This is the second part of a three-part feature. For part 1 (weighing your options), click here.

Qu Na’er？
Always know where you’re going with these handy Chinese phrases

Stage 1:Check-In

SAY:

Is the flight on time?
航班按时起飞吗？
Hángbān ànshí qǐfēi ma?

Is it a full flight?
飞机有空位吗？
Fēijī yǒu kòngwèi ma?

Can you help get me seats together?
可以帮我们安排一起坐吗？
Kěyǐ bāng wǒmen ānpái yīqǐ zuò ma?

Can you get me an aisle seat?
可以帮我安排靠过道的座位吗？
Kěyǐ bāng wǒ ānpái kào guòdào de zuòwèi ma?

LISTEN FOR:

Please get to the boarding gate an hour before boarding.
请提前一个小时到达登机门。
Qǐng tíqián yīgè xiǎoshí dàodá dēngjīmén

Stage 2:Security

LISTEN FOR:

Do you have any electronics or liquids in your bag?
包里有电子产品或液体物品吗？
Bāolǐ yǒu diànzǐ chǎnpǐn huò yètǐ wùpǐn ma?

Please take off your belt/hat.
请把腰带/帽子摘下来。
Qǐng bǎ yāodài/màozi zhāi xiàlái

Please hold on to your passport and boarding pass.
请拿好您的护照和登机牌。
Qǐng náhǎo nǐn de hùzhào he dēngjī pái

Stage 3:At the Boarding Gate

SAY:

Why is the flight delayed?
航班为什么耽误了？
Hángbān wèishéme dānwu le?

How long will my flight be delayed by?
航班要耽误多久？
Hángbān yào dānwu duōjiǔ?

LISTEN FOR:

The flight has been canceled.
[Flight number] 航班已经被取消。
[Flight number] hángbān yǐjīng bèi qǔxiāo.

The boarding gate has been changed.
[Flight number] 登机门有变。
[Flight number] dēngjī mén yǒubiàn

The flight has been delayed.
[Flight number] 航班耽误了。
[Flight number] hángbān dānwu le

Stage 4:On the Plane
 
SAY:

Please give me a blanket.
麻烦您给我拿一张被子。
Máfan nín gěiwǒ ná yi zhāng bèizi.

If I’m sleeping, please don’t
wake me up for meals.
如果我在睡觉，用餐时请不要打扰我。
Rúguǒ wǒzài shuìjiào, yòngcān shí
qǐng bùyào dǎrǎo wǒ.

Where can I store my stroller?
把婴儿车放哪儿？
Bǎ yīng’ér chē fàng nǎ’er?

LISTEN FOR:

Please fasten your seatbelts,
the plane is about to take off.
请大家几好安全带，飞机快要起飞了。
Qǐng jǐhǎo ānquán dài, fēijī kuài yào qǐfēi le.

Please stow your luggage.
请放好你的行李。
Qǐng fànghǎo nǐn de xínglǐ

Stage 5:Immigration (International Flights Only)

LISTEN FOR:

Which page is your visa on?
签证在哪页？
Qiānzhèng zài nǎ yè?

Please show me your entry card.
请出示您的入境卡。
Qǐng chūshì nín de rùjìng kǎ.

SAY:

We’re transiting.
我们在途中。
Wǒmen zài túzhōng.

Where is the baggage claim area?
行李提取处在哪儿？
Xínglǐ tíqǔ chù zài nǎ’er?

Beyond Taxis
Five ways to reach Beijing International Capital Airport

Dididache 嘀嘀打车
How it works: Book a cab through the Dididache app by typing in your location, destination, and desired pickup time and date. Minimum lead time is 15 minutes and time slots are available in 15-minute increments.Available for iOS, Android, and Windows Phones.
Cost: Regular taxi fares apply.
Payment options: Cash or WeChat payment. If you’re having trouble getting a cab, there’s the option of incentivizing drivers by offering a tip.
Tips: Send your request early if you need a ride at an unusual hour.

