The main languages in China are Mandarin, Cantonese, Shanghainese, Fuzhou and Taiwanese. In China, it is common that varying dialects are spoken in different regions. In Shanghai, Mandarin is most common followed by the region-specific dialect, Shanghainese (as you may have guessed)!
In China, they use the Renminbi or RMB for short. It is also referred to as the Chinese Yuan (CNY). The current rate of conversion is 1 RMB = 0.14 of a USD, or in other words, I get 7.12 RMB for every U.S. dollar.
The prices of things will vary based on your location. For example, on-campus I can get a bottle of water for 2 RMB (28 cents in USD), but other places it could cost up to 4 RMB. Can you guys convert that?
I have tried many new food items since arriving in China, but my favorite meal so far has been rice with beef, carrots, green beans, onions, and potatoes. My favorite part about this meal is the sauce that adds a rich flavor to the rice and other ingredients. Before coming to China, I would often eat the rice separately from the rest of my meals, so if you have the same habit, I urge you to find some saucy food and mix it up!
