In today’s day and age, it seems like every week there’s a nifty new app that will gives you the lowest price on groceries, access to better shared cars and taxis, and translates languages more quickly and accurately. But there are some true essentials that lead the pack, which are pretty indispensable for maximising life here in Beijing.

JSS
Designed with expats in mind and focusing on high-quality English customer service, JSS offers same-day grocery and food delivery from expat-friendly restaurants and grocery stores like Jenny Wang’s. JSS truly tries to connect with its customers, which is why it launched its Brand Ambassador program.

Sherpa’s
Sherpa’s provides a food and grocery delivery service but only works with top-quality restaurants, which means a less wide range of options compared to its Chinese-language counterparts but mainly consists of western-friendly selections. Sherpa’s couriers are trained to ensure a quick, courteous, and correct delivery.

Meituan
Meituan is one of several local food and grocery delivery apps that gets the job done when you’re in a pinch. They generally deliver within the hour and offer a much wider range of restaurants and grocery stores than the earlier two expat-friendly English language apps, if you can navigate its Chinese interface. Plus, you can also rent the yellow Meituan shared bikes using this app!

JingDong (JD)
In the realm of shopping, JD is great for household products and groceries, where you can find almost everything from spinach to stereos. It’s a Chinese-language app but if you can figure it out, it could save you lots of time and effort searching for a brick-and-mortar store for what you need.

Weidian
This is WeChat’s answer to TaoBao, which offers listings by small local business owners with artisanal crafts, foodstuffs, or supplies. Sustainable brands started by expat entrepreneurs such as The Bulk House, KIYANI Botanics, Greeniche, Dancing Yak Handicrafts and The Green Room are some examples of stores you can find on it.

TaoBao
TaoBao is so ubiquitous that it needs no introduction. And if you were first introduced to BaoPals – the English language expat-friendly version of the local app – you really should try TaoBao because of its easy image search function, which we explain in this article here.

Xianyu
A sister to TaoBao, Xianyu is the secondhand version of the popular shopping app and offers plenty of gently-used, practically new clothes, furniture, and other goods. This is great for kids’ stuff which they tend to outgrow quickly. This article tells you all about it!

Dazhong Dianping
Dazhong Dianping or simply Dianping, is essentially what I call the Chinese Yelp, which offers guides for lifestyle and entertainment including restaurants, hotels, cinemas, through business listings, ratings system, and comments section. You can check the app for reviews and recommended specials before you choose a restaurant, helping you and your family to avoid unpleasant surprises. Additionally, paying through the app usually grants you a discount.

Dear Translate
This is editor Mina Yan’s pick of all the free translation apps that are out there right now, and there are a lot. It has a camera translate function that quickly translates the text in front of you and also has an awesome conversation translation function. Best of all, of course, it’s free!

Pleco Chinese Dictionary is probably the best offline Chinese – English dictionary. It integrates dictionaries with an amazing amount (over 110,000) of frequently-updated entries and example sentences with Pinyin, document reader, flashcard system with fullscreen handwriting input, and a live Optical Character Reader (OCR). It also includes audio to help your pronunciation and displays stroke order diagrams showing you how to draw each character.

Tell us which apps you can’t live without here in Beijing (aside from WeChat and Alipay…) in the comments below!

KEEP READING: 5 Free Learning Apps to Help Level Up During Summer

Images: Pexels, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

A discussion in the office got us wondering what advice international families wish they’d been given before moving to Beijing. So we did what everyone does here when they have a question that needs answering: we took to WeChat and asked in our networks. The responses were many and varied. Here are some of the best.

“I wish I’d taken the time to learn more Chinese.”

To this, we’d also add: Mandarin is hard for English speakers, especially if you’ve not been learning it from a young age, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re not fluent overnight. But while there are plenty of English-language signs and a big community, there’s no doubt you’ll get a lot more out of your time here if you can chat with the locals and read a few hanzi (characters). Find a good teacher, learn words and characters, and take HSK tests so you can measure your progress.

“If you’re shipping stuff over, make sure you fill out the customs forms!”
This can seem like an irritating minor task when you have a hundred other things to think about preparing for your move. But if you don’t, expect to have your possessions held up at Customs, to have to make a trip out to the airport to sort the problem out, and to end up paying huge sums of money on import duties (often more than the goods are worth.) Any reputable shipping company should supply you with the forms. As so often in China, just do the paperwork, no matter how pointless and tedious it seems.

“Download WeChat and connect with parenting groups in advance. They are priceless for activity info and advice/help,” and “Try to have a bank card as soon as possible (if you want to join a big group in WeChat) in order to have access to expat groups very soon.”

See our WeChat Guide about how to do this. WeChat limits access to the bigger groups unless you have a bank card linked to your account, so it’s worth setting up a local bank account even if you don’t expect to use it much.

