I got a glimpse of the future the other day, stuck between the 8th and 9th floors. I was in an elevator, listening to a group of silver-haired neighbors have the most earnest, practical conversation. They weren’t talking about the weather or their grandchildren. They were deeply comparing notes on the pros and cons of buying a robot dog.

“It wouldn’t need walks in the rain,” one said. Another nodded, adding, “And no vet bills to worry about on a fixed income.” But the clincher, voiced with a tone of tender responsibility, was this: “You know, if something happens to me, I wouldn’t have to wonder who would take care of it.”

It was a quiet revelation. This wasn’t science fiction chatter. This was a real consumer discussion about companionship, cost, and care, happening right here, right now. In that cramped elevator, it became perfectly clear: inviting a little bit of robotic help into our daily lives has moved from a futuristic “what if” to a practical “why not” for everyday people.

And you don’t have to look far to join in. Just open Taobao. The same platform where you buy socks and snacks has become a showroom for the early adopters of a robotic home. The technology has quietly arrived, not with a dramatic bang, but with the gentle hum of a vacuum starting its work while you’re at the office.

For many, the first step into this world is a companion, like the robot dog those seniors were considering. These aren’t cold machines; they’re designed to respond to your voice, follow you around, and offer a flicker of playful interaction without any of the feeding or cleanup. They solve a very human need for companionship on terms that fit modern, often hectic, lives.

But the help extends far beyond digital pets. Consider the diligent robot concierge that delivers your food at hotels, or the robot vacuum and mop. Today’s versions are savvy navigators. They meticulously map your home, carefully avoid your child’s forgotten toys, and can even be scheduled to clean the kitchen after dinner while you relax. For busy families, it’s less a gadget and more a silent, hardworking member of the household that gives the gift of time.

For families with young children, robots even take on the role of patient tutor. Coding robots turn programming into a hands-on game, while interactive storyteller bots can read endless bedtime stories in animated voices, fostering a love for learning and answering a relentless stream of “why” questions without ever getting tired, and translation necklaces that let you communicate in any language in real time.

So, why is this happening now? The stars have simply aligned. The smart sensors and clever software that once cost a fortune have become affordable. They’re no longer locked in labs but are being manufactured at scale. And through our trusty e-commerce platforms, they’re delivered to our doorsteps as easily as a new pair of shoes.

The folks in my elevator understood something fundamental. They weren’t just talking about avoiding pet hair or saving money. They were navigating a new, gentle kind of technology—one chosen not for its complexity, but for the simple, human relief it provides. Tot hem, it offers a little less worry, a little more help, and the freedom to focus more on the people (and perhaps, the robot pets) we love.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to incorporate robots into your life?

Images: FreePik

The holiday season is just around the corner, and with it comes the joyful challenge of finding the perfect gifts. But let’s be honest: Finding a toy that truly delights a child is no easy task. Will it be played with for years, or will it be forgotten by New Year’s?

This year, take the stress out of holiday shopping. Join the Toy Reviews and Recommendations WeChat group! Get trusted, kid-tested and parent-approved ideas that will help you find a gift that sparks real joy – not just a polite “thank you.”

Make this holiday season magical. Scan the QR code below or add admin Wilhelmina87 on WeChat to join our community of savvy gift-givers.

Also, if you haven’t learned how to shop online yet, be sure to check out these guides here on how to use Taobao, Pinduoduo, and Xianyu.

Images: Freepik, Pexels

Last holiday season, Beijing mom Anna Zhu recommended an eco-friendly Christmas tree rental service for the holiday. And now, as the holiday season comes around again, you can enjoy the festivities with a Christmas tree in your living room without the guilt of knowing you’ve purchased more things that’ll soon end up in the dump.

With this rental service, you can have a beautiful Christmas tree delivered right to your apartment within just two days, and the best part is the shipping is free anywhere in Beijing. When you’re ready to send the tree back, give them a call and they’ll come collect it. There’s a fee of RMB 150 for the pick up.

They’ve got trees of all sizes, and the price varies depending on what size you choose. “My friend Cat has been getting her family’s Christmas tree from this supplier for years, so I knew they were reliable. This year is extra special because our daughter is finally old enough to get excited about Christmas, so we decided to treat ourselves to a real tree to make the season even more festive.

We chose a tree via pictures the seller sent through WeChat, and it was delivered (free of charge!) in a lovely pot the following day. On top of the usual excitement around decorating the tree, we’re enjoying the added bonus of teaching our kid to care for plants by watering it together every other day. Our tree is definitely a memorable highlight of this year’s holiday season!” Anna shares with jingkids.

