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markhoward

Mark Howard

@markhoward

Member

English °µÍø½ûÇø in China

Forum posts

23

Contacts

16

About me

English

Lives in Xiamen

Speaks English, some Chinese

Registration: 16 April 2011

Activity

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
9 years ago
Maximilien

Driving in China by Maximilien

Hi, What do you think of the way people drive in China? How different is it from your home country? Respecting the road safety rules, driving etiquette such as general courtesy, speed excessÂ… what are the characteristics of the driving style ...

Mark Howard

Notwithstanding the above comments and replies, I would stick by my earlier post, and driving in China is do-able, as long as one drives defensively, as freeglobetrekker has mentioned, and doesn't let up on concentration for a second, as for ... Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
9 years ago
Maximilien

Driving in China by Maximilien

Hi, What do you think of the way people drive in China? How different is it from your home country? Respecting the road safety rules, driving etiquette such as general courtesy, speed excessÂ… what are the characteristics of the driving style ...

Mark Howard

Agreed, the standard of driving in China is not good, but it is getting better. Over the last few years, the introduction of a more rigorous driving test (where a driving license can (usually) no longer be obtained by just paying black money), and ... Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
9 years ago
xarthurkriegerx

Recommended real estate agents by xarthurkriegerx

Hey y'all! My girlfriend and I will be on the market for an apartment on the east side of Siming, Xiamen, by Fujian East Gate and Xiamen City Vocational College. I've read that one pretty much needs an agent to find a place (unless one has ...

Mark Howard

Quite straightforward finding a property agent in Xiamen, and outside most apartment areas there will be property agent offices. The usual arrangement is that the property agent will charge one month's rent as their commission, which is split ... Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
11 years ago
Julien

The other side of the Chinese postcard by Julien

Hi, As a tourist in a foreign country, very often, we are enchanted with what we discover. Living abroad is different. It's a rich experience but there are also some difficulties to face. When people ask me for advice on living abroad, I ...

Mark Howard

Can't help thinking I'm getting very tolerant in my old age, but have to say that while Xiamen is hardly perfect, I'm rarely offended living there. I don't live or work in the an ex-pat area, but it's not that bad. There's too much litter in a ... Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
11 years ago
Carlos.GTR

Any other °µÍø½ûÇøs, people living un Yiwu by Carlos.GTR

Hello all! Is there any other people like me living in Yiwu around here? ;-)

Mark Howard

Not sure whereabouts in Shangdong province you are, but having visited Yiwu often, and it is certainly pretty boring. Yiwu has one purpose only, business and making as much money as quickly as possible, at the expense of any quality of life. Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
11 years ago
Julien

The other side of the Chinese postcard by Julien

Hi, As a tourist in a foreign country, very often, we are enchanted with what we discover. Living abroad is different. It's a rich experience but there are also some difficulties to face. When people ask me for advice on living abroad, I ...

Mark Howard

Hailey pretty well sums up China, but I'd also add that it is probably the most regulated, bureaucratic place on the face of the planet, on one side of the card, and at the same time that runs hand in hand with a totally unregulated "black" economy, ... Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
11 years ago
arnodeman

Living in Xiamen by arnodeman

We are considering volunteering for an assignment in Xiamen for 3-5 years. How many European °µÍø½ûÇøs are living in Xiamen ? Are there °µÍø½ûÇø clubs ? More importantly: how to deal with Chinese signs, branding in supermarkets, etc. ? Does anybody speak ...

Mark Howard

Hi, There are about 3,000 ex-pats in Xiamen, although not sure how many are European, but would guess it is the larger part of that total that are from Europe. I'm not aware of any ex-pat clubs as such, but there are a few bars where ex-pats will ... Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
11 years ago
Julie

Interviews: °µÍø½ûÇøs in China by Julie

Hi all, We are setting up a new section on the website focused on you! The “Interviews” section will indeed feature °µÍø½ûÇøs all over the world. We are then looking for testimonies of people living in China interested in sharing their ...

Mark Howard

Me too, actually. Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
11 years ago
GuanfromTM

Does anyone has latest version of the Chinese driving license exam? by GuanfromTM

Hi everyone, I have to retake the Chinese driving test and unfortunately, I have asked so many times from the licensing officer for the questions bank (normally chinese version have around 1500 questions) but to no avails. The officer only ...

Mark Howard

Hi, a bit of a late reply, but if you are you still waiting for the latest version of the 1,500 questions and answers for the Chinese driving test, I'll email it to you. Let me know if you still need it. Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
11 years ago
Julie

Places to visit in Xiamen by Julie

Hi, For the ones living in Xiamen, what would you suggest to discover the region? When you have friends or family visiting you, where do you go with them? What are the must-see places in Xiamen, the tourist sites? How to visit the region in ...

Mark Howard

The "standard" must do sights on Xiamen Island are: Gulang Yu - needs a day to get around Gulang Yu Island, as there are many sites on the island. 10 minutes by ferry from Xiamen, cost RMB 8 return. Nanputao Temple - another major sight in ... Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
11 years ago
Sonisska

Job offer - Xiamen by Sonisska

Hey guys, I have got an offer from a language school to teach English in Xiamen and I am wondering about the city a bit. Actually, I think the offer is disputable - salary 7500rmb with 1000rmb allowance for accommodation which I have to arrange ...

Mark Howard

Totally agree your comments, Missincognito.... RMB 7,000 is enough to live reasonably well in Xiamen, and as you say, many locals can manage fine on RMB 4,000, which is about the average wage in Xiamen. It's also a good place to live, not too ... Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
11 years ago
Sonisska

Job offer - Xiamen by Sonisska

Hey guys, I have got an offer from a language school to teach English in Xiamen and I am wondering about the city a bit. Actually, I think the offer is disputable - salary 7500rmb with 1000rmb allowance for accommodation which I have to arrange ...

Mark Howard

Really depends on what sort of lifestyle you want to enjoy. Basically though, a reasonable two bedroom apartment in a good area is around RMB 4,000, and basic living cost (eating at local restaurants, traveling by mostly BRT or bus and taxi ... Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
11 years ago
Dubai28

Setting up an Export Trading Company by Dubai28

Hi guys, Ive heard so much about Guangzhou from freinds and family and you gorgeous bloggers, but i would like to know if it would be a good idea to set up an export company in Guangzhou. Is it the right time to set up a Trading Company? I speak ...

Mark Howard

The below is a PM I recently sent to somebody regarding setting up trading companies, so have copies it here in case it is useful: To be honest, setting up a WFOC in mainland China, and a HK company for tax minimisation purposes is not the easiest ... Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
12 years ago
indians

Medical Examination in India for Z Visa is a Challenge by indians

Hi, I will like to put my experience in front of you. I got an offer letter and with that, i was asked to get all the formalities done. All the documents were done on time with one major hiccup - Medical Certification. 1. I got myself checked from ...

Mark Howard

Hi, Not sure if local hospitals can provide the necessary medical certificate, but at least in Xiamen, it is the Medical Department of the Exit and Entry Bureau that provides it. From the Xiamen experience (having now had it done twice), just turn ... Read More

Mark Howard
markhoward replied to a thread
12 years ago
Armand

Public transportation in Xiamen by Armand

Hi all, What do you think about the means of transportation in Xiamen ? Is the network of means of transportation well developed? What modes of transport are available? Do you use them? How much is a fare? Are they relatively ...

Mark Howard

BRT is great, efficient and cheap means of transportation in Xiamen (although a tad crowded at times), but sadly the network is limited. if you are at the Jimei Bridge end of Jimei, the BRT is an option from the Gymnasium stop, but if you are at ... Read More