Dad Terry Zhang is a local Beijinger. The former competitive fitness champion now works at Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) as their Athletics and Activities Admin and Liaison Officer, organizing after school activities for its students. Mom Wanna Song works in a travel company as the finance manager. The couple spends as much of their free time as possible with their 14-year-old son Luke Zhang.

When did you (or will you) give your child their own cell phone?

We gave our son his first phone when he was ten years old.

Do you think that having access to phones helps or hinders your child’s mental development?

Nowadays phones have many functions and features. We realize that it not only expands the connections and interactions between people and societies, but it is also a platform to continuously learn new things and update ideas. For young people, it’s a way of obtaining information and knowledge.

Are you concerned about them spending too much time on their phone? What’s your solution for this?

I feel that encouraging more face-to-face communication and reading of books can help reduce time spent on the phone. Excessive internet browsing and phone usage will 1) severely impact visual health, 2) discourage people to attend face-to-face, outdoor social activities, and 3) promote negativity and unhealthy practices.

Do you believe there are child predators online? If so, how do you deal with them?

I believe that child predators exist both online and offline.

Did you (or will you) talk to your kids about the dangers of posting personal information online?

Yes.

Do you have a social media account? If so, how many hours a day do you spend on it?

Yeah, I am on it for about six hours a day.

Do you post photos of your child on your social media account? Do you think it’s safe?

Not regularly. Posting on social media isn’t a way for us to experience happiness as a family. More importantly, posting photos of children can create an environment for criminals and child predators to thrive in.

Does your child have a social media account? If so, are you concerned about the content they post on there?

Yes, and in fact, I do not object to my child registering for and using social media platforms. I often discuss with him some of the latest social media apps and websites currently on the market. However, I do realize that there is content out there on the internet that is not particularly suitable for teenagers, and parents really need to guide their children with regards to safe content online and communicate with them psychologically about posting on social media.

Did you install parental control apps or limits on your child’s phone? If so, which one do you recommend for other parents? If not, why?

No, I have not installed parental control apps or limits on my child’s phone.

Mom Sherri and dad Tom Pedrick are both teachers at Beijing International Bilingual Academy (BIBA). The couple has three children, Lincoln (age 14), Harry (age 12), and Quincy (age 9), who are all students at BIBA.  The Pedrick family is originally from New Hampshire in the US and have been in Beijing for over a year now.

When did you (or will you) give your children their own cell phone?

We gave Lincoln a non-smartphone at the age of ten because he and Harry were in a play with a local theater group and we wanted them to be able to call or text when they were finished with rehearsal. Lincoln got a smartphone on his 12th birthday. Harry also has a phone now, but leaves it at home and only uses it for games or talking with his family and friends.

Do you think that having access to phones helps or hinders your children’s mental development?

I think that having access to phones with limits helps your children’s development. It teaches communication, problem-solving, and self-control. Every app that is on our kids’ phones has been checked by us, and we monitor the webpages our kids go to and the messages they send.

Are you concerned about them spending too much time on their phone?  What’s your solution for this?

We have strict limits on how much time our kids use devices, both during the week and on the weekends. They can earn additional time by doing extra work around the house or helping another family member. We also make sure they complete their homework, spend time outside, and read each day.

Do you believe there are child predators online? If so, how do you deal with them?

Yes, we believe there are child predators online. We teach our kids about internet safety and teach them to be responsible digital citizens to protect them.

Did you (or will you) talk to your kids about the dangers of posting personal information online?

Yes, we have talked many times about posting on social media. We will continue to discuss these dangers as social media changes frequently.

Do you have a social media account? If so, how many hours a day do you spend on it?

Both Sherri and I have social media accounts, but we spend no more than 30 minutes a day on them, sometimes much less.

Do you post photos of your children on your social media account?  Do you think it’s safe?

Yes, we post photos of our kids and our adventures on Facebook. But we know all of our friends well, and ensure that our privacy setting is set so only those people can see our photos.  We do feel safe posting pictures of our children.

Do your children have a social media account? If so, are you concerned about the content they post there?

Our children don’t have social media accounts, and they will not have social media accounts until they are much older. We think a digital footprint is an adult responsibility with unforeseeable long-lasting outcomes and not one that a child is able to manage.

Did you install parental control apps or limits on your children’s phones? If so, which one do you recommend for other parents? If not, why?

We don’t use parental control apps on our kids’ devices. We physically monitor their phones and devices rather than trusting an app; that way they make good choices where ever they are instead of relying on software to monitor usage. We also feel like we protect them by educating them about proper use and safety when it comes to technology. We recommend to other parents that they have positive ongoing discussions with their kids about social media.

KEEP READING: So You Want to Be a KOL: Keep Your Content Creating Kids Safe

Photos: Uni You, families

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 November issue

Artist dad Johannes Nielsen is originally from Sweden and has lived in Beijing for over ten years. He spends his days creating art and playing games with his five-year-old daughter Shiloh along with their dog Luna and cat T-Rex.

Does art play a large part in your life?

Yes, I was born into an artistic home and grew up with paint and clay in the living room. As a teenager I hated art but now it’s my passion, my language, my joy… and now it’s me bringing clay and paint to the living room and probably sometimes traumatizing my daughter with an overwhelming passion for art.

Were you encouraged to explore the arts as a child?

