Over the past few decades China has risen to be one of the world’s biggest economic and political powers. Yet even as it has gained increasing recognition on the world stage, many people know little about Chinese culture, day-to-day life and politics. For those who can’t afford to fly around the world to explore in person, these blogs offer a chance to learn more about this ancient culture, modern country and diverse population without ever having to leave home.
Chinese Perspectives
Learn about China from the people who live there from these blogs.
- chinaSMACK: Here you’ll find stories both on pop culture and the larger national and international news spheres.
- A Modern Lei Feng: While this site is no longer regularly updated, it’s still a great read if only for the fact that the owner stopped updating it due to controls by the government.
- Status of Chinese People: This sometimes hard-hitting blog offers updates on the living conditions of the Chinese people.
- China Elections and Governance: Learn more about the government of China and local elections from this blog.
- Wangjianshuo’s blog: This Chinese blogger lives in Shanghai and blogs about a wide range of subjects.
- Angry Chinese Blogger: While this blogger isn’t representative of the average Chinese person, this blog definitely reflects an Eastern point of view.
News
Check out these blogs to learn what events are capturing the attention of the Chinese people.
- China Digital Times: Read about what is going on all over China today with this online newspaper blog.
- China Briefing News: Visit this blog to get summaries of important business and legal news in China.
- China Post Online: This blog will keep you in the know when it comes to learning about current events in China.
- All Roads Lead to China: Bookmark this blog to read Chinese news analysis, strategic insights and more.
- China Newswire: This press release blog will help you keep on top of all kinds of things happening in China.
- Imagethief: This blogger comments on a wide range of news stories in China, focusing on public relations and business.
- London Chinese Radio: Here you can listen to all the latest Chinese news in English.
- The Foreign Expert: This site offers translated news directed at a foreign audience so you can stay informed.
Business and Industry
Learn more about China’s national and international economics in these blogs.
- China Law Blog: Learn more about how Chinese law impacts business on this blog.
- PanAsianBiz: This blog reports news stories from all over Asia, China included.
- China Economics Blog: Here you’ll get analysis and stats all about China’s economic development.
- Black China Blog: Check out this site to learn about China’s aluminum and raw materials market.
- China Business Services Blog: This blog will help you keep up with business and economic news in China.
- Experience Not Logic: Visit this site to read interesting posts about business and law.
- Silk Road International Blog: If you want to know more about doing business with China, this blog is a great place to start finding information.
- Grape Wall of China: Learn about the Chinese wine industry and how it markets to the world’s largest market here.
- China Goods News: This site can help you learn more about Chinese goods made for export.
- The China Observer: With great insights and commentary, this site is an essential read on business in China.
Technology
In a country with tight controls on Internet usage, technology has been a hot button issue. Learn more from these blogs.
- Tech China Blog: This blog will keep you up to date with outsourcing and the role of technology business in China.
- Thomas Crampton: Learn more about social media’s role in China and around the world here.
- Mobinode: Check out this group blog to learn more about the technology industry throughout Asia.
- iPhonAsia: Find all the information you’ll need to get information about telecommunications tech in Asia here.
- Digital China Guide: This site combs the web to find information about the digital aspects of Chinese culture and business.
Culture
Read through these blogs to learn more about the sports, literature, movies and food of China.
- China Sports Review: Keep up with scores and information about Chinese sports teams and athletes here.
- Paper Republic: Visit this blog regularly to learn about the latest publications of Chinese literature.
- Beijing Boyce: If you enjoy drinking and going out, this blog can give you an idea of what these things are like in China.
- China Movie Database Blog: Learn about classic and new Chinese films through this blog.
- Chinese Culture Blog: This About.com blog will teach you about everything from religion to language in China.
- Red Cook: This blog offers some delicious traditionally Chinese recipes you can cook at home.
Expatriate
You’ll learn what it’s like to live in China from the perspective of an outsider through these blogs.
- Lost Laowai: While geared towards foreigners living abroad, this site does a great job of trying to share many cultural lessons about China.
- CHINAYOUREN: Follow this blogger as he learns and lives in China.
- Absurdity, Allegory and China: This blogger lives in Tianjin, China though originally came from the United States sharing many photos and insights about his life in his adopted country.
- China Hope Live: Here you’ll find posts from an American couple living in China on everything from air pollution to language.
- iSpyShanghai: In this blog, an ex-pat Englishman gives advice on living and visiting Shanghai.
- Life in Suzhou: Ryan McLaughlan writes this blog about what it’s like living abroad.
- Wo Shi Laowai: This humorous blog will give you a take on many issues related to life in China.
- Sinosplice: This blogger has lived in China for almost ten years and offers information on culture, language and more.
Travel and Regional
Even if you can’t visit China yourself, you can learn about travel in the country and the differences between the many regions.
- Xinjiang: Far West China: Learn about the town of Xinjiang in Western China through this top-rated travel blog.
- Recording Beijing: This blog aims to capture the culture and life of Beijing.
- China Contact: Those visiting China, or planning to, can find helpful tips and tools in this blog.
- China Travel 2.0: From hotel recommendations to explanations of cultural events, this blog is an essential resource for learning about what China has to offer.
- Redefining Lanzhou: This blog is a great place to learn about the sites and sounds of Lanzhou.
- Shanghaiist: Check out this site to see photos from Shanghai and read news on the latest happenings in the city.
- The Beijinger Blog: Even if you’re not planning a visit to Beijing soon, this blog’s photos and posts will make you want to.
