THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN EXPAT IN BEIJING - PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH - St. James Place

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN EXPAT IN BEIJING - PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH - St. James Place
T H I N G S Y O U S H O U L D K N O W A S A N E X PA T
                    I N BEIJI NG

         PA RTN ER S IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN EXPAT IN BEIJING - PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH - St. James Place
CONTE NTS

WELCOME TO BEIJING                          3

ABOUT ST. JAMES’S PLACE WEALTH MANAGEMENT   4

DIFFERENT TYPES OF VISA IN CHINA            5

HOW TO READ YOUR CHINESE VISA               6

HOW TO REGISTER WITH THE POLICE             7

EXPATRIATE DEMOGRAPHICS                     7

USEFUL APPS TO DOWNLOAD                     8

CHINESE SIM CARD PACKAGES                   9

GETTING AROUND                              10

FINDING AN APARTMENT                        12

BANKING                                     14

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS                       17

CLIMATE                                     18

AIR AND WATER QUALITY                       19

COST OF LIVING                              20

HEALTHCARE                                  22

INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALS AND CLINICS         23

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION                    26

THINGS TO SEE AND DO                        30

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN EXPAT IN BEIJING - PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH - St. James Place
W E L COM E TO B E I J I NG

                                          OLIVER WICKHAM
                                             Head of Business – China
                                        St. James’s Place Wealth Management

Beijing is the heart of China and has been attracting expats for more than 150 years. Foreign workers have
settled in the city because it offers the chance to capitalise on China’s thriving economy.

At St. James’s Place Wealth Management, we appreciate that relocating to a new country can be daunting.
This guide draws upon the experiences of many of our China Team who themselves have experienced this
move first hand. Given our strong links within the international business community and years of experience
serving the expatriate population in China, we think we are in a good position to help your transition into
this great city.

Expats in Beijing may well embrace the local customs by taking an overly crowded train to work and enjoying
dumpling noodle soup on their lunch break while watching elderly Chinese do Tai Chi in the many parks –
but the plethora of supermarkets, shops and restaurants means that all the brands and activities from home
are easily available. There are many English language newspapers available, taxis are very inexpensive and
readily available and a nice lunch in a Western restaurant definitely won’t break the bank.

China ranks 3rd out of 46 countries assessed in terms of expat income: 55 percent of expats have more
disposable income than in their home country. Incomes are higher when compared to other expat hubs
around the world. Those living here feel a stronger sense of personal and financial stability in their
current lives as they have greater confidence in the local economy and political stability (Source: HSBC
Expat Explorer Survey 2017).

There’s so much to see in this city of 21 million people – some ancient things, some new – but all will leave
you with a better understanding and appreciation of one of Asia’s most important cities.

So welcome, enjoy and we look forward to bumping into you around town.

Regards,

Oliver Wickham
Head of Business, St. James’s Place Wealth Management – China

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN EXPAT IN BEIJING - PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH - St. James Place
A B O U T S T. J A ME S ’ S PLACE WE A LTH M A NAGE M E NT

St. James’s Place is one of the largest wealth management companies serving the expatriate community
living and/or working in Asia. We have offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Singapore,
and is well established as one of the UK’s leading wealth management organisations.

It is an award winning FTSE 100 company with a market capitalisation of c. £6 billion and funds under
management over £90 billion. At the heart of the business is the St. James’s Place Partnership, which is
the advisory channel for St. James’s Place Wealth Management. This brings together some of the most
experienced, able, and highly-regarded professionals working in financial services today. We have over
2,300 Partners globally within the Partnership, which is supported by more than 1,800 employees.
Members of the St. James’s Place Partnership have on average 18 years’ experience in the industry and
build long-term relationships founded on trust.

The strength of our business is underpinned by satisfied clients, their referrals and the dedication of our
unrivalled team of St. James’s Place Partners. Constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of
our diverse client base, we are personally committed to providing quality face-to-face advice and the very
best client service.

                                                                          Best Financial
                                                                         Adviser 2017/18

Please get in contact if you would like to speak to one of our Partners and discuss your individual
circumstances whilst you’re in China.

                    St. James’s Place (Shanghai) Limited Beijing Branch
                                        Web: www.sjp.asia/shanghai

                                        Connect with us on WeChat

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN EXPAT IN BEIJING - PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH - St. James Place
D I F F E R E N T TYPE S OF V I SA I N CHI NA

 Category                                                    Description
                Issued to crew members on international aviation, navigation and land transportation
      C
                missions and family members accompanying them.
      D         Issued to an applicant who is to reside permanently in China.
                Issued to an applicant who is invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business,
       F        scientific-technological and culture exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern
                practice for a period of no more than six months.
      G         Issued to those who transit through China.
      J1        Issued to foreign resident correspondents in China for a period of more than 180 days.
                Issued to foreign correspondents on temporary interview missions in China for a period of
      J2
                no more than 180 days.
       L        Issued to an applicant who intends to go to China as a tourist.
      M         Issued to an applicant who intends to go to China for commercial and trade activities.
                Issued to an applicant who is a family member of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with
      Q1
                Chinese permanent residence. The intended duration of stay exceeds 180 days.
                Issued to an applicant who is a family member of Chinese citizens or of foreigners with
      Q2
                Chinese permanent residence. The intended duration of stay is no more than 180 days.
      R         Issued to those who are high-level talents or whose skills are urgently needed in China.
                Issued to an applicant who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working
      S1
                or studying in China. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.
                Issued to an applicant who intend to visit their family members who are foreigners working
      S2
                or studying in China. The intended duration of stay in China is no more than 180 days.
      X1        Foreigners who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days.
      X2        Foreigners who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days.
                Issued to an applicant who is to take up a post or employment in China, and their
      Z
                accompanying family members.

Note: Most visas allow only one entry into China. If you wish to enter China multiple times without having to apply
for a new visa each time, it is recommended to get a residence permit which allows multiple entries. If you are a holder of
category D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 or Z visa, you must apply for a residence permit at the local public security authorities within
30 days of entry into China unless the duration of each stay on the visa is marked as 30 days.

