After talking about the people, services and food my family will miss most in Beijing, we now move on to our favorite venues in the capital city that we have such great memories of. The list includes parks, museums, kid playgrounds and hiking areas that are all family-friendly! Of course, as always, all the opinions stated in this article are just that – my opinions – and completely subjective.

1. Long Qing Gorge 

We first visited this AAAA tourist site in winter for its Ice Lantern Festival (which should open really soon!), but I think its true beauty lies in the summer months when the lake is as emerald green as the trees surrounding it. That’s when you can take the short 20-minute hike up to the top and zip-line across from cliff to cliff over the water then speed boat across it. It also boasts the Guinness World Record for longest series of escalators – if you’re into that sort of thing.

Find it:
Longqingxia Scenic Area
Guchengcun, Jiuxianzhen, Yanqing District

2. Ice Hiking on the White River in Miyun

It’s actually the perfect time to do this in Beijing right now! There are many tour groups that will do this hike and we’ve actually tried it with two different ones – the Beijing Hikers and the Cub Scouts – and it’s definitely a must-do in Beijing at least once. Preparation is key here, though, so make sure you get all your crampons and winter gear ready!

3. Skiing/Snowboarding in Nanshan

It’s not the greatest skiing in the world, it may not even be the best skiing in Beijing, but skiing at Nanshan Ski Resort is certainly the most accessible and by far the cheapest I’ve encountered in the world. Just an hour outside of main Beijing (with good traffic) and with all accessories and clothing rentable on site, it’s so easy to just show up, gear up, and start skiing. Aside from the RMB 200 deposit for each person, it costs less than RMB 500 to ski for the day and rent everything you need!

Find it:
Shengshuitou Village (圣水头村), Henanzhai Town（河南寨镇), Miyun County（密云县)

4. Picnicking / Cycling in Yanqing Scenic Area

Again, this is an area that we’ve explored a few times with various travel tours, and every time has been a refreshing break from the city. Beijing Hikers, Tayrona and Our Beijing are among the travel groups that we have experience with and would recommend booking a tour with. Our only issue is that it can take up to three hours to drive one way, which could mean up to a six-hour commute for a day trip. There are several comfortable and reasonably-priced local inns and hotels in the area if you would prefer to stay the night.

5. Beijing Marriott Hotel Changping

While there are numerous hot spring hotels in Beijing, this one is my family’s go-to because it’s expat-friendly (Marriott brand) and also just far enough away to warrant a good staycation. Three cool things about the hotel:

1. The water that fills your bathtub is hot spring water so you don’t even have to leave your room for the experience.

2. The kids’ water park on the hotel grounds uses hot spring water.

3. The hotel is right next to a local amusement park and outlet shopping mall.

Do note that the hot spring water park in the basement of the hotel costs an additional fee, starting from RMB 98 for kids and RMB 238 for adults for a day ticket. There is an indoor and outdoor water play area, complete with slides, waterfalls, water jets, and colored pools to add to the fun.

Find it:
Beijing Marriott Hotel Changping
29 Nankou Lu, Changping District

6. Beihai Park 

Definitely one of the most scenic, historical and beautiful parks, especially if you can visit it without sprawling crowds. What made it really memorable for my family was the Beihai Park Scavenger Hunt that you can do on your own any time as long as you get the guide book!

Find it:
1, Wenjin Jie, Xicheng District

7. Peking Man Museum

It was such a historical thrill to see the Peking Man Museum and its actual excavation sites in Zhoukoudian. We were lucky to be able to tour the facility under the expert guidance of Dr. Tom Stidham, who has since moved back to the States, but the museum continues to be a one-of-a-kind visit in Beijing. The most fun part is definitely the access to the caves where the actual fossils were found, which is a fun adventure for aspiring Dora the Explorers and Indiana Joneses.

Find it:
1, Zhoukoudian Jie, Fangshan District
(北京市房山区周口店大街1号)

8. Paleozoological Museum of China

Hands down one of the best museums in Beijing, this dinosaur-focused museum offers bilingual information so it’s super expat-friendly. It’s also the only museum that I’ve ever had the privilege of spending the night in, thanks to a cool partnership with the Scouts/certain student groups!

Find it:
西城区西直门外大街142号
142 Xizhimenwai Dajie

9. Bom Bom Space

There’s always a new kids’ playground popping up somewhere around Beijing, but Bom Bom Space has consistently been my kid’s and his friends’ favorite for the five years we lived here. Their facilities have been well-maintained and the premises kept clean despite the staggering amount of kids that run amok in there. Plus, it’s located in an outlet shopping mall so you can just leave the kids to play while you shop!