Yes, in fact, it was the only thing I was really encouraged to do. Looking back I sometimes wished they had encouraged me to also take other things more seriously, like school. I learned to be a great dreamer but the journey to make my dreams real and pay tax has been a long and crooked journey. It was also that journey that took me to China.

Do you (or will you) encourage your children to explore the arts in or outside of school?

Yes, but I will also be careful not to overwhelm her or put any expectations on her.  Also, in some way, I don’t think I know more about art than my daughter. She has shown me how playful it can be. She has in that way helped me to reconnect with something I had lost on the way as an artist, and maybe take it a little too seriously and to focus on the result. This lead me to create a drawing workshop for adults titled Rediscover Drawing.

Do you think it’s important for schools to offer kids a wide variety of arts programs? Why or why not?

I think for some kids it’s more important, almost essential. I was a kid like that myself, I did not feel like I fit into the school system, and had difficulties in following directions. But I remember in the art class how I got to shine and find my strength and way of expressing myself in the class. However, for other kids, it seems to be less important. I think art should never be something that one is forced to do. I believe creativity is a very delicate and intimate space. A space that needs to be seen and acknowledged within each of us both by ourselves but also by the people around us. Therefore it needs to be guided and explored within a space without right and wrong, good or bad… and that’s very hard to create and facilitate, therefore we should do it. Especially in times like this, I believe as technology gets more advanced, creativity will be more and more valued within all fields. Not only in art but also in business and science.

Is there a form of art that your child(ren) really enjoys?

Recently acting, dancing, and singing. Often to Disney’s “Frozen” where I get the role of a prince or monster and I love it, It’s an opportunity for me to play and reconnect with the child within me. I see it as my daughter does.

Do you think it’s important for your child to at least experience every form of art?

Yes, but I also know from my own experience it’s not a straight path. You need to go back and forth, up and down a lot… never throw the baby out with the baby water just because there was no magic the first time.

Would you encourage your child to pursue a career in the arts?

Definitely, but also if she chooses to be a banker, I would encourage that too. I think it all can be creative and an expression of our inner voice.

Do you think art contributes to a child’s mental development?

I know it does, not only because I have seen it in children, I have seen it in my parents, and I have experienced it within myself. Recently I made an exhibition titled “The Quarantine Collection.” It’s the artwork I created during the time of isolation in my home/studio. These artworks I have created during this time are very special to me because they have helped me find purpose and joy in this strange time. Instead of using words to explain how we feel I believe in the power of manifesting it to a picture, form, or object. We get distance, we can see it, we can touch it, and more importantly, share it with others.

Sometimes when my daughter finds it hard to explain something, I ask if she can draw it for me instead. And I’m always surprised by what comes out.

Dad Fango Huang is an avid photographer and designer, and Mom Grass Chen is an owner of specialty homestays, who strives to bring beauty into life. She lives by the mantra “You can be slow, but you can’t stop.” Together, they have two daughters: 14-year-old Martina and nine-year-old Phoena. Martina is gentle and quiet, has tenacity, and strives for perfection. She likes to listen to music and immerse herself in a world of paintings and artwork where she can create stories one stroke at a time. Phoena is lively, energetic, and imaginative. She loves doing handiwork and collecting gemstones.

Does art play a large part in your life?

Art is all things “beautiful” for us. As a family, yes, we have an innate pursuit of “beauty.” Art is not just present in lavish palaces and buildings but rather exists all throughout our daily lives. Beauty is all around us, and as long as we are willing and able, we can explore, discover, experience, and enjoy.

Were you encouraged to explore the arts as a child?

I was born in the 1970s. When I was a child, art materials were often very scarce and hard to purchase. I vividly remember the words my mother often used to say: “Be fortunate that you can at least stay warm in the winter and have enough food to eat. Don’t even think about anything else!” so, art was a luxury when I was young, and I wasn’t really encouraged to explore the arts.

Do you (or will you) encourage your children to explore the arts in or outside of school?

Most definitely. Whether it be in or out of school, we encourage the children to explore. I remember once in their music class at school, the teachers had asked the children to try to make musical instruments from different arts and crafts objects. They tied a rubber band to a paper box to make a harp. Another one of their assignments was to design and make a dress, so they cut, glued, and sewed out a set of dresses from old curtains. Once also, the two girls had a whim and wanted to paint on one of the walls in our house. After much deliberation, I cleared a wall and let them play freely. I guess you could say I got an abstract art wall for free.

Do you think it’s important for schools to offer kids a wide variety of arts programs? Why or why not?

Our school provides Western and Eastern art courses for the children, and there are also various art clubs after class, such as theater, orchestras, choirs, oil paintings, and calligraphy. We put great importance on the art courses provided by the school because they not only improve the children’s artistic abilities and their understanding of aesthetics, but they also cultivate the children’s teamwork abilities.

Is there a form of art that your child(ren) really enjoys?

Phoena can talk for hours on end, and I found that once you give her writing utensils and a drawing book, she will immediately quiet down. When she was five and a half years old, she made a decision to draw at least one picture every day. Over 500 days later, she’s still sticking to her promise and continuing to draw. Many parents are dumbfounded when they find out, and they ask us how we kept Phoena to continue drawing. But it’s not us, it’s a matter of persistence from Phoena.

