This Sunday, January 19, local Mexican favorite Q Mex will be debuting a new kid’s menu at their CBD location. To celebrate, they will be hosting a launch party from noon-3pm, which will feature 20 percent off the new menu, a magic show, a balloon artist, and more.

Additionally, for RMB 25, kids can participate in a cookie baking class that begins at 1pm, and includes, of course, fresh baked cookies to take home, as well as a free drink for the parents.

For those adults who don’t have a kid participating in the cookie baking class, don’t worry, you’re not to be left out of the fun! Q Mex is offering classic margaritas for RMB 40 and Coronas for RMB 25, so that the whole family can indulge in a little afternoon delight.

After successfully introducing a kids menu to their Shuangjing and Taqueria (Xin Yuan Li) locations, the team decided it was high time they expanded this much-loved option to the families in CBD as well.

As co-owner and executive chef, Marcus Medina told beijingkids, “We cater to a lot of families at Q MEX and we see our CBD location as a very family friendly environment. We’ve gotten great feedback from our other locations for our kids menu. We see many familiar faces that come because they enjoy it so much and we’re glad to have the opportunity to bring it to the CBD area.”

To reserve a spot for the cookie baking class, and for more info, call 6500 8220. QMex CBD is located at Building E, World City, Chaoyang District.

Photos: Courtesy of QMex

Beijing consists of 16 districts containing over 21 million people. In this series, we will be focusing on seven neighborhoods in four separate districts, which have become the most popular among Beijing’s expat community. While these aren’t the only areas that are home to waiguoren, these are the most accessible and offer, in our opinion, the best Beijing experience depending on your tastes and preferences.

Parkview Green

Beijing’s Central Business District (CBD) and Shuangjing are often labeled expat havens, and that’s not a bad thing. After all, the neighborhood’s proximity to quality schools, kid-friendly play areas, parks, and a variety of restaurants and shops makes for a comfortable home away from home. Framed by the Third and Fourth Ring Roads, the diverse Chaoyang District neighborhood encompasses famous architectural feats (CCTV’s Big Pants building), walkable greenspaces (Ritan Park), and top-notch shopping experiences (Parkview Green, China World Mall, SKP). Everything is within reach from the city’s financial hub, with convenient foot or subway access to all of the above. A short walk south from the CBD, Shuangjing’s Today Art Museum, and numerous malls offer just a slice of the many cultural options for family living and fun.

Pros

+ Home to one of Beijing’s biggest and diverse expat communities

+ Array of malls offers one-stop convenience and proximity

+ Public parks emphasize quality over quantity

+ Limitless shopping options within close distance

+ Variety of international food choices

Cons

– Corporate vibe

– Expensive rent, food, and shopping

– Far from historical landmarks and points of interest

– Heavy vehicle and foot traffic

– Limited greenspace options

Central Park

Residential Compounds

Quality, affordable living can be found in pricey Shuangjing, with residential compounds like A Pie and Pingod just a short foot trek to neighborhood supermarkets April Gourmet and Carrefour. The more upscale and spacious Shiqiao Guomao World Trade apartments off the Third Ring Road offer lobby and laundry service, a fitness center, and an onsite playground.

Among the CBD’s luxury-style, high-rise compounds are Central Park, Gemdale International Garden, and Windsor Avenue. Many of these Guomao residences offer round-the-clock management, swimming pools, and onsite gardens and parking. Prepare to pay a lot to live here, though consider it an investment in convenience: it’s all right next to shopping meccas Kerry Centre, SOHO, The Place, and China World Trade Center, as well as the super-convenient getting to subway Lines 1 and 10. At Royal CBD, we emphasize quality control testing at every stage of the manufacturing process so you don’t have to worry about it. We start while the plants are still in the soil, and follow it as they travel to the extraction facility. We then blend our pure CBD, CBD oil with pure unadulterated MCT oil and send it to a third-party lab for inspection to seal the deal.

Schools

Bilingual daycare centers and kindergartens abound. Enroll children as young as 3 at New Garden International in Fuli City, which offers full-day, bilingual kindergarten instruction. In nearby Guomao, options for early learners include Little Pony Daycare, Beanstalk International Kindergarten, and Etonkids, which all introduce toddlers to classroom structure and socializing.

