Living in Shanghai, Beijing or Hong Kong? Pros and Cons

Shanghai’s skyline

People often ask to us what is the best city to live in China, Shanghai or Beijing? And is Hong Kong an option? What about second or third tiers cities?

Obviously there isn’t a right answer: it depends on what you’re looking for. In this article we’ll focus on Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong and look at the most important factors (cost of living, carrier opportunities, quality of life and so on) in order to solve some of the most common doubts.

Before we start…

If you’re looking to move to China and you didn’t read it yet, make you a favor and get our free e-book.

Also, keep in mind that Hong Kong S.A.R. (Special Administrative Region) is a Chinese Province only since 1997 (before it was a British colony).

The fact that Hong Kong is a special administrative region and that was a British colony for long time implies that there is a border between Mainland China and Hong Kong (they will stamp your passport and so on), that the Hong Kong currency is the “Hong Kong Dollar” while the Chinese currency is the “Renminbi”, that the law system isn’t the same (for obvious reasons Hong Kong’s laws are much more similar to British laws than to Chinese laws), that in Hong Kong people drive on the left (as in U.K.) while in China people drive on the right and so on.

As you can guess, living in Hong Kong represents a completely different experience than living in Mainland China. In the sequel of this articles we’ll explore pros and cons of each choice.

VISA situation

VISA in Mainland China

In order to visit China you need a VISA. We already published a long article on how to get a Chinese VISA and what are the different type of VISA in Mainland China. Click here to learn the details.

While before it was relatively easy to live in China for years by applying every three months for a new touristic or business VISA in Hong Kong, nowadays the government is cracking down on this behavior and if you want to live in China for a long period (more than three months) I suggest you get the right VISA (working or student VISA).

VISA in Hong Kong

According to your nationality, you can stay in Hong Kong for tourism or business purposes up to 180 days per year without any VISA. People from U.S. or the European Union can stay up to 90 without any VISA. If you own a passport from another country click here and find out what kind of VISA exemption you can get.

Of course, without the proper VISA you can’t work legally or enroll on a university. In order to get a working or student VISA for Hong Kong S.A.R. you need to apply on a Chinese Consular Office in your country.

As for Mainland China, as far as you find a decent job or study program you shall get your VISA without any problem.
Source: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/living-in-shanghai-beijing-or-hong-kong/