Martina likes music, and when we watch the opera, she can be moved to tears. She likes doing choir music and playing the piano. She started learning when she was less than five years old. While she found it boring at times and almost gave up on a few occasions, Martina has truly fallen in love with the piano and enjoys it. She’s been through ups and downs, but as long as you persist, you will eventually experience its beauty.

Do you think it’s important for your child to at least experience every form of art?

Absolutely. I think it’s important to let the children dabble in various art experiences. On one hand, I hope that the children can find their artistic interests. On the other, I hope they can broaden their artistic perspectives and integrate different forms of art together.

Would you encourage your child to pursue a career in the arts?

If they can turn their artistic interests into a career, I will definitely support it. Of course, if the professional pathways they choose have nothing to do with the arts, I will wholeheartedly support that as well. I believe that the experiences you have in life are never in vain, so their interactions with the arts will definitely stay with them wherever they go.

Do you think art contributes to a child’s mental development?

Learning art is not just about developing children’s drawing skills, nor is it just about being proficient in making and creating music. Art is a means of spiritual fulfillment for children and is a lens through which we can view the world and understand the dynamics of life. I feel that art is an effective means of encouraging children to understand the world.    

KEEP READING: West Meets East: Two Students From Different Cultures Share Their Views on Cultural Diversity

Images: Courtesy of Grass Chen and Johannes Nielsen

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 October issue

Mom Cindy Marie Jenkins is the Deputy Managing Editor of beijingkids and corporate consultant, and her husband Dan is a theme park designer. The couple moved to Beijing from the US in June of 2019 with their two sons Malcolm (age 6) and Bashy (age 4).

When was your first date?

I consider my first date to be the first time I invited a guy to my house specifically because I wanted to be more than friends. I was fourteen. We played some basketball games and then watched “The Little Mermaid” on VHS. By the time Sebastian the crab sang “Kiss the Girl,” I guess I’d made my intentions clear because he did.

What age should kids start dating?

It really depends on the kid, but I thought I was ready by 13 or 14. I was at least ready to make the mistakes I needed to make in order to learn and mature. By 15, I moved from dating to some longer relationships. As idiotic as I acted sometimes, I learned so much about myself – what I want and what I deserve – that later relationships were much better – or at least over faster!

Do you think children should have romantic relationships before college?

I will absolutely support my children having romantic relationships before college. If they want to pursue dating, my husband and I will be there for them, however they need us. And if our kids don’t want to talk to us, I hope they have someone else they can trust.

Have you talked to your children about sex?

Not yet. Malcolm has a great book called “It’s Not the Stork” that we read whenever he has questions. It talks about bodies and fertilization of eggs pretty plainly, without saying how the sperm gets to the egg. We taught them the real terms for their body parts; we don’t use nicknames. Once his understanding of biology catches up with his questions, we still plan to answer plainly and honestly. Kids understand so much more than we give them credit for, and if we don’t tell them the truth, they’ll seek it somewhere else.

We do, however, discuss consent. “If you are playing and your friend isn’t having fun and says no, you stop and see if they’re okay. You need their consent, or permission to tickle them,” that kind of thing. Both kids know they have the right to say “No, stop. I don’t like that” anytime, whether it’s tickling or playing or getting their picture taken. We are adamant that they can and should tell us when they want to stop doing something, even if they don’t know why.

When they start dating, do you want to know the details? Why?

I doubt I will want to know the details. However, my parents always made it clear that if they needed me, I could talk to them, and sometimes I did. Knowing that I could talk to them went a long way towards trusting them. I don’t remember giving them details but I did ask for help when I needed to buy birth control, and I was more uncomfortable than they were about it.

More important than knowing details, I want my kids to know they can always talk to us without judgment. I don’t want them to ever feel shame about their bodies or their feelings. Whether they talk to me or their Dad or whoever, I want our kids to know they can ask any question, any time.

Do you think PDAs (public displays of affection) are acceptable in front of kids?

Absolutely. We are their models for relationships. My husband and I don’t have make-out sessions in front of them, but we show affection. Since they are little mimics, we are careful not to do anything that we don’t want them to play-act with their friends. But we’ve never considered not showing affection to a certain degree.

What are your biggest concerns regarding your children’s emotional development?

I want them to feel free to be themselves, to explore who that is and how they interact with the world. Some of our favorite authors and creators encourage their audience to consider the world complexly, and that is the core of what we want for our kids. There are few easy answers in the world, especially in relationships. They see us work out conflicts or disagreements together. There aren’t always good guys and bad guys in a story; the world is more complicated than that.

After sheltering in place and being in quarantine for so long, we are now re-learning some social and emotional development. It can be slow going, but their friendships in Beijing help.

What is the number one piece of relationship advice you will pass on to your children?

Trust your gut. Embrace your feelings and express them, even or especially if they are scary. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, support you, and will always look out for your best interests. Treat everyone who you date with respect, and expect that same respect in return. That’s more than one piece of advice! It all comes down to respect and consent.

Dad, Xing Tao graduated from Peking University and went on to co-found Beijing Chuangshi Excellence Culture Co., Ltd with his wife Gong Xun, a company that publishes and distributes children’s’ books. Mom, Gong Xun, graduated from Renmin University of China. They have two children, Leslie (7) and Ivy (5) who both go to Harrow Beijing.

When was your first date?