(Source: Embassy of the People’s Republic of China)

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN EXPAT IN BEIJING - PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH - St. James Place
H OW TO R E A D YOUR CHI NE SE V I SA

(1) Visa Category: Refer back to page 5 for the list of visa categories.

(2) Visa Validity: Gives reference whether if the visa is valid, or can be used for entry into China from
the date of issue to the “Enter Before” date indicated on the visa (Beijing Time). If a visa has unused entries,
the bearer can enter China before 24:00 (Beijing Time) on the expiration date.

(3) Date of Issuance: A visa becomes effective from the date of issuance.

(4) Name: in abbreviated format.

(5) Date of Birth: Birth date of passport holder (Note: format might be different from MM-DD-YYYY).

(6) Entries Permitted: Refers to the number of times the bearer is permitted to enter China during
the validity of a visa. A visa becomes invalid if there are no entries left, or there are entries left but the
visa validity expires. If a visa becomes invalid, its bearer must apply for a new visa before entering China.
Travelling with an invalid visa to China will result in refusal of entry.

(7) Duration of Each Stay: Refers to the maximum number of days the visa bearer is permitted to
stay in China each time, which is calculated from the date of entry into China. After entry into China, a
foreign citizen who needs to stay in China longer than the duration of stay on the visa must apply for an
extension of stay at a local public security authority before the expiry of the duration of stay on the visa.

(8) Place of Issuance: Chinese Consulate that issued the visa.

(9) Passport Number

Note: If your visa was issued outside of Chinese Mainland, there should be a Chinese national emblem. If your visa
was issued in Chinese Mainland, there will be no Chinese national emblem.

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN EXPAT IN BEIJING - PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH - St. James Place
HOW TO REGISTER WITH THE POLICE

You must register with the local police within 24 hours upon arrival if you are moving into a residence.
This isn’t necessary for those staying in a hotel. Go to the nearest police station and bring with you all
relevant documents including your passport, a photocopy of your identification and visa, and all documents
pertaining to your living arrangement (contract, your landlord’s ID, property ownership documents, etc.).
Keep in mind that it is necessary to re-register when changing residence or passport. Late registration will
result in a fine and no registration at all could lead to bureaucratic difficulty.

                            E X PAT R I ATE DE M OGR A PHI CS

There are at least 600,000 expats working or living in cities throughout the country, broken down by cities in
the chart below.

According to Expat Insider China report 2017, the top 3 nationalities are American, German and British.
The number one reason for relocating to China is because expats have found a job here. Despite settling in the
country is difficult, ranking 62nd out of 65 countries, 74% of the expats are generally happy living in China.

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN EXPAT IN BEIJING - PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH - St. James Place
U S E F U L APPS TO DOWNLOA D

         Air Matters – One of the most reliable               Google Translate – With this app you
         and trustworthy China air quality app.               can quickly and easily translate Chinese to
         Provides broadcasting real-time air quality          English or vice versa, either though text or
         information and gives health advice for user.        by taking a picture.

        Alipay – This app allows you to pay at                Ofo – An easy and cheap way to get around
        restaurants and in stores. Simply download            town. Simply install the app, and explore
        the app and connect to your bank account.             the city.

         Baidu Maps – Seeing as China has blocked
                                                              Mobike – This service is comparable to
         and censored Google, Google Maps isn’t
                                                              Ofo and works similarly. Mobike is of slight
         available either. If you are looking for an
                                                              better quality when compared to Ofo.
         equivalent then use Baidu maps. If you have
         an iPhone, you can also use Apple maps.
                                                              Pleco – The ultimate Chinese learning
         Beijing Subway – This app allows you                 companion. It is an integrated dictionary,
         to use the metro in Beijing without getting          a document reader, a flashcard system with
         lost. It’s an interactive and bilingual map          full screen handwriting input and a translator.
         that shows you the quickest route from
         where you are to where you need to be.
                                                              Sherpa’s Delivery – Sherpa’s Food Delivery
                                                              delivers meals from 385 international and
        Bon App! – Keeps you up to date on                    local restaurants in Beijing. The operators
        all types of restaurants and bars in your             speak fluent English and can be contacted
        location. With this app you can explore               between 10:30 am and 10:30 pm.
        both local and foreign cuisines as well as
        new trendy places or simply pick something
        based on your preferences.                            Taobao – This is the eBay and Amazon of
                                                              China. This platform offers consumer-to-
                                                              consumer retail as well as e-commerce.
        ExpressVPN – Several apps and websites
        are blocked in China. In order to access these,
        a VPN connection is necessary. ExpressVPN             WeChat – the most popular chatting
        offers a very stable product. Other stable            platform and calling app in China. This app
        apps are Astrill VPN and Hexatech. These              combines WhatsApp, Facetime, Instagram,
        will allow you to access websites such as             etc. Furthermore with this app you can
        Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc.                       read the news, buy movie tickets, pay
                                                              at restaurants and shops, make doctor’s
                                                              appointments, etc.

Note: Some apps are not available on the Chinese app store. Therefore a VPN connection might be
necessary in order to download certain apps.
Tip: Install aVPN connection before going to China

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN EXPAT IN BEIJING - PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH - St. James Place
C H I N E S E SI M CA R D PACKAGE S

China Unicom                                           China Telecom
     Price            Data                Call             Price            Data            Validity
    RMB 76           400 MB            200 mins           RMB 50            1 GB             30 days
    RMB 106          800 MB            300 mins           RMB 100           3 GB             30 days
    RMB 136           1 GB              500 mins          RMB 180           6 GB             30 days
    RMB 166           2 GB              500 mins          RMB 100           2 GB             90 days
    RMB 196           3 GB              500 mins          RMB 200           4 GB             90 days
    RMB 296           4 GB             1000 mins          RMB 300           6 GB            180 days
    RMB 396           6 GB             2000 mins          RMB 600           12 GB           365 days
    RMB 596           11 GB            3000 mins

China Mobile
     Price            Data                Call
    RMB 18           100 MB               None
    RMB 28           100 MB              50 mins
    RMB 38           300 MB              50 mins
    RMB 48           500 MB              50 mins
    RMB 58           500 MB             100 mins
    RMB 88           700 MB             220 mins
    RMB 138           1 GB              500 mins
    RMB 158           2 GB              500 mins
    RMB 238           2 GB             1000 mins
    RMB 268           3 GB             1000 mins
    RMB 338           3 GB             2000 mins
    RMB 588           6 GB             4000 mins

                               HOW TO PURCHASE SIM CARD

•   Bring with you your passport and temporary residency permit
•   Let the staff know what package you want. Usually, an English-speaking employee will be present.
•   When you are about to run out of data you will receive a text message reminding you to recharge it.
    For this you will have to go to the phone store, or recharge through WeChat or Alipay. It is also
    possible to top up phones for other family members using this method.

