Many expats don't take public transportation, and even those that regularly take the subway won't step foot on the bus. There are good reasons to avoid the bus, and the truth is, it's difficult to navigate if you don't speak Chinese and aren't familiar with ... Read More>>
For those of you who are either planning on moving on or simply have too much clothes cluttering your closet, it’s always good to give something back. Beijing has many organizations that accept donations, so why not get generous! Read More>>
Going “green” has never been as urgent as it is today, and fortunately for the planet, the world’s biggest polluter has finally begun jumping on the environmental bandwagon. China is home to the world’s largest coal production industry, yet ... Read More>>
Beijing is a megalopolis. One thing you don’t fully appreciate before you touch down at the airport is just how large the city is. For newcomers this can be daunting; not only to understand the logistics of finding your way around such a large city – ... Read More>>
Yet again a taxi driver takes the longer way to your house; yet again the fruit seller charges you 10 RMB extra for those bananas; yet again you pay 100 RMB more for that skirt you were looking at the other day. It seems that for anyone living in Beijing as ... Read More>>
Walking around the streets of Beijing, you're constantly bombarded by an array of sounds, sights and smells, some of which you may not have become accustomed to yet – chòudòufu (臭豆腐) anybody? But, living here for too long, in a constant hurry to get ... Read More>>
Whether you are just visiting Beijing for a few days, or Beijing is your “laojia” (old home), it is of the utmost importance that you know how to get around the city quickly and cheaply. While you could take a cab from point A to B every time, this gets ... Read More>>
The eight traditional cuisines of China reside mainly in the Han-majority regions, including Hunan and Jiangsu, but what of the rest of the country? This piece will explore – somewhat controversially – the tastes of China’s ethnic regions. Read More>>
Gone are the days when your best bet for picking up an English novel in Beijing was browsing through the limited selection at the Foreign Language Bookstore in Wangfujing. Beijing’s selection of English-language books is better than ever before! Read More>>
Beauty is only skin deep, they say. Yet a glance at any Beijing news stand, or a look up to the invasive billboards in Guomao or Dongzhimen invariably tells us what we long to forget: perfection exists. Some might wisely turn a blind eye, and choose ... Read More>>
So, we're already well into 2012 and the question is: have you meaning to be more active and creative in Beijing this year? Has a voice in the back of your brain been (unsuccessfully) urging you to attend more workshop and social gatherings? If you've ... Read More>>
Numerous studies have been conducted to prove that pets can bring joy and healing to our lives, plain and simple. Coming home to someone who is always glad to see you and who never complains or argues is delightful. Naturally, along with a pet however comes ... Read More>>
As Jack Frost nips at your nose, here’s a guide to help you select the best way to get around Beijing this winter. Read More>>
In 2008, in light of the Olympics, tourists, netizens, the media and expats alike all feared for the safety of foreigners in Beijing. Numerous publications warned individuals of growing antiforeigner sentiment and rising violence. Today, in 2012, some very ... Read More>>
Dating in Beijing is hard, that’s a given. Factor in a smaller than usual support network and it is easy to see why many aspects of our lives get neglected in the megacity that is Beijing. Read More>>
In the past year, the iPhone craze has really hit Beijing. Whether you are riding the bus or subway, it’s hard not to notice young and trendy Beijingers using gaming apps on their iPhone as they wait for their final destination. Sitting in a coffee shop ... Read More>>
Hankering for home comforts is part and parcel of being an expat. Many are disheartened by the paltry and overpriced offerings at the imports section of their local supermarket and gob-smacked when they see some of the prices on the labels in the ... Read More>>
Beijing traffic may get hostile on the surface sometimes, but deep down there's a subway system that always loves us, and it's one of the cheapest and most convenient in the world. You can hardly toss a cat without hitting one of the 192 stations in ... Read More>>
One issue many foreigners face in Beijing, and even worse in other areas of China, is the lack of English language books. Many of us take refuge in books, and in the loud, crowded, manic, hustle and bustle that is China that need for the solace a book ... Read More>>
As technology develops faster than ever, it can be hard to keep up with the latest and best mobile phone applications, or apps, in town. Without further ado, this is our updated list of Beijing’s most useful mobile phone applications. Read More>>
As we move through this brief period called spring and head full speed into summer, we all feel a sense of excitement that we can once again do all those things that we missed doing during winter. Here are a few options to consider for beautiful summer days: Read More>>
From January 1, 2013, visitors stopping over in Beijing on transit will be allowed to stay in the city for up 72 hours visa-free. Here’s what you need to know. Read More>>
Domestic help is something that most foreigners in Beijing are unaccustomed to; paying someone to clean up after them or have them do their laundry is an alien concept for some. Many, after a period of living in the capital come to realize that having this ... Read More>>
No matter where you are or what you do, safety should always be number one. Though most foreigners would agree that China is a very safe country in comparison to many others, issues related to safety should never be taken for granted or merely pushed aside, ... Read More>>