Beijing has hundreds of museums catering to almost all interests. Though most guide books lead you to the obvious museums, there are also those which you may never even have thought of. Water melons, tap water, bees, sandalwood, even an entire underground ... Read More>>
Sanlitun and Gongti – the latter referring to the area around the Worker’s Stadium – have long been names synonymous with dining and entertainment. In the last few years, the arrivals of high profile developments such as The Village and the more recent ... Read More>>
What’s the point of cold weather and dirty snow mounds piled up on the pavements when there’s absolutely nothing fun about it? Why do we even bother enduring the random snow showers that scare away taxi drivers and cripple public transport? Why do we even ... Read More>>
Aside from eating, drinking and cavorting, shopping has to be one of the Beijing expat’s most favoured pursuits. There are miles of shiny marble-floored malls filled with couture boutiques with stylishly near empty shelves in Beijing, as well as tourist ... Read More>>
Few people like to exercise in winter time: the ground is slippery, the air burns your throat, and in Beijing it sometimes feels like you have to fight your way through the dense smog that blankets the city. Going to the gym gets monotonous. Nonetheless, ... Read More>>
The Chinese nation has laid claim to many inventions over time; great inventions such as gun powder and paper as well as more contentious claims such as football and ice-cream. One thing you are unlikely to ever hear a Chinese person lay claim to is coffee. ... Read More>>
Beijing’s biggest second-hand goods market is about to open at the end of the month. Xinqicai Commercial Centre (新七彩商业中心) opened for business on December 31st in Yaojiayuan (姚家园), Chaoyang District. The market’s location is behind Beijing’s ... Read More>>
Balancing a healthy lifestyle in Beijing’s somewhat tough winter climate is a goal which is much longed for but not always realised by many. Here is a helpful how to guide to staying healthy in the Beijing winter. Read More>>
Originally the home of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games events and spectacular opening ceremony, the iconic Bird’s Nest National Stadium has been transformed into a winter wonderland featuring a ski slope for snowboarders and skiers. The Happy Ice and Snow ... Read More>>
To frequent eaters of Chinese food – particularly the heavy, starchy northern variety – the fresh, distinct flavors of Vietnamese cuisine offer a welcome respite from thick sauces and the same old spices. Vietnamese food offers a bright mix of sweet, sour,... Read More>>
Beijing’s life cycle is one of destruction and renewal. One day the familiar little hutong you walked past every day is still bustling with life, the next day it’s turned into a heap of rubble and on the third day you find yourself glaring at a new, ... Read More>>
Though it’s still all too easy to compare Beijing’s subway with a tin of sardines during rush hour, the opening of Metro Line 4 on September 28 has been a welcome addition to the overworked and under-developed subway network in the city. Before Metro Line ... Read More>>
Contrary to what some believe, vegetarian dining in China is actually quite easy. These Beijing vegetarian restaurants are beloved by vegetarians and meat eaters alike for their tasty and healthy dishes, and relaxing environments. Read More>>
With winter just around the corner, and snow already on our doorstep, everyone’s looking to pack on some extra insulation without having to venture too far to do so. Luckily for those in the Guomao area, there are some new restaurants and cafes to help you ... Read More>>
Beijing is an enormous city and deciding which part of town to live in can be difficult. But as big as the city is, not all neighbourhoods are created equal; foreigners looking for alternatives to the usual expat “ghettos” would do well to check out these ... Read More>>
Beijing’s night life is on par with many other international cities. The bar and club scenes are not only catching up with those in other cities but creating new trends of their own – take green tea mixed with Chivas as a rather dubious example. From ... Read More>>
Dashilan’er (also known as Dazhalan West Street), one of Beijing’s oldest commercial streets has re-opened following intensive renovations that lasted for over one year and cost 93 million RMB. Dashilan’er is located in the Qianmen area, south of ... Read More>>
Salsa , samba, tango and reggaeton are not only strong but positively thriving in the capital, thanks to the city’s large Latin ex-pat community hailing from North America and Europe, and, of course, South America. Indeed, Beijing boasts a scene which any ... 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>>
Mainland China’s finally got its first arthouse cinema when BC MOMA opened in Beijing on November 1st, significantly enriching Beijing’s film scene and allowing residents a greater exposure to art films from the European continent. Broadway Cinematheque ... Read More>>
Beijing’s night life is a bustling scene. One of the most noticeable characteristics of the scene is the transient nature of many of its bars. Recently, though, more venues than usual seem to have shut up shop, among them Kick Bar, White Rabbit, Together ... 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>>
Beijing's got clubs. Loads of them. Million dollar venues with expensive sound systems packed with foreigners and wealthy young Chinese drinking expensive bottles of bad whisky. You’ve got your Club Banana, your GT Banana, and your Coco Banana; China ... Read More>>
The beautiful Nanluoguxiang hutong (南锣鼓巷胡同), nestled in Beijing’s historic Dongcheng District, is one of the oldest alleyways in Beijing. The street has a history of over 800 years, and served as a flourishing commercial street during the Yuan ... Read More>>
