Expats

Are you a foreigner / expat in Shijiazhuang?  You’ve probably see a hand-full of us around, perhaps you want to connect.  If you do, leave a comment.

Tips for being a foreigner in Shijiazhuang:

  1. Dive in and try to speak Chinese.
  2. Explore the city!  It’s constantly developing, so find your own places that you like and feel comfortable in.
  3. Try ALL Chinese food, from street food to hot pot restaurants.  It’s all great.
  4. Make Chinese friends.
  5. Check out Tony’s Shop, the Wonder Mall, the Future Mall for foreign goods.
  6. Figure out the bus system.  It’s efficient.  Bikes/motor-bikes/and scooters also work.
  7. If you’re invited to a friend’s house, bring a small gift to show gratitude.
  8. You don’t need to say “thank you” very often.  Chinese consider this phrase something special and don’t use it in daily use or for small favors
  9. Get a Chinese sim card for your mobile.

Enjoy the city and make the most out of your time here!

  • Terri L. Adams

    I am teaching at NO 1 High School. I am a Seminole and coincidentally, my colleague is a Gator! We got here 6 weeks ago and have been to one bar, an Italian place for dinner, BeiGuo and Carrafore. What else are you up to?

    Terri L. Adams
    Tallahassee, Florida, US

  • Julene

    Hello!!!
    so nice to hear that there are foreigners in Shijiazhuang….congrats your web is perfect and pretty helpful for foreigners in china.
    I am working in the InterContinental Shijiazhuang next to Wanda Plaza Shopping Mall. I would like to meet foreigners, so if you could help me I would be more than pleased! my email: julene.zamalloa@gmail.com
    thanks!

    Julene
    Bilbao, Spain

  • Anonymous

    Hi Terri. I like going to the parks, checking out good places to eat (Saturday night we ate at the Wanda Mall at a cheese / fondue restaurant.) How’s the teaching going? p.s. I’m from the good-old Mid-West:)

  • Anonymous

    Hi Julene, Hopefully some people will contact you via email:) You can also go to the forum and leave a message for people. Quizas podemos juntar para un cafe? Cuando tenes libre? Christina

  • terri adams

    Fondue sounds delicious! Right now however, my passport was stolen!!! My visa expires 11/2 and I was headed to Hong Kong this week to get my work visa. Any ideas on how to persuade the embassy I need an emergency visa which processes the same day?

  • Anonymous

    US embassy? What nationality are you??

    Here’s the info for American Citizen Services in Beijing…

    Emergency Assistance

    In case of emergencies, please contact (011-86-10) 8531-4000 if you are calling from the United States, or 010-8531-4000 if you are calling from China. http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/service.html ALSO read this: http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/lost_or_stolen_passports.html

    It sounds like you’re going to have to do some running around today to get everything in order. Also call the emergency number and chat with them if you have questions. I’m not sure what you’ll need first – so ask them on the phone. It also sounds like you need to report it to the PSB ASAP here in Shijiazhuang. These are things you will need for a new passport:

    The original police report from the Beijing Municipal Public Security Beureau (see above for address);
    One recent color photo with white background (2 inches by 2 inches);
    USD 135 for adults over the age of 16, USD 105 for minors under the age of 16, equivalent RMB is acceptable;
    Completed DS-11 and DS-64 forms;
    Proof of identity (eg. drivers’ license, expired licenses, student IDs or any photo ID);
    Proof of U.S. citizenship (eg. original and sealed birth certificate with filing number, canceled US passport)

    ALSO replacing a lost/stolen Chinese Visa

    The following documents are required by the Beijing Entry/Exit bureau to facilitate the issuance of a new Chinese visa to replace a lost/stolen visa.

    1. The Lost Report issued by the Entry/Exit Department. (not clear what that is?!. I’m going to guess they have this at the big police station that you drop off your papers at here in SJZ)

    2. The police report issued by local police department or station where the person lost their passport. (make sure you go to the right police department. Ask a friend to help you)

    3. One photocopy of the lost passport or other IDs (ID card, driving license, working card, seamen’s ID, national insurance card) or their photocopies. For those who do not have any ID certificates, the citizenship confirmation letter from their embassies is needed.

    4. Temporary residence certificate. For those living in hotels and apartments, they should present the check-in certificate, but for those having bought apartments or living in Chinese citizens’ homes, they should go to local police stations for the temporary residence certificate.
    Note: If an individual is unsure where he/she should go to get the residence certificate, contact the PSB at 86-10-8402-0101 to verify. (Do you have yours? Here in SJZ you should get one and have the copies of it. ASK the US Embassy before you go so you don’t have to come back down if you’re unsure!)

    5. Foreigners who are here invited by Chinese institutions should present an introduction letter by relevant parties, e.g. employers, inviting companies, travel agencies.

    6. One 2-inch photo.

    Bring the above required documents to the Exit-Entry Department of the PSB for the Lost Report. (I’m going to guess you’ll do this in SJZ instead of BJ!)