(Source: Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN EXPAT IN BEIJING - PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH - St. James Place
G E T TI NG A ROUND

                                             METRO OR SUBWAY

Public transport in Beijing is very well organised and easy to use. Beijing has 16 metro lines and
interchanging between lines is possible. In addition, it has five unnumbered lines connecting to the
outlying areas and an Airport Express Train that connects the Capital Airport to the subway system.
All signs at the subway stations and in the trains as well as regular announcements for the next stop
are in English and Chinese.
Tickets can be bought in English from vending machines with coins, notes and Alipay.
Available tickets include:
•    One-way ticket
•    One-day pass (can only be used for the metro)
•    Rechargeable Transport Card or ‘Yikatong’ (usable for metro, bus and taxi)
To get to the city centre from Beijing Capital Airport take the Airport Express Train (direction Dongzhimen)
which is cheap, quick and comfortable. The price for a one way ticket on this line is RMB 25.

Tip: Download the Beijing Metro app. When you arrive in Beijing it is advisable that one of your first purchases in town
is a BeijingYikatong. TheYikatong (pronounced ‘eee kah tong’), is a multipurpose transport card which can be purchased
for a deposit of RMB 20.

                                                         TAXI

Using taxis in Beijing is a convenient and relatively cheap way of getting around town. It is very easy to hail
a taxi in Beijing as there are about 67,000 of them. Most taxi drivers speak a little bit of English however
it is recommended to have the address of where you’re going written in Chinese.
Average taxi fares: RMB 13 for the first 3km, thereafter RMB 2.3 for every km or RMB 2.76 for every
km from 11:00pm to 05:00am. Keep in mind that traffic gridlock can raise the fare, as every five minutes of
waiting will be charged equivalent to 2 km.

From and to the airport, it will cost RMB 100 and more, depending on where in the city you go. The
expressway toll is added to the bill and is paid by the customer.

Tip: Make sure to get an official taxi with a sign on the roof and with the driver’s registration card. Everything
Western has a Chinese name and is known to most Chinese only by the Chinese name. This holds true for everything
that has a Western name including hotels, stores, sights, even actors (although for people it is usually phonetically very
similar). Make sure to have written down the name of your destination in Chinese characters.

(Source: Travel China Guide)

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G E T T I N G A ROUND – USE F UL A PPS

Didi/Uber                                                  Bicycles – Ofo and Mobike

             Beijing also offers Uber taxis.                             There are several bicycle renting
             Sometimes it can be difficult to get                        services that can be used throughout
             a taxi in Beijing. Didi is the Chinese                      Beijing. Each bicycle company has
alternative to Uber and is a convenient and                              its own colour and is easy to spot.
guaranteed way of getting a ride. Fortunately,                           Common bicycle services are Ofo
Didi offers an English version, making it easy for                       and Mobike. In order to make use of
foreigners to use.                                                       this service, you must have a smart
                                                           phone with a Chinese SIM and internet, a valid ID
Didi offers three available services: Express
                                                           and WeChat or Alipay payment activated.
(recommended),Taxi and Premium. Once you have
made a decision, simply enter your destination and         To activate your account follow these steps:
select the type of car service you wish to opt for.
                                                           1. Download the Ofo app
Express offers three types:                                2. Enter your cellphone number, you will
1. “Select” (nice and private)                                receive a 4-digit verification code via SMS

2. “No ExpressPool” (average) and;                         3. Enter the code to verify your phone number
                                                           4. Verify your account by paying a deposit of
3. “ExpressPool” (shared).
                                                              RMB 199 through WeChat or Alipay (the
It will then tell you how far the car is away                 deposit is refundable within 3 working days)
from you. Payment works through either WeChat              5. Select ‘I don’t have Chinese ID”. Add a
or Alipay.                                                    photo of your passport and a photo of you
                                                              holding your open passport to verify.
                                                           6. Your account will be fully activated within a
                                                              few hours.
                                                           7. Add money to your account (minimum RMB 20)

                                                           To ride a bicycle follow these steps:

                                                           1. Scan the QR code which is located on the
                                                              back of the bicycle or enter the number in
                                                              the app.
                                                           2. Use the 4-digit pin which is given to you to
                                                              unlock the bicycle.

                                                           Mobike works similarly to Ofo. The deposit
                                                           amounts to RMB 299.

                                                      11
F I N D I N G A N A PA RTM E NT

When deciding on where to live in a city as big as Beijing it can be difficult to know where to start looking.
Generally, housing for expats can be found in most areas of Beijing. The eastern part of Beijing seems to
be the more preferred region. To find an apartment it is of course best to start your search by going to
several real estate agencies. The main districts for expatriates are Chaoyang, Dongcheng and Shunyi.
Within these districts there are several neighborhoods. Here’s some information that might help:

Chaoyang District – This is Beijing’s diplomatic district. Here you will find most embassies, international
companies and international schools. Here are Chaoyang’s neighborhoods:

1. Central Business District – This area has a high concentration of office skyscrapers, international
   shopping malls and five-star hotels. It also provides a wide selection of both serviced as well as
   non-serviced high-end apartments. Good for those who do not wish to travel far for work.
2. Chaoyang Park – Having plenty of green areas, open spaces and high-quality properties, this area
   is perfect for families who wish to live in city yet enjoy peace and quiet. In the east of these areas, the
   compounds tend to be cheaper yet more spacious.
3. Lido and Wangjing – This area is popular amongst expatriate families. Lido is close to parks,
   entertainment, art galleries as well as many international schools. Wangjing, next to Lido, is a large
   residential area that offers more reasonable accommodation in terms of price. This area will allow you
   to integrate more with the local population.

