Expat Info Desk
Wednesday 10th March 2010
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Beijing


Planning to relocate to Beijing? The Expat Info Desk guide to Beijing will help you find your way around in no time.

Purchase this guide
  • Edition: 1st
  • Last updated: 4th October 2009
  • Author: Vicky Li Yip

Why Beijing?

Beijing is a city steeped in ancient and modern history; famous most notably for its easy access to the Great Wall of China, the legendary Forbidden City, and its status as the celebrated site of the recent 2008 Olympics. It finds itself hurtling toward a future that promises to be even more ambitious than its history, resulting in the transformation of a city that leaves residents, local and expatriates alike, in wonder.

For expats who are planning to relocate to Beijing, this guide will be the go-to resource before the move, during those first months of getting to know the city, and for the following months or years that they continue to call Beijing home. Learn what the local expats already know about living in this venerable metropolis before even arriving at Beijing’s Capital Airport. Packed with practical information, the Beijing City Guide will teach new residents how to navigate every area of expat living including accommodation, transportation, communication, education, medical issues, taxes, visa requirements, and much more. Find the latest, most updated information on the gritty details of life from where to live, where to eat, where to shop for familiar foods, where to play, where to go to school and where to worship.

The EID guide to Beijing contains the following vital information for those considering relocating to this vibrant city-

1) Living legally in Beijing
Chinese culture and language difficulties can make securing a visa a difficult, uphill task. Our step-by-step guide to the visa application system contains all the information you need to ensure that you acquire all the necessary paperwork in a stress-free manner.

2) Setting up home in Beijing
Beijing is a vast city with many distinct neighborhoods. This can make choosing a place to live very difficult. Our guide contains a list of the top living areas in Beijing, together with key facts about their location, local amenities, transport and environment so that you can make a decision of where to live that is based on the most up to date information available.

3) Navigating the infrastructure
The key to a smooth relocation requires that expats know how to traverse through the local system, such as paying bills and opening bank accounts. The Expat Info Desk Beijing City Guide will provide specific help in all these areas.

4) Having fun in Beijing
Beijing is a thriving metropolis with a wide variety of different places to eat, sleep, shop and drink. Our expats give you a thorough lowdown on the best places to go and well as a few tips on those to steer clear of.

5) Staying safe and healthy in Beijing
Staying safe and well is a top priority for any expatriate. Make sure you arm yourself with the best information possible so that you are aware of where to head in an emergency and how best to stay out of trouble. The Expat Info Desk contains valuable information about healthcare, medical treatment and other clinical services.

6) Blending in
More often than not, language can be the biggest barrier when relocating to a new country. This city guide will help you determine what is expected from foreigners and how to navigate the city with limited language skills. Living in Beijing will bring challenges beyond just language—there are cultural aspects and local customs that the city guide will address for those brand new to China. Expats will find that The Beijing City Guide is an essential partner in making their move and relocation to Beijing as smooth as possible.

7) Reality bites
There are plenty of travel books and Internet sites out there that tell you about life in Beijing but what you really need is someone who has made the move themselves. We are that someone. Our guide to living and working in Beijing tells you exactly what it is like and what you can expect in a practical, straightforward style.

Your only expat guide to Beijing; Feel at home abroad – Fast! 

Price of this guide:£22.25
Purchase this guide

About the guide author

Vicky Li Yip

Vicky Li Yip Vicky Li Yip is an American who has been living in Beijing for three years and counting. She and her husband are expecting their first child at the end of 2009, which they are happy to deliver in their adopted new “home” city of Beijing. Vicky’s favorite place to take visitors is the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a preferred section of the wall given the thrilling toboggan ride that climbers can take back down to the base. She also loves the “real bits” of life that Beijing offers, like traditional local parks awash in colors during the spring, constant new restaurant discoveries that satisfy any food craving, and a close-knit community who can share this experience with her. Vicky has been involved in the expat community through her work at an international school, her writing for English-language publications, and her participation at an international church in the city.


Features

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Beijing

Sample guide

If you'd like to read 4 sample chapters from this guide please enter your email address in the form below. You'll then be emailed a link to view the sample guide.

five top tips

  • 01Stock up on prescription medicine before you relocate since pharmacies here cannot honor an overseas prescription.
  • 02An excellent phrasebook that many expats rely on is called “Mandarin Phrasebook” published by Immersion Guides in China.
  • 03Try and join the private Yahoo! group, BeijingCafe, which caters to expats. Membership requires invitation by a current member.
  • 04If you have a baby, it may be prudent to stock up on infant formulae from your home country before you arrive.
  • 05Prepare mentally for the pollution. Consider purchasing an air filter for your home when you arrive.

Interesting fact

There are an estimated 3.3 million cars in Beijing and this figure grows by almost 1,000 every day.

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