As the enchanting glow of lanterns graces the night sky, expat families in Beijing have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Chinese culture during the Lantern Festival. Lantern Festival occurs on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This year, it falls on Feb 24.  Partake in age-old traditions, savor delectable treats, and create lasting memories. Here’s a guide on how foreign families can infuse their own flair into this time-honored festival.

First, let’s start with where you can go to take in the sights. Beijing comes alive with vibrant lantern markets during the Lantern Festival. Check out the largest lantern show in the city at Wuyuhe Park with your family and take in the festive atmosphere.

For those who are culturally curious, join in on a cultural event this weekend and learn about the holiday as well as how to make traditional lanterns. You can also savor some delicious tangyuan!

Then make a pit stop at literally any supermarket on your way home to pick up some tangyuan or yuanxiao and celebrate the Lantern Festival with a culinary adventure. What’s the difference? We explain it all in this article here. Blend traditional Chinese dishes associated with the festival with your family’s favorite recipes. This fusion of flavors reflects the diversity of your household.

Be sure to document your family’s Lantern Festival celebration through photographs and videos. Create a scrapbook or digital album, highlighting the unique blend of traditions and personal touches that made your celebration memorable. Want to share it with us? Just add TBJHelper on WeChat (ID: tbjhelper) and request to join our Best of Beijing in Photos group chat to submit yours!

The Lantern Festival in Beijing offers foreign families a captivating journey into Chinese traditions. By blending local customs with your own unique touches, you can create a celebration that resonates with the diversity of your expat experience. As lanterns illuminate the night, let this festival be a beacon of unity and cultural exploration for your family in the heart of Beijing.

Images: Courtesy of organizer, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

Hey Beijing newbies! This one’s for you.

If you haven’t learned how to use Taobao yet, you’re in for a treat! You can find anything your heart desires on the app and it’s super easy to use, even if you can’t yet read Chinese!

Let’s start by getting you started. Here’s how to download and register for your Taobao account. The information below is in part reproduced from one of our previous Taobao guides.

On the Computer:

First, enter taobao.com into your browser. It’s a busy and confusing homepage, but don’t panic! In the top left-hand corner, you’re looking for 免费注册 (miǎnfèi zhùcè, “free registration”).

Click on this, and you’ll be asked to agree to the terms and conditions. Click the big orange button to do so:

Now comes the bit that’s going to make everything much easier. In the top right-hand corner, you’ll see the lovely word “English.” Click on that…

…and all becomes clear!

You’ll also need to create a password, which needs to include letters, numbers, and at least one special character (punctuation, etc.), and to find a username nobody has used previously. This can be a challenge to your creativity…

On Your Phone:

Open up your AppGallery and enter Taobao. Then click download and proceed to follow the same steps to set up your account.

Taobao Shortcuts:

Now that you’ve got your account set up, check out these features that’ll make searching on China’s largest e-commerce platform super simple.

On the homepage, you’ll find the search bar at the top.

Once you click on it, you’ll have multiple options for searching for whatever you’re looking for. If you know the Chinese characters, type it in. If not, you can either speak into the app by clicking the microphone icon at the bottom or take a photo of what you want by clicking on the camera icon at the top right.

For example, by taking a picture of my stapler, it’ll automatically show me sellers for the product.

If you don’t have the item in front of you, don’t worry. You can access your photo gallery from the app as well. Instead of letting the app scan whatever is in front of your camera, click on the photo gallery icon on the left, then browse through your photos until you find what you want to purchase.

Worried about accidentally purchasing the wrong thing or changing your mind? Don’t worry. Here’s how to get a refund or exchange on Taobao.

Images: Andrew Killeen, Mina Yan, Pexels

Although they’re a bit different this year, the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games are back in full force after having been postponed due to COVID-19. All over the capital, neighbors are cheering and their TVs are blasting, the Games are a hot topic of discussion, and social media feeds are flowing with information. Whether you’re an avowed sports fan or simply someone who wants to know what all the hype is about, here are four ways to get in the Olympic spirit.

