Fall is just around the corner and with fall comes the highly anticipated Golden Week, which begins with China’s National Day on October 1 and continues for the rest of the working week.

While most of us are usually out of town during this time anyway, this year we have some added incentive to get out and seek adventure. The week-long holiday also happens to coincide with the 70th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

Before you consume yourself with excitement for our host country, this holiday also means that much of the capital will be on lockdown as the city prepares for a series of events to celebrate this momentous occasion. The most notable of these is a massive military parade down Chang’an Jie on Oct 1. This event usually results in roads, subways, and many businesses around the city being closed not only on the day of the parade, but periodically in the weeks leading up to it for rehearsals.

So, unless you don’t mind sitting indoors for a majority of the week, then it’s probably best to start planning your escape now. This can be somewhere else in Asia (Bali sounds delightful!), any other city in China, or even back home to visit the fam. But don’t stay here expecting to carry on with your regular day-to-day routine or knock out some items on your Beijing bucket list.

For the last major military parade marking the 70th Anniversary of the War of Aggression Victory Day, there were road restrictions, numerous restrictions on various modes of transport and license plates, and forced closures of bars and restaurants around the city. More info can be found out about that here.

While we can’t confirm if the situation will be the same as we experienced back in Aug-Sep, 2015, steps are already being made to get the capital parade-ready. These efforts will only be made more visible in the weeks to come. So, brace yourselves for impact, and start making travel plans now.

Photo: Wikimedia

If you happen to be stuck in Beijing during the Spring Festival period (Feb 15-21) then there are already plenty of opportunities to hole up on the couch at home, without the fact that many gyms and fitness centers will be closed.

READ: Beijing Spring Festival Bar and Restaurant Opening Hours

However, those who want to fill their week with at least moderate exertion still have opportunities to do so at gyms such as B Active. Expect hotel gyms, such as Kerry Sports or Trainyard at Hotel Jen, to remain open, although likely with a reduced schedule of group classes. As ever at this time of year, call ahead to be sure. Below is a breakdown of opening hours at some popular Beijing gyms.

B Active – Open 24 hours, reception staffed 9am-6pm Feb 15, 11am-8pm Feb 16-21
Base Fit – Sanlitun closed Feb 15-19, Chaoyangmen closed Feb 15-21
Raw Fitness – Feb 14 closing at 2pm, Feb 15 closed, Feb 16-21 noon-4pm
CrossFit Slash Sanlitun – Closed
Green Essence – Open
GuCycle – Closed Feb 14-21
Ms Uptown – Closed Feb 15-25
Prime Fitness – Closed Feb 15-21
SpaceCycle – Sanlitun closed Feb 15-18, China World Mall open with reduced hours (11am-5pm Feb 15, 11am-6pm Feb 16-17)

If you’re a GuavaPass member, you can suspend your membership for free during the Spring Festival period from Feb 15-28.

Don’t see your gym on this list? Let us know if it’s closed!

More stories by this author here.

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Photos: amendo.com

Rumi, one of Beijing’s top Middle Eastern restaurants and not to be confused with the long dead Sufi mystic/poet, has shuttered its doors indefinitely. This is particularly sad news given that since their opening in 2005 they have consistently ranked among our favorite restaurants. In 2007, they even won “Restaurant of the Year” in our the Beijinger Reader Restaurant Awards, which is a testament not only to their popularity but also their ability to make Iranian cuisine an essential part of Beijing’s dining scene.

Rumi was founded by Fariborz Mohebat, an Iranian expat who moved to Beijing with his family and decided to open up a restaurant on Xiaoyun Lu in 2005, serving up delicacies from his home country. The space immediately became too big for its britches, causing Rumi to uproot and move to their current digs on Gongti Beilu. Their grilled kebabs were enormous, the rice ever fragrant, and the salads, hummus and pita were true crowd-pleasers (they also served a mean burger, known for being one of the best in town).

Closures of Beijing institutions have been occurring frequently as of late with such haunts as Tim’s Texas BBQ (now rehomed) and The Den, for example, going under due to laws concerning the commercial use of real estate owned by the PLA.

While we hope Rumi’s closure is just temporary, we haven’t been able to get any more details from the folks at Rumi. We will keep you updated as this culinary tragedy unfolds.

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on February 9, 2016.