Gong Xun: My first date was during my third year of high school, with one of my classmates. Even though I was very studious and academic at the time, I still made room for emotional growth and feelings. After finishing my homework at midnight, I would often listen to Zero Point Music radio show hosted by Wu Zhoutong. Whenever I liked someone, listening to love songs and stories felt different. The first time I went out on a date was to watch a movie, “Love Mala Tang.” We had reached the theatre late and the movie had already started. When we entered the pitch dark theatre hall, Karen Mok’s hit song “I Want a Boy” was playing. The rhythm and lyrics of the music really matched my mood at that time [laughs.] That was how my first love began.

What age should kids start dating?

The mental maturity of each child is different, so I think it’s difficult to judge when it’s acceptable to them to start dating just by age. I think if the child is relatively mature, then they are ready to go on dates. The person should have a good understanding of themselves, have independent opinions, and be able to solve problems through communication with others. Above all, the most important thing is to have a sense of responsibility and to know how to respect others’ feelings.

Do you think children should have romantic relationships before college?

I will support the choices that my children make when they reach an age where they are mentally mature enough to make those choices. So, whether they are in college or not is not really important.

Have you talked to your children about sex?

I will definitely talk to my children about sex, and gradually deepen the topic as they grow older. Currently, one of my two children is seven years old and the other is five. For the time being, we have discussed how a baby is born, and the physical differences between boys and girls. For this, I bought an awesome book called “Our Body,” which contains very good content and is well-written. In terms of sex education, I am more of an academic buff. So I will basically shortlist books and resources that I think are suitable for the kids, content-wise. Then I will either read and narrate the key points to the children, or I’ll let them read by themselves.

When they start dating, do you want to know the details? Why?

I wouldn’t want to know the details of their relationship, because I am not the type of mother who frets about everything regarding their children. For example, at their current age and stage of life, my children mainly play with children of the same age. Of course, while playing, conflicts do come up. However, I generally do not focus on the minute details of these conflicts. I just figure out which side is right and wrong, whether I should apologize, and how the reconciliation should take place.  As parents, you should respect your children and care for them. So, in the process of educating your children, you should give them full trust and understanding.

Do you think PDAs (public displays of affection) are acceptable in front of kids?

This is hard to say. When the children are very young, I don’t think there is any problem with it. But once the children are older, I am afraid that excessive displays of intimacy could bring about negative feelings of awkwardness and embarrassment.

What are your biggest concerns regarding your children’s emotional development?

My two children have very different personalities. My son is a very emotional person, enthusiastic, and impulsive at times. I just worry about him making bad choices when in that impulsive mood. But if he can stay in control and think deeply about himself and his actions, he will be able to deal with problems calmly. My daughter, on the outside, is lovely and well-behaved, but inside she is strong and has her own opinions. In terms of her future, what I worry about most is that she can be herself in a relationship.

What is the number one piece of relationship advice you will pass on to your children?

To learn how to respect others. If they are in a relationship, they should be able to balance that between their individuality and their outlook with friends, family, and other groups of people. When in a relationship, one must establish a sense of responsibility and form a positive outlook on life and values. I think that by finding a person who encompasses these three pieces of advice, happiness is just around the corner.

KEEP READING: West Meets East: Parents From Different Cultures Dish on Parenting

Photos: Courtesy of parents

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 September issue

On paper, the relationship between a renter and a landlord is a symbiotic one, where one provides shelter and basic upkeep, the other provides payment. Yet an apartment is rarely just a place to sleep, but also a home and a place where you make many special memories with your family. With so much at stake, it is no wonder that the relationship between renter and landlord can quickly become fraught. Although they are increasingly rare, we do still sometimes hear of rental horror stories in Beijing, caused by cultural and linguistic differences, misunderstandings, and even crafty real estate practices. But what of the good stories, when the relationship between the renter and landlord goes beyond the basic payment dates and scheduling of repairs, and into the realm of friendship and trust? Like any relationship, it takes time and effort to build such a fruitful relationship, but in a large and densely-populated city like Beijing there will always be some who are up to the task.

Your signature is your bond.

Like in any relationship, open communication and a clear understanding of expectations go a long way in maintaining amicability. Expat renter Charmaine Julie, a South African teacher at the Beanstalk International Bilingual School (BIBS) Haidian campus makes a regular effort to stay in touch with her landlord, whom she has known for the past year. “We communicate casually on WeChat. He usually sends me messages to check up on my welfare or to say hi,” she says. Before making a move to Haidian from suburban Shunyi in July 2019, Julie’s landlord personally made the long trip from his home in Hangzhou to meet her in person and show her the apartment’s appliances and how to purchase utilities. From this friendly start, their relationship has grown, and Julie often checks up on her landlord and his family, especially of late during the COVID-19 pandemic, to make sure they are safe and healthy.

Reciprocity is a critical element too, especially in communication or in returning favors and acts of kindness. It’s usually seen through simple gestures, such as sitting down together over tea, coffee, or a meal. Matthew Kang, a long-term South Korean expat student, fondly remembers the landlord of his family’s first apartment in Beijing. The latter would regularly offer to take them out for coffee or a meal. “We would always make arrangements to return the favor, whether that be inviting the landlord and the landlord’s family ou…or offering them travel tips and advice when touring South Korea,” he mentions. Another expat mom says that her relationship with her landlord is founded on gift-giving. “When we meet in person, my landlord presents us wonderful gifts, such as Chinese teas and herbs,” she says. In return, every time she and her family visit their home country, they always make sure to buy some authentic, traditional gifts to present their landlord and his family.