#1: Check out some livestreams

A week ago, YouTube was serving up a steady stream of funny cat videos. Now, everything on the recommended page is all about the Tokyo Summer Olympics. The same goes for just about every other social media account. So save yourself the trouble and download the Tencent Sport (腾讯体育 téng xùn tǐ yù) app on your devices (especially your phone) to access the livestreams of the games. With so many sports overlapping one another, make sure you scroll through the schedule to catch the ones you want to see most. You can also check the competitors’ schedules in case there’s a specific athlete you want to see.

If you already have WeChat on your device, then you can skip Tencent. WeChat’s Top Story section also allows you to access The Olympic livestreams, see each country’s status, and the competitor’s line-up.

#2: Get me the stats, stat! 

So, all your friends are raving about how China just won the diving competition, and how we’re dominating table tennis this year. But you have no clue? Don’t worry, Tencent Sport and WeChat also have all the stats, so you can be the first to tell your friends about China’s newest shiny gold medal. The reporting comes through in real time, so as soon as someone earns a medal, the rankings change. For example, if you clicked on WeChat’s Top Story and opened the ranking window, you’ll see that China, Japan, and the US are at the top of the leaderboard, for now.

#3: Discover new, lesser-known sports

Tokyo’s Summer Olympics features a total of 33 sports with 206 participating countries. Popular sports such as archery, aquatics (which includes swimming, diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming), table tennis, basketball (including 3×3 basketball), and volleyball (both indoor and beach-volleyball) are included in the list. However, all of the lesser-known sports like surfing, Judo, kayaking, and cycling can also be found. Last but not least, for the first time in history, the Olympic organizing committee introduced skateboarding as a sport. So get ready to see some of your favorite skateboarders make history!

#4: Check the schedule

The Games opened on Jul 23 and will close on Aug 8. But the actual competitions kicked off two days before the Opening Ceremony with softball in Fukushima – in line with the Games’ theme of recovery. This year’s Olympics features 339 medal events and 42 venues. There are fewer competitions on the opening and closing days, however, the rest of the schedule is jam-packed with different sports that you can tune into.

With these four tips, we hope you enjoy the Tokyo 2020 (2021?) Summer Olympic Games, and are super jazzed about next year’s Winter Olympic Games right here in Beijing. Friendly reminder, there might be some heavy displays of patriotism happening this season, but don’t take anything too seriously. Just cheer very loudly for your home country or any other than you have an affinity for, and be a good sport about it.

KEEP READING: Go Team Go! Olympic Lessons for Children of All Ages

Images: XueFei Liu, Sina Weibo

It’s no secret that there’s nary a street in Beijing that isn’t littered with yellow, green, blue, or some other rainbow-colored bikes available to the masses, meaning getting round the capital is always a breeze. Unfortunately, many people – particularly foreigners – struggle with using them properly. But have no fear, for here are five tips on how to get the most out of the city’s bike-share apps.

Real-name authentication

Before you can even scan a bike, you need to submit a real-name authentication. The process for Chinese citizens is relatively easy and requires nothing more than an ID number. For expats, however, it’s not so straightforward and I’ve had to pay for my foreign friends’ bike rides on more than one occasion, after they couldn’t figure out the sign-up process. Nevertheless, it’s not so hard once you understand how it works.

Typical display of real-name authentication (哈喽出行)

For foreigners, begin by entering your full name, followed by your passport ID. For Hong Kong/Macao citizens, a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents ID is more ideal. Next, you have to upload a photo of yourself holding the ID card/passport. Take care to ensure that both your face and your passport/ID details are clearly visible.

Whereas Chinese citizens are granted immediate access to the platform, foreigners have to wait for several workdays for the real-name authentication to be approved. Therefore, make sure to begin the process before you actually need to use the bikes, lest it fails you during an emergency.

Lock the bikes!

Time is money. And in this case, half an hour is worth RMB 1.5. So, what happens when you forget to lock the bike? Chances are someone else will take your bike and use it for another few hours, with all the costs falling to you!

Every public bike ride starts with a “click,” when the lock around the back tire unlocks itself, thus allowing the bike to move.

Locked mode (Meituan bike)

When you’re done with your ride, push the knob  – which was released when unlocked – back to its previous position. This will lock the bike and indicate that your journey has ended. The time between unlocking and locking the bike will decide your fee, so always remember to push the knob!