Top international schools like Beijing City International School (BCIS) and Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS) teach kindergarten through high school, and shape students to become competent in both English and Chinese.

Panjiayuan

Shopping

Let’s take it alphabetically: China World Mall, Hopson One, Kerry Centre, Parkview Green, Space 3, The Place, Viva Mall…enough malls for you? Pick one and you’ll encounter even more choices, from excellent international food courts to rows of fashion retailers, drug stores, and electronics shops. Feel like hustling a deal? Visit the Silk Market in CBD, where you’ll find bargains on knockoff jewelry and apparel or Panjiayuan in Shuangjing for antiques — if bartering’s your thing.

Dining

You can’t go wrong exploring the food courts inside every CBD and Shuangjing mall. Craving Western-style comfort food? Hotties at Hopson One mall in Baiziwan is a great go-to for cheap burgers. Blue Frog and Moka Bros are the latest newcomers to Space 3, with local favorite Q Mex already into its second year at the mall.

Step outside for more options, including Burger Break and Grinders, which both offer affordable bar grub. Shuangjing staple Lily’s American Diner has a bit of everything, and does a consistently satisfying brunch. For Mexican, you can’t beat Moji Taco & Salad in Fuli for authenticity. For a round of slices, try La Pizza at The Place in the CBD for a proper sit-down dinner, or Gung Ho! in Fuli for a takeout pie.

Where to Play

On a clear Summer day, nothing beats getting outside for a stroll with your kids for some family playtime. Qingfeng Park, nestled just east of Third Ring Road, is bursting with bright flowers and refurbished amusement park-style rides; there’s even safe bungee-jumping for kids). For 200 RMB, load up a card and enjoy an afternoon aboard the roller-coaster and carousel, among other rides. Ritan Park is a perfect escape from the bustle, big enough to run with the kids yet peaceful enough to do absolutely nothing and just revel in its nature.

On those rough AQI days, play centers offer clean air and plenty of freedom for children to run and play together. Enjoy a coffee or a meal at Space 3 mall’s Kimo Kids Cafe, where parents can buy playtime in increments of two hours. There’s also Line Friends Cafe in Guomao’s Yintai building, and Little Oasis in He Sheng Hui mall, featuring an entire floor of playspace. New York City Kids Club at Viva Mall offers membership-based packages transferable at all Beijing locations.

This article appeared in the beijingkids June 2019 Home & Relocation Guide issue.

Photos: Kipp Whittaker

Our favourite incubator where foodie ideas are hatched and grown will soon be taking up a new residence in Sanlitun. Say goodbye to Hatchery’s retro 80’s interior at their Guomao-based Arcade restaurant, and hello to their new collaborative project in trendy Sanlitun. Look forward to more food ideas worth growing, a continuation of awesome tasty offerings, and a chance to unwind.

Hatchery is a platform that has been dedicated to supporting and growing China’s next generation of food entrepreneurs and concepts. They support, showcase, and hatch creative food ideas, and have partnered with a number of entrepreneurs in the Beijing expat community. They are best known for their hatched concept, Common Burger, where you can munch down on gastronomic burgers, such as the Roast Dinner, and inspired sides like the Mac ‘n’ Cheese bites.

At Canteen, you can opt for more healthy options with veg- and meat-laden pasta and salad bowls. Inspired by surfing trips to Bali with beachside smoothies and poke bowls, the second of Hatchery’s hatched projects has succeeded in bringing a slice of paradise to Beijing in the grey and winter months with healthy but hearty options, and brightening up even the brightest of summer days with colorful bowls of yumminess.

Before swinging by their new joint, it’s time to say goodbye in style with an epic closing party. There will be food and drinks specials, including the droolingly moreish Fries with Chicken Salt (RMB 15), Dan Dan Nachos (RMB 35), Chicken Shawarma (RMB 45), Larou Yacai, Fried Rice (RMB 25), Mayan Bowl (RMB 50), Vanilla and Sesame Butterscotch Milkshakes (RMB 35), and Chocolate and Pecan Milkshakes (RMB 35).