Yidaoyongche易到用车
How it works: Yidaoyongche is a black car app with a flat rate for going to the airport. After specifying the time, date, pickup location, and terminal, your request will be sent across the Yidaoyongche network. Available for IOS, Android, and Windows Phones.
Cost: RMB 128 covers an hour and 30km, RMB 30 for every extra hour and RMB 3 for every extra kilometer.
Payment options: Cashless payment oonly (Chinese debit cards, credit cards, and online banking).
Tips: Take a regular cab unless you live really far and expect to rack up comparable fees. This app offers better value as a pickup service since taxi queues can be very long at the airport. Pickup costs RMB 148 (same conditions apply). However, you won’t be charged extra if your flights gets delayed.

Uber优步
How it works: The popular US app comes to Beijing. Users can book a taxi, private car, or rideshare. Just type your pickup location and destination in the app. Available for iOS, Android, and Windows Phones.Cost: RMB 250 flat rate for uberX (regular cars), RMB 300 for UberBLACK (luxury cars), RMB 0.35 per minute and RMB 2.17 per kilometer for People’s Uber (rideshares).
Payment options: Cashless payment only (Visa, Mastercard, or Alipay).
Tips: You can’t book a ride ahead of time, so use the app well before your intended leaving time. Ridesharing with People’s Uber is cheap and convenient, but sharing baggage space could be an issue unless you’re a light packer.

Airport Express机场快轨
How it works: The Airport Express is fast, cheap, and convenient, dropping passengers off at both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. The ride from Dongzhimen takes 20-40 minutes while the ride from Sanyuanqiao takes 15-35 minutes.
Cost: RMB 25 one way
Payment options: Cash or Beijing subway card.
Tips: Boarding at Dongzhimen and snagging a seat by the door increases your chances of getting dibs on baggage space. It might also be easier to navigate the subway with a roller bag or backpack.

Beijing Airport Shuttle Bus 北京首都机场巴士
How it works: Beijing Capital International Airport operates a fleet of air-conditioned shuttle buses that travel between several locations in Beijing. Tickets can be purchased at the airport or from a ticket booth next to each stop. For details, visit en.bcia.com.cn/traffic/air-bus, or call 6457 3891 or 6459 4375/76.
Cost: Tickets cost RMB 15, 18, 21, or 24 one way depending on the distance from the airport.
Payment options: Cash only
Tips: This option is best for those who live far and/or plan to leave well in advance. Shuttle buses are subject to the vagaries of Beijing traffic and may not leave until they have a certain number of passengers.

This article originally appeared in the October 2014 issue of beijingkids. To view it online for free, click here. To find out how you can obtain your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com.

 Photos: Ben Eng (Flickr)

This is the first part of a three-part feature. Parts two and three will be featured in coming days.

Vacations are supposed to be relaxing. After planning, packing, and re-checking everything for your family getaway, getting to the airport or navigating security shouldn’t be additional source of stress. Here, we offer a comparison of airline baggage allowances.

AIR CHINA
Carry-On: 1 x 5kg
Check-In: 1 x 23kg
Overweight Charges: 24- 32kg: RMB 920-1,230 per piece
Infant Allowance: 1 x 10kg

HAINAN AIRLINES
Carry-On: 1 x 5kg and a personal item
Check-In: 1 x 23 kg
Overweight Charges: 24-32kg: RMB 920 per piece; 33-45kg: RMB 1,230 per piece
Infant Allowance: 1 x 10kg

CHINA SOUTHERN
Carry-On: 1 x 5 kg and a personal item
Check-In: 1 x 23kg
Overweight Charges: Differs from airport to airport
Infant Allowance: 1 x 10kg

CHINA EASTERN
Carry-On: 1 x 5kg
Check-In: 2 x 23kg
Overweight Charges: 23-32kg: RMB 1,000 per piece
Infant Allowance: None

MALAYSIA AIRLINES
Carry-On: 1 x 7kg and a personal item
Check-In: 30kg (max. 2 bags)
Overweight Charges: Every 5kg: RMB 135-220
Infant Allowance: 1 x 10kg (infants with 10 percent tickets only)

SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Carry-On: 1 x 7kg and one personal item
Check-In: 30kg (no restriction on number of pieces)   
Overweight Charges: Every kg: RMB 60-430
Infant Allowance: 1 x 10kg

CATHAY PACIFIC
Carry-On: 1 x 7kg
Check-In: 20 kg (no restriction on number of pieces)
Overweight Charges: Every kg: RMB 60-370
Infant Allowance: 1 x 10kg

QANTAS
Carry-On: 1 x 7kg
Check-In: 30 kg (no restriction on number of pieces)
Overweight Charges: Every kg: RMB 200
Infant Allowance: 1 x 10kg

THAI AIRWAYS
Carry-On: 1 x 7kg and a personal item
Check-In: 20kg (no restriction on number of pieces)
Overweight Charges: Every kg: RMB 60-340
Infant Allowance: 1 x 10kg

ANA
Carry-On: 1 x 10kg and a personal item
Check-In: 1 x 23kg
Overweight Charges: 23-32 kg: RMB 245 per piece; 32-45kg: RMB 1,230 per piece
Infant Allowance: 1 x 23kg

KOREAN AIR Carry-On: 1 x 12kg and a personal item
Check-In: 1 x 23kg
Overweight Charges: RMB 430-615 per piece
Infant Allowance: 1 x 10kg

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
Carry-On: 1 x 7kg
Check-In: 1 x 20kg
Overweight Charges: USD 150-250/ piece
Infant Allowance: 1 x 23kg (infants paying at least 10 percent)

AIR ASIA
Carry-On: 1 x 7kg and a personal item
Check-In: Passengers flying economy are not entitled to free baggage allowance and must pay baggage fees based on origin, destination, and bag weight
Overweight Charges: Differs from airport to airport
Infant Allowance: None, but a foldable baby stroller may be checked in for free

HONG KONG AIRLINES
Carry-On: 1 x 7kg
Check-In: 20kg (no restriction on number of pieces)
Overweight Charges: Per kg: RMB 60-185
Infant Allowance: 1 x 10kg Check-In baggage (total linear dimensions no more than 115cm)

ASIANA AIRLINES
Carry-On: 1 x 10kg and a personal item
Check-In: 20kg (no restriction on number of pieces)
Overweight Charges: Per kg: RMB 100-340
Infant Allowance: 1 x 10kg

Notes:

• All prices are based on currency exchange rates at the time of writing. Always check ahead for accurate and up-to-date charges.

• The information presented here applies to East Asian and Southeast Asian destinations. Flights to Japan are commonly grouped with North American routes and are subject to different rules and regulations; these exceptions are not noted here.

• These figures reflect economy class allowances only and do not take into account airline loyalty programs.
• Some overweight baggage fees differ based on the origin and destination, so a range has been provided in such cases.

• All airlines have restrictions pertaining to baggage size. The most common figure cites total linear dimensions (the sum of length, width,height) not exceeding 158cm. In cases where there’s a baggage allowance for infants, this number is usually 115cm.

• For airlines with an infant allowance, a foldable baby stroller or bassinet can usually be checked in for free or taken as carry-on if there is enough room on the flight.

This article originally appeared in the October 2014 issue of beijingkids. To view it online for free, click here. To find out how you can obtain your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com.

Photo: M (Flickr)

Welcome the fall by spending the day in an orchard. September and October are the best months to do this, as many fruits will be in season. Not only is fruit picking a great day trip and way to get the family outdoors, but the products are also cheaper and fresher than at the grocery store.

Most orchards are located on the outskirts of Beijing, with many in Changping, Huairou, and Daxing. Some charge an all-inclusive flat fee that covers admission and the fruit you pick, but most have an entry fee and charge for the fruit separately by weight.
Though it’s possible to take public transportation to the orchards, lugging a bunch of fruit back home while dealing with kids is probably the last thing you want to do. It’s best to drive, arrange a car, or organize several families to pitch in for a minibus.
While navigating unfamiliar country roads may be daunting, farm owners are happy to provide directions or even drive out to get you if you’re lost. Most orchards are located close to each other, so don’t worry if you can’t find a specific one; you won’t walk away empty-handed.