Unlocked mode (Meituan bike). Note the different position of the yellow knob from above.

Where’s the bike?

Despite the absurd proliferation of bikes around town, there will be times when you can’t find one to save your life (usually when you urgently need one). Of course, you can simply wander around and pray that there’s one on the next corner. But a much more efficient way is to let the apps do that for you.

Locations of Meituan bikes

When you open your bike-sharing app, you’ll be presented with a map. A pin indicates where you are, while all the bikes indicate… well, bikes that are near you. Note that you’ll only see bikes for the app that you’re using, so don’t go looking for a Hello Bike on Meituan’s platform. What’s more, if you drag the pin around, the map will refresh and show available bikes around the new location.

The “standardized” areas

There’s nothing more confusing – or aggravating – than having a bike that won’t lock. Especially when it’s the first time you encounter this problem. More often than not, however, it’s because you’re trying to park in a designated “no bike parking” zone, which the city is actually implementing more and more.

Area of standardized parking (shaded)

On certain parts of the map, some areas are shaded, denoting a “standardized parking area.” If you try locking your bike in this area, chances are it won’t let you. Instead, you need to find a specific lane that can be seen on the map. Only then can you properly lock your bike.

Public-bike lanes shown

An actual public-bike lane

Quantity over quality

Always have more than one bike-sharing app. There will always be a time when you can’t find a single yellow bike around you, but the green kind, whose app you never bothered to download, is everywhere. It’s best to have at least two different bike-sharing apps, that way you can always find a bike that you can use.

Now, go out and have fun with those rainbow bikes!

KEEP READING: Bike for Your Buck: Unlimited Pass on Hellobike

Images: Caroline He

The process of becoming a mother is a delicate one that is filled with both excitement and worry. Giving birth can be stressful on its own, but giving birth in a foreign country can be doubly worrying. So just how nerve-racking is it to find a good and affordable maternity hospital in Beijing?

Usually you will find most hospitals provide their own maternity packages. The package usually adds up to a total of 13 visits including all of the necessary laboratory tests, consultations, and physical examinations.

READ MORE: Beijing with a Bump: What to Expect When Expecting in Beijing

Some readers have asked for more information on this, so here is our hand-picked selection of hospitals and their customized delivery packages, based on reader recommendations and their general reputations. Please note that prices and other terms are subject to change, and it is best to check directly with the hospitals for the latest information.

Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics 北京和睦家医院

An expat favorite for maternity services, BJU has been accredited since 2005 by the Joint Commission International (JCI) for its comprehensive medical services, including a Western-style LRDP (labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum) birthing suite and a multinational team of doctors, nurses, and midwives. In addition, they have 20 years of service in Beijing and six other locations in China.

They charge RMB 66,000 for a Normal Delivery Customized Package; RMB 88,000 for a C-section Delivery Package or VBAC Customized Package. Please check here to get more details about the packages.

Daily 9am-5pm. 2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District (5927 7000, 5927 7120 emergency line) www.ufh.com.cn 朝阳区将台路2号

Beijing Oasis International Hospital  明德医院

A convenient medical center for families in the Wangjing or Shunyi areas. Oasis is staffed with an international team of medical professionals working out of a state-of-the-art 15,000 sqm facility in Dashanzi replete with homelike private rooms and delivery suites. With its international JCI medical standards certification, Oasis incorporates doctors from all nationalities as well as local staff to provide a wide range of services such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, and OB/GYN.

They have a Natural Delivery Care Plan (4 days, 3 nights) with a total cost of RMB 46,800; and a C-section Care Plan with a total cost of RMB 72,800. Please check here to get more details about the packages.

Daily 9am-5pm. 9 Jiuxianqiao North Road, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区酒仙桥北路9号 (400 876 2747)

Amcare Women’s and Children’s Hospital 北京美中宜和妇儿医院

Operating in Beijing for 11 years, Amcare Women’s and Children’s Hospital provides families with international medical services with a Chinese cultural background. Currently it has branches in four cities and offers excellent modern facilities. Services include obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, family planning, and psychological consulting.