Find it:
BomBom Space
3/F, Surprise Outlets, Jinzhanxiang Forest Park East
北京斯普瑞斯奥莱商城二期3层

10. Shenglu Vineyard 

I just cannot get enough of this vineyard plus dog-friendly campground plus outdoor natural kids playground! Since we discovered it couple years ago, it’s been one of our go-to haunts any time we have a day off from school. Feel free to set up your own tent on their nicely-manicured grassy fields, or use any one of their canvas tents complete with chairs and tables at a higher price. More details can be found in this article.

Find it:
Shenglu Vineyard 圣露庄园
奶乐村村东顺白路471号东1门
East Gate 1, 471 Dongshunbai Lu, Chaoyang District

KEEP READING: 10 Beijing Restaurants and What I’ll Miss About Them

Images: Ray Wu, VivienneTseng-Rush, Beijing Hikers

In the last few weeks leading up to our final departure from Beijing, my family started visiting and ordering waimai from our favorite restaurants around the city in anticipation of (probably) never getting to savor those dishes again. In this article, I’ll share those restaurants and what we’ll miss specifically from each one!

1. MULU 

As a Singaporean who enjoys fried chicken as much as fish soup noodles, I appreciate fusion cuisine that brings out the beauty of different flavors. That’s one of the principles that guides Michelin-trained chef Addison Liew, whose family runs this exclusive restaurant that is advertised solely based on word-of-mouth referrals. I had the privilege of experiencing their all-you-can-eat brunch inclusive of free-flow alcohol as a Mother’s Day treat and can honestly say that this family-owned restaurant is run with heart, soul and culinary talent.

Reservation by Referral – say Vivienne Tseng sent you! 
+86 10 6402 7967
+86 155 0115 3627
customer service WeChat ID: ilovemulu / ilovemulu2
reservation@muluworld.com
www.muluworld.cn

2. Chuan’r restaurants

I will always credit Beijing for getting me to fall in love with lamb chuan’r. After haunting this local franchise restaurant for its delicious meat on a skewer for years, I have fallen in love again with the chuan’r at 很久以前羊肉串 (A Long Time Ago), where I was amused by their novel gimmick of a cooling pad that you can stick on your forehead to help you cool down from the heat that cooks the most tender and tasty lamb and steak chuan’r.

Find it:
很久以前羊肉串 (A Long Time Ago)
朝阳区西大望路和广渠路交汇处合生汇B2层21街区内
Hopson One Mall, B2/F, Street 21, Chaoyang District

3. Hot pot restaurants

Whether it’s the most family-friendly hot pot franchise or any of these recommendations by local Beijingers, hot pot is a must-try in the capital city. This is especially true in winter time when Beijing plunges into the dark and dry cold for months. From spicy to creamy, vegetarian to meat galore, and traditional copper pots to “half and half” square pots, there’s a hot pot for everyone.

4. Sushi Atatakai 

It was a huge toss-up between Hatsune and this fairly new sushi counter restaurant in Chaoyang Joy City that opened within the last year or so. Ultimately it was the highly personable service at Sushi Atatakai that made my family choose this restaurant as a must-try for its sashimi and sushi offerings. Their seared salmon belly, seared salmon and seared tuna sushi are much more reasonably priced for the quality. Sushi Atatakai’s most unique offering is their red wine-soaked foie gras with shredded cheese, which tastes better than it sounds. As the venue is a sushi counter restaurant, you get to see it all prepared live in front of you, so that’s pretty fun for kids!

Find it:
Sushi Atatakai
朝阳区朝阳北路101号朝阳大悦城F8
Chaoyang Joy City, F8/F, Rm 03, Chaoyang District (across from Burger King)

5. Neighbird Cafe Bistro Wine

You’ll be forgiven for not knowing this French-inspired café restaurant located in Grassetown that falls right on the borders of Chaoyang, Shunyi, and Tongzhou precincts. I had the privilege to meet its co-owner Katie, who pioneered the Montessori programme at AISB, and was invited to lunch at her quaint restaurant. The restaurant prides itself on importing top-notch ingredients and sourcing the best supplies within China, so every dish is authentic and delicious. My top choices? The foie gras, seafood salad and their homemade crème brûlée ice cream are all to die for. Their wines are all organic and palatable for everyone, even a non-drinker like myself.

Find it:
Neighbird Cafe Bistro Wine 小鸟餐厅
通州区格拉斯小镇中心环岛（德闳学校对面和绿叶子超市旁边）
Grassetown Villas Roundabout (Next to April Gourmet and across from Dehong Beijing School)
Tongzhou District

Telephone: 6161 5188

6. Gung Ho Pizza

While most might love Gung Ho for its pizza and offering of gluten-free pizza crust (made of cauliflower), my family actually gets our pizza fix from somewhere else (read on to find out!). What we do love at Gung Ho are a number of their appetizers – namely their baked cheese balls and roasted baby potatoes that are crispy on the outside, moist inside and delicious all over. We also love their Vegan Wednesday promotion where all vegan dishes are 20 percent off, making it the perfect time to enjoy the Buddha Bowl or vegan versions of other dishes on their menu. Wash your meal down with their mouthwatering vanilla grapefruit sparkling mineral water to seal the deal.