The tenant/landlord relationship can often go beyond a handshake and monthly check.

Having a friendly relationship and being in close contact is one way to foster a warm relationship with your landlord, but some expats actually recommend doing the exact opposite. Kyle Mullin, a long-term Beijing expat recollects his experiences with the landlord of a CBD apartment that he and his wife rented from 2009 to 2019.  “We would purposefully not disturb her and handle any needed repairs by hiring contractors ourselves. That way, she had no hassle from us as tenants. We thought it was the least we could do.” he says. By taking on small problems and repairs that invariably crop up themselves, some renters are able to fly under the radar with their landlords, who might otherwise come to see them as a nuisance.

But what are the real advantages of putting in this hard work to get on your landlord’s good side? Laws protecting renters’ rights in Beijing are increasingly robust, so it’s much less common to be thrown out by your landlord on a whim than it used to be. It can, however, be very helpful to have built some mutual trust when it comes to contentious situations like rent payments. For Julie, this was put to the test when she was planning for her daughter’s wedding. “Due to my daughter’s wedding plans, I happened to be over-budget with my spending. This meant I would not have been able to pay three months’ rent at the end of January.” Julie recalls. “I explained the situation to my landlord, and he agreed that I could pay the shortfall a month later, which I did.”

A good home is hard to find in the city.

When the husband of Mullins’ landlord passed away last year, it had a very real impact on his family. “She discretely told my wife over the years that her husband had regularly pressured her to sell the apartment or at least raise our rent. However, she always had a soft spot for my wife and deemed it unnecessary to give us a rent hike.” With her husband gone, the landlord did finally decide to sell the apartment, but thanks to their years of friendship the transition was much smoother for the young family than they might have feared. “She was very kind with her decision and gave us nearly half a year to find a new place before looking for buyers.”

Whether you get lucky enough to find a landlord who will give you special gifts, give you a grace period on rent if you fall on hard times, or simply take you into consideration when they make major life decisions such as selling your home, having a friendly relationship with your landlord certainly seems to be something worth pursuing.

KEEP READING: Understand Your Lease Before Signing on The Dotted Line

Images: Unsplash

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 September issue

As a city with over 24 million residents and a history that can be traced back 3,000 years, Beijing never ceases to surprise us. Below, we present to you five lesser-known facts about our beloved city. And no, this is not your generic set of Beijing history facts. This one is for the real Beijing pros; the born-and-bred-in-the-Jing folk, the permanent residents, the veteran laowais, and the old-timers. Let us know how many of these “Beijing secrets” you already knew down in the comments!

1. Green and White Signs  = North and South, Red and White Signs = East and West

A relatively simple one to start us off. If you are being observant out in the streets, you’ll see some (slightly) less prominent roadside signs telling you which ways head North, South, East, and West. The green signs point North and South, while signs colored in white let you know that you’re positioned East and West. A common saying in Chinese to remember this trick is “白东西，绿南北 (Bái dōngxī, lǜ nánběi)”, literally meaning “White east and west, green north and south.” Our sister site, theBeijinger, goes into more depth with this.

Beijing street signs indicating which ways go North, South, East, and West.

2. The Forbidden City is The Only 5A-Rated Tourist Attraction in Beijing to Close at 5 PM

If you pop “Forbidden City timings” into a web search, you’ll find that Beijing’s No. 1 landmark closes at 5pm. A 5A (AAAAA) level scenic spot and tourist attraction like the Palace Museum is highly rated in aspects like touristic uniqueness, recognition of sightseeing offerings, ease of transportation links, site safety, cleanliness, and overall management. So it may seem odd that such a culturally significant landmark closes early. But at 5pm in the Palace Museum, everything comes to a grinding halt for the night, and there’s no (official) reason why.

The Forbidden City (Palace Museum)

3. The Geographical Center of Beijing is Not the Forbidden City

Yes, this is true. No matter how much you analyze and conclude from maps that the Forbidden City (or even Tiananmen, for that matter) is the center of Beijing, it’s just not the case. That title goes to the Wanchun Pavilion (万春亭，wàn chūn tíng) in Jingshan Park (景山公园，jǐngshān gōngyuán). It’s actually just across the moat if you head north from the Forbidden City.

The Wangchun Pavilion in Jingshan Park

4. There’s No Mountain Surrounding Beijing In the South

Beijing is surrounded by low mountains on three sides- East, West, and North. In fact, this is why many Emperors chose Beijing as their capital, so as to deter invaders. But the city was exposed in the South, where the (largely) flat terrain allowed invading forces to capture the city throughout history. In recent times, this weakness was capitalized by the Japanese in the Marco Polo Incident, when troops invaded Beijing (called “Beiping” at the time) from the southwest by crossing the Marco Polo Bridge (卢沟桥，Lúgōuqiáo), in present-day Fengtai district.

Where’s your favorite Beijing view at sunset?

