Hello from Jinan! 👋
I’m Tioro Chen. A tech geek, a foodie, and a mountain climber based in Jinan, Shandong Province.
Welcome to CN Life Guide. If you are planning a trip to China but feel overwhelmed by the language barrier, payment apps, or outdated guidebooks, you are in the right place.
Why I Built This Site
Living in China, I see how fast things change. New subway lines open every month, cash is disappearing in favor of Alipay, and the “best” restaurants change every season.
However, most English travel guides are stuck in the past. They don’t tell you about:
- 📱 The Apps: How to survive without a credit card using local tech.
- 🍜 The Real Food: The hidden gems that only locals know (and aren’t on TripAdvisor).
- ⛰️ The “Hidden” China: As a hiking enthusiast, I love finding spots away from the crowds.
My Mission: To bridge the gap. I scour Chinese social media (like Douyin and Xiaohongshu) to bring you the freshest, most authentic travel hacks that foreigners usually miss.
How We Create Content (AI Transparency)
I believe in honesty. To maintain this website and provide you with clear, perfect English content, I work with AI tools.
Here is my promise:
- Human Inspiration: Every topic, every tip, and every recommendation starts from my personal experience or my research into local Chinese trends. AI cannot “brainstorm” culture; only a local can.
- AI Assistance: I use AI to help translate my thoughts and format the articles so they are easy for you to read.
- Human Verification: I personally review every piece of content to ensure the facts, prices, and routes are accurate.
My Data Promise (Privacy)
I am a geek, so I respect data privacy. This website is simple:
- I do not sell your personal information.
- If you leave a comment or email me, I only use that info to reply to you.
- We use standard cookies (like Google Analytics) just to see which articles you like best, so I can write more of them.
Let’s Connect!
Are you planning a trip to China and stuck on a specific detail? Or maybe you want to know if a certain “famous spot” is actually a tourist trap?
Feel free to send me an email. I love helping travelers save money and have a better experience in my country.
📧 Email: tiorochen@outlook.com
“Travel is not just about seeing places; it’s about understanding how life works on the other side of the world.” — Tioro