Photo: Ken

Beijing government’s first pollution red alert saw many international schools closing their facilities. As schools clarified their positions, parents were informed about developments late last night. Despite the closure of the physical facilities, learning in most schools continues on schedule through virtual learning facilities.

Beijing City International School (BCIS)‘s writer, editor and media relations coordinator, Thomas Longrigg said that the school uses ManageBac, Edublogs, and Wiki to share learning materials. Each subject teacher uploads the work they were going to teach today to the various platforms. The platforms used depend on the ages of the students. These platforms are only accessible by the students, teachers, and parents at each school.

E-learning Platforms
The digital platforms use the turnkey system where the end user gets a system that’s ready to use and totally customized for them. These systems are web-based applications that need an internet connection and an up-to-date browser. Not all international schools use the same e-learning platforms as BCIS. Dulwich College Beijing, for instance, uses Studywiz but the process is the same; the teacher uploads the materials then the student logs in, works on the assignment, and can optionally participate in an online discussion,  depending on the class.

We spoke to Harrow International School Beijing‘s assistant head of upper school, Barbara Justham on their digital platform.

What’s the school policy on long distance learning during school closures?
One of the traits that we continually seek to develop in our students at Harrow is independent learning. While school closures are avoided whenever possible – this is the first day we have shut in the eight years I have spent here – they do provide an opportunity to take our investment in students’ independent learning skills to another level. Of course this is tailored to the age of the students as they progress through the school. For example, I teach a group of accelerated students who are preparing for IGCSEs in just one year. The course moves very quickly and we plan our program of study very carefully in advance.  My students all know the topics they are studying each week as well as the learning skills that we will be working on – our Behavior for Learning program – from the very start of the course; this means they can prepare for classes by reading ahead and learning new vocabulary in advance. Last night when I learned we could not open today I posted an assignment onto our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) directing them to the material they need to cover today using their textbooks, examination specification and the resources already available to them online on the VLE. They know I am available on email if they need any help. In this way I am confident that the learning of the students will not be interrupted despite today’s Red AQI status.

What digital platform does Harrow Beijing use for e-learning?
Our VLE makes use of an open source platform called moodle, which is widely used by universities and schools around the world. It is an integral part of our learning and teaching – not just on school closure days! The GCSE class I teach can access materials that have been personalized for their specific learning needs on every topic from the course any time, allowing them to read ahead or to revise. I upload all the powerpoints and other resources I use in class and link them to other websites or articles that they may find useful; their homework is also posted on the site each week so they don’t fall behind if they miss a class for some reason. We have categorized all past examination questions and answers so students can practise their exam technique and the site also allows us to host quizzes, glossaries and a host of other activities – even games to help students learn key points. One of the key features I very much appreciate is that the students can also contribute – my class have recently started posting questions and explaining them to each other, and sharing resources they have found for revision. Because this takes place on our own forum I can correct any misconceptions that arise and help the group to move forward in their understanding. Overall the site allows students to personalize their learning, accessing the resources that they need the most. E-learning is not just for school closures – this is a regular part of the experience we provide and I would not be without it!

How does the e-learning platform work?
Students are given a username and password for the site when they enroll in the school and can then choose to enroll themselves in as many courses as they like. The main use is to support curriculum subjects, but we also have areas of the site that promote aspects of our Leadership in Action program such as Enrichment Activities. For example, students who wanted to audition for this term’s Poetry Night could choose to submit an audio file through the VLE if they preferred this to a formal audition. We also use it to promote whole school events such as Book Week and the Shakespeare Festival. The VLE is a very flexible platform – each teacher finds their own unique way to use it and it can be adapted for the needs of each class. Once again this personalization of learning is really at the heart of the Harrow experience and we use all the tools available to us – including e-learning – to help each student progress in the way that’s best for them.

Wednesday will see most international schools closed, or open only to students whose parents cannot make other childcare arrangements. At home or at school, technology has become a crucial component in education, and a godsend for schools, teachers, and students in situations such as these.

Photos: Screen Shot and sullivank12.net

In an unprecedented move, a number of schools from Beiing’s international school community were closed today. The decision came late yesterday evening in response to a memorandum released by Beijing Municipal Department of Education indicating that schools should not hold classes Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. The memorandum was issued by the education authorities as a reaction to Beijing declaring its first Red Alert, calling for the closures of schools, factories, and odds/evens traffic restrictions. Under new standards set in March of this year, a Red Alert is declared when the air quality is forecast to be over AQI 200 for three days or more. Read on for tomorrow’s closures and re-openings.

