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>>
Ah Beijing, Beijing…a place that many of us expats know and have come to love. For all of us who call this wondrous and chaotic city our home, we also claim our favorite residential areas of the city as well. Each district of Beijing is distinct so ... Read More>>
Beijing has a lot of high-end, fancy restaurants, but everybody likes to slum it from time to time. Here are a few of Beijing’s best student restaurants, for when you want Western food on a budget. Read More>>
Mei Wenti Sound Project has fast become one of the hottest projects on the Beijing night life circuit since their inception a few years ago. Now Beijing’s premier Reggae DJ and live performance collective, they feature at top music venues all over the ... Read More>>
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>>
A swanky, new indoor food street built in an old-style architectural style and that occupies an expanse of 8000 square metres will soon make Beijing’s thriving food scene all the more vibrant. The food street, officially called “No.5 Guanghua Lu ... Read More>>
In our ongoing series looking at Beijing’s best parks – check out the first installment here – we highlight some of the best green stretches in the north of the city. Liuyin Park柳荫公园 Liuyin is one of Beijing’s less visited parks, ... Read More>>
Beijing’s parks are the perfect place to catch a slice of Chinese culture; be it the elderly practicing their elegant calligraphy on the paving stones, or middle aged urban denizens strutting a fox trot while young children scoot by on all kinds of ... Read More>>
For some, home may be just “where you hang your hat;” for others, finding an apartment in Beijing, a city with more than 18 million people and 16 districts, is enough to give some people a panic attack as they agonize over the best location and how to go ... Read More>>
Jean Ellie Guillaume, 24, says that when he came to China from Haiti in 2009, he had it in his heart and prayers to find a place to worship, but when he arrived he was hesitant to ask people questions. He says he held back because he had learnt that China's ... Read More>>
Now that the smothering summer heat has subsided and given way to mild temperatures, blue skies and gentle winds, the perfect time for horse riding has arrived! There are plenty of indoor and outdoor equestrian centers all around Beijing, so below we’ve ... Read More>>
Shopping in Beijing can be a nightmare, especially if bargaining isn’t your thing or if you’re simply not willing to pay an extortionate price for something that should be cheap. Well dream no further! Here’s an introduction to Beijing’s best bargain ... Read More>>