For a foreigner living in China, life generally can be a big challenge. Especially if the Chinese language is more a mystery than for communication. Basically everything is new and exciting and simply different. So what can a foreigner do to take part in life?

On the one hand he can stay in safe ways. If he needs to go somewhere, take a taxi and let someone write down the destination. Go to expat bars and stay with fellow foreigners all the time. Or find a girlfriend that will do everything for you. But doesn't that take away the most exciting experiences?

The first things to do for a foreigner in China are the fights with all the offices to get your visa done. Then open a bank account. These things I did with the help of my employer and I was really relieved by that. I would have been totally lost without the help. But after that I tried to become independent and to explore things.

The first thing I did for example was jump on the nearest bus and just drive from one end to the other. On that bus trip I saw a lot of the city and actually some people started to talk to me. Some in Chinese (which I couldnt understand) some in shy English. I got into a very interesting chat with one boy and we went off the bus to have a coffee together. And up to now, we are still friends.

The best way tho is to rent one of those red bikes or take a walk around. Try to explore the surrounding of your living area, see what kinda shops are around, where to find nice restaurants and such. I learned a lot this way, met many people and had some interesting chats.

I also had bad experiences of course. One time I was waiting for a bus at a bus stop and a little boy opened his pants and started to wee. When he saw me, he was so surprised, stared at my face and peed on my shoes. When I walked away, he followed me, still peeing. When his mum discovered that, she started to scream and pulled her boy away. And for a kind of 'sorry' she invited me for dinner, haha. So it also had something nice to it.

So again. The best way to get to know Hangzhou is to go out, explore and get lost. You will discover many nice places and meet nice people. Take a bike or the bus. Dont always take a cab. Mix with people. And if at one point you really get too lost, you can always take a cab back home!