Although Beijing is the capital of China, it has often been regarded as the less glamorous sister to glitzy Shanghai, that is, until the arrival of the 2008 Olympics. Touted as being China’s “coming out party” in much of the media, the 2008 Olympics also served as an opportunity for Beijing to show off its new facelift and snag a spot on the world stage. Beijing rightfully reminded the international community of its position as the nation’s political, educational, and cultural capital. Home to a complex array of modern and historic buildings, it also boasts some of the world’s most fascinating historical sites. In addition to all the new iconic architecture dotting the city, like the “Bird’s Nest” Olympic Stadium and fanciful CCTV tower, Beijing is best-known for its cultural relics including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Templ…
Skip to content
Top Tips
01 | Stock up on prescription medicine before you relocate since pharmacies here cannot honor an overseas prescription. |
02 | An excellent phrasebook that many expats rely on is called “Mandarin Phrasebook” published by Immersion Guides in China. |
03 | Try and join the private Yahoo! group, BeijingCafe, which caters to expats. Membership requires invitation by a current member. |
04 | If you have a baby, it may be prudent to stock up on infant formulae from your home country before you arrive. |
05 | Prepare mentally for the pollution. Consider purchasing an air filter for your home when you arrive. |
Useful links
- http://www.thebeijinger.com
Website of one of the popular monthly expat magazines in the city. - http://www.schoolfu.com
Educational information as well as showcasing blogs focusing on expat family life, work and education. - http://www.nciku.com
An online dictionary with English and Chinese for language learners. - http://www.danwei.org
Danwei is a website about media, advertising and urban life in China.
Interesting fact
On an average day, the air pollution levels in Beijing are nearly five times above World Health Organization standards for safety. |