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The world's largest expat community

Looking for South Korean Expats in China?

  • Connect with fellow Koreans in China

  • Get information in our China guide

  • Join exciting events and activities

  • Exchange tips about expat life in China

  • David Thyne

    At the first Shanghai Get-Together I met several American expats. I am very grateful that they shared their experience with me.

InterNations – The Place for Koreans Living in China

Want to connect with the expat community of Koreans in China? Looking for South Korean compatriots to help you with your questions on expat life? Or are you looking for other South Korean expats to go on an excursion to the deltas of China's two major rivers, the Huang He and Yangtze with?

InterNations China offers everything you might need as an expat, no matter whether you already live in China or are still in South Korea planning your upcoming foreign assignment. InterNations is the leading platform among expatriates and global minds in all countries around the world. Needless to say, our community of South Korean expats in China is going very strong, with members having roots all across South Korea - from Busan, over Incheon to Seoul.

South Korean Expats Living in China: Your Questions, Answered

If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in China, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in China. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.

Why are expats moving to China?
Of course, the individual reasons why expats decide to move to China can vary a lot. But thanks to our vast member base and our annual Expat Insider survey, we were able to uncover some of the underlying trends that make China an appealing place to move to. Notably, the most valued attributes of China as an expat destination are a booming economy & job security, tremendous career opportunities and that highspeed internet is widely available.

However, out of the 64 expat destinations worldwide in our Expat Insider 2019 survey, China scores well below average in our Quality of Life Index (55th) and our Ease of Settling in Index (58th). It ranks about average in our Working Abroad Index (33rd).

How much do expats earn in China?
On average, expats make on average 290,254 USD according to the ECA Expat Salary Survey for salary levels of expats in middle management positions. This is not the cash salary that expat workers take home after taxes, but the total value of their expat package that usual includes healthcare, cost of education, and housing (among other things). This relatively high salary combined with the not-too-high cost of living explain why China scored so amicably in the Personal Finance Index (12th) and the Cost of Living Index (25th) in 2019.

What are the most common nationalities in China? As an expat in China, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in China currently are:

  • Americans
  • British
  • Germans
  • French

Which cities are most popular among expats in China?
Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in China:

  • Beijing
  • Shanghai
  • Guangzhou

How much rent do expats pay in China?
Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 675 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.732 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within China.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in China.

Average rent in Beijing

  • Single expats: 1.174 USD
  • Expat families: 2.863 USD

Average rent in Shanghai

  • Single expats: 1.118 USD
  • Expat families: 3.234 USD

Average rent in Guangzhou

  • Single expats: 539 USD
  • Expat families: 1.090 USD

How safe is China?
You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in China as very safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as very low. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) very low . And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as mediocre.

How safe is China for women?
Female expats rated the safety situation in China as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in China (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.

Meet other Koreans at our events in China

Attend our monthly events and activities for Koreans expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.

Time is luxurious. If you only have 15 minutes to present your own ideas. What would you do? I will simply reserve a space for someone like you before the activity. +86 28 8526 9999 ext. 5556
Mar 22, 2024, 12:00 PM
25 attendees
Spain is synonymous with fun, high spirits, great weather, delicious food, and above all, fantastic nightlife. I am thrilled to invite you to an enchanting evening at one of the newly opened venues,
Join us on Saturday, 23 March at The Compass Bar's in The Peninsula Shanghai, a beacon of luxury hospitality on the Bund. There will be a chosen menu of creative bar snacks, cocktails, including The P
Mar 24, 2024, 12:00 AM
6 attendees
let's hike when the spring flowers are blossoming. It's a 10-km hiking trip with a climb of 400m. moderately difficult. The site is in western Beijing.

Want to meet other Koreans at our events?

  • Community Member
    From South Korea, living in Shanghai
  • Community Member
    From South Korea, living in Beijing
  • Community Member
    From South Korea, living in Shanghai
  • Community Member
    From South Korea, living in Shanghai
  • Community Member
    From South Korea, living in Shanghai
  • Community Member
    From South Korea, living in Beijing
  • Community Member
    From South Korea, living in Shanghai
  • Community Member
    From South Korea, living in Beijing
  • Community Member
    From South Korea, living in Beijing
  • Community Member
    From South Korea, living in Beijing

Meet other Koreans in China

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Tips and Advice on China from Your Fellow South Korean Expats

Obviously, expat life in China goes well beyond shipping your belongings and taking care of red tape. Socializing with fellow Koreans is an important facet of living abroad and can be a huge stepping stone in getting to know the Chinese mentality and way of life. Koreans in China are a part of our community, calling cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, and many others home. You can use InterNations to look for fellow Koreans in Beijing, for example.

Wondering where to shop for South Korean delicatessen, want to discuss your national team's latest match, or simply talk to someone in your native language? Become a member of the Chinese InterNations Community!

  • Our network is the best place to meet expats from South Korea.
  • On the China Expat Forums, you can get competent answers to all your expat-related questions: how to find a babysitter fluent in your mother tongue, where to get kimchi in Beijing, etc.
  • The InterNations Places database for China has information on the nearest South Korean embassy and many other institutions.

From the deltas of China's two major rivers, the Huang He and Yangtze to the snowy mountains of the Tibetan provinces, you can meet supportive and friendly South Korean expats in China on InterNations.

Meet and Mingle with Fellow Koreans in China

Additionally, InterNations hosts regular expat events and activities in China. Our get-togethers are sure to cater to your taste as well: as a member, you can partake in cozy gatherings to enjoy some Chinese Peking duck & hot pot, join one of our huge expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Beijing’s best locations, and much more. Want to discover China? Go on a weekend trip with your fellow expats to see the Great Wall and other beautiful landmarks.

Our meet-ups and activities offer many wonderful opportunities to mingle with expatriates hailing from South Korea and dozens of other countries in a casual setting. Just sign up for your InterNations membership and you’ll soon hear a cordial Hwangyong-hamnida from our Koreans living in China!

  • David Thyne

    At the first Shanghai Get-Together I met several American expats. I am very grateful that they shared their experience with me.

  • Diana Anhaus-Brey

    It is just so easy to find other international people and global minds with InterNations. I didn´t know there were so many in Shanghai.

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Communities in China

Other Nationalities in China

China Guide Topics