About China Insider
China Insider is an independent website dedicated to sharing what life in China is actually like — the good, the surprising, and sometimes the complicated.
Not Propaganda, Just Real Life
We are not here to sell you a narrative. We are not funded by any government, organization, or political group. We are people who live in China, and we write about what we experience every day.
Foreign media often portrays China in extremes — either a dystopian surveillance state or an economic miracle. The reality, as always, is far more nuanced and interesting than any headline.
What We Cover
- Daily Life — Food delivery, mobile payments, express shipping, and the small conveniences that define modern Chinese living
- Tech & Infrastructure — High-speed rail, electric vehicles, and the infrastructure that moves 1.4 billion people
- Food & Culture — Street food, tea traditions, and the culinary culture that surprises every visitor
- Travel — City guides, visa information, and practical tips for visiting China
Our Approach
We write with data, personal experience, and honesty. When something is great, we say so. When something is problematic, we say that too. We believe the best way to understand China is not through headlines, but through the everyday experiences of the people who live here.
Our Editorial Team
Every article on China Insider is written or reviewed by someone who lives in China. Our team brings together different perspectives — engineering, journalism, travel, and everyday neighborhood life — to give you a picture that no single voice could provide.
Kai Xin
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Software developer and writer based in Xiamen, Fujian. Born and raised in China, Kai built China Insider to share authentic stories about everyday life that foreign media often misses — infrastructure, daily life, and the things that actually matter to people living here. GitHub →
Lin Yutong
Contributing Writer
A Fujian-based writer covering food culture, rural development, and social policies. Grew up in a small town in southern China and brings firsthand perspective on how national policies play out in communities far from the big cities.
Our Standards
- On-the-ground reporting: We write from firsthand experience, not desk research
- Fact-checked: Statistics and claims are verified against official sources, academic research, or direct observation
- No hidden sponsors: We are not funded by any government agency, political organization, or corporate entity
- Corrections policy: When we get something wrong, we correct it promptly and transparently
- Editorial independence: Our advertisers have no influence over our content
Where We Are
China Insider is operated from Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. Our contributors are based in cities across the country, including Shenzhen, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Beijing. This geographic spread lets us cover stories that single-city teams would miss.
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Stay updated with the latest stories from China. Follow us on social media for new articles, behind-the-scenes insights, and community discussions.
Contact
Have questions, suggestions, or want to contribute? Get in touch.