5. Sanhe is Not the Only Daoxiangcun Company

For those of you who are absolutely clueless at this point, Daoxiangcun (稻香村) is a renowned bakery in Beijing. Established in 1895 by Guo Yusheng, the first branch opened in Guanyin Temple on Qianmianwei street, selling authentic Beijing pastries and snacks. While it may not resonate much with city outsiders and expats, for the locals this staple chain is home and brings back fond childhood memories. Daoxiangcun has accrued its loyal following through cake-making craftsmanship and baking techniques which have been passed down the generations. It is recognized as one of China’s time-honored brands. Since its inception though, there are many versions of the Daoxiangcun brand, the most famous of which in the ‘Jing is Sanhe (三禾), specializing in glutinous rice delicacies. However, not many Beijingers know that there’s more to Daoxiangcun than just Sanhe. There’s a Baoding (保定) Daoxiangcun Company, and even a Suzhou（苏州) Daoxiangcun Store that is based down south in Jiangsu province.

Daoxiangcun’s delicious pastry delicacies on sale at one of their stores.

READ MORE: 6 Hacks for Visiting (and Actually Enjoying) the Forbidden City

Images: China Internet Information Center, Good Free Photos, theBeijinger.

In the aftermath of the May 2020 exam cancellations, I was left “chronically unemployed” and out of things to do. While excited at the prospect of a long summer, I was unsure of how I would occupy myself. Lazying around at home binge-watching TV shows and cricket matches was not an option my parents would accept, with COVID-19 and the winter cold subsiding in the city. Summer is the time to get out of the house and participate in meaningful activities that enrich yourself physically, professionally, and spiritually. For students like me who have recently graduated high school, it’s also the time to prepare yourself for university by attending orientation activities, making student visa applications, and doing house chores so as not to end up with a horrible living situation later on. Looking back at the summer I had, I’d say it was time well spent. Instead of being perturbed by global current events, I had a blast interning with beijingkids, attending events around the city, routinely gymming and playing cricket, catching up with friends, and preparing for university.

Being an Editorial Intern at True Run Media (TRM) this year was a truly amazing experience. While I had applied to originally write for theBeijinger, writing for the equally reputable beijingkids was an absolute honor. If you had told me back at the beginning of the year that I would soon be contributing to the media company that was my go-to source for all things Beijing, I wouldn’t have believed you. Heck, I couldn’t even believe myself when I finally landed the job. With a casual and friendly work environment, I was able to easily adjust and build a rapport with everyone at the office. I would like to thank Mina, Mark, Anna, and all the editors for bestowing me with a platform to write about this beloved city that I’ve called home all my life and to express myself and my cultural heritage. Memories of us at the editorial cracking jokes, evaluating food options when we were hours away from lunch, making piñatas for the Hot and Spicy Festival, and sharing our cultural backgrounds will always stay with me wherever I go. In addition, I would also like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my articles on the blog, magazine, and the WeChat subscription account. Your praise as well as your criticisms have kept me going in this internship, and have continuously encouraged me to write better articles.

Pranav worked diligently on all of his articles for TRM!

I concur with my good friend Jack when he signed off; this summer has just come and gone like a flash of light. It seems like it was only yesterday that I entered the TRM editorial room for the first time and wrote my first blog article, an Events Roundup. I vividly remember how nervous I was in making sure it had no spelling or grammatical mistakes, fit the style guide, and was submitted in time for copy-editing. Seven weeks and 29 blog articles later, I now have a thorough, renewed understanding of the writing and editorial process. I have become familiar with using a style guide, and I’ve learned how to write good headlines and captions. Thanks to this experience, I am considering a job in the editorial later in the future. Maybe even back here at TRM!

For now, though, I officially embark on the next chapter of my life: university. Tonight, I begin attending online courses at my university since due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, I cannot travel to my university and be on-campus. I say “tonight” because the country where my university is in is located on the other side of the world. I will be going nocturnal and take most of my classes deep into the night here. While this change in routine may take some time for me to adjust, I already have had a taste of what to expect. Concurrently with my beijingkids internship, I have been attending orientation activities at my university online through Zoom. These activities have been taking place at midnight, 1am, 3am, and other such odd timings. However, it is through these weirdly-timed online sessions that I have started to build a network of friends, academic advisors, professors, and other contacts with whom I can remain regularly in contact. While it seems that I will be spending most day times sleeping in after staying up all night attending Zoom classes, I hope to still be able to catch up with friends, play cricket with the Beijing Ducks, and attend city-wide events like the upcoming Burger Fest and the 2020 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.

With so much uncertainty in the world right now, I believe that those who can embrace challenges, quickly adapt to situations, and grab meaningful opportunities are the ones who will stand out. At the same time, being open-minded to meeting new people and participating in activities outside of your comfort zone will allow one to make friends and explore new ways of going about things. While trials and tribulations may await, always keep in mind that it’s not the results that matter, but rather the efforts and processes. These are some character traits that I have picked up from my time in school, and extended further during my beijingkids internship. Even though I am far away from my fellow classmates, professors, and advisors in university, I will definitely be giving it my best in my academic coursework, and strive to make a good impression on those I will be (virtually) interacting with.

Wish me luck!

KEEP READING: Travel Diaries: Living It Up in Luoyang

Image: Unsplash and Pexels

This weekend, make sure to have lots of fun and learn new things, for there are a plethora of events (quite literally) under the sun for you and your family! As always, click the link in the event title for further details and ticketing info.  

