China Links

Jeez, this is overwhelming. There is just TOO much out there written on China… A work in progress! Last updated 22 April 2009

China Related Blogs

When I first came to China I read a lot of blogs written by expats in China. As time went on, however, I found myself reading more expat blogs from across the world. Maybe it’s because my expat life is nothing like expat life in Shanghai and Beijing, where most China blogs seem to originate. And their descriptions of expat life in the big city just make me envious and sad. Haha.

My relationship with China has its ups and downs and since I do not have close personal ties to the culture (like a spouse or significant other) and I am not fluent in the language I find it difficult to blog authoritatively on current events and politics here. To be honest, China is not my passion. I came here for no other reason than to work and be with my DH. Perhaps that is why I can’t fully relate to many China blogs. Someone referred to some of them as “white dude in China” blogs. I giggled when I read that. These so-called white dude blogs (in jest because they are certainly not all written by white dudes) are actually quite fascinating. I always learn new things when I take the time to read them.

If you are looking for a wide variety of blogs written from China, just visit the China Blog List. I am impressed by these blog lists: Far West China’s Top 5 Lists, CN Reviews’ excellent Ten Eclectic Blogs (what a breath of fresh air!) and Chinageeks’ Recommended Reading. Visit those links. Visit those blogs. Here a much abbreviated list of those that made it to my Google Reader: *All links listed in alphabetical order!*

General/Newsy Blogs

These blogs feature current events, politics, language issues, popular stories as well as the occasional personal post. There is very little estrogen in this list and I only mention that because as a female, I like the female viewpoint. I do not read these blogs everyday because sometimes they are a bit overwhelming. I don’t consider my blog to be “in league” with these blogs, but then again, that is not my aim. (Although sometimes I do wish I could blog like this!)

  • Chinageeks
  • ChinaSMACK English translations of the weird and wonderful Chinese Internet
  • CN Reviews A little bit of everything
  • Danwei Media, advertising and China life
  • EastSouthWestNorth Reports on what is being blogged in the English & Chinese blogosphere
  • IfGoGo Group blog written by young Chinese writers on current events and the personal. Just started reading this and excited about it!
  • Lost Laowai Multi-author blog about wide variety of China topics.
  • Rebecca MacKinnon Conversations from Global Voices leader
  • Shanghaiist Covers events and news in Shanghai and across China
  • The China Beat Eclectic and academic multi-author blog. (and female writers!)
  • The Peking Duck I started reading Peking Duck when I first came to China in 2005. And man was I intimidated. Great posts covering China & the world.
  • Zhongnanhai Multi-author blog about current events and news in China
  • 6 Young Chinese in China Today

Newspaper/Magazine Blogs

Similar to blogs above, but with an authoritative air and journalistic credentials.

Personal Blogs

These blogs focus on personal, day-to-day life in China, with the occasional political post, but there is a (welcome) wide range of topics covered here. I actually prefer the personal because I love reading about the minutiae of expat life. Really, I do.

Photo/Art Blogs

These blogs feature photos and/or art along with commentary on day-to-day life.

Websites

News

Photography/Art

Just Interesting!

  • China Youth Watch Really a blog, but I’m classifying it here. About Chinese youth culture – trends, observations…
  • Hanzi Smatter This is really a blog, but I’m classifying it as a website here. Hanzi Smatter features Chinese characters that have been misused, mistranslated and generally misunderstood. Very funny.

If you have suggestions for blogs/websites I should visit or add here, leave a comment or email me at imaglobalgal at gmail dot com.

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