Sanlitun and its surrounding areas are major expat hubs. With many bars, clubs, and restaurants concentrated in one place, it’s a fast-changing, very commercialized area. Just west of Sanlitun lies the quieter Xingfucun with its own developing bar and restaurant scene, while to the north is Dongzhimen, which contains one of the city’s major embassy districts. Inner Dongzhimen, on the other hand, is a gateway to historic neighborhoods, such as Gulou, Andingmen, and Yonghegong. However, many of these old Beijing neighborhoods are being demolished to initiate new developments, such as the extension of the Airport Express, as the city makes moves to modernize.

Compounds

Seasons Park, in particular, is popular with expat families as it is close to banks, restaurants, and western supermarkets and has a kids’ playground. Also popular with a large number of expats who have kids is Lianbao Garden. Located just behind the foreign grocery chain April Gourmet in Xingfucun, Lianbao has a convenient location, spacious apartments, and a children’s playground. Tayuan DRC has historically been a more upscale choice for well-compensated professionals or diplomats. It is one of the five diplomatic residence compounds (DRC) originally built to serve Beijing’s diplomatic and foreign community. Located just north of the Canadian Embassy, the compound contains relatively spacious western-style apartments, a big stretch of grass within, and even has its own import market.

Schools

In Sanlitun, you can choose between a number of top-notch schools including Daystar Academy’s Sanlitun campus, The British School of Beijing (BSB), Sanlitun and their new early learning center, and Beijing No. 55 High School International Students Section which offers both middle and high school in Xingfucun.

Shopping

Shopping abounds in Sanlitun, from foreign goods markets to mom and pop shops to vintage boutiques to huge malls. One major shopping and dining hub is Taikoo Li, a sprawling village-style mall with many name brand products. While many of these stores are on the pricey side, it is a great place for window shopping and getting a walk in. Just south of Taikoo Li is Sanlitun Soho. This is a great spot for finding an affordable tailor to make some of your bespoke fashion fantasies come to life!

Dining

Beijing’s dining scene is highly developed. Besides the many western-style restaurants in Taikoo Li and the adjacent Nali Patio, there’s plenty of options at Topwin Center, like Beyond Yakitori and Avocado Tree, or the neighboring Courtyard 4 where you’ll find Home Plate BBQ and Taco Bar. Head over to Dongzhimen’s Guijie, for acres of hot pot restaurants. Here, you’ll also find that the nearby hutongs have numerous local noodle shops and regional Chinese cuisine. Xingfucun is also home to a growing number of bars and restaurants, including O’Steak, 京-A Taproom, and Cannon’s Burgers.

Where to Play

Beijing is a huge city with a lot of places to go and things to do, yet many venues can be intolerably crowded during the weekend. During the hot days of summer, Tuanjiehu Park is home to the downtown’s best water park and also features roller-skating and rides. There are also several cinemas in Sanlitun that show a handful of Hollywood films. Just a short walk west from Taikoo Li you will spot Shimao Department Store, which is great for finding many kid-friendly activities including play learning venues, toy stores, and much more. For bibliophiles, The Bookworm is Beijing’s long-running bilingual bookstore and book lending library with regular story times, baby singing groups, and other family-friendly fun that can be a great escape from the hustle and bustle of this commercial neighborhood.

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.

Guizhou Changwang Noodles

Reviewed in: Hepingli

You may feel you’ve had your fill of noodles in the Middle Kingdom, but chances are you haven’t tasted Guizhou changwang noodles (RMB 30), which combine the chewy texture of Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles, the spiciness of Sichuan’s dandan noodles, and the pungent scent of Hubei’s hot-dry noodles. A popular snack in Guiyang, changwang noodles are served with pig’s blood, intestines, and chicken oil in a hot and sour soup. The most authentic version can be found at Beijing Guizhou Mansion.

Paris Spring
Reviewed in: Dongzhimen

Haagen-Dazs serves a rich selection of tasty ice creams, including the romantically-named Paris Spring (RMB 108). Featuring a scoop of strawberry ice cream and a strawberry macaroon, it’s a touch of spring on a plate.

Cheeseburger with Chopped Salad
Reviewed in: Sanlitun

The burgers at Great Leap’s Xinzhong Lu branch gained a devoted following in a very short period of time – and for good reason. The massive cheeseburger (RMB 50) delivers a one-two punch of double beef patties and oozing cheese layers, with pickles providing just the right amount of crunch. Fries can be substituted for a salad for RMB 6, and the weekday lunch special gets you RMB 10 off all burgers and salads (Mon-Fri 11.30am-2pm).

