China, Explained by a Friend
China, explained in plain English.
By Allen, who lives here. No rush, no test — just a little every day, in words you can actually use.
照片占位：一张就够 — 日常生活里的一张照片，不是景点明信片（待 Allen 本人照片替换）
Pick your way in · 四扇门
Understand China
Culture in small pieces: food, festivals, family, everyday life — English first, Chinese second.
Learn Chinese
Not from characters. One useful phrase at a time, from a real scene — listen first, say it, use it.
Tai Chi
One movement at a time, slowly. No experience, no flexibility, no uniform needed.
Visit China
Coming to China? Walk, eat, and practise with a local friend — Allen can guide you, or help you plan.
Today's phrase you can use · 今天一句能用的话
你 好
Nǐ hǎo · Hello
Listen first. Understand more. You do not have to catch every word — and you do not have to write this character yet. Saying it is enough for today.
01 Listen — 先听一遍 · 02 Notice — 注意声调 · 03 Say it — 跟着说一遍
mā · má · mǎ · mà
Today's one movement · 今天的一个动作
起 势
Qǐ shì · Opening — stand, breathe, lift slowly
No flexibility needed. No uniform. Ten minutes in the park, at home, or in your garden is enough.
01 Stand — 站稳 · 02 Breathe — 呼吸 · 03 Lift — 慢慢起手
China news, explained · 中国新闻解读
Not just what happened — why it matters in China, in plain English, with the Chinese words you need to follow it.
语言是说的文化，太极是动的文化。Language spoken, culture moved.
About Allen
I'm Allen. I live in China, and I help people outside China understand it — in clear English, at a slow pace. You can learn Chinese with me, learn Tai Chi with me, or visit China with me as a local friend. More about Allen.
Everything on this site is free for now. Course collections and one-to-one online lessons will come later, once these sections have built up. For now, just follow along — and contact Allen if you want to say hello or tell him what you would like to learn: Chinese, Tai Chi, visiting China, or all of it.