How to Make Money in China as a Foreigner — EarnInChina.com

Teaching English ¥15–30k/monthFreelancing online from ChinaAmazon FBA sourcing guideHow to open a bank accountZ-visa requirements 2026Cost of living: Shanghai vs ChengduWFOE registration guideAlipay for foreignersSend money out of China Teaching English ¥15–30k/monthFreelancing online from ChinaAmazon FBA sourcing guideHow to open a bank accountZ-visa requirements 2026Cost of living: Shanghai vs ChengduWFOE registration guideAlipay for foreignersSend money out of China

All topics

Every way to earn in China

Eight categories covering everything from day-one income to long-term business strategy.

ESL, sports coaching, design, tech, communication, and specialist training.

Remote work, consulting, wellness, creative services, modeling, and more.

Content Creator

YouTube, Douyin, WeChat — how expats build audiences and land brand deals.

Alibaba, 1688, Shopify, Amazon FBA, TikTok Shop, logistics, and branding.

Start a Business

WFOE registration, consulting, legal structures, real setup costs.

Money & Banking

Alipay, bank accounts, international transfers, dual-currency tips.

Work permits, visa types, tax obligations, and legal mistakes to avoid.

Real salary benchmarks and city-by-city cost of living breakdowns.

Latest updates

Editor's picks

Fresh, high-value guides from the newest Teaching, Freelancing, and E-commerce updates.

E-commerce · 5 min read

TikTok Shop from China: A Guide for Foreign E-commerce Sellers

A timely guide to product selection, creator content, supplier speed, and fulfillment for sellers building around short-form commerce.

Updated Jun 2026⟳ Most viewed

Freelancing · 5 min read

Freelance China Outbound Consultant: Helping Chinese Companies Go Global

Updated Jun 2026

Teaching · 5 min read

Teaching Western Tech Skills in China: Coding, AI, Product, and Startups

Updated Jun 2026

E-commerce · 5 min read

How Foreigners Can Source from 1688 for E-commerce

Updated Jun 2026

Quick reads

All guides

Every article on the site — 108 guides across 8 categories.

Best cities in China for English teachers: salary & lifestyle

Z-visa vs business visa: which do you need to work in China?

How to send money out of China: Wise, bank transfer, WeChat

How to register a WFOE in China: costs, timeline, documents

Social media management for Chinese companies: how to get hired

Cross-border dropshipping from China: the complete beginner's guide

TikTok Shop from China: guide for foreign sellers

Building a Shopify store with China suppliers

Selling on Etsy from China

How foreigners can source from 1688 for e-commerce

Finding e-commerce products in Yiwu Market

Private label products from China

Amazon FBA quality control in China

E-commerce logistics from China

Using China fulfillment centers for global e-commerce

Branded packaging from China

Cross-border payments for e-commerce sellers in China

Product photography in China for e-commerce

E-commerce copywriting for China-sourced products

Choosing an e-commerce niche from China

Seasonal products from China

Print-on-demand and custom products from China

Temu, SHEIN, and ultra-fast e-commerce

WeChat mini-stores for e-commerce projects in China

Xiaohongshu e-commerce for foreign brands

Douyin e-commerce through short video

Livestream selling in China

B2B wholesale e-commerce from China

Amazon vs Shopify vs Etsy for China-based sellers

Returns and refunds for China-based e-commerce sellers

Supplier negotiation in China for e-commerce sellers

Product testing from China before big inventory

Branding China-sourced products

E-commerce legal basics for foreigners sourcing from China

Subscription box business from China

E-commerce analytics: KPIs sellers should track

Average expat salary in China 2026: real numbers by industry

How to open a bank account in China as a foreigner

Can foreigners work legally in China? Visa and work permit guide

Tax for foreign workers in China: what you actually owe (2026)

Cost of living in Shanghai 2026: real monthly budget

Cost of living in Chengdu 2026: why expats love this city

Online English tutoring platforms that hire foreigners

Z-visa requirements for English teachers in China (2026)

How to negotiate your teaching salary in China

How foreigners can teach basketball in China

How to teach football in China as a foreigner

Teaching rugby in China as a niche foreign coach

Teaching Western design workshops in China

Teaching Western tech skills: coding, AI, product, startups

Teaching dating and relationship skills in China

Public speaking coaching in China

Teaching Western business etiquette to Chinese companies

Creative writing workshops in China

Teaching film and photography in China

Teaching fitness and strength training in China

Teaching music production in China

Teaching debate and critical thinking in China

Teaching STEM and robotics in China

Teaching UI/UX design in China

Teaching Western fashion styling and personal branding

Teaching barista and coffee skills in China

Teaching wine culture in China

Outdoor leadership training in China

Teaching cross-cultural communication in China

How to start a YouTube channel as an expat in China

10 ways to make money in China as a foreigner

Freelance massage therapist in China

Freelance sports coach: football, basketball, rugby, tennis

Freelance consultant helping Chinese companies go global

Freelance modeling in China

Art modeling in China as a foreigner

Freelance acting in China

Freelance singer and performer in China

Sex and relationship therapy in China

Meditation and mindfulness coaching in China

Freelance designer in China

Forex trading as a foreigner in China

Crypto investing as a foreigner in China

Freelance web and app designer in China

Personal stylist and image consultant in China

Freelance photographer and videographer in China

Freelance translator and interpreter in China

Voiceover, podcast, and audio freelancing in China

Freelance event host and MC in China

Yoga and wellness coaching in China

Freelance relocation concierge in China

Is China still worth it in 2026? An honest assessment

Case study: China market entry consulting studio

Case study: expat-owned specialty coffee brand in China

Case study: turning language teaching into corporate training

Case study: imported food brand for China

Case study: sustainable products startup from China

Case study: medical concierge service for foreigners in China

Case study: quality control agency for China sourcing

Case study: recruitment agency for international talent in China

Case study: expat coworking and founder community in China

Case study: factory automation consulting for manufacturers

Case study: youth sports academy in China

Case study: cross-border SaaS localization agency in China

Case study: Yiwu export business as a foreigner

Case study: Amazon FBA private label brand built from China

Case study: pet products brand using China supply chain

Case study: custom merchandise printing for global creators

Case study: remote tech agency run from China

Case study: bilingual marketing consultant helping Chinese brands

Case study: China travel content brand as a foreigner

Case study: Douyin local guide business in China

Salary tool

What can you realistically earn?

Enter your job type and city to get a salary range based on current 2026 market data.

Job type

City

Experience

Cost of living

City comparison

Monthly cost estimates for a comfortable single-person lifestyle. All figures in RMB.

Shanghai

Tier 1 · Most international

1BR apartment¥5–9k

Food (mix)¥2–4k

Transport¥300–600

Total estimate¥10–18k

Job market: 4/5

Beijing

Tier 1 · Political capital

1BR apartment¥4–8k

Food (mix)¥2–3.5k

Transport¥300–500

Total estimate¥9–16k

Job market: 4/5

Chengdu

Tier 2 · Best value city

1BR apartment¥2–4k

Food (mix)¥1.2–2.5k

Transport¥200–400

Total estimate¥5–9k

Job market: 3/5

Hangzhou

Tier 2 · Tech & e-commerce

1BR apartment¥3–6k

Food (mix)¥1.5–3k

Transport¥250–450

Total estimate¥7–12k

Job market: 4/5