Pricing:
150cm – RMB 525
200cm – RMB 700
250cm – RMB 900
300cm – RMB 1,500

Imagine the convenience of not having to worry about lugging a heavy tree home or dealing with the disposal after the holiday. Once the Christmas festivities are over, the service doesn’t end. The team will come back to pick up the tree and replant it, allowing it to continue its growth journey. This way, you get to enjoy the holiday spirit with a real, fresh Christmas tree while also being environmentally friendly.

The service’s Christmas tree farm in Shunyi is tended to all year round by the company, allowing the tree that brings your family so much love and joy during the holiday season to continue to grow and flourish.

It’s a hassle-free and sustainable option that makes celebrating Christmas in Beijing even more special. So, this season, consider renting a Christmas tree, and be part of this innovative and eco-conscious trend.

 To get in touch, add Mr. Wang Xu on WeChat (ID: Wx1018761545) or scan his QR code below. Please note that he doesn’t speak English but is happy to chat via the WeChat translation function.

Images: Anna Zhu, Pexels, Wang Xu

The end of the year is intense. You’ve got Halloween, then as soon as that passes, it’s time to get all decked out for Christmas, then New Year’s Eve and then Chinese New Year. And if you’re American, you’ve also got Thanksgiving in there as well!

During this period of intense celebration, you may be asking yourself where you can find seasonal decorations for the holiday. You can search on Taobao to find the right things for the season, but what if you need some last-minute decorations and Taobao just can’t deliver on time? Then it’s time to visit Bairong World Trade Center!

This past Halloween, my father decided that we would not miss out on decorating our house (and his office at work), so it was clear that we would have to get some seasonal decorations of some sort.

It would have been just as fine to scroll online looking for plastic pumpkins, candles and ghost statues, but back in the US, we were used to shopping in stores for these things. So, we thought it would be nice to revisit our old traditions. Bairong World Trade Center is a mall that mostly locals visit when they need something.

It’s composed of two massive buildings, B1 and B2. B1 is more modern, with most of the shops selling clothes, shoes and accessories.  The first floor of B1 contains mostly men’s clothing, and the second floor houses the women’s section. If you are in need of children’s things, the basement has kids’ shoes and clothes. B2 is the older building. Here is where you can find the most random, but interesting, objects and trinkets. Just a warning, though: Shopping in Bairong can be overwhelming and intimidating, but as long as you have a plan, you will be all right.  For the old timer Beijingers, this place will remind you of the original Yashow Market.

We went in search of Halloween decorations, but now that Halloween is over, the shops previously selling plastic jack-o’-lanterns are now going to be the ones where you find your fake trees, Santas, elves, gingerbread men and whatever other Christmas decorations you’re looking for.

Here are some reasons that Bairong is a nice place to go shopping, and also some tips to avoid any inconveniences.

1. Bairong has many shops and stalls. At Bairong, you can find pretty much anything you need. It may take you some time to scan the shops, but eventually we will probably find something appropriate. My father was able to find a legit Star Wars light saber at a random toy store!
2. There is a large stationary store named M&G 晨光文具 on the third floor of B2, a great place to buy sorts of markers, pens and notebooks your child might need for school.
3. Wanna learn how to shop like a local? Bairong is a place that locals usually shop at to find their heart’s desire (and good deals).
4. Besides selling clothes and trinkets, some shops sell beverages and snacks, and you can easily find a snack to enjoy. We purchased some refreshing drinks in B1, and the price was incredibly cheap!

Now, some warnings:

5. It is crowded during the weekends, so avoid being mobbed by a bunch of avid shoppers if possible!
6. If you park underground, make sure to take a detailed photograph of your parking spot before you enter the shopping mall, to avoid spending an hour underground looking for your car.
7. It gets quite hot inside the buildings during the wintertime, so leave your jacket in your car (if you drove) unless you want to lug around heavy winter jackets.

I hope you found this article useful, and that is another adventure (shopping edition) from Clark Yap. Stay tuned, and stay reading!

Find it:
Bairong World Trade Center 百荣世贸商城
101 Yongwai Ave, Dongcheng District
东城区永外大街101号

Images: Clark Yap

It’s that time of the year when we start thinking about creative and spooky costumes. While there are many options for purchasing new costumes on Taobao, there are also great alternatives for those looking for a more sustainable choice. After all, it’s a whole outfit that you’ll essentially only wear for a few hours anyway.

There are two excellent places to find secondhand Halloween costumes in Beijing. One’s our favorite secondhand store, Roundabout, and the other is a WeChat group that’s dedicated to costumes.

Why is Roundabout so great? Well, first of all, their warehouse is HUGE! There are plenty of amazing treasures just waiting to be discovered year-round, but during October, they become one of the best places to find Halloween decorations and costumes in person.

Roundabout takes in donated items, sells them and uses the proceeds to assist those in need. So, not only can you get a great costume, but you can also contribute to a worthy cause. They’ve already got their Halloween decorations out in the store, so find some time to stop by and browse through their huge selection for this year’s costumes.

