in the car. Keep phone calls short or text.
• Stand right, walk left on escalators (adapt if local norms differ).

In short: stay calm, make room, go with the flow. Even rush hour becomes manageable.

Conclusion

Working in China means: plan, adapt, enjoy. With good preparation, everything runs smoothly. Plan VPN, eSIM, apps, and budget in advance. With curiosity, you’ll experience a country that thinks differently yet runs precisely.

And sometimes a simple “xièxiè” (谢谢, “thank you”) is enough to earn a smile.

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