                                                     12
4. Lufthansa Area – Located along the northeast of 3rd Ring Road and Liangma River, this area has
   made its name as one of the major business centres of Bejing.
5. Sanlitun – This area is one of Beijing’s more energetic and popular hangouts containing nightclubs,
   trendy restaurants as well as the Village Lifestyle shopping complex. This area is perfect for those who
   enjoy the nightlife of Beijing.

Dongcheng District – The Dongcheng District is heavily influenced by Chinese history. Even though
many landmarks, relics and museums can be found here, there is an upsurge in modern shopping malls and
office buildings, creating interest for residences.

1. Dongzhimen – This vibrant area is very popular amongst expatriates. Despite it being centrally
   located this location has many trees and a canal system making it a very pleasant and beautiful area.
2. Wangfujiang/Dongdan – This is the heart of Beijing with a lot of historical and cultural sites.
   However, this area does not offer a lot of accommodation for expats but those who do reside here
   are close to some of Beijing’s most historical and cultural landmarks as well as convenient shops
   and restaurants.

Shunyi District – This district is located approximately 18 miles or 30 kilometers out of downtown
Beijing. This district is perfect for families who prefer outdoor space, leisure and for those who want to
escape the pollution of the city. Here you can find many restaurants, supermarkets, shops, banks, etc.

Xicheng District – This is an up and coming district that is great for expats who work on Financial
Street. There is a limited amount of high-end and serviced apartments resulting in high rental fees.

                        COST OF RENT (RMB) IN BEIJING DISTRICTS

Housing in Beijing will be an expat’s largest expense. Property prices have been increasing steadily over
the past decade, and foreigners will find that both buying and renting accommodation in Beijing can cost a
huge amount of money. As a general rule, the closer a home is to the city centre, the more expensive it will
be. Beijing is organised according to ring roads, where the first ring road is closest to the city centre. So, if
someone finds the housing in an area is proving too pricey, they move toward the periphery. Both furnished
and unfurnished accommodation is available, and the former will be more expensive. Most apartments in
Beijing are not incredibly spacious, however, regardless of how much furniture they have.

Expect around RMB 7,500 for a newly remodeled unfurnished 2 bedroom 90 square meters apartment
in a nice complex in a Chinese neighborhood outside of the 5th ring road (not an expat area). Rent can
go up to RMB 11,000 if the same apartment is furnished. For a similar amount of money you can find
apartments closer to the city but probably not such a nice complex. In an expat compound, rents can easily be
RMB 15,000 and even much higher but that may include more amenities like a swimming pool or fitness
center. Likewise, if you are within the 3rd or even 4th ring and close to good schools, rents of RMB 10,000
to 15,000 are not uncommon for 100-140 square meters in Beijing.

Tip: Renting online in advance is not advisable.You could be in for a huge surprise when renting something unseen,
without visiting the neighborhood and actually seeing the apartment and the building. Beijing rentals are usually
available for immediate move-in, so it doesn’t make much sense to look long in advance.

                                                       13
B A NKI NG

                                     SETTING UP A BANK ACCOUNT

Many Chinese domestic banks allow foreigners to open an account. The more prominent banks are the Bank
of China, China Merchant’s Bank, ICBC, the Agricultural Bank of China and the China Construction Bank.
HSBC is the most commonly used international bank in Beijing. These banks offer services expatriates would
usually require, such as debit cards, Internet banking and foreign currency exchange services. It is best
to use an international bank account when applying for credit cards. It is possible to attain one from a
domestic bank, but it can be very difficult in obtaining one. Opening hours are usually between 9am and 5pm
on weekdays, and from 9am to 12pm on Saturdays.

Tip: Make sure to get to the bank early as it can get busy quickly, preferably before lunch time as there is lesser bank staff
which means the queues can get long very quickly. The busiest day is on Mondays as earnings made over the weekend are
deposited. Always remember to bring your passport.

                              TRANSFERRING MONEY OUT OF CHINA

The easiest way for foreigners living in Beijing who wish to transfer money back home is through a bank
transfer. You can transfer out as much money as you want, as long as you can prove that it is earned income
and you paid all taxes on it, or it is part of funds that you originally transferred into China from overseas.

Please prepare the following information for the bank (may vary):
•    Passport with valid Residence Visa (and sometimes Residency Permit)
•    Employment contract original copy officially stamped or ‘chopped’
•    Tax receipts for each month of your employment (depending on how much you want to transfer)
•    SWIFT code of the bank back home (e.g. BARCGB22 for Barclays UK)
•    Bank account information for both sending and receiving parties (name, address, account number, etc)

Please keep in mind that bank commission is typically 0.1% of amount transferred, although the various
banks limit the minimum and maximum charges applied, and these figures vary from bank to bank. Addition-
ally, if you are transferring yuan to a foreign bank account in another currency, you will need to pay a fee to
get the money exchanged to the new currency; this will take into account both exchange rates and exchange
fees from your bank.

Tip: Avoid illegal/blackmarket/unofficial money exchangers and buy the amount of foreign currency you want to transfer
directly to your bank – this will be placed in your account and you won’t receive any cash only a receipt.

                                                             14
CREDIT CARD

Foreigners living in Beijing who wish to have a credit card from a domestic bank must hold a residence per-
mit valid for more than at least 2 years and must be 18 years old or older. When applying for a credit card,
please bring these necessary documents with you (may vary):
•    Passport
•    Residence permit
•    Certificate of employment or work permit
•    Proof of income
•    Bank deposits certificates
•    Income tax payment certificate
•    Motor vehicle license
•    Your bank account
•    Utilities bills for the past three months

Note: In terms of foreign applications, banks will generally look more favorably on those married to a
Chinese person or those working for a Fortune 500 company since this guarantees the bank can collect their
money if you skip town.
Tip: If you already have an international credit card and open a bank account with any Chinese branch, you will have the
option to link the two accounts. For many foreigners, this may be preferably option to applying for a domestic credit card,
which, as indicated above, can be an arduous process.