They offer packages of Natural Delivery (3 nights) with a total cost of RMB 59,090 (RMB 109,160 for VIP); and a C-section plan (5 nights) with a total cost of RMB 82,740 (RMB 109,160 for VIP). Please check here to get more details about their packages.

Lido Address: 9 Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区芳园西路9号 (6434 2399). Yayuncun Address: Bldg 5 Anhui Beili Yiyuan Chaoyang District. 朝阳区朝阳区安慧北里逸园5号楼 (400 100 0016). Wanliu Address: 7 Wanliu Zhonglu, Haidian District. 海淀区万柳中路7号 (400 100 0016)

Beijing HarMoniCare Women and Children’s Hospital 北京和美妇儿医院

The Beijing HarMoniCare Women and Children’s Hospital (HMC) provides customer-oriented services to their patients, who are cared for by physicians from China’s 3A hospitals. It is considered to be one of the largest women’s and children hospitals with an 18,000sqm facility that is equipped with comfortable maternity wards, digital diagnostic technology, 4D ultrasounds, and the most modern operating rooms. HMC provides services through their gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, postpartum recovery, and stomatology departments.

HMC provides two different packages for delivery. Their prenatal plus vaginal delivery package is RMB 42,000 and their prenatal plus C-section delivery is RMB 56,180.

Daily 8am-5pm. A2, Xiaoguan Beili, Beiyuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing. (6499 0000) en.hmcare.net 朝阳区北苑路小关北里甲2号

Beijing Antai Maternity Hospital 北京安太妇产医院

Beijing Antai Hospital has been established since 2003 and has been providing their patients with extensive healthcare services that are all compliant with World Health Organization standards. On top of having gynecology and obstetrics departments, Antai Hospital is unique for offering live water births – a practice that it has been conducted by the hospital since 2004. Some of their services include, but are not limited to, ultrasounds, premature birth prognosis, personalized baby care, and postnatal care facilities.

Antai Hospital offers competitive prices for their delivery packages. Their vaginal delivery package is RMB 15,800, their C-section delivery is RMB 23,000, and their water live-birth delivery is RMB 28,800.

Bldg 18, 1 Xinghecheng, Jiayuan Lu, Fengtai District (6753 7758/7768 antaihospital@yahoo.com) www.antaihospital.com丰台区嘉园路星河城1号院18号楼

Photos: Pexels

When my family first arrived in Beijing, we had never even visited China before. To say we experienced culture shock would be an understatement. “It’s like we’ve landed on Mars,” my wife said, as we encountered toxic air, baffling behaviors, and signs we couldn’t read. Did we adapt? Well, four years down the line, we still haven’t gone home!

Life in Beijing can be tough, but it can also be thrilling, with opportunities to discover and learn which you won’t find anywhere else on the planet. We took to WeChat, the ubiquitous social media app, and asked international families to tell us the best and worst things about bringing up kids in China’s capital.

Safety

“Beijing is great because it’s such a safe place to grow up in.”

“Best is I don’t have to worry about gun violence.”

Of course no city is completely safe, and you always need to keep your street smarts about you. However for a metropolis of its size, Beijing is remarkably free of violence and crime. Private gun ownership is virtually non-existent, and people walk the streets at all hours of the night confident that they will remain unmolested. This makes the city a reassuring place to bring up a family.

Diversity

“Best is that there’s no ‘one way’ of doing it, like you would have at home, because Beijing is a melting pot of different cultures.”

Living in Beijing will expand your children’s cultural horizons, and not just by introducing them to China’s ancient civilization. With embassies from every nation based here, the international community in Beijing includes people from all round the world, and your child will study and play with friends from many different cultures and backgrounds.

You can also enjoy food from every corner of the globe, as Beijing’s booming restaurant scene offers cuisines from Georgia to Peru. And as befits a world city, there are amazing touring musicians and art exhibitions.

With the city’s extremes of climate, people are expected to dress for comfort, and there’s a remarkably easy-going approach to fashion. If you want to go to the supermarket in your pyjamas or in a ballgown and high heels, no one is going to judge you. This diversity also means a wide range of ideas on parenting: debate on the best way to educate, feed, and protect our children is lively, and you will find a community to support your choices.