7. Slow Boat Brewery

Another name that needs no introduction in Beijing, Slow Boat is what I call comfort food on a cold winter’s night. Now that Larry the Bird is gone, Slow Boat’s Mt. Chicken is the best fried chicken in town, hands down. Their burgers are also pretty darn good, especially the Fried Cheese Burger and Hooper’s Revenge.

8. Pie Squared

You probably saw this one coming, didn’t you? Pie Squared’s pizza is just unbeatable in our book. Whether it’s the square or round, flat or thick crust, every one of their pizzas is flavourful and juicy. But make sure you look beyond their pizzas for even more deliciousness! Their meatballs are also amazing and their mozzarella sticks and stromboli are always on our order too. I’ve also been recommended their Italian flatbread sandwiches before.

9. Plan B

Haven’t found anyone in Beijing that can beat their Shepard’s Pie or Poutine in my opinion! Also love their vegan nuggets, chilli cheese fries and buffalo wings.

10. TRB Hutong or Ibérico by TRB

Any one of the TRB chain of restaurants deserves a spot in a must-dine list for Beijing, for so many reasons but namely their creatively elegant ambience, high quality of food and impeccable service. We always feel pampered by the attentive, friendly staff at any TRB restaurant, who accommodate our many requests with a smile. As for their food, our top picks are definitely their Ibérico ham (add the cheese platter to really get those tastebuds popping), seafood paella, beef short ribs and their complimentary homemade madeleines!

By the way, did you know that you can read all our reviews of family-friendly restaurants and places by following our account on Dianping? Just scan the QR code below!

KEEP READING:

Images: Courtesy of vendors, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

I write this onboard the plane leaving Beijing for my home country on my repatriation trip. After five years of living in the capital city of China – the longest I’ve lived outside of Singapore – I know that I am going to miss many people, places and things about Beijing. In a series of articles, I will detail my personal recommendations for places to visit, restaurants to eat at, and things to do! This first article details personal contacts for people and services I will miss in Beijing that I believe will enhance your life in the city. 

1.  A local contact

As an expatriate living in China, you’re going to face some hassle in acquiring certain goods and services that require a local identity card (ID). Aside from bothering local friends, my professional contact for this has been Lucy, a lovely single mother whose bilingualism and local ID has come in handy on many occasions. From hiring courier services to buying medication on Taobao, Lucy will handle any of these tasks for you at a nominal fee. 

2. Travel agents

One key reason for living overseas is to explore, and in China you are spoiled for choice in this regard – floating mountains, ice cities, UNSECO heritage sites and more! However, language and again, lack of a local ID may hinder your ability and enjoyment of visiting some far-flung places in China. Here’s where a local travel agent comes in handy. My top picks are Lost Plate if you’re a foodie and little more luxury, or FCN LaoWai (WeChat account: Laowai在华）for more wallet-friendly options. The latter even does free trips for students/female expats from time to time. 

3. House call beauty specialists

One of the most unique privileges Beijing has to offer is good and inexpensive house call beauty services. I first used an app to hire a masseuse to my place, and after enjoying her services, proceeded to personally hire her for future house calls. Do the same and find the right masseuse/beauty specialist for you, or just go with my recommendations here. Zhu does an incredible job with tackling chronic muscular pain and charges way less than spas like Bodhi and Dragonfly. She doesn’t speak English, but body language and translation apps will do the trick. 

In the beauty department, Xiao Fei is well known among the expats for her spot-on manicures and immaculate eyelashes. Add her on WeChat (ZXF19930710) and schedule her visit to your home.

4. Roundabout 

Beijing’s own resident Goodwill-like charity and thrift store – Roundabout – is one of the best I’ve ever encountered around the world. They pick up your donations from your home for a low fee (as long as you have an adequate amount), take everything without complaint, and offer volunteer opportunities from sorting out donations to organizing hikes and luncheons for fundraising! Their store is also a delicious treasure trove perfect for an afternoon of vintage hunting with friends, and all for a good cause! 

Find it:
Cathy View Plaza, 2 Xiangjiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District
Tel: 137 1805 3814

5. Auesome Place

I had the honor of working with the amazing staff and students at Auesome Place – an international-minded educational center for kids with special needs located in Kempinski hotel. The center caters to both locals and expats from grade school age all the way to young adulthood, and they love to partner with local schools and youth groups to expose their students to more real-world interactions with their peers. 

Find it:
Auesome Place, Rm S111, Lufthansa Center Office Building Kempinski Hotel, 50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District

6. Animal Rescue groups

Our family went from three to four members while we were in Beijing because we adopted a Lost Puppy! The Lost Puppies and Furry Tales are just two of the more popular animal rescue groups, but there are countless ones in Beijing and China. You can help foster abandoned dogs and cats, adopt them, or just donate generously to support the endless work of these brave and faithful people. 