                            HOW TO SET UP ALIPAY AND WECHAT PAY
           Alipay:                                                         WeChat Pay:
           1. Download the app                                             1. Tap on me » wallet » cards
           2. Register and verify with phone                               2. Add your bank card number
              number                                                       3. Enter your name as it was set up
           3. Open “my account”                                               with your bank
           4. Open “my cards”
           5. Set a six digit payment password
           6. Tap on “my cards” again
           7. Add your bank card number after
              entering your password
           8. Fill your bank card information
           9. Enter the SMS phone verification
              confirmation code

Tip: Sometimes the bank may have put your surname as your first. Try different combinations.
Make sure you have the latest version of WeChat installed so you can have access to WeChat Wallet. If you don’t
see it, changing your language settings to Chinese kicks your wallet into existence. Go to Settings > General >
Language >简化中国 (Simplified Chinese) and head back to your page.

                                                           15
I N T E R N AT I O NA L SCHOOLS I N B E I J I NG

In the past year, the average school prices for Asia-Pacific have increased by 7% as of June 2017. Within the
region, China has the highest yearly international school fees with an average fee of USD 25,820 per annum.
The popular international schools in Beijing offer a world-class education with interesting curricula and
experienced international teachers. Sending your child to a school like Western Academy of Beijing (WAB)
or British School of Beijing can cost more than RMB 200,000 (around USD 30,000 USD) per year.
Besides cost, location is probably the most important consideration. Beijing is huge with about 24 million
people, and commuting times can be long. So finding a school that is close to your home is important. In
Beijing, most of the international schools are clustered in the typical expat areas. Many international schools
are in located in Shunyi, a suburb closer to the airport. Many others are in the Lufthansa and Central Business
District areas and Shuangjing.
(Source: ExpatFinder 2017)

                              LIST OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

 German Embassy School Beijing                          International School of Beijing
 Beanstalk International Bilingual School               Japanese School of Beijing
 Beijing BISS International School                      Joy El International Academy
 Beijing City International School                      Kaiwen Academy
 Beijing Collegiate Academy                             Keystone Academy
 Beijing Huijia Private School                          Korea International School in Beijing
 Beijing International Bilingual Academy                Limai Chinese American International School
                                                        Lycée Francais International Charles de Gaulle
 Beijing Royal School
                                                        de Pékin
 Beijing SMIC Private School English Track              Olive International School
 Beijing World Youth Academy                            Saint Paul American School
 Canadian International School of Beijing               Springboard International Bilingual School
 Daystar Academy Beigao                                 Swiss School Beijing
 Dulwich College Beijing                                The British School of Beijing Shunyi
 German Embassy School Beijing                          The International Montessori School of Beijing
 Harrow International School Beijing                    Tsinghua International School
 Hope International School                              Tsinghua University High School International
 House of Knowledge                                     Western Academy of Beijing
 Hyde Academy                                           Yew Chung International School of Beijing
                                                        Yew Wah International Education
 Innova Academy
                                                        School Beijing

                                                     17
CLI M ATE

Beijing has four distinct seasons and has a continental monsoon climate. Summers in Beijing are generally hot
and humid and winters cold and dry. About 75% of annual precipitation occurs during the summer. Below
you can find a table showing the different temperatures (°C) per month as well the amount of rainfall (inches).

                                                                                            Precipitation
                                          Temperature (°C)
   Season                                                                                     (inches)
                    Month           Average           Average High        Average Low          Average
                 December             -2                    3                  -7                0.1
    Winter         January           -3.5                   2                  -9                0.1
                  February           -1.5                   4                  -7                0.2
                    March             6.5                  12                  -1                0.4
    Spring          April             14                   20                  8                  1
                     May              20                   27                  13                1.1
                     June             24                   30                  18                2.8
   Summer            July            26.5                  31                  22                6.9
                   August             25                   30                  20                7.2
                 September            20                   26                  14                1.9
   Autumn         October             8.5                  19                   8                0.7
                 November              5                   10                   0                0.2

(Source: China Highlights)
A I R QUA LI TY

Beijing is known for its bad air quality. During the winter, when the air gets cold and the heaters turn on, you
may expect extremely polluted air. In the summer the quality tends to be better. Nonetheless, it cannot hurt
to take protective measures, especially for those who are sensitive. An easy way to have an understanding of
the air quality is by using the Air Quality Index (AQI). Below is a table giving you an indication of the scale:

                      AQI                                      Air Pollution Level
                      0-50                                           Excellent
                     51-100                                            Good
                     101-150                                      Lightly Polluted
                     151-200                                   Moderately Polluted
                     201-300                                     Heavily Polluted
                      300+                                       Severely Polluted

For those who wish to take measures there are several ways to do so. The most known way of reducing
the intake of the air is by wearing a facemask. This will filter the air to a certain extent. Air-purifying
plants can improve the indoor air quality. These plants remove toxic VOCs and exchange CO2 with fresh
oxygen. Another way to improve your indoor air quality is by buying an air-purifier. This effectively
extracts pollutants from the air. Dehumidifiers can prevent dust mites, mold and mildew from settling in
your house during Beijing summertime.

Tip: Download the ‘Air Matters’ app

                                            WATE R QUA LI TY

Even though Beijing’s tap water has improved in quality over the past few years, it is still considered
unsafe to drink both directly and after boiling it. The main pollutant in the water is chlorine, rust and toxic
metals. The addition of chlorine to the water is necessary to disinfect it however consequently damages our
skin and hair.
In order to protect your health from the quality of the water there are several things you can do.
You can consider buying a water dispenser, in which you can put large bottles of water or simply buy water
bottles. Commonly trusted water brands are Nestle and Watsons. You can also consider installing a water
purification system which costs RM 3,500. Using a water filter in your home removes most parts of
chlorine, pesticides and metals.

Tip: When buying bottled water in China, make sure the water is transparent, free of any form of deposits, and the bottle
is smooth and clear. Also check the date of production, shelf life, and whether the seal is intact.