Saturday, Sept 5

Riviera’s Country Club Saturday Market

Head on over to the Riviera Country Club every Saturday for a market, with various kinds of goods on sale. Watch out for a bouncy castle and various children’s activities to keep the young ones entertained! FREE. 11am – 5pm. No. 1 Xiangjiang North Road. 

Girls’ Clothing Auction for 7-9 Years Old

Is your kid not wearing all her fabulous clothes and sticking to the same stuff? Give her the opportunity to clear her wardrobe of clothing she doesn’t want to wear, with The Clothing Auction Network’s Girls Clothing Auction! All you have to do is bring these unwanted clothes to Victoria Gardens, where there will be an auction of yours as well as others’ clothes. The girls will bid on them to find the clothes they love, and the highest bid wins the item. RMB 100 (maximum budget for auction). 2-5 pm. Chaoyang Park East Gate. 

Saturday & Sunday, Sept 5-6

Roundabout’s Book Fair 2020

Stop by and purchase from thousands of donated books at Roundabout’s annual book fair. A variety of English and Chinese books will be on offer, encompassing almost everything from children’s fiction to coffee table books, and from hardbacks to paperbacks. Income from the fair will be directly used by Beijing’s most recognizable charity to continue to help and make a difference in the lives of children. Make sure to head on down to support this good cause! Books from RMB 1 upwards. 10am – 3pm. Guantang Plaza, No. 2 Xiangjiang Bei Lu. 

Sunday, Sept 6

Weekend Hikes and Trips

Wanna get out of Beijing, but also stay in Beijing? This weekend, take a hike with Beijing Hikers into the mountains and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Hikes on offer include long rambles in the hills, walks on the ‘wild’, Great Wall hikes, and more. This is a perfect activity for families and kids. From RMB 350 per person, discounts available. From 8:15 am onwards.  Departure from Liangmaqiao subway station and Shunyi DD’s market near Beijing Riviera. 

Can’t see your event on this list? Here’s how to post and promote your event on beijingkids for free!

Images: Unsplash, Courtesy of event organizers, pexels

Of late, there have been several online discussions among college students on whether they can leave school during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays in October, as many universities pursue a “closed management” policy for Fall 2020. In a recent press conference, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has addressed these concerns, stating that students and teachers can freely enter and exit their campus premises during the two October holidays, just like during weekends and outside of class hours. However, Wang Dengfeng, director of the COVID-19 leading response group at the MOE, encouraged students and teachers to not leave unless absolutely necessary.

Wang made these remarks in response to questions regarding conflicting information that teachers can freely enter and exit schools, but not students. He emphasized that the entry and exit policies for students, faculty, and other working staff should be consistent with the Technical Plan for the Prevention and Control of The Epidemic in the Fall Semester of Colleges and Universities, which was circulated to all tertiary education institutions by the MOE.

“Some schools may have clearly-defined requirements and policies, as the Fall semester has just started in schools, and epidemic prevention and control work is based on time. For example, students, faculty, and staff in Beijing universities must hold a negative nucleic acid test certificate that is valid within seven days before they return to campus. If you travel outside during the October 1 holiday, while coming back, one may have to go through such a procedure”, Wang said. He stressed that schools need to make reasonable arrangements based on the actual situation and the prevention-control requirements that are in place.

Not sure what to do? You’re not alone.

At the same time, Wang also said that a one-size-fits-all approach is not encouraged, but every prevention and control measure must be in place. “The premise is to ensure the normal order of campus education and teaching. In devising the regulations and requirements for epidemic prevention and control, one has to adapt to local conditions. Moreover, we must continue to understand and accept these measures, so that we can not only control the epidemic but also return to normalcy in education and teaching.”

While there are currently no local COVID-19 cases in Beijing, the Ministry of Education isn’t making room for complacency in their COVID-19 response. With the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival being simultaneously celebrated with National Day for the first time in 19 years, they’re keen to avoid a third wave of infections originating from the campuses of Beijing’s prestigious universities.

KEEP READING: COVID-19 or Plain Old Flu: My Experience Getting a Nucleic Acid Test

Images: Beijing Communications University & Unsplash

With the easing of domestic travel restrictions in China, last week, I,  my parents, and a few family friends toured the city of Luoyang (洛阳) in central China, about 800 kilometers away from Beijing. Situated in Henan province, Luoyang is the second biggest city in Henan by land area and population, after the provincial capital, Zhengzhou. We soaked in history and culture, met the amazing locals, and took our minds off the gloom and doom that is the year 2020. We had an amazing time there, and it was an overall eye-opening experience. Below, I chronicle some major experiences in a little diary I kept throughout the trip.

Sunday, August 23

We departed from Beijing to Luoyang in the afternoon by high-speed train at exactly 3.43pm. The whole experience was very smooth and on-time; while I had to wear a mask throughout the whole day, I didn’t have to show my Health Kit or any health code, even while entering Beijing West. The train ride was very comfortable, as we sat back and cruised through the countryside at 300 km/hour. The train routed through neighboring Hebei province and stopped in a few cities like Baoding and the provincial capital, Shijiazhuang. We then crossed into Henan province, stopping in a few smaller cities before arriving at Zhengzhou, and finally, at around 8.10pm, Luoyang.