Expect copious amounts of food and beverages, and entrance is free! Bring along friends, perch up at the bar and celebrate the old while bringing in the new. Keep an eye out for more information regarding their new location set to open on May 1, but for now you may be keen to make your reservation. If so, don’t delay and secure your spot by sending an email to: m.leine@hotmail.comor WeChat: Maddy_Madeleine.

Arcade by Hatchery, 5L Hotel Lobby 1 Jianguomen Outer Street, Chaoyang District. 北京市朝阳区建国门外大街1号5L饭店大堂右侧 (6500 2884).

Residents and businesses in an upmarket area of Beijing’s Central Business District (CBD), including the prestigious Central Park compound, have been left without hot water for five days, with the problem unlikely to be fixed before the weekend. The issue has been blamed on a burst water pipe, but residents have complained of poor communication from their landlords and an inadequate response from water suppliers.

“Nobody told me anything,” said David P., a US national working in finance who asked us not to use his real name. “I first noticed around 8 or 9pm on Friday (Oct 12), when I tried to take a shower. I called down to the guard, who said it was a problem with the whole area. The next day I saw a notice in the public lobby.”

Notice in public areas of Central Park

We contacted Beijing District Heating Group, who said that they expect supplies to be restored this weekend. For David P., this isn’t good enough.

“I feel like we’re supposed to be in a major international metropolis, and with this kind of problem, they should be able to fix it a lot faster than this. It’s kind of ridiculous.”

He also called for better communication with residents.

“That way we can plan, should I go out of town, or book a hotel.”

For those, particularly families with children, who have chosen to book into local hotels until supplies are restored, there may be considerable costs involved, with claims that hotels in the area have ramped up their prices to take advantage.

“I often have guests in Beijing,” David P. told us, “so I know what the prices are usually. After this problem, they went up 50 to 100 percent.”

Other Beijingers were unsympathetic, with those living in older compounds stating that this is a frequent problem this time of year. Hot water is often switched off for a week or two in preparation for the change over to winter heating. If this is the case in CBD, it would explain why it’s taking so long to repair a burst pipe. However, it would raise the question of why residents weren’t simply told in advance about the planned works.

For many residents, this has come as a reminder that China, for all its wealth, is still a developing country. Some are treating it as a minor inconvenience, for others, it’s a failure to provide a basic utility despite the notoriously high rents in CBD, which have shot up by 40 percent in the last year alone.

If you’re affected by this problem, in CBD or elsewhere, we can suggest a solution: water heaters can be purchased for as little as RMB 600 from taobao.com or jd.com. If your Mandarin is still developing too, just copy and paste the characters 热水器 (rè shuǐ qì, “water heater”) into the search box, and look in the listings for the phrase 包安装 (bāo ān zhuāng, “installation included”). If you’re renting, it might also be worth talking to your landlord about whether they will pay for or share the cost of the boiler, which is, after all, an enhancement to their property.

Photos: Pixabay, Amanda Zhang

Sandwiched in a four square kilometer area between the Third and Fourth Ring Roads, the CBD is the financial center of the city. Modern high rises, luxury shopping, five-star hotels, and major companies make up much of the environment. The famous CCTV Tower, or “Big Pants,” is CBD’s most recognizable landmark. Located just south of CBD, Shuangjing was once a no man’s land of factories, but is now home to higher-end housing. With one of the highest concentrations of residential compounds in Chaoyang District, Shuangjing has a diverse population of white-collar locals and expat families who have settled in the area due to its proximity to schools and CBD workplaces.

Residential Compounds

Residential compounds abound in CBD. The aptly named Central Park features a central location in a large compound filled with restaurants, shops, cafes, beauty services, and even a bakery. Central Park has its own indoor swimming pool, sauna, squash court, and gym. Gemdale International Garden and the nearby shopping center Gemdale Plaza, also have a real neighborhood feel, with on-site markets, restaurants, cafes, a post office, a gym, a swimming pool, and a children’s playground. Pingod, nicknamed “Apple Community,” is another large compound with a good selection of convenience stores, close public transport, and shops. Adjacent to Viva Mall, Fulicheng has a gym and health club, children’s play areas, and a clubhouse. Landgent International apartments surround a man-made lake and central garden and is located near Carrefour, cafes, florists, laundry services, post office, and banks.