Find it:
Cathay View Plaza, 2 Xiangjiang Beilu, Shunyi District (behind Didi’s Market at the intersection with Jingmi Lu)
顺义区香江北路2号
Mon-Sat, 9.30am-6pm
Tel: 137 1877 7761 (English), 137 1805 3814 (Chinese only)

Then there’s the BJ COSTUMES EXCHANGE, a WeChat group that’s just for people in Beijing to sell and trade their costumes. It’s quiet most months of the year, but when the leaves turn orange and Halloween season creeps around the corner, the group comes to life once again. To join, scan the QR code below.

Images: Roundabout

Admit it: Luxury has a certain pull, whether it’s a designer bag, a pair of super fancy shoes, pricy Dyson home appliances, or a Canon camera to capture those special family moments. But the high price tags, or rather, the brand premium, can often make us hesitate. We’re always searching for that sweet spot: guaranteed authenticity without breaking the bank. I recently discovered that on the third floor of Beijing’s Friendship Store on Jianguomenwai, the “Super Zhuanzhuan（超级转转)” pre-owned marketplace might just be the elegant solution we’ve been looking for.

Nestled in the heart of the embassy district at Friendship Store (17 Jianguomenwai Dajie), this historic shopping complex, with over 60 years of heritage, naturally carries an international flair. It’s a relic of the old days, before Taikoo Li and the Joy City malls were built, where foreign visitors to Beijing were very limited to where they could shop for souvenirs.

But now, take subway Line 1 or 2 to Jianguomen station, Exit B, and it’s just a five-minute walk. Look for “zhuanzhuan” on the third floor – you’ll see clear signage inside the elevators too.

At the entrance, you’ll need to place your personal bags and any drinks in designated areas. The place is huge, and they don’t want you accidentally spilling your coffee on their designer stuff. There are free lockers and dedicated drink shelves provided.

Before you start shopping, the staff will give you complimentary disposable gloves (mandatory for handling luxury items). It’s worth noting that all signage here is bilingual, making it very user-friendly.

What sets this place apart from other Beijing second-hand markets is its strict, standardized management. All items undergo UV disinfection, and every single piece is authenticated by Zhuanzhuan’s official quality inspectors. High-value items like watches receive a second round of authentication from CIC (China Inspection Company), so you can shop knowing that none of the pieces in the store are knockoffs.

Within this 3,000sqm warehouse-style space, you’ll find far more than just the countless handbags that first catch your eye. The selection includes designer sunglasses, accessories, clothing, watches and electronics like phones, cameras and PlayStations. Luxury brands range from the accessible Coach and Michael Kors to Louis Vuitton, Celine, Prada, Chanel and even Hermès and Rolex. You might even uncover some hard-to-find vintage pieces.

You can inspect each item yourself to judge its condition. Naturally, items with fewer signs of use command slightly higher prices. Most goods are in excellent condition, ranging from 90 percent new to near-mint. For instance, a large LV Neverfull bag in near-mint condition might cost nearly RMB 2,000 more than one that has a bit more wear. Crucially, compared to official retail prices, you’re generally looking at spending just 30-50 percent of the original cost.

This isn’t just a haven for the ladies who want designer bags! There’s plenty of great stuff for everyone. There’s a wide array of cameras, speakers, headphones and gaming consoles like Switch and PS, along with accessories such as game cartridges, controllers, mechanical keyboards and gaming mice. You can get a complete gaming setup on a budget.​Most importantly, if you’re socially anxious and dislike the hard sell often encountered in boutique stores, you can relax completely here. The fully self-service shopping experience is wonderfully low-pressure. Spot something you like? Simply scan the QR code on the product tag using WeChat. Instantly, you’ll see all the details: condition, brand, model, color, material and more. Honestly, you could easily spend an entire day browsing.

So, next time you want an experience different from the likes of SKP, China World Mall, or Yintai Center, give this air-conditioned, well-organized pre-loved space a few hours. Try an experience that’s reassuring, relaxed, and offers incredible value for money.

Find it:
Super Zhuanzhuan 超级转转
3/F, 17 Jianguomenwai Daijie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街17号3楼

Images: Siyu He

Get ready for a summer full of fun and excitement in Beijing! From Jun 25 to Jul 9, the city is buzzing with a fantastic lineup of family-friendly events that promise to keep both children and parents entertained. Whether you’re looking for cultural experiences, outdoor adventures or educational activities, Beijing has something for everyone.

Pet Adoption Day

Enjoy furry cuddles and a pool party at this year’s pet adoption day where you get to splash and play with your dog to beat the heat, purchase high-quality pet products at the charity pet bazaar, buy a custom pet oil painting, have a Q&A session with a professional vet and adopt your furry soulmate.

Scan the QR code for more info.