7. Beijing Hikers + Wild Wall 

As a nature-lover, I needed my fix of the great outdoors while living in densely-populated Beijing. I am so grateful to have found Beijing Hikers, who lead regular kid-friendly hikes out in the suburban areas surrounding the city. One of our favorite hikes was the Happy Farm hike, which ends at a huge local farm with a rustic outdoor playground, pony rides and the best roasted sweet potato I’ve ever had! 

For Great Wall lovers, you must take on at least one trip with Wild Wall, William Lindesay’s company dedicated to visiting, exploring and learning about this world wonder. He is the only person I know who has seen the Great Wall from end to end, and hearing his stories while drinking champagne watching the sun set on the wall is one of my most treasured memories from Beijing.

8. Taozi Tree Yoga

Over the last five years in Beijing, I went from being a lapsed yoga practitioner to graduating from Taozi Tree’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) just two weeks ago! This was largely because of the incredible community spirit of the Taozi Tree yoga people and the accessibility of their yoga events and classes. In fact, I am so inspired that I intend to start Yoga in the Park in my own home country! If you’re looking for an active, mindful community to help you stay committed to your physical, mental and spiritual health, or just want to do some yoga, check out Taozi Tree! 

9. Beijing United Family Hospital  

If your insurance will cover it, I would highly recommend going to BJU. The hospital itself is great with expat needs – from offering medical service in multiple languages to accepting direct billing with major insurance companies. One of my favorite people I met in Beijing, Dr Melissa Rodriguez, still works for BJU through her free weekly Health Sessions, where she discusses various aspects of a healthy life and interviews leading health experts as well. For individual doctor recommendations, Dr. Roo Changizi is our favorite family doctor by far, and Dr. Na is our go-to dermatologist. 

10. Liuba Draws

We all want to take back a little slice of Beijing with us, whether to share with family and friends or just for ourselves. Liuba Draws offers great calendars, postcards, magnets, earrings and bags with a special Beijing flair perfect for that. She also released her first illustrated book, Liuba Draws Beijing, that makes for a great coffee table book and a fond reminder of your time in the city. 

Look out for my next article – 10 Restaurants in Beijing I Will Miss and What To Eat There – coming soon!

KEEP READING:

Images: Courtesy of vendors, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

For most expatriates, it seems like a clear cut decision to go private for our healthcare needs, much less when it comes to our maternity needs. That’s why it’s so refreshing to hear from two expatriate mothers who made the unique decision to give birth at local public hospitals in Beijing. What’s more, after going through the whole shebang, with its share of ups and downs, they would do it all over again. We at jingkids just had to talk to these two moms who dared to be different and demystify the process of giving birth at a Chinese public hospital. 

We last spoke with Rebecca Carter in an interview welcoming her family to Beijing, and she has since delivered her second baby at the Sixth Medical Center of the General Hospital of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) (中国人民解放军总医院第六医学中心). Funny story though: Until her 36th week of pregnancy, she had all her doctors’ visits and appointments at a different public hospital – Beijing Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Hospital (北京中西医结合医院) – which abruptly announced its closure at the end of August. With her baby time bomb ticking down, Rebecca scrambled to find a different public hospital in which to deliver her baby and managed to settle on the PLA’s hospital.

Thankfully, Alfred Carter was born happy and healthy on Sep 12 after a somewhat smooth Caesarean operation. There were a couple of hiccups, which we will delve into later, but nothing major. The best part? The bill came to RMB 11,500, inclusive of a four-night stay in the hospital, epidural, surgery, all medications, and even the hospital pajamas. Once the bill was paid, the deposit of RMB 30,000 that was required upfront was refunded in full. Including the pre-delivery medical bills at the now-defunct hospital, the total cost of welcoming Alfred Carter into Beijing was under RMB 25,000. 

In comparison, the standard maternity packages at private hospitals in Beijing start from RMB 100,000 and can go up exponentially. But it wasn’t just the cost that swayed both Rebecca and fellow expat mom Janita S to go public; it was that both expat mothers believe Beijing’s public hospitals are better equipped to handle any emergency medical issues. And in my research, this belief is echoed by many local mothers, especially those above the recommended age of having babies.

Janita told us: “I had a friend who was told by her doctor that she should go to the local hospital to have her baby due to the likelihood of complications in her pregnancy. It does make sense to me. After all, public hospitals have more varied resources like the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and some of the best doctors in the country.”

For Janita, giving birth to her first child in the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in Chaoyang was more straightforward than Rebecca’s experience, since she managed to stay at the same hospital for the entire process. The labor still came with its own challenges, though, namely that she went into labor earlier than anticipated, so the English-speaking gynecologist who had been with her the whole pregnancy was not available and she ended up with a new doctor. Maybe something was lost in translation, or there was a clash of cultural differences, but the new doctor who delivered Janita’s baby did not see eye to eye with her about certain things, such as the need for anesthesia while getting stitched up after tearing during labor. 

