What is it like to live in Chengdu as a French expat? What are the salaries like? How does it work with a work visa? In this article, François will share everything about his experience of living & working in China as an expat.
*All pictures in this article are from François, unless indicated differently
What to expect in this article:
- About moving to Chengdu, China
- What's it like to live & work in Chengdu, China
- Visa, salary & prices in Chengdu, China
- English language & tips for other expats
- Favorite destinations in China
- About Qinghai
- What do people really have to know about China
- Apps & websites to use in China
- Differences between China & France
- Will I visit Chengdu again?
About moving to Chengdu, China
Originally working in contract management, I am a French teacher, teaching both French and English as second languages. I have been doing so for the last 10 years. In my free time, well … like many fellow travelers, besides being a passionate hiker, I also am an amateur photographer, working both with drones and cameras.
In 2017, I was offered the possibility to live in Chengdu, in Sichuan, a province of Western China. A quick research told me that Chengdu was famous for its “Sichuan pepper” and the pandas. I did hear about the pandas, while the pepper remained unknown to me. Little did I expect both in terms of culinary experience & cuteness.
And yet, like the saying says: Chengdu, a city you never leave” – which itself refers to a Chinese saying, “少不入川，老不出蜀” (Shào bù rù Chuān, lǎo bù chū Shǔ), meaning “Young people shouldn’t go to Sichuan (Chengdu) – I was hooked and I still am.
What is it like to live & work in Chengdu, China
When I first came to Chengdu, I was blown away by the size of the city. I had previously visited Bangkok and was already aware that East Asian megacities were something of a savant blend between chaos, high convenience, safety and efficiency.
Chengdu takes it to the next level, as the city offers an amazing public transportation network, covering nearly every corner. The high towers are quite a surprise at first, but one gets used to these dimensions. Biking comes as an additional option when the weather is good.
But Chengdu isn’t famous for its transportation network. It is famous for being the world center for pandas’ conservation program & its cuisine.
Is the weather grey, or do you feel overwhelmed? No need for medicine, go for a walk in one of the conservation centers and watch pandas eating bamboo. Or opt for a spicy-numb bowl of noodles or a hotpot with friends. Your mood will return back to normal immediately!
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Visa, salary & prices in Chengdu, China
Choosing China doesn’t come without any challenges. The language and the impression of being in a completely closed alternative universe can be daunting at first. Colleagues, friends & encounters along the way will help you to fit in. Oh, and a delicious cup of Chinese Green Tea in a garden too!
Being supported by my school (part of a broader French network of language schools), it was very easy to get both the visa and the work visa. Since then, things have improved, and visiting China is even easier for a vast array of European countries, among others.
Don't forget to book an activity in Chengdu
The salary offered was more than enough to cover both rent, food & travel. China actually offers one of the highest salaries for foreign teaching stuff in all of East Asia. While some restaurants in the Chengdu core area charge definitely way more than before the pandemic, the prices for standard Chinese meals haven’t changed that much, compared to those in Western European countries.
In the countryside, where the best food can be found, prices haven’t changed much and can offer both a fantastic experience in terms of culinary choice & service. Rent in top-tier cities remain expensive, while cities like Chengdu, Kunming or Chongqing offer great deals on furnished apartments.
In terms of transportation, I did notice an increase when it comes to train tickets (especially the high-speed network for long-distance journeys), but the flights remain a cheap option, if booked outside the national holiday period.
English language & tips for other expats
English is widely-taught nationwide. However, it isn’t widely outside Chinese megacities such as Beijing, Shanghai or Shenzhen.
The 21st century does a fantastic job at providing translation tools. At the restaurant, a smile and a few random choices will get you covered. For administrative paperwork, however, the help of a Chinese native will be required.
One tip I have for other expats is to embrace the difference! Surround yourself with both native and expats who can provide you with a deep insight of how things work in the city you’re living in.
Where to stay in Chengdu, China
Here is a small map with accommodations all over Chengdu
Favorite destinations in China
Sichuan itself, especially West Sichuan (the Tibetan provinces of Garze and Aba). And the neighbouring provinces:
- Yunnan: Including Yulong Snow Mountain, which is a gorgeous region
- Guizhou: A mountainous region
- Qinghai: Below, I will share more about Qinghai, as there is so much to tell!
About Qinghai
Qinghai is home to one of the world’s biggest lakes and is one of China’s biggest provinces. It is home to some of the biggest national parks on the planet. Many different ethnicities build up the population of this remote land: Tibetans, Hui and Mongols. Qinghai is also named Amdo by many Tibetans, the northern part of the “greater Tibet” cultural space.
Despite its size, it is still a less-traveled province, both by Chinese and foreign tourists. However, some of Qinghai’s attractions are now gaining in visibility and popularity, with the rise of social media and location-sharing functions.
My visits to Qinghai
I had the chance to visit Qinghai several times between 2021 and 2025, mainly in Xining (its capital), and in the Golog, Huangnan and Yushu prefectures, inhabited mostly by Tibetans. From the first time I visited Qinghai, I fell in love with its vastness and wilderness. The province is mostly a plateau, but this doesn’t come without any surprise as the landscapes can change dramatically over the journey!
What do people really have to know about China
Family comes first in China. This can lead to some surprise, when people choose their lives. It wasn’t uncommon for me to see people refusing opportunities in other provinces or abroad, to stay with family, if the demand was made. While society does change, it isn’t uncommon for parents to decide what is judged to be best for their children.
Apps & websites to use in China
China has built its own internet ecosystem, partly available in English: WeChat & Alipay are a must. When entering the country, they will allow you to pay nearly everywhere and use public transportation. Trip.com is also a must, as it has accurate information on all hotels, guesthouse and hostels.
For those staying a longer time, shopping apps, such as Taobao or Jindong, are a must too: a battery to change, a screw to find or a nice tote bag with a customized design? You find them all in one place!
Differences between China & France
Online-services in China are far more developed than in Europe, but they do come at a price: data privacy. Also, shops & businesses can open and close at a much faster rate. Which can lead to disappointment, if some of your favorite food stores disappear overnight!
The concept of nature heavily differs: in Europe, national parks and trails are free to go, but at your own risk. In China, most national parks are heavily equipped and stairs & cable cars take you all the way up. The tickets can be pricey. The idea behind it is to focus less on physical efforts and more on accessibility for everyone.
Will I visit Chengdu again?
As time passes, I am glad to be closer to friends and family and have easy access to my bread and cheese supply. After all, I am French!
More seriously, I plan on keeping visiting China, as it is a fantastic destination for any traveler looking for otherworldly landscapes. But I do not feel the need to live there anymore: another life balance is required, between work, friends, family and the rest.
I hope you got more information by reading this article. If you have questions about moving or working in Chengdu or China, make sure to message me. Kind regards, François
*Some of the links in the article are affiliate links, so I may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
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