Today’s Closures
Among the closures are some of the most well-known international schools in Beijing including Harrow International School Beijing (Harrow Beijing), Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB), Dulwich College Beijing (DCB), Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), 3e International School, Beijing City International School (BCIS), Beijing International Bilingual Academy (BIBA), International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB), Tsinghua International School (THIS), all five campuses of Beijing World Youth Academy (BWYA) as well as both House of Knowledge International School and Kindergarten (HoK) campuses. Reactions from faculty and students range from practicality and concern to, unsurprisingly, joy.

“Everyone is celebrating; my WeChat has been bombed with happy posts and declarations of love for pollution,” says Grade 12 THIS student Rhea Jiang.
Though students may see closures as a reason to celebrate, the memorandum stressed that learning should continue and encouraged educators to hand out homework via social media channels or school websites.  “I know my AP English teacher will be giving out assignments,” Rhea says.

On the other hand, faculty from Beijing international schools are a looking at the bigger picture and see the closures as an opportunity for change. “If we carry on as normal, the pollution level will continue to rise. We are looking at it from an international school point of view but this also covers local schools that do not have the luxury of air cleaners, whereas parents may have them at home,” shares Tara Gillan, head of marketing at HoK and a mother of two.

The intention of creating more stringent restrictions and school closures is an attempt to improve the situation for children at schools without sufficient air filtration, and to prevent unnecessary travel.

One parent commenter who has a child that goes to a local Chinese School in the Dongcheng District told our sister publication theBeijinger that in an attempt to improve facilities at his daughter’s school, some parents had banded together to buy air purifiers for the classrooms. Other parents then complained to the Ministry of Education that the purchase of air purifiers meant the school was ‘charging extra fees.’ The school has reacted by banning parents from buying air purifiers for its classrooms.

Schools Remaining Open
Not all schools in Beijing were closed today. For example YCIS Beijing remained open. A statement issued by YCIS Beijing Co-Principal Noel Thomas reads: “Thanks to the school’s extensive and effective air purification system and protected classroom spaces, the administration is confident that YCIS Beijing is able to offer students a safe and healthy learning environment despite a red-level pollution warning from the local government. Some YCIS Beijing parents have chosen to keep their kids home today due to external pollution levels, a decision that the school respects. However, we are regularly monitoring air quality inside classrooms and indoor recreational spaces throughout campus and can confidently report that our air purification systems are doing their job.”

Tomorrow’s Closures and Re-Openings
Chaoyang Education Authority alerted schools that they should remain officially closed and only open to parents who have no other childcare arrangements. On that basis, many international schools will reopen tomorrow,  giving working parents the option of whether or not to send their kids to school. As of this post classes at HoK, CISB, DCB, and BCIS will resume tomorrow morning, and both BSB campuses will remain open, while Daystar, WAB, MSB, BIBA, and Ivy school campuses will remain closed.

Stay tuned for updates as they become available.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

For the first time since new stringent air quality control measures were instituted in March of this year, Beijing has declared a Red Alert, immediately calling for odds/evens traffic restrictions, closures of factories and construction sites, and the shuttering of most schools for the next three days.

Under standards set in March of this year, a Red Alert is declared when the air quality is forecast to be over AQI 200 for three days or more. The city declared an Orange Alert at midnight last night, but upgraded the warning to Red at 6pm this evening, according to the Beijing News.

While Orange and Yellow alerts have been declared multiple times since the measures were enacted in 2013, this is the first time a Red Alert has been declared.

The most immediate effect of the Red Alert is the institution of odds/evens traffic controls on the roads, which will be enforced beginning at 7am tomorrow (Dec 8) and be in effect through noon on Thursday, Dec 10.

In addition to the mandatory restrictions, the measures call for "suggestions" such as the shuttering of preschools, primary schools, middle schools and high schools when red alerts are announced.

The Beijing Municipal Department of Education issued a memorandum this evening indicating that all schools should stop classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

They stressed that learning should not cease during the period and educators should reach out to students to give them homework via social media channels and school websites.