“Kindergartens and international schools are so expensive, so if you have two or more children… do a good negotiation with your company.”
Beijing’s schools, though generally offering high standards and amazing facilities, are the second most expensive in the world. Coming with a plan and a budget for your children’s education here is essential.

“Unless it was published last week, don’t take it for granted that what a guidebook/blog says is fact.”
Things move fast in this city: businesses, even buildings, appear and disappear overnight. Magazines and blogs like beijingkids can help you find fun things to do, but always double check unless the information is bang up to date.

“I did a decent amount of research before moving here but somehow missed that you can’t drink tap water.”

The authorities insist that tap water is safe to drink, and it may well be when it leaves the purification plant; but most people are skeptical about water supply pipes, and only drink bottled water.

“You aren’t supposed to flush toilet paper!”

Others reported that they’d been told toilet paper was unavailable here and arrived with a year’s supply. Of course, you can buy it in any supermarket, but don’t expect to find it in public toilets; it’s worth making sure you always have some with you, and wet wipes too. Public toilets can be a shock in other ways: the smell is often strong, even when they’re spotlessly clean, and for some older Beijingers defecation is a social activity, not a private one. Elsewhere western-style plumbing is on the increase (though scientific evidence says that squatting is actually better for you.) But in many places you can’t flush paper down the toilet, you’re expected to put it in a bin at the side.

“Look in all directions when attempting to cross the road.”

Cars generally obey the rules of the road, apart from when they’re turning right at red lights and driving up bike lanes. (And pulling out without signaling, changing lanes erratically, or driving slowly down the road with their hazard lights flashing for no apparent reason.) The myriad of other forms of wheeled transport on Beijing’s roads though could be coming from any direction, at any speed, in any place on the carriageway or sidewalk, often with the driver more interested in their phone than the road. Be careful out there.

“If you ask directions, don’t assume the local is sending you the right way.”
“Face” is still a hugely important concept in Chinese society. If you ask for directions from someone who doesn’t know the answer, they might make something up rather than risk looking foolish. Alternatively, they might completely ignore you and walk away. The safest thing is to use your phone to navigate around; that’s what the locals do.

“When you first arrive, you’ll be a target for scammers. Know the usual cons, and be wary till you’ve settled in.”

Street crime in Beijing is astonishingly rare; you’re safer to walk around here, any time of day or night, than almost anywhere in the world. (Though you should always keep your wits about you.) However, there’s a couple of well-known scams which are regularly practiced on new arrivals. Beware of any stranger enthusiastically engaging you in conversation, “to improve their English”, especially if they suggest you go to a nearby teahouse or restaurant to sample local cuisine. They’ll vanish, and you’ll be left with a huge bill, and little choice but to pay it. Also, fake RMB 100 notes are rife. Watch for the taxi driver who switches your real bill for his fake one, then complains and makes you pay again. (Fake notes can be avoided by doing as the locals do and paying for everything using your phone.)

Photo: Adobe Stock Photo; Andy Penafuerte III; hermaion, Kaboompics. com via Pexels.com; Ryoji Iwata via Unsplash; pinglun.eastday.com
This article appeared on p38-41 of the beijingkids July 2018 Home & Relocation Guide issue.

A discussion in the office got us wondering what advice international families wish they’d been given before moving to Beijing. So we did what everyone does here when they have a question that needs answering: we took to WeChat and asked in our networks. The responses were many and varied. Here are some of the best.

“Expect bureaucracy: If you get a red stamp it’s sorted. Anything else and it isn’t.”

A Confucian reverence for process and authority still underpins day to day life in China. If the person who handles your particular issue is not at work on the day you turn up, don’t expect that one of their colleagues will help you. You’ll just have to come back another day. Get all your paperwork in order, don’t question the reason for any of it, and you may be fortunate enough to get a “chop” – an official stamp with red ink which means you have triumphed against the bureaucracy, for one day at least, and come away with a victory.

“Have at least one good Chinese friend who you’d trust with your life.”
Obviously, it takes time to build up a friendship like this. But if there’s someone who can help you with navigating the complexities of life in Beijing, then that can make an enormous difference. Getting things done is very much easier when you have a personal connection – guanxi – with someone involved. Many Chinese people will be happy to help you in return for help with their English, but they’ll expect you to do favors for them in return. It’s impossible to separate business and personal relationships here.

“You may have a list of rights where you live, here you basically have diddly squat.”
Until recently the police turned a blind eye to whatever foreigners got up to, as long as it didn’t involve violence or espionage. That’s all changed, and laws about drugs and visas are strictly enforced. You can be subject to “punitive detention” without charge or representation, and a Chinese prison is not a place you want to be. However, there have been recent cases of teachers being imprisoned for visa offenses when they had been assured by their schools that everything was above board. We advise you to err on the side of caution, and not to risk any entanglement with the local legal system.

