Do you want to discover a new side of Beijing? Or have visitors that already checked the usual sights off their list? Well, there are off the beaten path Beijing tours that explore the hutongs, parks, architecture and more. A friend of mine, Cesar, offers these tours. Cesar is a … read more
There are many different ways to get around in Beijing, most are easy to use and inexpensive. This post gives you an overview over Beijing transportation. For more specifics follow the links within. Public Transportation: Beijing Subway and Bus Car ownership is still in its infancy in China. I know, … read more
Working in China as an expat can be exciting and rewarding, but it also means that you have to deal with Chinese income tax. Here’s a primer on the Individual Income Tax (IIT) in China. (But first a DISCLAIMER: I am not a tax or financial professional. While I did … read more
Wherever you live, buying clothes will eventually be on your agenda, either for fun or as a necessity. You have many options for clothes shopping as a Westerner in Beijing, from foreign brands to domestic labels and specialty clothes. Learn also what you need to know about sizes, sales and … read more
Remember when you first arrived in Beijing, how exciting it was in the beginning? How the excitement then gave way to frustration, when you couldn’t communicate, or the air quality index hit 300 again? With frustration probably also came annoyance, at the pushing and shoving, the spitting, those weird Chinese … read more
This automated message often greets you when getting into a Beijing taxi. It was part of the 2008 Olympics preparation. Don’t expect any more English than that though. This post first published in 2013, updated August 2016 Qu nar? – Where are you going? To communicate with the driver, you … read more
The dreaded US tax season … I used to do our taxes myself, using TurboTax, IRS regulations for expats, and any other legit info I could find. And I spent hours on it. But this year I made a change. I let experts do our taxes. I looked at a … read more
What if you have an accident at home or on the street? Or sudden chest pain? How to call an ambulance if you don’t speak Chinese? Where do you find an emergency room where they speak English? Or where to go for urgent care? We don’t really want to think … read more
Going out in a new city and making new friends can be a bit daunting. Especially cross-cultural friendships can be challenging. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are expat events in Beijing that make meeting people easy and fun. I actually met one of my best friends … read more
Despite the disgusting reality of dog meat dishes in the Chinese cuisine, Chinese people generally are pet friendly. But there are a few things you should know about having pets in Beijing. This guide to pets in Beijing covers: Bringing a pet to Beijing Getting a pet in China Preventing … read more