Where: Wangfujing Outlets, Xiangjiang Town South Plaza
When: Jun 28 and 29, 10am-8pm
Price: Free (pool/portrait sessions require on-site registration)

BSB Sanlitun’s Summer Baby Group

BSB Sanlitun is organizing two Summer Baby Groups! It’s set to be a fun-filled session packed with seasonal activities, movement, and sensory play in soft play and outdoor play, all in their warm and welcoming space!

Bonus treat: All little ones will receive a summer-themed gift to take home!

Limited spaces: 50 families for each day – don’t miss out!

Book your place now and start the summer with a smile!

Where: BSB, Sanlitun, Early Years Li Building
When: Jul 2, 9am-11am
Price: Free

Jazzy Preschool Open Day

Discover Jazzy Preschool at their open day. Families with children aged 0-6 are invited to tour their bright East Lake Villas campus, meet the caring teachers and experience a live class demo. Explore their immersive trilingual program in English, French and Chinese. Register now!

Where: Jazzy Preschool
When: Jun 28, 9.30am-noon
Price: Free

AISB-Hope International Open Days

Discover AISB-Hope International’s nurturing environment at their open days. Explore their campus, meet dedicated educators and learn how they inspire students through character-driven education from K5 to secondary.

Where: AISB-Hope International
When: Jul 1, 9.30 am-11.30 pm
Price: Free

Thai Festival Beijing 2025

Celebrate the vibrant spirit of Thailand at the Thai Festival Beijing 2025, marking 50 years of China-Thailand diplomatic relations. Enjoy two full days of Thai cuisine, traditional dance, crafts, music and cultural performances. It will be a colorful celebration of friendship, culture and fun for all ages!

Where: Fusion Square, Chaoyang Park
When: Jun 28-29, 10am-6pm
Price: Free

Icvs “Departing From China With Pets” Free Online Information Session

And don’t forget about these ongoing events:

Yoga Open Air on Sundays

Start your Sunday with a breath of fresh air, reconnecting with nature, community and yourself! Experience a perfect blend of invigorating energy, grounding yoga practice, and the healing embrace of nature. Scan the poster to register and get in touch for the exact location.

Where: Chaoyang Park
When: Sundays, 9.30am-10.45am
Price: RMB 70

TGIF Laser Tag Battle

Gear up for an adrenaline-pumping showdown under the lasers! Join this weekly epic laser tag battle where strategy, speed and sharpshooting skills collide. Whether you’re a seasoned sniper or a first-time fighter, this is your chance to dominate the arena, outmaneuver your opponents, and claim victory.

For ages 6 and above.

Where: Act of Bravery Laser Tag Arena
When: Every Friday, 6pm-10pm
Price: RMB 160

mamaMOOVE in the Park on Fridays

Get fit in a fun outdoor class. MOOVE, connect, and have fun with other moms and their babies.

MamaMOOVE is a full body shape strength training in a circuit style. Locations change during the workout and end on a lawn by a lake.

Where: Chaoyang Park West
When: Fridays, 10am-11.15am
Price: RMB 118

Images: Pexels, Courtesy of the organizers

When it comes to finding a great place in Beijing to spend quality time with your kids, Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park is on the tip of the tongue for every parent. Before I became a mom, I had been to Solana maybe once or twice during my entire ten years in Beijing, but as soon as my daughter was born, Solana became our go-to place.

With its spacious outdoor areas, activities for kids, huge water fountain, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants, Solana offers everything a family needs for a fun and relaxing day out.

Its large open-air spaces are perfect for kids to run around and play in. Unlike crowded indoor malls, Solana’s outdoor layout gives children plenty of room to explore safely. Parents can relax with an ice cream while keeping an eye on their little ones. And after all the playing and exploring, there are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in which to wine and dine. From restaurants that offer free kids’ meals like Thai Garden and Dragon Planet, where kids can literally play with real live lizards, to Q MEX, the 2023 winner of the Beijinger‘s Juicy Burger Cup.

Every restaurant has high chairs, kids’ menus, and spacious seating, making dining hassle-free and also embarrassment-free for those whose kids can get a bit boisterous in restaurants.

This year, for Juicy Burger Fest, Q MEX has created a smash burger that’ll only be available at the festival. Be sure to grab your tickets early and bring the whole family out to this year’s fest.

For all the new parents out there, take a look at our list of recommendations on what to bring to the fest.

Solana is designed with families in mind. The pathways are wide and smooth, making it easy to navigate with strollers. The area is also pedestrian-friendly, so parents don’t have to worry about cars interrupting their walk.

Whether you’re looking for a place where your family can take part in fun activities, enjoy a meal in a pleasant setting, or simply where your kids can burn off energy, Solana has it all. Its combination of open spaces, entertainment, beautiful scenery, and great food makes it one of the best family hangouts in Beijing.

Find it:
6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区

Images: Uni You, the Beijinger