                                                          19
COST OF LI V I NG

Restaurants

                 Description                      Average Price (RMB)   Price Range (RMB)
Meal, inexpensive restaurant                             30.00              20.00 – 40.00
3-course meal for 2, mid-range restaurant                150.00           100.00 – 210.00
Set meal at McDonald’s                                    30.00             25.00 – 35.00
500 ml of local draught beer                               7.00              5.00 – 10.00
330 ml bottle of imported beer                            20.00             15.00 – 40.00
Regular cup of cappuccino                                 27.50             20.00 – 32.00
330 ml canned drinks                                       3.50               2.00 – 5.00
330 ml bottled water                                       2.00               1.00 – 3.00

Markets

                   Description                    Average Price (RMB)   Price Range (RMB)
1 litre of milk                                           10.00              8.00 – 15.00
1 loaf of fresh white bread                               11.50              6.00 – 20.00
1 kg of white rice                                         6.50              5.00 – 10.00
A carton of 12 eggs                                       12.50              5.00 – 20.00
1 kg of local cheese                                      62.00            44.00 – 100.00
1 kg of boneless, skinless chicken breast                 23.00             15.00 – 40.00
1 kg of beef round or other equivalent red meat           68.00            50.00 – 100.00
1 kg of apples                                            10.00              7.00 – 19.00
1 kg of bananas                                            8.00              4.00 – 12.00
1 kg of oranges                                           11.50              7.00 – 20.00
1 kg of tomatoes                                          7.50               5.00 – 12.00
1 kg of potatoes                                          5.00                3.00 – 6.00
1 kg of onions                                            5.50                4.00 – 8.00
1 head of lettuce                                         5.00                3.00 – 8.00
1.5 litre of bottled water                                4.00                3.00 – 6.00
1 bottle of mid-range wine                               100.00            70.00 – 127.00
500 ml bottle of local beer                                6.00              4.00 – 10.00
330 ml bottle of imported beer                            16.50             10.00 – 25.00
1 pack of cigarettes                                      18.00             12.00 – 20.00

                                                  20
Transportation

                   Description                     Average Price (RMB)    Price Range (RMB)
One-way metro ticket                                        3.00               2.00 – 5.00
Monthly Pass (Regular price)                              200.00             120.00 – 200.00
Taxi – initial flag-down fare                              13.00              13.00 – 13.00
Taxi – distance rate per km                                2.30                2.30 – 2.60
1 litre of gasoline                                        6.50                6.00 – 7.00
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 kW Trendline                     130,000.00       110,000.00 – 155,000.00
Toyota Corolla 1.6l 97kW Comfort                        123,984.50       100,000.00 – 200,000.00

Monthly utilities

                   Description                     Average Price (RMB)    Price Range (RMB)
Essential utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water
                                                         323.50              200.00 – 540.00
and Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
Prepaid mobile – local talktime per minute
                                                           0.25                0.15 – 0.60
(No discount or plan)
Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data,
                                                         105.50              50.00 – 150.00
cable/ADSL)

Sports and Leisure

                 Description                       Average Price (RMB)    Price Range (RMB)
Monthly fitness club membership fee                       316.00           150.00 – 1,000.00
Tennis court rental (1 hour on weekends)                  108.50             60.00 – 200.00
Cinema ticket (International movie release)               50.00              40.00 – 80.00

Childcare

                Description                        Average Price (RMB)    Price Range (RMB)
Monthly preschool or kindergarten private
                                                         4,615.50         2,500.00 – 10,000.00
school fees
Annual international primary school fees                148,890.00       100,000.00 – 210,000.00

Clothing and shoes

                  Description                      Average Price (RMB)    Price Range (RMB)
1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar)                    375.00            130.00 – 600.00
1 summer dress in a retail chain store
                                                         250.00              150.00 – 400.00
(e.g. Zara, H&M)
1 pair of Nike running shoes (mid-range)                 600.00              400.00 – 800.00
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes                   604.00             400.00 – 1,000.00

                                                   21
HE A LTHCA R E

Before arriving in Beijing, it is advised to get a routine medical check-up and get the diphtheria, tetanus and
polio shots. It is good to also ensure that your hepatitis A and B vaccinations are up-to-date.

Compared to the rest of China, healthcare in Beijing is considered to be relatively good, however, many
expatriates find healthcare facilities and treatments to be limited. Nonetheless, the quality of service as well
as the availability of treatments are constantly improving.

It is important to know that overseas prescriptions of drugs are not accepted. You can bring your overseas
prescription to a doctor in Beijing who can provide a local prescription. Sometimes when specific drugs are
not available in China, due to China’s strict rules on importing western medication, an alternative drug may
be recommended. Therefore, it is advisable to stock up on medication before leaving for Beijing.

If you wish to seek treatment at a local hospital, please note that doctors generally do not speak English.
It would be beneficial to bring along someone who can translate for you, if necessary. Otherwise, bringing
along a translator will help. Medical fees at local hospitals tend to be inexpensive due to the basic level of
service and limited resources available. If you wish to avoid this, you can visit foreign/VIP clinics where the
staff can converse in English.

Local hospitals generally do not recognise foreign health insurance, international hospitals on the other hand
do. International hospitals are usually located in expat communities and are known to have modern equipment
as well as for being more hygienic.These hospitals employ well-trained western doctors and English-speaking
Chinese doctors, who take cultural differences into account.

Generally, it is more costly to visit international medical practitioners. The average starting price for
consultations are:

            Field                  Cost
 General Practitioner             RMB 700
 Pediatrician                     RMB 700
 Specialist                      RMB 1000
 Gynecologist                    RMB 1000
 Dentist                         RMB 500

(Source: ExpatMedicare Health Insurance Experts)
L I S T O F I N T ER NATI ONA L HOSPI TA LS
                                      A ND CLI NI CS

AMCARE Women’s & Children’s Hospital
No. 9 Fangyuan West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100016
Tel: +86 10 6434 2399
24-hr hotline: +86 800 610 6200

American-Sino Ob/Gyn Hospital
218 Anwai Xiaoguan Beili, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029
Tel: +86 10 6496 8888

Bayley and Jackson Medical Centre
7 Ritan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100020
Tel: +86 10 8562 9998

Beijing ARRAIL Dental Clinic-CITIC Clinic & Paediatric Dental Clinic
Room 208, Tower A, CITIC Building, 19 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing 100004
Tel: +86 10 6500 6472 / +86 10 6500 6473 / +86 10 8526 3235 / +86 10 8526 3236

Beijing Chaoyang District Century Village Clinic
Building 9, 2nd Division, Century Village, No. 8, North Yu Hui Road, Chaoyang District
Tel: +86 10 8463 1930 / +86 10 6766 1234 / +86 10 8463 2106
Note: No pediatrics

Beijing Children’s Hospital, the Special Consultation Clinic
6th Floor, New Out-patient Building, 56 Lishi South Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100045
Tel: +86 10 5971 8775
Note: Recommended for the Pediatric Surgery for children under 16.

