China is known as the land of knock offs, where you can get everything and anything you may desire (or potentially desire, or a friend of a friend desires, or…) - and all this at a low, low price. But while you may rejoice at the cheap cost of vegetables, the ability to get "Louis Vuitton" handbags for a fraction of their real cost, or the chance to watch movies that haven't even been released in theatres yet for 9 RMB on DVD, there are a few things in China that you really shouldn't skimp on. Sometimes the extra cost is simply worth getting a better product, while at other times saving your pennies can be downright hazardous to your (or a loved one's) health. Read on for those instances where cheaper isn't always a bargain.

1) Healthcare
Perhaps the most important thing not to skimp on in China, your health is something you should take seriously at all times, but especially while living abroad. Sure, Chinese hospitals are fine for more minor issues like sinus infections, persistent coughs – even stitches. You can save a ton of money by getting your X-rays done at a Chinese hospital, provided they have decent equipment. However, when it comes to anything more serious than the sniffles, it's worth investing in an international healthcare insurance plan – or just sucking it up and paying the extra cost at a foreign hospital even if you don't have insurance.

The fact is that Chinese medicine is still quite a bit behind Western medicine, and most doctors simply don't have the tools or the knowledge to handle serious health issues in a satisfactory manner. Case in point – last year I went to a Chinese hospital for some pains and was diagnosed with the early stages of cancer. Seriously. I was pressured, on the spot, to pay 12,000 RMB for surgery in order to cut the cancer out. I immediately left and made an appointment at a foreign hospital the next day, only to be told that, no, I didn't have cancer, and that a simple course of medicine would fix my problem. The fact that some doctors here use the fear of cancer to try and push expensive surgeries still upsets me – but it taught me a valuable lesson. When it comes to your health, it's worth paying more. Period.

2) Milk
Years later, the melamine-tainted milk formula scandal is still pointed to as a warning against buying Chinese baby formula. Unfortunately, powdered milk isn't the only kind that should be avoided here. On June 1, 2010, China issued new national dairy standards – now officially the worst in the world (according to China Daily, asianews.it and various other media). Essentially, they lowered the required amount of protein and increased the allowed amount of bacteria. The maximum amount of bacteria was changed from 500,000 per millilitre to 2 million, while the protein went from 2.95 grams (per 100 grams of milk) to 2.8 grams. Compare that to the rest of the world – 100,000 bacteria per millilitre of raw milk in the United States and Europe (and only 30,000 in Denmark) and a minimum of 3 grams of protein internationally – and you can see that China's milk is lacking. Even a government official came out last year stating that "these are the worst milk standards and a shame for the industry around the world." The reasons for the changes? To help out big dairy conglomerates, of course. The point is, when you want a glass of ice cold milk, you're better off paying a bit extra for the French or Australian variety.

3) Fresh Air
I can't tell you how many expats I've met who have developed either asthma (which requires a thrice daily inhaler) or chronic bronchitis since moving to China. This is not even taking into consideration the number of people who simply get sick much more frequently than they did in their home countries. The culprit is largely the amount of pollutants in the air, especially in bigger cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Many people, both natives and expats, follow the United States Embassy's Twitter feed that reports accurate readings of Beijing air quality – this often results in ratings of "very unhealthy" to "hazardous," with a few readings exceeding the scale's maximum reading of 500. It's necessary to consult outside resources because the Chinese government is only just beginning to report the levels of PM 2.5 (ie: the smaller pollution particles that wreak the most long term damage to your health) in a select few cities.

These are all reasons to skip the cheapo air filters and invest in a heavy duty air purifier for your home and office. You can find tons of filters on Taobao claiming some magical properties, but it's important to do your homework so you can find one that will really reduce the amount of pollution you're breathing in – and hopefully reduce the amount of trips to the doctor. A decent (Chinese) air purifier in large foreign supermarkets such as Carrefour will set you back 2,000 RMB at least, while the more reliable international brands can go upwards of 5,000 RMB.

4) Toys
When it comes to toys, or really anything that a child may put in his or her mouth, it's always better to spring for the ones made in countries with higher safety standards – which often results in higher prices. But with all the maintenance issues exposed over the years about toys made in China, you can bet that it's worth the extra few dollars for peace of mind. From toy instruments and race cars coated in lead-based paint to rattles that pose choking hazards to fake eyeballs filled with kerosene (seriously), the amount of worldwide recalls for toys that have come directly from China is upwards of 60%. Sure, you can find bargains on cheap children's toys from discount stores or markets here in China. But again, when it comes to your health (or especially the health of your children), it's better to be safe (and spend a bit more money in the process) than being sorry.

5) Pets
When it comes to pets, paying more money is certainly not an indicator that the animal is healthy – or even that it's the kind of breed advertised. But the fact is that oftentimes animals that are in good health do cost more, especially if you're buying it from a reputable breeder. The key word here is "reputable" – whether you purchase one from a breeder or adopt from an animal shelter (which is certainly the most humane option), just make sure you've done your research. And whatever you do, donot buy any animal from the street. While you may feel you got a bargain (puppies, for example, often sell for around 500 RMB on the street), just be aware that chances are high the animal has been abused and is most likely days or weeks away from dying.

Countless reports have come out about people who dip puppies into scalding hot vats of dye in order to change their fur colour and hence make more money off of them. Since the chemicals are leaching into their small bodies and slowly sickening them, the sellers then give them doses of cough medicine to perk them up – until the medicine wears off, of course. When it comes to pets, don't settle for a street side bargain – there are many animal shelters with only slightly higher prices that can provide you with a sweet, and healthy, addition to your family

Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.

Keywords: what not to skimp on in China things worth buying China how to live in China health problems in China Chinese scandals