Costs: food, shopping, transport

It is possible to live day-to-day very cheaply in Beijing. Western food can be expensive, but if you learn to love Chinese cuisines, you can eat a wide array of delicious dishes for very little. Similarly, if you avoid imported goods at the supermarkets and buy local ingredients from local markets, food need not be expensive. Getting around the city can be inexpensive too. Didi is relatively cheap, and Beijing’s metro system costs far less than those of western cities.

Taobao and kuaidi

“These days, it’s really easy to get all of the imported products needed for baby.”

“Regarding baby products, there are fakes on Taobao. Be careful.”

China is the manufacturing center of the world, and in the fiercely competitive online marketplace which is Taobao, you can find an astonishing range of products at bargain prices. The website can be intimidating if you’re new to China, and there are services such as Baopals which will help you with it for a small fee. But it’s much more fun to fire up Baidu Fanyi (or other online translators) and learn to navigate it yourself.

As well as locally-made goods, Taobao offers imported products, including baby milk and diapers. However, some care is recommended when buying these products, as fakes are still available. You may also find that for genuinely imported items you need to upload a Chinese ID to the system… here, as so often, a Chinese friend can be helpful.

Your purchases are whisked to your door by the city’s highly efficient kuaidi system. The official China Post system is notoriously unreliable, with a distinctly Communist approach to customer service. But these little three-wheel vans are the lifeblood of the city. You can also access a wide range of food deliveries from your phone.

Opportunity to travel and learn

“Best: the chance for the children to learn Mandarin effortlessly (and with a Beijing accent too!)”

“Positive: how many different places you can get to quickly (both around China and Asia).”

Since moving to Beijing, my children have ridden horses across the Mongolian steppes, dived among tropical reefs, and crossed a “nightingale walk” in a samurai castle: all experiences which would have been out of our reach had we stayed in England. Exploring China is easy too, thanks to the country’s extensive, efficient network of high-speed railways.

Perhaps even more important for our children’s future is the opportunity to learn Chinese, a language which will no doubt be of global significance in the coming century. And Beijing is one of the best places to learn it. Modern standard Chinese, or Putonghua, is based on the north-eastern dialect, so your kids will be picking up the proper pronunciation and vocabulary (for the most part at least!)

Attitude to children

There’s a popular saying: “it takes a village to raise a child.” In Beijing you can see that principle in action. Everyone smiles at children, particularly younger kids. Normally surly Beijingers become kind and patient when there’s a child involved; if your little one is crying or having a tantrum, you won’t generally find the kind of tutting and disapproval which you might encounter back home.

There is a downside to this though. You may be pestered by people wanting to take pictures of or with your children, or just filming them surreptitiously from a distance. This is not so common in the city itself, where foreigners are less of a novelty, but the further you travel from the center, the more you’ll be treated like celebrities. However fun and flattering this is at first, it gets old pretty quickly.

Pollution

This is always the number one complaint in the city’s parenting forums. However it must be pointed out that the air in Beijing has improved enormously in the last few years. It is no longer among the world’s top 100 most polluted cities, and levels of PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, considered the most dangerous to health) have fallen 35 percent.

Despite this ongoing improvement, a few sensible precautions are required, particularly with kids around. Air filters inside your house, masks for the worst days, and opening the windows to make the most of the good days all help to keep those growing lungs healthy.

Being a long way from family

This is perhaps the hardest aspect of the adventure for many parents. Without our extended family, their practical help, emotional support, and of course babysitting, bringing up kids can be more challenging.

Modern technology makes it easier, as we can make video calls to stay in touch with our loved ones, and hiring help with the cleaning and childcare is still affordable for many (although ayis’ salary expectations are rising as China becomes more prosperous.)

Perhaps more important though is building a community here in Beijing. WeChat can be a lifesaver, allowing people easily to find like-minded souls and develop friendships and support networks. And of course we at beijingkids are always here at hand, with advice, information, and humor, so that you can make the most of the amazing opportunities in this unique, infuriating, and exhilarating city.

Dirt and hygiene

“I will never, ever get used to people spitting on the streets.”

