Before you apply to any au pair program, you deserve to know what your actual day-to-day life will look like. Not the brochure version — the real one. The one that includes the awkward moments when you mix up tones in Mandarin, the ones that include hot pot dinners with the whole host family at 7pm on a Tuesday, and the quiet ones where you realise, somewhere between a bowl of noodles and a WeChat voice message, that this is genuinely changing you.
This is a realistic, detailed account of what life looks like as an au pair in China with Masons Au Pair in Chengdu — built from real experiences, real routines, and real moments that don't make it into highlight reels.
Why Chengdu, Specifically?
Not all Chinese cities are the same. Chengdu — the capital of Sichuan province in southwest China — is where Masons Au Pair is based, and it matters enormously to the daily experience. Chengdu is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, home to the Giant Panda Research Base, and consistently ranked as one of China's most liveable cities. It's big enough to be genuinely cosmopolitan (population: 21 million) but relaxed enough that the pace of life doesn't grind you down.
Cost of living is low, locals are famously warm and unhurried, the food is extraordinary, and the city has a growing expat community that makes settling in far easier than you'd expect.
A Typical Weekday, Hour by Hour
You wake up in your private room in the host family's apartment. Breakfast is usually already being prepared — Chinese mornings often start with congee, baozi (steamed buns), or a bowl of something warm. Your role here is simply to be present: chat with the kids, help them practice a few English words, keep things easy and natural.
Most host families want an hour or two of focused English interaction in the morning before school or kindergarten. This isn't a formal lesson — it's reading a picture book together, playing a word game, singing a simple song. Your job is immersion, not instruction. Being a native (or fluent) English speaker is the whole point.
This is one of the biggest differences between the Masons program and going it alone. Professional Mandarin classes with certified teachers are included — not optional extras. You'll cover tones, vocabulary, characters, and practical conversation. Most au pairs arrive as complete beginners and reach conversational level within three months.
Your afternoons are largely your own. You might grab lunch at a local noodle spot for ¥12 (under $2), explore a different neighbourhood, meet up with other au pairs from the program, or sit in a teahouse and study your Mandarin notes. Chengdu's street food scene alone could keep you busy for months.
Many host families ask their au pair to help with school pickup and spend a couple of afternoon hours with the children — homework help, outdoor play, or more relaxed English conversation. The emphasis is always on natural interaction, not formal tutoring.
Evenings with a Chengdu host family often revolve around food in a way that feels genuinely communal. Sichuan cuisine — mapo tofu, gong bao chicken, boiled fish in chilli broth — eaten at the family table. You're a guest and a participant, not staff. Conversations mix broken Mandarin and broken English and everyone laughs a lot.
Once the children are in bed, your evening is free. Watch something, call home, work on your Mandarin, or head out to one of Chengdu's famously lively night markets. The city genuinely does not sleep early.
"By month two, I was ordering my own food in Mandarin, haggling at the market, and having basic conversations with my host mum over breakfast. That felt impossible when I arrived."
What Weekends Actually Look Like
Weekends are yours. The host family commitment is weekday-focused, and Masons Au Pair organises regular cultural exchange activities — visits to the Giant Panda Base, day trips to nearby mountains and temples, group dinners, cooking classes. These aren't mandatory but they're genuinely one of the best ways to meet other au pairs and explore the region.
Beyond the organised activities: Chengdu sits at the gateway to some of China's most spectacular scenery. The UNESCO-listed Jiuzhaigou valley, the sacred Buddhist mountain of Emei Shan, and the ancient town of Langzhong are all reachable in a few hours. Your cost of living is low enough that weekend travel is genuinely affordable — even on an au pair allowance.
The Honest Reality Check
What's genuinely great
- Cost of living is remarkably low
- Mandarin classes included — real progress
- Host families are pre-screened
- 24/7 support from Masons on the ground
- Chengdu is genuinely beautiful and liveable
- Food culture is extraordinary
- Travel within China is easy and affordable
What takes adjustment
- First weeks can feel overwhelming
- Mandarin has a real learning curve
- VPN is needed for Google/Instagram
- Cultural norms around directness differ
- Missing home is real — especially at first
- Spicy food is unavoidable (and excellent)
What Masons Au Pair provides: round-trip flight tickets, X2 student visa support, insurance coverage, free Mandarin classes, monthly cultural exchange activities, 24/7 on-the-ground support, SIM card, VPN access, police registration assistance, and fully screened host families.
How This Compares to Au Pairs in Japan or South Korea
It's worth being direct: in Japan and South Korea, formal au pair programs with this level of structure simply don't exist. There is no dedicated au pair visa in either country, no established agency network offering this level of pre-arrival support, and no included language classes. Most arrangements are informal, which puts the entire burden of visa logistics, host family vetting, and daily problem-solving on you personally.
In China, specifically through Masons Au Pair, the program is built around you having the best possible experience — not just being placed and left to navigate it alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak any Mandarin before arriving?
Not at all. The vast majority of Masons Au Pair participants arrive as complete beginners. Mandarin classes are included in the program from day one, and your English-speaking role with the host family means you're immediately useful without knowing a single word of Chinese.
How many hours a day do I actually work with the host family?
The program is structured around roughly 4–5 hours of childcare and English interaction per day, predominantly in the morning and late afternoon. The rest of the day is yours for classes, exploring, and personal time.
Is Chengdu safe for young people living alone abroad?
Chengdu is consistently rated among China's safest and most liveable cities. Masons Au Pair also provides 24/7 in-country support, and you will never be navigating the experience alone — there is always someone reachable if something comes up.
How much spending money will I realistically need?
Because accommodation and meals are provided by your host family, your day-to-day expenses are genuinely low. A lunch out costs under $2, metro rides cost cents, and weekend trips within Sichuan province are affordable on a modest budget. Most au pairs find their allowance covers daily life comfortably.
What happens if I don't get along with my host family?
This is precisely why program structure matters. With Masons Au Pair, there is a mediation and reassignment process — you are not left to resolve conflicts alone or walk away from the entire experience. Host families are pre-screened, expectations are set clearly in advance, and the agency remains involved throughout your placement.
Ready to live this yourself?
Applications for 2026 placements are open. Find out if you're eligible and start your au pair journey in Chengdu.
Apply to Masons Au Pair