Schools

There are plenty of schools in Beijing’s CBD and Shuangjing neighborhoods including Beijing City International School (BCIS) and Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS, Beijing) which offer grades from kindergarten to high school, while Etonkids International Bilingual Kindergartens, Ivy Academy, and the Canadian International School of Beijing’s Jianguomen campus offer learning for students just beginning their academic careers.

Shopping

CBD has a number of high-end shopping malls frequented by business travelers, expats, and locals, such as Shin Kong Place, China World Mall, Kerry Center, and the LEED-certified Parkview Green. For more mid-range options, The Place has Zara, H&M, and Uniqlo. In Shuangjing, Carrefour, Decathlon, Viva Mall, and the recently completed Hopson One Mall are within walking distance of the area’s many residential compounds.

Dining

Restaurants tend to be concentrated in malls or compounds. For example, Central Park has several options such as The Woods (Modern European), Thai Lime Cafe, and LMPlus (Italian), while The Place has Moka Bros and Herbal Cafe (Cantonese). China World Mall and its labyrinth of connected buildings in Guomao also have a plethora of fun restaurants, including Migas Mercado, Arcade By Hatchery, and Beersmith Gastropub. Shuangjing has recently gained expat favorites like Q Mex and Blue Frog, and is continuing to grow in its offerings by the month.

Where to Play

For outdoor activities, Ritan Park is a green oasis in the middle of the CBD’s concrete jungle. It’s a great place to let kids burn off their energy and learn about some Beijing history and culture. There are also some modern-day touches, like a climbing wall and a decent playground. The Place is home to a number of great kids play areas both inside and outside the facility, including kid’s work out space, My Gym. Parkview Green is more upscale, with filtered air for polluted days. A regular destination at Parkview Green for visiting mums and babies is Little Oasis, a popular indoor play area. Moms would be glad to know that breastfeeding and baby changing rooms are particularly plentiful and clean at this fancy shopping mall. For more kid friendly cultural events, Ready Reading Library is a bilingual kid’s library offering an extensive selection of books catered towards children under the age of nine. They also sell an array of kid’s toys, organize arts and crafts classes, and often put on fun live storytelling events.

Photos: Kipp Whittaker
This article appeared on p18-29 of beijingkids July 2018 Home & Relocation Guide issue

We often think of Beijing as a massive, cosmopolitan metropolis awkwardly positioned on top of an ancient city, but surprisingly the majority of Beijing is rural. Taking up over 16,000 sqkm of land, Beijing is so massive it actually should be viewed as a county rather than a city. This can make it a daunting task for finding the most appropriate neighborhood for you and your family to settle down.

Beijing itself is broken up into districts, with the center districts considered to be the main part of the “city” of Beijing. Districts themselves can be massive, with populations equaling the size of whole European cities, and they house diverse, ever-changing, neighborhoods within.

Like in all major cities when settling on an area to live in, your neighborhood very much reflects your personality and the unique social, professional, or cultural needs of you and your family.

Areas like Sanlitun, the Central Business District (CBD), and Liangmaqiao are expensive and filled with shopping malls and a more developed western food scene that attracts a wealthier Chinese and expat clientele.

The trendy areas of the city, where many young expats tend to reside would be the hutongs. These neighborhoods are located primarily in Dongzhimen or Gulou and often attract those looking for a more authentic Beijing experience, due to their picturesque though sometimes gritty setting. But this can be an inconvenient option for some families as markets with international goods aren’t very close, the plumbing is old, and these old houses can get cold during the winter.

For expat families who’d prefer to settle down in neighborhoods near reputable schools, Shunyi is likely your best option, but it is a far drive out of the dynamic city center. Far-flung neighborhoods have much cheaper rent, but can often lack nightlife, a diverse dining scene, or many other creature comforts that we crave to maintain our social lives.

In our Beijing Neighborhood Guide you’ll discover all of the pros and cons of each area, which we hope will help guide you in your search for the perfect place to live, learn, eat, and play for as long as you decide to call this incredible city home.

Photos: Kipp Whittaker
This article appeared on p18-29 of beijingkids July 2018 Home & Relocation Guide issue

Beijing is undeniably large, with its whopping 16,411 sqkm of land area, the majority of it being rural. At times you might feel like your family is in a small bubble but believe us, there’s more fun and life beyond your comfortable living space.