In fact, the sidewalks of Beijing are generally clean; you rarely go more than half a mile without encountering a street sweeper with a broom. And the city is mostly free of the sort of rat infestation which plagues places like Delhi or Jakarta (or, for that matter, London). However, some of the habits of older Beijingers can be hard to take for foreigners. Noisy spitting in public is a constant bugbear, as is allowing small children to use the street as a public toilet. These are elements of daily life which just have to be tolerated, and which are rapidly disappearing among the younger generations.

The city’s actual public toilets are plentiful, clean, and well looked after, a legacy of the time when most homes had no indoor plumbing. Westerners will often find the lack of privacy shocking though, and the squat toilet, while actually better for you, takes some mastering for those not brought up to it. And however thoroughly cleaned they may be, the baffling failure to adopt the S-bend means that an unpleasant odor is always lingering.

Etiquette

“Worst: general lack of manners…”

Humans did not evolve to live in overcrowded cities, and tend to adopt survival mechanisms. You can, like the people of Tokyo, develop a highly formal system of manners, or like New Yorkers, a brash, in-your-face aggression. Beijingers have opted for pretending other people don’t exist.

Not letting people out of an elevator or subway car before getting on themselves, blocking an escalator or doorway, letting a door slam in your face… these behaviors can seem incredibly rude and inconsiderate to those brought up with a different etiquette. And for parents, it presents the challenge of raising kids to feel confident in the city, without them adopting some of the more abrasive aspects of Beijing manners.

The value of “face” in Chinese society also should not be underestimated. People may helpfully point you in the wrong direction rather than admit to not knowing the way, and often will simply ignore you if they feel that their English may be tested. Expect to see shop assistants vanishing into back rooms at your approach, and not emerging till you’ve gone. This can though play to your advantage if you need to “tingbudong” your way out of an awkward situation by pretending not to understand.

Rent and school fees

“Negatives – school fees, definitely.”

Beijing has world-class international schools, with facilities to match. However the fees also reflect their high standards, being among the most expensive in the world. If you’re sent here by your employer, you should ensure this forms part of your package. If not, it’s worth looking into scholarships, or even just haggling. But the best costs.

Rents in Beijing are outrageous, and the city’s landlords notorious. See page 28 for help with navigating the rental scene.

Traffic

“Must add drivers to the worst list… too often I’m praying for my children’s or my life…”

“I’m a dad with a double stroller, so sometimes the random parking on pavements can be jarring to get through, without having to walk on the roadside and then back on the pavement again.”

Beijing transformed in a couple of generations from a city of bicycles, to one where everyone seems to own an enormous SUV. While the air is improving, the traffic seems to be getting worse; and the recent measures to clamp down on e-bikes will hardly aid the situation. Although it must be said that e-bikes are a significant hazard in themselves, riding on sidewalks, in the dark with no lights, and often with the rider more interested in their cellphone than the road ahead.

The ever-expanding metro network certainly does help, though some lines are unpleasantly crowded at peak times. And with the rental bike wars ending, they may become a positive feature of the city’s landscape instead of a blockade at the entrance to subway stations. Authorities have finally begun issuing parking tickets too. But when traveling by car, you can expect to spend a lot of time sitting in jams. Bring something to keep the kids entertained.

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

As mobile payment has become a part of people’s everyday lives in China, apps like Alipay and Taobao are transforming China into a cashless society where transactions are commonly carried out via mobile devices. Alipay is one of the most-used online payment apps. Once you have connected it with your bank card, you can pay bills, transfer money, purchase services and goods, order food, or book flight or train tickets, and more. Taobao is one of the most popular online shopping platforms in China, which is owned by Alibaba. Its closest equivalent in western countries would be either Amazon or eBay.

How to set up Alipay

Step 1: Download Alipay App

Download Alipay on your phone, and open the app.

Step 2: Enter your phone number

As with every other app in China, you will need to enter your phone number to register an Alipay account.

After you receive the verification code via SMS, enter it on the next screen.

Step 3: Set up your payment

Tap on the “Bank Cards” button under the “Me” section to add your card(s). Note that you can only add debit cards and certain credit cards associated with Chinese banks.

Step 4: Verify your identification

Click the tab to access “My Account”, and then click on the option to add your passport information in “Identity verification”. You will need to show a picture of your main passport page and the page with the stamp from your most recent arrival into China (the stamp you received at the airport). You will be notified about the result of the verification within 24 hours.