However, the department also said that all schools should have staff on hand to take care of children who are unable to stay at home due to parental obligations during the work day.

The education department will be issuing official updates every day at 2pm on its website.

Confusion reigned in early this evening as parents scrambled for news about whether their childrens’ school would be in session Tuesday.

The vast majority of Beijing international schools reached for comment this evening indicated that they would close through the 10th, while a handful said they would remain in session. Those local schools reached for comment said school would be in session but new lessons would not be taught so that parents could keep their children home without fear of them falling behind.

Weather forecasts call for a cold front to roll in Thursday that will help lift the heavy veil of pollution.

Beijing’s current air pollution warning system is an upgrade to a system initially devised in 2013, described in the chart below:

The city government issues the pollution alert via multiple channels, including TV, radio, newspapers, the internet, and text messages.

Red and orange alerts are supposed to be released 24 hours in advance of taking effect.

Photos: thebeijinger.com

Here’s a good rule of thumb for September 2 until the evening of September 3: wherever you’re going, call first to make sure it’s open. And if you’re thinking of taking any public transportation to get there, you may wish to plan a back-up route, or borrow, buy, or rent a bicycle.

Going for a walk in the park? Leave that contraband at home. According to Beijing News, from September 1-5, "strict" inspections of everyone entering any of the city’s major public parks will be conducted. "Tourists will be required to open bags and packages for inspection, with the seizure of contraband, focusing on firearms, ammunition, explosive, knives, toxic and hazardous and other dangerous items," the News reported. Then again, don’t sweat it: Chaoyang Park, Longtan Park, Taoranting Park, Pioneers Park (Honglingjin Park), and Yaowahu Park will be closed until 2pm on September 3. Yuyantan Park will be closed from 10.30pm on September 2 until 2pm on September 3.

As for public transportation, the News also reported that from September 2-4, 256 public bus lines and 10 subway lines will be subject to temporary closures or diversions. Some of the better known lines include public bus lines 1 and 2, which will be halted all of September 2-3. Lines temporarily stopped from the morning of September 3 until the end of the military parade include: 9, 10, 14, 15, 22, 24, 38, 47, 52, 60, 69, 82, 88, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, 111, 116, 120, 126, 127, 140, 603, 673, the News said. Click this link for the complete list. It’s in Chinese, but if you see the number of a bus you regularly ride, expect it to be affected.

Subway line 1 and the Batong Xian to Tongzhou will be closed until 1pm on September 3. Lines 2, 4, 5, and 10 will not stop at stations along or near the parade route, including Jianguomen, Guomao, Dongdan, and Chongwenmen.

As for restaurants, we have word that a fair number of establishments will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. However, taco and pizza lovers are in luck: Ramo will be open for their Pizza Party on Wednesday but will close at midnight and Luga’s will be open for their half-price tacos. Meat lovers should note that Home Plate will be closed Wednesday but will reopen on Thursday at 5pm.

If you’re looking for a bar to chill in and a film to watch, specifically Fritz Lang’s M, Camera Stylo will remain open on Wednesday (but Là Bas will be closed).

See our list of holiday closures here. Our advice above bears repeating: wherever you’re going, call first to make sure it’s open, at least on the evening of September 2 and daytime on September 3. Have fun!

This post appeared on thebeijinger.com on September 1, 2015

According to The Times of India the Indian Embassy School closed its doors for the last time this Monday 13th.

Here’s a snippet of the article:

Beijing had grown into an international city with educational options. And there were very few children of Indian officials or the larger Indian community studying in the school, Jaishankar said.

But many Indian employees said the decision was bound to affect those who work for companies that refuse to reimburse the high cost of schooling, which is usually higher than $1,500 a month. It would make Beijing a less attractive posting, they said. "I may have to send my child to India as I cannot afford fees in international schools," a parent said. The school inside the embassy premises served kids between the kindergarten and Class IV.  

The Indian School served a small sector of Beijing’s community (not just those of Indian nationality) who could not afford to send their children to Beijing’s increasingly expensive international schools. The Pakistan Embassy College is now expected to bare the brunt of the closure, taking in children who have been forced to change schools.

We tried calling the Indian School to no avail. While we did get through to the Indian Embassy, they could only confirm that the school had closed and were unable to provide any details. Updates will be posted in the comments section as they come in.