“Public transport and Didi aren’t expensive, so don’t worry if you don’t have a car here.”

In fact, we’d say that very few people will benefit from having a car in Beijing. There are many restrictions on driving within central Beijing, and even so, the traffic is often terrible. The subway is an inexpensive way of getting around, although uncomfortably crowded at peak times, and Didi Dache (an Uber-like ride-hailing service) will provide you with a car and driver to take you more or less anywhere, anytime, at low cost.

“Don’t be offended too easily, when people cut in line, spit/shoot snot/urinate, etc in public. It’s how they got accustomed to behaving due to the lack of resources they had to overcome in the past.”
Beijingers’ notoriously poor conduct in public is changing fast. Many of the younger generation would never dream of spitting on the street. For some older locals though, it’s a defiant expression of belonging, and they may even make a point of doing it when they see a foreigner passing. So when your taxi driver hawks up some phlegm, rolls down the window, and ejects it onto the road, look the other way and think of fluffy kittens.

“Don’t assume that people who’ve been here for a while know what they are talking about. There are many clueless people living in their own little bubble.”
Beijing is so big that most people only really live within a small section of the city, bounded by school, work, shopping mall, and favorite places to have fun. Not all the advice you’re given will be helpful, or even true. Use WeChat groups to get a wide range of opinions, and of course, make use of trustworthy resources like beijingkids and the Beijinger.

“Don’t expect China to change for you; be prepared to adapt or stay home,” and “Don’t ask ‘Why?’ more than once a day. You’ll drive yourself crazy looking through the lens of your own background trying to make sense of things here.”
China is different. That’s what makes it exciting, surprising, and fun. It helps though if you can cultivate an attitude of acceptance when dealing with some of the more frustrating aspects of life here. An angry insistence that the western way of doing things is better, is unlikely to help your blood pressure or get things done. Be patient, be respectful, don’t put people in an embarrassing position, accept that some things take time, and you’ll begin to relax and enjoy your time here.

“You can afford to live a lifestyle of kings and queens, there are immense career opportunities if you put yourself out there, and you’re almost always welcome with your kids.”

Most of the advice we got was aimed at warning newcomers about potential problems, so we were grateful for this reminder of what’s great about this city. Chinese people love kids and expect them to be a part of everyday life. If your kids are visibly foreign, expect them to be fussed over and admired. Rents and school fees might be high here, but things like eating out and domestic help can be very affordable. And Beijing is a place where the pace of change is fast, and the future looks bright. We hope you and your family have the time of your lives here!

Photo: Adobe Stock Photo; rawpixel.com, Nicolas Postiglioni, via Pexels.com; BJ News
,This article appeared on p38-41 of the beijingkids July 2018 Home & Relocation Guide issue.

“Where are you from?” The dreaded question. I stutter, and blurt out “America,” hoping it’s not too vague of an answer to satisfy this newfound person standing in front of me.

Two continents, two vastly different countries, four different places, five different moves. I’ve actually never lived in a place longer than five years. Despite these numbers, I’ve never been able to label myself as an international kid. I know kids who have lived all over the world, so a mere two countries don’t sound impressive to me.

I’ve moved to Beijing twice, the first time at age 5 for four years, and two years ago when I was 14, we moved back for a second stint. I don’t remember much from my first time here; I was too young to make decisions for myself. Frankly, at that age, you generally rely on your parents to tell you what to do.

I do however precisely remember what it was like to move to Beijing the second time. I had to pack up a life of familiarity: leaving friends, a school, and a home behind. It wasn’t easy for me. Anyone who isn’t used to the atmosphere of Beijing can find it quite jolting. The massive amounts of people, the traffic, even the toilets require some getting used to.

I do, however, wholeheartedly believe that everything in life is meant to teach you something; and it’d be a fib to say that I haven’t learned a thing or two from living here. As the new school year begins and new expat families come in, I hope this list will be of some value to you as you transition.

Sometimes, You Only Need One Word
I’ve been studying Mandarin daily for about two years, and though I’m nowhere near being fluent, I’d like to think I know enough to get around. I’ve had to resort to saying “这个,” (zhège) which translates to ‘this.’ I’ve come to find that this word is very versatile as whenever I have to communicate a desire to someone else, I point to it and say zhège, and people get the hint.

However, this, of course, is not the way to live your life. Learning a new language can be both difficult and frustrating, but in the end, it will all be worth it. It makes living abroad a whole lot more convenient.