Step 5: Use your Alipay

You will receive a notification once your account has been successfully verified. You can also check “Profile” under the “Me” button. If there is a blue box which reads “已实名” (profile verified), then it’s time to go outside and treat yourself with confidence!

How to set up Taobao using your Alipay account

Step 1: Install the Taobao app

Download Taobao to your phone.

Step 2: Register your account in a shortcut

If you’ve already registered Alipay, you can register for Taobao using a shortcut. Tap the Alipay blue button at the bottom of the homescreen and you can link to your Alipay account with Taobao, making payment easy.

Step 3: Add your shipping address

Click the “My Taobao” (“我的淘宝”) button on the bottom right corner of the home page, then click “my shipping address”(“我的收货地址”) to add your shipping address. Here, you can easily add multiple addresses.

Step 4: Shop until you drop

Congratulations! You can now start your Taobao adventure.

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

Photos: Wendy Xu

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.

Sanlitun and its surrounding areas have long been major expat hubs. With many bars, clubs, and restaurants concentrated in one place, it’s a fast-changing, very commercialized area, but very convenient when it comes to not being far from homely comforts like western cuisine, shopping your favorite brands, or international schools. Just west of Sanlitun lies the slightly quieter Xingfucun with its own developing bar and restaurant scene. All in all, it’s the perfect place for newcomers who wish to be close to the action.

Pros

+ A high concentration of international restaurants and bars

+ Lots of events for couples and families

+ Convenient access to schools

+ Western-style amenities

+ Many other expat families

Cons

– Living inside the expat bubble

– Inconvenient subway access (nearest Lines are 2, 6, and 10), but this will change in the near future

– Frequent traffic

– Seedier areas at night such as Sanlitun

– Not as green as some of the other neighborhoods covered

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. Located just behind the foreign grocery chain April Gourmet in Xingfucun, Lianbao Garden 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 the gated community, 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, British School of Beijing (BSB), Sanlitun, and Beijing No. 55 High School which offers both middle and high school in Xingfucun.

Shopping

Shopping abounds in Sanlitun, from foreign goods markets to mom and pop shops and 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 pricy side, it can also be nice for window shopping and getting a walk in. Just south of Taikoo Li is Sanlitun Soho and Topwin Center. This is a great spot for getting your bubble tea fix or finding an affordable tailor to make some of your bespoke fashion fantasies come to life!

Beef tartare, Beyond Yakitori style

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 Yakatori and a popular food court in the basement. There’s also the Slow Boat Taproom, where you’ll find a wide variety of craft beer and burgers, and the neighboring Courtyard 4 which is home to Home Plate BBQ, Taco Bar, and a smattering of other foreign-friendly establishments. Xingfucun is also home to a growing number of bars and restaurants, including O’Steak, the 쑴-A Taproom, and many others at the YU food court or Yoolee Plaza.

Nali Patio is a popular spot for both high-end and casual dining

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 serval cinemas in Sanlitun (Taikooli, Yoolee Plaza) 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 sing groups, and other family-friendly fun that can be a great escape from the hustle and bustle of this commercial neighborhood.

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

Photos: Kipp Whittaker

I love me any kind of pop-up, but a wellness-focused pop-up that’s inclusive and packed full of awesome mindful activities is just plain exciting.

Yoga clothing brand extraordinaire Lululemon will be bringing their pop-up Feel Lab to EAST Hotel from March 25-31. There will be a mindful meditation corner in Domain’s pop up area, and a display of all the guides that will introduce guests to all the wonderful self-affirming benefits of meditation.

Meanwhile there are a number of FREE community wellness classes! Guests can swing by BEAST– Body by EAST, and take advantage of the Vibrant Vinyasa Yoga class on March 25 from 1pm–2pm and on March 29, there will be a lunch hour Sweat Pilates class held on March 27 from 1pm-2pm. Don’t forget to go along and shake a leg at the Dance with Qiao class, which will run from 1pm–2pm. Followers and guests of East are all welcome.

Scan the QR code below to book your place now!

Photos: courtesy of organizers