Both Rebecca and Janita faced unique challenges at different public hospitals in Beijing, but certain aspects of their experiences overlapped, which leads us to believe these might be the norm in public hospitals. These are the similarities:

1. Nobody else was allowed to accompany them into the delivery room –not even their husbands. During the pregnancy, their husbands weren’t allowed in the OBGYN room during check-ups, either.
2. Rebecca and Janita were subject to varying levels of nakedness in front of several strangers as they were wheeled into the delivery room, while in the delivery room, and as they were returned to their hospital beds. Janita had a hospital gown, but Rebecca was quite naked and felt like “everything was on display for everyone.” 
3. Mobile devices were not allowed in the delivery room.

Having said that, we must acknowledge that Janita has been shopping various public hospitals to choose where she will deliver her second child in eight months. Armed with insights from her first experience, she is much more confident in what she is looking for and knows how to advocate for herself. She has now found two public hospitals – Beijing LiYing hospital of Maternity and Gynecology (北京俪婴妇产医院) and Peking University First Hospital – that permit husbands during medical check-ups, as well as in the labor room! 

It is precisely this sort of knowledge that she wants to share with us in order to address the mistaken preconceived notions many of us hold and to help guide us through the process of having children at public hospitals in Beijing.

Firstly, know that there are dedicated maternity and childcare hospitals in Beijing that are not nearly as crowded as general public hospitals. All the hospitals mentioned in this article are purely devoted to pregnancy and medical maternity needs. To ensure you choose a maternity hospital, Janita suggests searching “妇产医院” (fùchǎnyīyuàn) in your maps app to find one in your neighborhood. 

Secondly, language isn’t as big of an issue as you think. While a majority of the staff and doctors at public hospitals may not speak English fluently, there are some who can, as evidenced by Janita’s personal experience. At another public maternity hospital she visited recently (as part of her hospital shopping), the staff and doctors were perfectly happy to communicate in English with her. 

Having said that, it is best that you have a local friend who can be your translator, especially if things go south. It also helps if you have some basic Chinese skills and a translation app at the ready! 

Images: Courtesy of Rebecca Carter & Janita S.

KEEP READING: A New Club for Your Teenage Aspiring Doctors

A top-notch education opens doors for our children, but what if they can’t step outside of their sheltered environment into the real world? A great academic portfolio alone won’t help them to navigate the challenges of real life, which is why Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) places so much emphasis on preparing their students for the world beyond school, even starting as young as the age of three.

Emma Kiely, Assistant Head of DUCKS (Dulwich College Kindergarten School), shares how the DUCKS programme helps kids from three to seven develop their independence and resilience. “Ensuring that our children are happy, healthy and are prepared for the world starts right from the first day in Nursery. We give children the foundations for the rest of their learning and how they will interact with the world, and it is vital that we teach them to listen to and trust themselves as well as helping them to learn how and when to ask for help.

Kiely continues, “There are many things we do in DUCKS to prepare our children, explicitly and implicitly. Our Values are embedded in everything we do, and we celebrate the children demonstrating our values frequently throughout the school day through verbal praise, values stickers and certificates. The children know our values so well, they can recognise and discuss them, even starting from Nursery. 

“Next, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are woven through our Units of Investigation. These units build on key concepts of identity, expression, exploration, organisation and sustainability across DUCKS. Parents are often surprised how even ourthe youngest children demonstrate so much independence.”

The journey to real-world preparedness continues in DCB’s Junior School, where studentslearn key values-based skills and connect with their own class community. Mindful Morning sessions take place four times a week and support students to find their own ways to look after their own mental health and wellbeing. “Activities include reflective tasks such as journaling or mindfulness activities, as well as using the time to have class community circles about the importance of strengthening friendships and supporting each other,” reveals Junior School’s Assistant Head Teacher, in charge of Student Support Services, Sean Simkins.

In alignment with DCB’s mission to “Live Worldwise”, teachers explore learning through an inquiry approach, following the children’s interests which fosters curiosity about the world, develops the children’s own ideas and hypotheses, and builds key skills such as active problem solving. “In order to consolidate this beyond the classroom, it has been vital to have parental involvement, and we have been able to achieve this through enhanced collaboration at our Parent Academies,” says Mr Simkins. “These have been workshops aimed at aligning our parents with the school’s approach to mindfulness and wellbeing and it has been lovely to see so many participating and working together.”

Mr Simkins continues, “Across the school, we celebrate a range of key events that aim to unlock the potential and the skills required to thrive and succeed in the real world, outside of the school environment. It may be through charitable events, awareness-raising activities, such as Pink Week, DEI, Black History Month, Empathy week or educating about how they can be agents of change. As a school, we have also created a number ofstudent leadership roles across the community that give them a chance to try new things and be open minded.”