Full speed ahead; view from the window seat I was on for the ride

We had arranged our Luoyang exploration plans with China Highlights, a full-fledged tour company that offers tours across China. A driver was there to pick us up from the Luoyang Longmen Railway Station and drop us off at our hotel. I crashed into bed by 9.30pm, exhausted but excited to explore Luoyang in the days to come.

Monday, August 24

We meet with Lisa, our tour guide. From the outset, she strikes us to be a very knowledgeable guide, especially on Chinese dynasties and rulers. Lisa was born and brought up in Luoyang and has been doing Luoyang tours since 2002. She’s extremely professional and accomplished, along with our tour van driver, Mr. Fu.

Fun Fact: Luoyang is one of the four great ancient capitals in China, along with Beijing, Nanjing, and Xi’an. Though it may not be mentioned a whole lot in Chinese history and culture discussions, it was the capital for 13 dynasties, such as the (possibly mythical) Xia, Eastern Zhou, Han, and Tang dynasties.

We first head to the White Horse Temple (白马寺，báimǎsì). Constructed in 68 AD, it is considered by many to be a “cradle of Chinese Buddhism.” It’s a huge place, with many halls containing statues and busts of different buddhas. The experience is similar to the one you get at the Lama Temple in Beijing. The name of the temple comes from the two white horses that carried Indian monks Kasyapa Matanga (摄摩腾, shèmóténɡ) and Dharma Ratna (竺法兰，zhúfǎlán), Buddhist scriptures, relics, and statues from present-day Afghanistan to spread Buddhism in China. The temple also participates in international cooperative projects, most recently with India when a Sanchi Stupa was erected in 2008. Being from India, it was great to see our country interacting culturally with China in such spiritual and mystical ways.

Buddha statues at the White Horse Temple

After a scrumptious lunch, we made our way to the Luoyang Old Town (老城区，lǎochéngqū). We walked through streets full of vendors selling all kinds of arts and crafts, food, goods, and services. We buy a jigsaw puzzle, some colorful bags, and an interesting snack we reckon is some sort of peppermint.

The shops and stalls in the Luoyang Old Town, overlooking the Lijing Gate in the background

Our guide Lisa gets us hooked onto this local yogurt (coincidentally branded as Báimǎsì), which has a really balanced taste; it’s neither too sweet nor too plain. It’s a nice palette cleanser, and a good way to cool ourselves after a spicy meal on a hot summer day.

We have dinner at a Haidilao next to our hotel. Incidentally, it was the first time all of us had been to a Haidilao, and the proactive service by the waiting staff was a refreshing change of pace none of us expected. We went for the broth with green chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. Eating lamb, fish, tofu, and veggies from that broth was an out-of-body experience: probably one of the spiciest meals I’ve ever had.

Tuesday, August 25

After brekkie at the hotel, we visit arguably the city’s most important landmark: the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟，lóngmén shíkū). These are many caves containing some of the finest Buddhist stone sculptures you will ever see. It houses many statues of Shakyamuni Buddhas and his disciples, and the caves that contain these sculptures were dug from a 1 km stretch of cliff running along the banks of the nearby Yi River. One of the caves Lisa took us to contained 15,000 sculptures alone. The whole scenic natural environment made for some excellent photo and video shooting opportunities.

The Longmen Grottoes, on the banks of the Yi River 

We head back into town in our van, this time to explore the Luoyang Museum. The museum has many exhibits of Luoyang’s rich cultural heritage, showcasing pottery, bronze, porcelain, jade, and stone items as well as ancient calligraphy works, paintings, and folk art objects from across dynasties. Interestingly, the museum also had a collection of Buddhist ritual and services items that were used in the Qing Dynasty royal court, when they ruled from the Forbidden City. Originally housed in Beijing’s Palace Museum, these items were transferred to the Luoyang Museum under the directive of Premier Zhou Enlai in 1973.

Exhibits and information displays at the Luoyang Museum

Wednesday, August 26

It’s our last day of exploring the sights of Luoyang, and we saved the best for last: the world-renowned Shaolin Temple (少林寺，shàolín sì). Now, truth be told, two days before we headed out to Luoyang, I didn’t even know the Shaolin Temple was even located in Henan province, let alone near Luoyang. But since a visit was included in our itinerary, I figured it was absolutely worth exploring this monastery that is a melting pot for Chinese martial arts.

The Shaolin Temple is in the Song mountains of Dengfeng county, a 55 km (a two to three hour drive) from Luoyang. The name of the temple comes from the mountain’s Shaoshi (少室, shǎoshì) woods where it is located.

The Song Mountains, overlooking the Shaolin Monastery complex

We began our tour watching an enthralling kung fu performance conducted by some of the students and monks studying at the nearby kung fu schools. Their physical prowess and kung fu demonstrations were on show and were a testament to the values of dedication, practice, and hard work.

Shaolin kung fu students strike a pose at the end of their performance

I notice that the halls inside the temple are similar to the White Horse Temple we visited on Monday. There are several statues and sculptures of different Buddhas, Buddha disciples, and Shaolin monks. Considering that the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, the restoration work and the architecture of the buildings is quite marvelous.

The temple buildings and pagodas at Shaolin

From the monastery, Mr. Fu drove us back to our hotel. That ticks off another major Chinese landmark we’ve visited and brought a fruitful end to our tour of Luoyang.

KEEP READING: I’ve Got Wanderlust: What Traveling Means to Me

Images: Pranav Sundararajan