Beijing Intech Eye Hospital
5th Floor, Panjiayuan Plaza, No. 12 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100021
Tel: +86 10 6773 2700
24-hour hotline: +86 10 8778 9662

Beijing MJ Health Screening Center
5F, Tower E2, Oriental Plaza, 1 East Chang An Avenue, Dong Cheng District, Beijing 100738
Tel: +86 400 010 5088

                                                    23
Beijing New Century Harmony Pediatric Clinic
K-01 Building No. 19, Harmony Business Centre, Li Yuan Street, Tian Zhu, Shun Yi District, Beijing 101310
Tel: +86 10 6456 2599

Beijing Orient Care
Room 102, No. 16 Business Building China Central Place, 89 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100025
Tel: +86 10 6598 1887

Beijing SDM Dental-China World Trade Centre Clinic
NB210 of China World Shopping Mall, No. 1 Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: +86 10 6505 9439 / 86 10 6505 9431

Beijing Tiantan Puhua Hospital
No. 12, Tiantan Nanli, Chongwen District, Beijing 100050
Tel: +86 10 6706 1799
Note: No pediatrics

Beijing United Family Hospital
2 Jiang Tai Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100015
Tel: +86 10 5927 7000
24-hr emergency hotline: +86 10 5927 7120

Best Vision
Building 9, 2nd Division, Century Village, No. 8, North Yu Hui Road, Chaoyang District
Tel: +86 10 8599 9110 / +86 10 8599 9115

China-Japan Friendship Hospital International Medical Centre
2 Yinghua East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029
Tel: +86 10 6428 2297
Note: Emergency treatment provided by English-speaking doctors is available at night.

De Heng Clinic
Floor 9 Xiehe Mingri Mansion, No. 69 North Dongdan Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100005
Tel: +86 10 6559 3936 / +86 10 6559 2933

                                                     24
Hong Kong International Medical Clinic, Beijing
9/F, Hong Kong Macau Centre Office Tower, 2 Chaoyang Men North Da Jie 100027
Tel: +86 10 6553 2288 ext. 2345/2346

International Medical Centre-Beijing
S106 Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Road
Tel: +86 10 6462 2068 / +86 10 6465 1561

International SOS Beijing Clinic
Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027
Tel: +86 10 6462 9199

New Century International Children’s Hospital
No. 56 Nan Lishi Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100045
Tel: +86 10 6802 5588
Note: Daily 24-hour pediat­ric emergency care

Peking Union Medical College Hospital, International Medical Services
2nd Floor, Inpatient Department, 53 Dong Dan North Road, Dong Cheng District
Tel: +86 10 6529 4088 / +86 10 6529 5283

Puhua International Hospital
No. 12 Tiantan Nanli, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050
Tel: +86 10 6703 5566

The New World Eaton Medical Center
Level 5, Office Tower B, Beijing New World Centre, Chong Wen Men Wai Street, Beijing 100062
Tel: +86 400 680 8068
Note: No Pediatrics

Vista Clinic
B29 Kerry Centre, 1 Guanghua Road
Tel: +86 10 8529 6618

                                                    25
OT H E R U SE F UL I NF OR M ATI ON

                     LIST OF MEDICINE

                          Pain & Fever 疼痛/发烧
Acetaminaphen (ex. Tylenol, Panadol)       对乙酰氨基酚
Ibuprofen (ex. Motrin, Advil)              布洛芬
Naproxen (ex. Aleve)                       萘普生
Aspirin (ex. Bayer, St. Joseph's)          阿斯匹林
                                 Cough 咳嗽
Dextromethorphan (ex. Theraflu, Vicks)     美沙芬
Guaifenesin (ex. Robitussin, Mucinex)      愈创甘油醚
Throat Lozenges (ex. Halls, Ricola, Golden
                                           咳嗽糖
Throat 金嗓子 jīn sǎng zǐ)
Benzocaine                                 苯佐卡因
Menthol                                    薄荷醇
                 Head & Sinus Congestion 耳鼻喉炎
Decongestants                              减充血剂
Pseudoephedrine (ex. Sudafed)              假麻黄碱
Oxymetazoline (ex. Sinex, Telnase)         羟甲唑啉
    Sore Throat, Headache, Earache & Body Aches (Infections)
               喉咙痛、头痛、耳痛、浑身疼(感染)
Acetaminaphen (ex. Sore throat lozenges,
                                           对乙酰氨基酚
Cepacol, Strepsils)
Amoxicillin                                阿莫西林
Penicillin                                 青霉素
                  Sneezing, Runny Nose, Watery Eyes
                         打喷嚏,流鼻涕, 眼睛流泪
Antihistamine (ex. Zyrtec, Allegra)        抗组胺药
Loratadine (ex. Claritin)                  氯雷他顶
Cromolyn sodium (ex. Nasalcrom)            色甘酸钠

                              26
Skin Allergy & Itching 皮肤过敏和瘙痒
          Antihistamine                              抗组胺药
          Diphenhydramine (ex. Benadryl)             苯海拉明
          Upset stomach                              胃不舒服
          Bismuth subsalicylate (ex.Pepto-Bismol,
                                                     碱式水杨酸铋
          Kaopectate)
          Bicarbonate Tablets (ex. Alka Seltzer)     碳酸氢钠片
          Simethicone (ex. Gas-X)                    西甲硅油
          Antacids (ex.Rolaids, Tums)                解酸药
          Attapulgite (ex. Diocalm, Diatrol)         凹凸棒石
          Loperamide (ex. Imodium A-D)               洛哌丁胺
                                      Constipation 便秘
          Senna glycoside (ex. Ex-Lax)               番泻叶
                                    Antifungals 抗真菌药
          Diflucan (Fluconazole)                     大扶康 (氟康唑)
          Eye Drops (general term)                   眼药水
                                             Asthma
          Albuterol (Ventolin)                       沙丁胺醇
                                            Diabetes
          Insulin                                    胰岛素