Katsu Curry with Pork Cutlet
Reviewed in: Beixinqiao

The Japanese may be known for their intricate culinary techniques, but there is something satisfyingly simple about this katsu curry with pork cutlet (RMB 35). Served in the homely setting of Suzuki Kitchen’s newest branch in Beixinqiao, the dish comes garnished with seaweed and a tomato relish.

Dishes tried-and-tested by Sijia Chen, Oscar Holland, Clemence Jiang, and Morgan Shang. Want to take a bite for yourself? See Directories for restaurant listings. Got a suggestion? Send us a photo and a description to editor@beijing-kids.com.

This article originally appeared on p31 of the beijingkids December 2013 issue.

Check out the PDF version online at Issuu.com

“What’s the deal with Beijing No. 55?” This is a question that several parents have asked before in our forum, without a definitive answer…until now! Tucked away in a hutong between Dongzhimen Waidajie and Gongti Beilu, this bilingual Chinese/English middle school and high school has caught the attention of many expat families. Yesterday morning, I joined beijingkids Brand Manager and Beijing No. 55 mom Theresa Ahdieh on a tour of the campus. Here’s what we learned.

Overview

• No. 55 is a local middle school and high school with an International Students Section tailored specifically for foreigners.
• The school uses a dual educational system composed of the IB Middle Years Programme (Grades 7-10) and Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12), as well as the Chinese national curriculum.
• Chinese is the main teaching language in middle school. In high school, students can decide whether to continue in English or Chinese. Students who plan to attend university in China generally follow the Chinese pre-university program, while students who plan to attend university overseas tend to take IB’s English-language Diploma Programme.
• No. 55 recently opened a new building for its foreign students. Starting from next semester, they’ll be taking most of their classes there.
• The school year at No. 55 runs from September 1 to July 10.

Facts and Figures

• The school was founded in 1954, began accepting foreign students in 1975, opened the International Students Section in 1989, and became an IB World School in 1994.
• No. 55 has a total of around 1,900 students; more than 600 are foreign students.
• The school has two teaching buildings (one old and one new) for international students, two laboratory buildings, several gymnasiums, and two auditoriums.
• Middle school classes have 15-17 students, while high school classes have 17-20 students.
• Over 2,000 foreign students have studied at No. 55 over the years, and several hundred have gone on to top universities like Tsinghua University and Peking University.

Pros

• One of No. 55’s biggest draws is undoubtedly the low price tag. Middle school tuition fees cost roughly RMB 19,000 per semester and high school tuition fees are around RMB 22,000 per semester.
• The school is conveniently located in Dongzhimen, close to the Embassy Area. Many students live right around school, but school buses also go to Wangjing, the Olympic Village, the CBD, and Shunyi.
• No. 55 is a great place to foster Mandarin learning. All middle school students are taught in Chinese, and those who decide to attend a local university can continue their schooling in Chinese. Even if the student switches to the IB English program for high school, s/he will have a solid foundation in Mandarin.
• As an IB World School, No. 55 offers the IB high school diploma, which is recognized by universities around the world. Graduates of No. 55 have gone on to universities in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and more.
• No. 55 hosts a dizzying array of cultural activities. The hallways were filled with framed pictures and mementos from past events, field trips, and exchange programs with high schools in other countries.

Cons

• No. 55 doesn’t have as many extracurricular activities or facilities as some of the bigger international schools. For now, the only after-school sports are boys’ basketball and badminton. The school is currently polling students to figure out which other sports to add.
• No. 55 doesn’t really offer much opportunity for interaction with Chinese students. Though much of the school’s curriculum is in Chinese, the foreign students are in a different building than the local students.
• If you don’t speak any Chinese, it can be difficult to communicate with the administration staff. Likewise, most of the teachers are Chinese and have limited English ability. However, No. 55 has an English website with admissions information, pictures of past events, a news bulletin, bus routes, and more.

To learn more about Beijing No. 55 Middle School and High School, visit the school’s website. For contact information, see our Directory listing. To see more pictures, check out our gallery.

Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5-10pm. 24 Xinyuan Xili Zhongjie, Chaoyang District (6462 4502) 朝阳区新源西里中街24号 See Directory under Chinese for more locations.