Immerse Yourself in Things You Wouldn’t See Yourself Doing
“Sometimes, all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage, just literally twenty seconds of embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.” – Matt Damon, We Bought a Zoo

This quote, from the popular family movie We Bought a Zoo, has earned its title as my favorite quote of all time. Whenever I push myself to try new things, this quote has given me the power I need to complete it.

If you’re in school, joining extra-curricular activities in school is a great way to get involved. They take place immediately after class finishes, so it is highly convenient if you’re like me and have a lot of homework to complete. I try to frequently push myself outside my comfort zone. I am a music student, so I gravitate towards activities falling under that category, like the school orchestra and musicals. This year especially, I tried something new and joined the soccer team for the first time. Sure, my foot-eye coordination is not the best, but being on the team ended up being a very enjoyable experience for me that I would have missed out on if I hadn’t taken the chance.

Explore!
Beijing is a diverse city, featuring a modern twist of the new and old. From the Great Wall to the National Museum of China, you’re bound to find something that interests you. During holidays when I have a lot of free time, I try to check out places that I haven’t been to yet. Adventures await! You never know what you might find.

Meet as Many People as You Can
Over time, you’ll find that many others are in the same situation as you. Lost, confused, and downright dumbfounded by the many wonders this city presents in front of newcomers daily. At my international school especially, people are always coming and going. I was able to find a group of friends who’d had similar experiences to me; people I could relate to and connect with. And it has made all the difference.

Don’t Take Anything Too Seriously
In this crowded and often chaotic city, you’re bound to run into situations that make you think: “What?” It makes you feel alienated like you’re the only one who finds it this one particular thing odd.

Today on my 30-minute journey to the office I came across something strange by the subway station that I get on. It was a man who was calmly perched on the side of the sidewalk, and had a turtle hanging from an elongated stick he was holding. A phrase that my family and I commonly use whenever we see something strange is: “Only in China.” In this situation, I felt like screaming it from the rooftop. I quickly snapped a photo to save the memory. I have a feeling this is a story I will be sharing with my extended family when I return to the States for the summer holidays.

Regardless, the international experience is a unique one that I’m sure you’ll learn to love, as I did. You’ll come to love the complex world that surrounds us, and the many wonders that are just within your grasp. The new, unfamiliar environment around you will create lasting memories that you’ll preserve even as you leave this place.

photo: flickr

This article is written by Chloe Sandifer-Stech from Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing)

Interested in writing for beijingkids? Email us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com or visit our Student Correspondents Program main page for more information.

Living in Beijing does present itself with some very unique challenges. The language can make living in Beijing daunting yet exhilarating at the same time. Kids can learn five basic life skills that will have them explore more of the city they call home. This can be a good learning experience for adults as well as these skills have unique aspects. Once I started to acquire these skills, life in Beijing became more manageable.  Here are the five skills:

Use Public Transportation
Beijing’s public transportation is a doozy if you can’t read Chinese, but a gold mine if you do. Buses, subways, taxis, and even bikes make navigating the city easier than most capital cities. The taxi hailing (apart from Uber) and bike sharing apps have Chinese interfaces, so it would be a handy skill for kids (old enough) to try at least three different public transportation systems to understand how it works. In our Home and Relocation Guide, we have compiled different taxi hailing apps that can be found here.

Local Market Grocery Shopping
The access Jenny Lou’s, Jenny Wang’s, BHG Marketplace, and April Gourmet are a good start for kids to learn how a supermarket works. But for a real adventure,  have your kids head to the local market and buy groceries using the Chinese system of calculating weight. This is also a good way to teach kids to appreciate food and money. The Hutong, for example, has culinary tours available for children to learn the best methods of grocery shopping at local markets.

Speak to Strangers in Mandarin
Kids in China are adored, and strangers walk up to kids and start talking to them unlike other places in the west. To truly experience culture while building communication skills, take your kids to the local neighborhood, or hutong, and have them sit with the locals and chat about Beijing in Chinese. This will be an unforgettable experience for them as the locals will share their personalized version of the city’s history that will open their minds to a new perspective. Learning how to communicate with total strangers is also a confidence booster for kids.

Order at Restaurants
Being able to order at is a very good and useful skill to master. It’s especially handy if you have visitors who you would like to take for a local treat. If your kids know how to order in Chinese and speak to the waiters about special requirements, then your meal will be more enjoyable, creating a better Beijing experience for your guests. Learning how to do this will gradually let you focus on what you want to eat and have the kids decide to order on their own.

Learn to Cook
Cooking is a basic life skill regardless of where you live. There’s a limit to how much take out people can have in one week. After buying groceries, let a Chinese friend or ayi teach the kids how to make the family’s favorite Chinese dishes. The ability to cook will come in handy on those surprise birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. The possibility of learning different regional cuisines is on the edge of the knife.

Photo: wrirosscities.org