As Senior School Deputy Head Teacher (Wellbeing) & Whole College Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mr Kevin Rossall has a lot to offer on the topic of real-worldpreparedness for students.

“At DCB, we integrate safeguarding practices into a holistic and bespoke set of curricula to address students’ needs in a well-rounded manner. This ranges from whole college efforts such as the “Online Safety” programmes that focus on empowering students to safely engage in digital spaces in an age-appropriate way to the “Speak Out and Stay Safe” program, which emphasizes understanding and advocating safe boundaries and recognizing unsafe situations.

“We also promote well-being through our Student Wellbeing Framework, which is a 25-factor framework (below) that is audited by staff and students together annually, which gives us our action plan for the year ahead. This then encourages students to work in partnership with the school and lead change with empathy and resilience. By providing students with leadership opportunities and real-world problem-solving tasks, we help them develop both the skills and the mindset necessary for life beyond school.”

Ms Kiely sums up, “Through all of these aspects we hope that our children will be confident in themselves, listen to their feelings and consider the feelings of others as they grow and move through the college and interact with the wider community.”

Images: Courtesy of DCB

KEEP READING: Parents’ Guide for Things To Look for on School Tours

I need a vacation from summer vacation… Do you share that sentiment with me? Then check out our tried and tested spas in Beijing, where you can relax and recharge after spending three months 24/7 with the kiddos.

Alice Beauty 

With three outlets spread out over Sanlitun, Shuangjing and Dongba, Alice Beauty provides an assortment of high-quality spa classics such as facials, massages, nail services, and other cosmetic treatments. The service is impeccable, and their comfort with the English language makes them a huge hit with the expat crowd. To celebrate the opening of their new Dongba location, they are offering a buy-one-get-one deal on all treatments until the end of August! Scan the QR code to book your treatment.

Bodhi Therapeutic Spa & Retreat 

A longtime partner with our brand and a fervent supporter of many a good cause here in Beijing, Bodhi blends Thai and Chinese influences to add that holiday vibe to your spa treatment. Owned by long-time BJ expat entrepreneur Michelle Hemsin, the two outlets in Gongti and Liangmaqiao provide an ideal environment for a more luxurious spa session with your partner or friend. They also offer very pretty gift cards that make for perfect Teachers’ Day and Mother’s Day presents!

Dragonfly Theraputic Retreat

Probably the highest priced spa here on our list, the Dragonfly is a reputable local spa name, with outlets in Shanghai and Hong Kong as well. In Beijing, they have three outlets – in the Kerry Centre, Yansha Shopping Mall and Grand Summit. They offer cushy rooms with soaking baths and other fancy touches, but prepare to pay through the nose for being pampered here. My husband’s full treatment mani/pedi with all the works cost him RMB 2,000 once!

Hummingbird Spa

Hummingbird Spa is a back to basics spa much like Alice Beauty, with three locations, one conveniently right in Central Park. They specialise in nails, facials and slimming treatments that are touted as effective and painless. Scan their QR code to get in touch.

Kocoon Spa

Originally founded in 2008 by a French mother and her daughter, Kocoon Spa was acquired by Ms. Canna Zhang in 2016. Since then, Kocoon Spa has ushered in a new era with an extensive list of specialized therapies and treatments including facials, massages, hair removal, nails, eyelash beauty treatment and more. They use imported products with essences from natural fruits, plants and marine life, with no petroleum or mineral elements included. Kocoon Spa firmly believes that Mother Nature contains all the healing power we need.

For new clients, book your first treatment with a ten percent discount! Plus, ladies enjoy a 30 percent discount every Tuesday on all treatments except waxing, while gentlemen get a 30 percent discount on Wednesdays! Do note that these two discounts cannot be used at the same time. Scan the QR code in the posters to book your treatment.

ZenFLo 

ZenFlo is a one-product spa, and that product is full-body rejuvenation through immersion in either their mineral salt water sensory deprivation tanks or their hyperbaric chambers. Located inside an apartment in Glory Mansions, this unique experience is definitely a must-try if you are into transformative turn-back-the-aging-clock treatments. Plus, they have two tubs in one room so it could be a pretty interesting date night!

KEEP READING: Our Honest Reviews on Where To Eat and Play in China

Images: Pexels, Dianping, courtesy of vendors

Mind Gym Lab – the name sounds a little kooky, doesn’t it? I thought it was just another local kids’ pseudo-educational center with a Chinglish name until I saw videos of the actual training that happens there and realized that this is probably the only cutting-edge neuro-cognitive training facility in China (as they tell me).

So, I made an appointment with Susan, one of the main bilingual trainers at Mind Gym Lab (MGL), who set up an evaluation session for me and my kid.