Apples
Located 70km north of Beijing, Huairou Dashuiyu Fruit Picking Garden is best known for its apples. Bookmark this trip for October or November to catch the annual Apple Festival, where you can pick your own fruit and browse a selection of apple-based treats sold by local growers. Expect apple salads, fresh apple juice, and other apple-based treats. After sampling and picking apples, take them home and bake your own desserts like apple muffins or apple pies. Best time to go: September to early November

Grapes
Caiyu Vineyard has over 1,300 hectares of grapes and is located in Caiyu County, one of the biggest grape growing regions in Beijing. The region has been likened to Bordeaux in France, since both boast the climate and geography best suited to growing grapes.
At Caiyu, over six hectares are open to visitors, who can sample more than 70 varieties of grapes ranging from domestic brands to smaller, more exotic clusters. Grape picking season lasts until late October.
However, a visit to Caiyu shouldn’t be a pick-and-run. Most of the county’s residents are involved to some degree in the grape ecosystem, resulting in a strong sense of community. Adults can attend wine-tasting parties in the evening; be sure to try a few sips of locally-made Harvest or Fengshou wine. Best time to go: September to late October

Peaches
Harvest Garden, made up of group of small peach farmers, is located in Pinggu. The orchard claims its peaches aren’t exposed to pesticides or preservatives, ensuring quality and freshness. The farmers get up at dawn to pick their fruit, but you don’t have to wake up that early to enjoy the activity.
Visitors can also opt to stay the night at the orchard to experience rural country life. We recommend this for visitors who opted to drive themselves up the orchard, as it allows them to get some well-deserved rest. Best time to go: August to September

Pears
The Red Sun Fruit Picking Garden is located in Huairou. The area is best known for its tasty pears, but also grows grapes and watermelons available for picking. If you want to pick something other than pears, just mention it to the locals and they’ll direct you to another orchard just down the street.
If you aren’t full of fruit yet, the orchard has its own restaurant serving up simple local foods and a barbeque with all kinds of chuan’r. If what you’re hungry for is adventure, then head to the nearby Qinglongxia to check out the Black Dragon Waterfall or cool off by paddle boating down the river. Best time to go: Mid-August to September

Watermelons
Watermelons are the perfect thirst-quenching fruit and it never hurts to have a supply on hand to juice or eat by the slice. Luckily, there are two opportunities a year to get your watermelon fix; the first round of harvesting runs from mid-May to the end of July, and the second runs from mid-September to mid-October. Laosong Melon Garden in Daxing District is known for growing watermelons, so head there if you’re looking for a taste of summer.
If watermelons get boring, there’s a greenhouse especially designed for children that features more exotic fruits like passion fruit and dragon fruit. Best time to go: Mid-September to mid-October

Resources

Dashuiyu Fruit Picking Garden 大水峪采摘观光园
Dashuiyu Village, Huaibei Town, Huairou District (400 631 7160)
怀柔区怀北镇大水峪村

Caiyu Vineyard 采育镇采育万亩观光园
Caiyu Town, Daxing District (8027 2793) 大兴区采育镇

Red Sun Fruit Picking Garden 北京怀柔红日采摘园
Dashuiyu Village, Huaibei Town, Huairou District (137 1659 1895) www.hrhongtaiyang.com 怀柔区怀北镇大水峪村
Harvest Garden 北京丰和谷果品产销专业合作社
Weitaiwu Village, Xiagezhuang Town, Pinggu District (135 8157 7247) www.bjfhg.com.cn 平谷区夏各庄镇魏太务村

Laosong Melon Garden 大兴区老宋瓜园
Panggezhuang Town, Daxing District (8928 2866) 大兴区庞各庄镇
 

This article originally appeared on p32-35 of the September 2014 issue of beijingkids. To view it online for free, click here. To find out how you can obtain your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com.