Below is a map of your new community, showing what’s in and what’s cool in the Jing! The first half of the map shows central Beijing with neighborhood clusters from Shuangjing and the Central Business District (grids C5 to E6), Sanlitun and Dongzhimen expat hubs (C4-D4), Liangmaqiao, Chaoyang Park, and Lido areas (D1-E4), while the second map shows the breadth of the northeastern Chaoyang and Shunyi Districts, including the Wangjing neighborhood (F5-G6), Laiguangying (G4-H4), and much of Shunyi (G1-I4).

Here are several family-friendly places and major establishments that will help you make the most of your time in Beijing. Make sure to check our website for event listings and our sister brand, the Beijinger, for more directory information. Once more, welcome home!

Click/tap to enlarge the map

Illustration by Liubov Vladimirova.
The featured illustration cannot be republished or reused without the written permission of beijingkids and Vladimirova.

This article appeared on the inside cover page of the beijingkids Home & Relocation Guide 2018-2019 issue.

Beijing is not short of schools, and picking the right school for your kids might be the hardest thing ever. I am a big fan of Montessori education; this way of teaching is by far the best fit for my daughter. So when I heard one of the long-time Beijing expats was going to open a Montessori school I was excited. Why would you even start such a crazy journey as creating a school from scratch?

“Why not?” is the answer of Alesia Chizzoniti, founder and director of Blossom Montessori Culture Center. Having a school that her kids can attend, and that has the same beliefs as her Montessori background is essential. Chizzoniti attended Montessori education herself, and is convinced that this is the best route for her kids and many more. Blossom Montessori will offer lower and upper elementary programs.

The child is not an empty vessel, but a human being with full potential to absorb and learn from the environment. Learning in a Montessori Environment is not teacher led, but child driven. It is an environment in which active learning trumps passivity.

~Alessia

If I know one thing for sure it’s that Chizzoniti has a passion for kids and education. She believes in the wholeness of children, and her spark and energy are infectious. Chizzoniti has been working tirelessly on opening the doors to this new school this Saturday, for the first open day. Kids will make masks, snacks are provided, and having a good look around is encouraged. All of Beijng’s families are invited to come and see the new space for themselves in the Central Business District (CBD) area.

What can you expect from Montessori education?

• Mixed age classroom
• Free student choice
• Uninterrupted blocks of work time,
• A constructive or “discovery” model, where students learn from working
• Specialized educational materials, based on scientific observation
• Freedom of movement within the classroom
• Trained Montessori teachers

Location: Global Trade Mansion GuangHua Lu, 9 A2-2F 世贸国际公寓，光华路9号A2-2F

Photos: courtesy of Blossom Montessori

If you thought that Beersmith Gastropub is only known for great beer, well, you need to know that they’ve also got fantastic brunch sets! We’ve visited them for their regular brunch weekend recently. For Easter, they will step it up a notch. Their Sunday Roast and Brunch with Easter Touch will be served from 11.30am to 3pm.

If you’re on a hunt for an Easter feast, Beersmith’s holiday brunch has a “Roast Carving” station full of mouth-watering meat, like prime Australian beef rib and herbed lamb leg to name a few. Of course, Easter won’t be complete without eggs — this time, you won’t color them but instead indulge in a selection of eggs cooked in different styles and spiced up with condiments.

While kids eat, parents can have a midday drink, courtesy of the brewmaster’s new Draft Punk beer to increase the holiday mood. The English-style pale ale is brewed with UK Maris Otter malt and East Kent Golding and Fuggle hops.

Beersmith Gastropub’s Sunday Roast and Brunch with Easter Touch, 11.30am-3pm
RMB 288 per person (inclusive of one drink of choice – beer, wine, soft drink, coffee, or tea)

Kids below 6 eat free, from 6-12 at RMB 75 only. Beverage free flow package is RMB 168 (wine/beer for 3 hours). The weekend happy hour has been extended to run from 11am to 9 pm; buy one, get one on all craft beer, house wine and sparkling wine, and spirits/mixers. Beersmith Gastropub.

Photos: Courtesy of Beersmith Gastropub