Following her detailed directions, I found my way to the serene private gardens of Cathay View in Shunyi, close to Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), and entered MGL.

The place is cozy and, much like the work that gets done there, used efficiently. An infrared light machine, a hyperbaric chamber, gym mats, colorful foam rollers, and other pieces of sporting equipment decorate the space invitingly.

Susan greeted us warmly and instantly bonded with my kid, chit-chatting with him over his love of math and video games. We started with some classic warm-ups and stretches before we put on a heart rate tracker and RFID bracelet and let the real games begin.

Without the proper technical terms, it’s hard for me to describe the training we did that day. The best I can do is to reference brain training games like PEAK and arcade games like Dance Dance Revolution to help you understand the mechanics of it. You are essentially tested on reflexes, memory, and more, to use your body to answer questions and challenges.

Here’s where a video speaks a thousand words, so check out the video the center made below.

Unlike most other training that leaves you physically and mentally exhausted, you’ll feel differently after a session at MGL. I felt rather pleased with my performance and my brain was all abuzz with the unique exercises we had accomplished.

My kid thought it was so much fun because he was tested in ways he had never been before. We both definitely recommend trying it out at least once, especially for aspiring athletes and anyone who wants to sharpen their mental performance. Here are some quotes from athletes who have trained at MGL:

Fencing athlete said: “After just one training cycle, my opponents’ movements seemed slower – I felt like I had the powers of The Flash.”

Basketball athlete remarked: “My in-game decision-making has improved, my field vision has expanded significantly, and my defensive footwork is now much quicker.”

Tennis athlete shared: “MGL’s training has made my footwork faster. In crucial matches, I can engage in several rounds of intense play with my opponents and still accurately read their shot directions even when my stamina is pushed to the limit. I’m incredibly grateful for this training, which helped me earn a spot on the national training team!”

Right now, MGL has a special promotion where you pay RMB 480 for your introductory evaluation session, which you can get fully refunded by simply posting your pictures and videos on platforms like Douyin, Xiaohongshu, or WeChat Moments! They’ll even provide professional shots and edit the entire video for you. Additionally, if you post on all three of the social media platforms, you’ll also receive a one-hour session in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber (worth RMB 368) that allows you to explore the fusion of biological technology and health.

Scan the QR code below to connect with Susan if you want to try it out for yourself.

Find it:
Mind Gym Lab
Guantanghui Chamber Underground
1/F, 1, Rm 112, Bldg 8, Courtyard 1, Guantang Donglu, Chaoyang District
脑体能实验室
朝阳区观唐东路1号院8号楼1层1号112室

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Images: MindGymLab, VivienneTseng-Rush

As a parent, you’ve likely heard whispers about the enigmatic role of academic advisors. They’re often mentioned in passing, but their true purpose remains shrouded in a bit of mystery. What exactly do these behind-the-scenes guides do? How can they impact your child’s educational journey? Well, we’ve found an academic advisor who’s spilling all the beans about his line of work and shedding light on how academic advisors can become invaluable allies in navigating the complex world of education and helping your child achieve their academic potential.

Jaw-Xin, better known as Jaw, is a Chinese-American from California who returned to live in China eight years ago. These days, he works with young people to help them discover their passions and realize their ambitions. Officially, he calls himself an academic advisor and application mentor. Let’s find out what the job’s all about.

Hello, Jaw! Please introduce yourself and your work. 

Hello! I was born and raised in the beautiful Golden State and have lived in China since 2017. My mentoring principle is identifying students’ strengths and passions by integrating their characteristics into their activities. I view students holistically and help them see themselves for who they truly are: unique and capable individuals with their own strengths and potential. As an academic advisor and application mentor, I foster students’ abilities by developing extracurricular and super-curricular plans. Utilizing my passion for writing, I then act like a movie director to bring their stories to life on paper.

So, let’s dive right in. What exactly does an academic advisor and application mentor do?

I try to approach conversations without bias or preconceptions; [students]already have plenty of people telling them what is right and wrong. However, what they think and what they’ve done is meaningful, so why not understand their motivations? Kids nowadays often lack time for reflection; they only have time to do do do. But by asking thoughtful, purposeful questions, I give them the space to process their thoughts and actions, instilling confidence that their thoughts, actions, and contributions matter. This communication builds rapport and trust. More importantly, I engage with parents to understand their true aspirations for their children. We are a team. Do they want robots making money, or individuals who lead fulfilling, well-rounded lives?

Jaw’s job is to work with the parents and, as a team, support their child to achieve their short-term goals, which lead to their final long-term goal. Sometimes, this could last one week or even five to six years. Kids today, especially those from families who have decided to hire a professional to assist in their child’s academic journey, have no shortage of teachers in their lives, so the job of an academic advisor is that of a life-long friend and mentor rather than that of a teacher.