                        LIST OF USEFUL MEDICAL PHRASES

                  English                                 Mandarin (Pinyin)
Doctor                                       yī shēng
I am not feeling well                        wǒ bù shū fú
I’m sick                                     wǒ bìng le
It hurts here                                zhè téng
I need a doctor                              wǒ děi kàn yī shēng
Is there a doctor here who speaks English?   zhè yǒu huì jiǎng yīng yǔ de yī shēng ma
I’m asthmatic                                wǒ yǒu xiào chuǎn bìng
I’m diabetic                                 wǒ yǒu táng niào bìng
I’m epileptic                                wǒ yǒu diān xián bìng

                                             27
LIST OF EMERGENCY NUMBERS IN BEIJING

                             Department                Phone number
                      Police                          110
                      First-aid Ambulance             120
                      Fire                            119
                      Foreigners Section of the
                                                      6525 5486
                      Beijing Public

                             LIST OF USEFUL PHRASES

                  English                                   Mandarin Chinese
Welcome                                         huān yíng guāng lín
Hello (General greeting)                        nǐ hǎo (informal)or nín hǎo (formal)
Hello (on phone)                                wéi
How are you?                                    nǐ hǎo mā
I’m fine, and you? (reply to ‘how are you’)     wǒ hěn hǎo, nǐ nē?
Long time no see                                hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn
What’s your name?                               nǐ jiào shén mè míng zì?
My name is ...                                  wǒ jiào …
Where are you from?/I’m from ...                nǐ lái zì nǎ lǐ?/ wǒ lái zì…
Pleased to meet you                             hěn gāo xìng jiàn dào nǐ
Good morning                                    zǎo shàng hǎo
Good afternoon                                  wǔ ān
Good evening                                    wǎn shàng hǎo
Good night                                      wǎn ān
Goodbye                                         zài jiàn
Good luck!                                      zhù nǐ háo yùn
I understand/I don’t understand                 wǒ míng bái/ Wǒ bù míng bái
I don’t know                                    wǒ bù zhī dào
Please say that again                           má fán nǐ zài shuō yī biàn
Please speak more slowly                        má fán nǐ jiǎng màn yī diǎn
Do you speak English?                           nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ mā?
Yes, a little (reply to ‘Do you speak ...?’)    huì, yī diǎn diǎn
Excuse me                                       ràng yì ràng
How much is this?                               Zhè gè duō shǎo qián?
Sorry                                           duì bù qǐ
Please                                          qǐng
Thank you                                       xièxie
You’re welcome                                  bú kè qì
Where’s the toilet?                             cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?

                                               28
T H I N GS TO SE E A ND DO

The Great Wall
Great Wall is the world’s longest architectural structure and is widely renowned as one of the seven great
wonders of the world. Their most famous sections are located in its suburban areas, including the well-
preserved Badaling and Mutianyu, the renovated Juyonguan, Jinshanling and Simatai, and wild Jiankou and
Gubeikou. The Mutianyu section is the favorite of recent travelers since it’s less crowded than Badaling
section and it’s far from the roads and villages so you can really enjoy a peaceful walk.

Forbidden City
The Forbidden City, also named the Palace Museum, shares the honor of being one of five world-famous
palaces. It was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the construction of this group of buildings took
fourteen years from 1406 to 1420. In the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it was the imperial
palace where twenty-four emperors ascended the throne and exercised their strong power to the nation.

Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is the geographical center of Beijing City. It is the largest city square in the world,
occupying an area of 440,000 square meters and able to accommodate 1,000,000 people at one time. The
daily raising of the national flag is something which should not be missed by visitors to Tiananmen Square.

Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, Yiheyuan in Chinese, is the largest and most famous imperial garden in China. The
garden came into existence early in the 1750s and had once been a summer resort for the emperors. It
is acclaimed as a museum of gardens in China, for a visit to this garden bestow on sightseers a glimpse of
representative scenes all over China.

Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven,Tiantan in Chinese, is an imperial complex of religious buildings situated in the south-
eastern part of central Beijing. Built in 1420 during Ming Dynasty, it has been one of the most sacred places
for more than five centuries, serving as sacrificial buildings for the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911)
emperors, and is the largest in Beijing.

Sanlitun
The expat hot spot of Sanlitun is home to some of the city’s most exciting places to eat, drink and party
in Beijing.
Wangfujing Street
Wangfujing Street is considered the central heart of the city of Beijing. The real joy of Wangfujing is not in
the shops or all the stalls of vendors, but it is found in the people that give Wangfujing its character. Strolling
around the street at night, you do not need to buy anything to just “drink in the culture of Beijing”.

Beijing Olympic Park
This is where the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympics took place. With novel design concepts,
magnificent landmark buildings, and splendid natural landscapes, the Olympic Park successfully integrates
sport with nature, providing a model for the mutual development of man and nature.

Jingshan Park
Standing in the middle of the city north-south axis and facing the Forbidden City, it offers a full view of
Beijing, including the Drum and Bell Tower and Beihai White Dagoba Temple.

Beihai Park
This is a public park and former imperial garden located in the northwestern part of the Imperial City. The
park has an area of more than 69 hectares with a lake that covers more than half of the entire park.

National Museum of China
This museum houses the most cherished and topmost level cultural relics of the whole nation, which can be
seen in history schoolbook. The oldest exhibit is the teeth of Yuanmou Man 1.7 million years ago.

Lama Temple
The spectacular Lama Temple was originally the home of Qing dynasty Prince Yong before he became the
Emperor Yongzheng. The temple is invariably filled with equal parts monks, worshippers and tourist.

Hongqiao Pearl Market
Hongqiao Pearl Market is a market popular with both Chinese and international visitors from all the
corners of the world. All shopkeepers speak English and the asking prices are often quite high so it is
important to haggle.

Hutongs
While visiting the hutongs in Beijing, you will gain a greater understanding of the common people as well
as the history of the ancient yet modern Beijing. Hutongs are in fact, alleys or lanes that exist only in Beijing.

                                                       31
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