Photos: Debbie R, Eewortman, Harsha KR, and Raul Lieverwirth (Flickr)

This is the second part of a September 2014 feature about sports that can be enjoyed as a family. For part 1, click here.

Scuba Diving
Logan Ambraz (age 11) is from Tampa, Florida and has been living in Beijing for the last four years. His father, Paul, works for IBM and his mother, Kelly, is a teacher at House of Knowledge. He and his sister Lauren both attend the Western Academy of Beijing. Logan learned to dive here last year with Steven Schwankert of SinoScuba at Blue Zoo Beijing, where he did his confined water dives. Since then, he has completed his open water dives in Sipadan, Malaysia and gone diving in Australia.

What made you want to try scuba diving?
My dad does scuba diving. Scuba diving is a family sport; my sister also scuba dives and my mom snorkels.

What do you like about diving?
I get a whole new perspective on the ocean and sea creatures.

What’s the hardest part about diving?
The studying. There’s a lot of information to remember. It’s very important to not make any mistakes underwater; it can mean life or death. Steven, my instructor, spent a lot of time with me teaching me not only how to use the dive tables, but also to scuba dive safely.

Has anything scary ever happened to you while underwater?
Nothing scary, but I had a weird encounter with a fish when I was in Malaysia. When I went up close to it, it pooped in my face and my dad laughed. It was really weird.

Do you think you’ll continue scuba diving?
Yes, I will continue to scuba dive because it is fun. You see a lot of things that you don’t get to see often or otherwise couldn’t see.

Do you have a favorite professional diver or other marine adventurer?
I don’t really know many people that scuba dive for a living. I admire my dad because he is a really good scuba diver and he has taught me a lot about the ocean. I also respect and admire my instructor, Steven Schwankert of SinoScuba.

SinoScuba
Dives take place at Blue Zoo Beijing, Workers’ Stadium South Gate, Chaoyang District (186 1113 3629, steven@sinoscuba.com)
www.sinoscuba.com 朝阳区工人体育场南门富国海底世界

Ultimate Frisbee
Though 11-year-old Valarie Reed (US) only recently started playing Ultimate Frisbee with Sports Beijing, she picked up the game quickly. In Ultimate Frisbee, each side tries to catch the disk in the other’s end zone. Possession changes very quickly, and good communication and teamwork are key. Valarie is no stranger to team sports, having played baseball since kindergarten. The International School of Beijing student explains how Frisbee fits into her baseball-heavy schedule and shares her experience learning a new sport.

How long you’ve been playing Ultimate Frisbee?
I just started playing this winter [January 2014].

What made you want to try Ultimate Frisbee?
At first I didn’t really want to do it, and then I realized it’s really fun. I’ll probably do it again next year.

What do you like about Ultimate Frisbee?
The games we play at the end. You have two teams, and one person throws the Frisbee to the other side of the court and you have to try to get the Frisbee back. It’s sort of like [American] football, but with a Frisbee; you can’t tackle and you can hit the Frisbee down. I like to play team sports;  a lot of the people I played with didn’t go to ISB, so I got to meet some new people from other schools.

What’s the hardest part about Ultimate Frisbee?
I think I was one of the youngest players and a lot of the other kids had played before. But it was still pretty fun. They teach you the throws and other skills through drills, just like in football.

Do you think you’ll continue doing Ultimate Frisbee when you grow up?
Maybe as a side sport because I focus on baseball. I really enjoy playing [Frisbee] and there are not that many sports in the winter.

Beijing Ultimate
Besides Sports Beijing, you can also check out this officially-recognized Ultimate Frisbee organization consisting of six teams. Each team is geared towards players of different levels and backgrounds, but they all come together for pickup games, summer league and social events. Check their website (beijingultimate.com) to learn more, participate in pickup games, and find contact information for specific teams.

This article originally appeared on p56-59 of the September 2014 issue of beijingkids. To view it online for free, click here. To find out how you can obtain your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com.

Photos: Dave PiXSTUDIO, Joseph Reed