Dongbeiren
Best Chinese-Themed Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese (Dongbei)
English-language menu: Yes, with pictures
Kid-friendly food: Not too spicy, not too sweet – kids will love everything on this menu (barring some of their more extreme options, like fried cicadas). You can’t go wrong with a selection of colorful jiaozi – try tomato and egg, pork and cabbage, or beef. Ditch the rice and go for one of their many varieties of bread (the fried chive pancakes are wonderful).
Three healthiest items for kids: Try their chive jiaozi, any of their qingcai (green vegetable) dishes – we recommend the celery with yellow beans, or the family can share a giant sample platter of raw veggies, tofu skins and dipping sauce, all cut up into perfect kid-sized shapes.
Kid-friendly staff: The English is very poor here but the staff love kids.
Bathroom: Fairly clean bathroom with both sit-down and squat options. It’s up a few flights of stairs, though.
Kids’ play area: None, but the kids can run riot chasing each other up and down the restaurant’s three stories.
Seating: Tables and chairs, as well as a few kang (Chinese beds).
Average price: RMB 180
Parking: No
Credit card: Chinese cards only
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is lively, fun and playful. If you ask, a waiter might even sing a folk song for you.
Must-order item: Jiaozi
In a nutshell: Dongbeiren is great for a fun night out – bring an appetite, a box of wet wipes to clean up the mess, and a cheery disposition. IK

Daily 11am-10pm. A1 Xinzhong Jie, Dongzhimenwai, Dongcheng District (6415 2855) 东城区东直门外新中街甲1号

Grandma’s Kitchen
Best Affordable Family Breakfast
Cuisine: American
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: The kids’ menu has “mini” versions of adult dishes. Tots will love the scrambled egg and bacon, happy face pancake (it’s decorated with fruit!), and quesadillas – they come fast and satisfy those hungry tummies!
Three healthiest items for kids: Fresh fruit juice, scrambled egg, happy face pancake (skip the butter and syrup!)
Kid-friendly staff: Yes, kid-friendly.
Bathroom: Clean bathroom with sit-down toilet. They put heaters on in the winter, so it’s not so cold.
Kids’ play area: While there is no specific play area, the kids love playing in the outdoor courtyard in all seasons. As soon as you sit down, the wait staff provide markers and coloring paper.
Seating: Seating is indoors and outdoors. Some highchairs available.
Average price: RMB 100
Parking: The closest car park is out the end of the hutong and across the street; don’t try to park in the hutong itself.
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Simple and cozy
Must-order item: Fresh orange juice and breakfast dishes with eggs.
In a nutshell: Affordable, family-friendly, and the kids love the food and playing outside in the courtyard. This restaurant makes it a lovely “getaway” for a family breakfast without leaving the city. JC

Daily 10am-10pm. 28 Shique Hutong (across from Beixinqiao subway exit C), Dongcheng District (8403 9452) 东城区北新桥石雀胡同28号(地铁五号线北新桥站C出口 See Directory under American for more locations.

Traktirr Pushkin
Best Place to Stuff the Kids on the Cheap
Cuisine: European (Russian)
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: The food here is very kid-friendly but not always healthy. There are several simple meat and potato dishes (steak, grilled pork, chicken Kiev), dumplings, soups and salads (many of them with generous lashings of mayonnaise). And who can resist pancakes for dessert?
Three healthiest items for kids: Borscht, cabbage rolls and carrot salad.
Kid-friendly staff: Waiters can be harried because the restaurant is often busy, but they are experienced and far from unfriendly. Some staff speak some English.
Bathroom: Bathrooms are clean, have sit-down toilets and, as an added cultural bonus, are decorated with murals depicting scenes from Russian folklore.
Kids’ play area: N/A
Seating: Some booths downstairs. There are private rooms.
Average price: RMB 130
Parking: No, but you can often park on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant or at the Raffles City mall.
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Unpretentious
Must-order item: Borscht
In a nutshell: It’s cheap, cheerful, filling, foreign and easy to sell to the kids. If you and your kids enjoy being entertained as you eat, then request a table in the downstairs grotto where a Russian band plays in the evenings. Mom and Dad can enjoy imported Russian vodka or Russian beer. AP

Daily 10am-10pm. 5-15 Dongzhimennei Dajie, Dongcheng District (8407 8158, 6403 1896) 彼得堡餐厅, 东城区东直门内大街5-15号