During my chat with Jaw, what surprised me was the age of his clients. I assumed they would be high schoolers or maybe middle schoolers, but Jaw has guided students ranging from age four to 30. I was surprised by how young his youngest mentee was, but he assures me that the students are typically between the ages of 14 and 22.

So here’s a theoretical scenario: I have a kid who’s 13 years old who’s starting to seriously consider his future. He’s scoring above average in all his subjects and is especially good at math. In his spare time, he enjoys video games, coding, and basketball. He seems to be interested in becoming a computer engineer or a hacker in the future but doesn’t know how to start. What would you suggest?

“Explore and experiment. If he’s interested in these areas, blow his mind with creative examples of what computer engineers and hackers do. If he likes what he sees, then work your way backward from there. What are the prerequisites? What can he do now to meet those prerequisites?” says Jaw.

According to Jaw, time is this boy’s most valuable resource, since he’s only 13. How much time does he have outside of school and homework? How much spare time does he devote to video games, coding, and basketball? What are his abilities in gaming, coding, and basketball? Knowing these answers will allow someone in his Jaw’s profession to provide the right resources.

The next step is figuring out what drives him. Perhaps his love for video games means that he’d like to make a video game. Go try it. He loves basketball, so encourage him to explore that further. Perhaps he aims to be the next Lebron James? Go explore it.

Why should we tell a 13-year-old what he can or cannot do? Jawn says: “As an experienced teacher, I can quickly gauge students’ abilities, so I can gently nudge them to consider other aspects if they’re hitting a wall. What if, while striving to become the next Lebron, [this child]discovers he doesn’t have what it takes but finds his passion and ability in sports medicine? If he enjoys playing video games, why not teach him Python and Scratch to develop one? Does he like coding? Let’s start a school hackathon.” There’s always a way to turn a child’s passions into something that’ll help them build a portfolio.

The key is to start planning, exploring, and recognizing your child’s passions and abilities early. Time becomes more and more limited as we grow older.

It was certainly enlightening to get an inside peak at what a professional academic advisor does and how they help guide a child’s academic career. If you are interested in getting in touch with Jawn, you can scan his WeChat QR code below or email him at jawxin@gmail.com .

Images: Courtesy of Jaw-Xin, Unsplash 

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LEGO. Whether you love it or hate it, you pretty much can’t live without it as a parent these days. But on top of lamenting the dollars you spend on every new set they come up with and crying out in pain when you step on them, there’s also the issue of losing key LEGO pieces that sometimes render a whole model impossible to build. What do you do then? Buy the entire set again just for that piece? Scour Taobao for that one lost piece?

Well, I’m here to share some wonderful news that my son and I discovered when we recently went on a mission here in Beijing to replace a lost LEGO piece. You can have replacement LEGO pieces sent to your own home, for free!

Search the LEGO Official Account on WeChat and have the model number of the LEGO set, plus the individual piece number – which you can find in the manual of the set – ready. If you don’t know the individual piece number and don’t have the physical manual, there are also digital copies of the manuals on the Official Account for easy reference!

Did you know? Each LEGO piece has its own unique number!

Check out the step-by-step instructions to get a LEGO piece replacement sent to your home for free!

1. Search for the official LEGO account on WeChat (make sure you don’t choose the mini program!). Put in 乐高公众号.

2. Select the “Self-Help Request Replacement” option circled in the image.

3. Click “Start” under the first option, which is “Replace Lost Pieces.” The lower option is to replace broken pieces.

4. Enter the LEGO set number in the search bar, then confirm that the set that shows up is the right one.

5. Input the LEGO piece number into the search bar (you can reference the digital manual if you need) and screenshot the number so you won’t forget.

6. Verify that the input piece is the correct one. You can also choose to add more pieces (using the same procedure) on the next page.

7. Input your details and confirm at the bottom of the page. That’s it!

8. Check the email address you gave for their email verification of the request. You should receive a follow up email in a couple of working days if the request has been approved. It states that delivery should take 7-10 working days, but in some extreme circumstances can take up to 30 days.

In our case, we received our request LEGO replacement pieces exactly 10 days from the day we requested them – hurrah!

A few things to note: 

Each request is subject to approval and availability of the pieces, so do check your email to make sure you receive a confirmation that the request has been approved.

When I asked the helpful LEGO staff who walked me through this process whether there was a limit to how many pieces you could replace, he said that there was no technical limit in place. However, if you did exploit the system and request, say, 20+ pieces of LEGO to be sent to the same address, someone’s probably going to take notice and stop allowing the requests.

Since we’re talking about LEGO, it seems fitting to inform you that tickets to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Beijing are at an all-time low of just RMB 120 for all-day play. It used to be RMB 160 two years ago.

Check out this article to learn all about what the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Beijing has to offer and how to get those RMB 120 tickets!

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Images: Unsplash, Vivienne Tseng-Rush