    NOTE: The entry/exit bureau at the PSB has the sole discretion to require additional documents not listed above in order to facilitate the issuance of a new Chinese visa.

    Hope this helps. Do you have a Chinese friend who can help you? Where do you live – do you know which police station you’re suppose to go to?

  • Julene

    Thanks christina!! Are u spanish?? Or do u speak spanish?? Nice to know that!! Oy y mañana tengo libre, quizas mañana a la tarde?sino lo podemos dejar para mas adelante! Julene

  • terri adams

    You have been SO helpful. I did not know about reporting the loss locally. I am on Ping An Lui and Dong Shen East. A few blocks from the Bei Gua. I am working at NO1 High School. I believe ALL my paperwork has been completed in order to go to Hong Kong and apply for the Z visa. I think this means I have a residence permit now? My Skype is terri.adams.721. Thank you again.

  • Anonymous

    What’s your cell number?

  • Anonymous

    I think you’ll need to get the receipts from the paperwork (or the paper that they stamp with the red stamps) and probably take that to the police station by there. I’m not sure how long they’re open today. If I were you, I’d ask the people at NO 1 High school which police station to go to and if the waiyu person can go with you to help translate / help. You’ll need to get sorted before heading to BJ.

  • terri adams

    no cell until i have a signed contract and the employer is dragging its feet.

  • Anonymous

    I added you on skype. Did you get things sorted out today? Even if you just pick up a mobile yourself- you can get a basic one for like 200+ rmb. No signed contract yet? Is it through an agency or direct?

  • Jason

    Great blog! I have been coming here for the last 2 years for work. It is amazing how much the city has changed in that time. And it is refreshing to see some other foreigners here. I am still exploring the city, I look forward to reading your blog for more tips on what to see and do!

  • http://shijiazhuangalive.com/shijiazh SJZ

    Great to hear from you Jason:) This city sure has changed a lot! When I was back in the States I was amazed to just visibly see such a difference in work time and construction! What takes years over there seems to take months here. What are you doing in SJZ?

  • http://shijiazhuangalive.com/shijiazh SJZ

    Hi Julene, Did you get my emails? If not, check in your spam box. Hope you are having a good weekend:)

  • Trentski05

    Same here, I’m from Ohio, my name is Ron and I’ve been here for seven months. I’m an English teacher ( imagine that). I like the city, a lot of good food and good deals on shopping, the air quality is a serious bummer though, but this is China. I haven’t met too many foreigners here. I think we’re few and far between.

  • Anonymous

    Cool. Where are you teaching? What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

  • Anonymous

    Hi Ron. How’s the teaching going? You’re right, foreigners are few and far between. You can find us here and there (Starbuck’s, OK Pizza, some go to the bars, etc.) Where are you teaching?

  • Terri L. Adams

    THANKSGIVING DINNER at the World Trade Plaza Hotel on No.303 Zhongshan East Road, Qiaodong District, Shijiazhuang 050011. Buffet style , about 128 RMB. “McDonald’s” party for reservations. Hope to see you. Terri Adams phone 18633461712

  • Cyrils34

    Still some Foreigner in shijiazhuang ? im French

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_AQWNGJEWUOJJBIQRLQ7VKJCKJE Sam Krupnick

    Hey everyone,
    I’ve been in sjz for many years now and my wife and I are expecting a baby boy soon. Let me know if anybody is expecting or has family here as we’d love to meet. You can contact me at ripples@att.net

  • Anonymous

    I think there are a few French people around:) My husband use to hang out with Maxi and then played tennis a few times with a French guy named, Matt. Do you know other foreigners here?

  • Anonymous

    Hey Terri, how was it?

  • Anonymous

    You know we are:) Looking forward to our sons getting to hang out.

  • Cyrils34

    Hi, thank you for your answer, in fact i’m here only since 2 week. My girlfriend study in shitiazhuang, so she is almost busy the whole day, and i don’t speak well chinese, so i almost don’t go out or just near my home, so if someone is free, Nice to meet you ?? . I can speak english, french and little chinese

  • Jose

    Hi my name is Jose, I’ve been in shijiazhang for few months now, and I hope that maybe I can meet some people here. Currently i’m located at the development zone of sjz. Hope everyone is having a good holiday
    you can contact me at joseanimation@gmail.com

  • Joseanimation

    Hi Cyrils34, Ive been in sjz for a few months and looking to find some people to hang out with.

  • Anonymous

    The other French guy that we know also has a girlfriend in Shijiazhuang. I’ll send you his phone number so that you guys can connect.

  • Anonymous

    Hi Jose, where are you from?

  • Cyrils34

    Hi, thank you, i willl try to connect him ! ?? :)

  • Rewza_007

    Hi guys , i’m Rew from Thailand. I have been here for 3 months. I am on MBBS course in Hebei Medical University. Well nice to meet you all :)

  • kris

    @ Rew – Nice 2 meet you 2 . Having a good time so far ?

  • http://shijiazhuangalive.com/shijiazh SJZ

    Hope you’re doing well. Were you here for the New Year?

  • Garman Cn

    SJZ people are high fashion and style