YourBeijing

TopFive

Guide

Information for familiesrelocating to Beijing

So, you are considering moving to Beijing. What do you need to know about living in the city?

The best of international educationWorld class healthcareBeijing cuisine and home comfortsAn introduction to the cultureLearning the language

3 Welcome to Beijing

Over the past twenty years China has opened its gates to the global community. In this time Beijing, or the ‘North Capital’ as it is known, has been transformed, both by the influx of foreign investment and a boom in modern construction. Today, the city is a hub of innovation and art. Beijing boasts the fusion of a rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology. This is evident in the city from its architecture to its energy. In Beijing modern skyscrapers tower over ancient neighborhoods and high-end sports cars zip past rickshaw carriages. Beijing is home to a plethora of ancient temples, imperial palaces, sights and monuments. It is a place to barter at local markets and dine in countless restaurants that open, close and pop up in new locations across the city. This cosmopolitan city can be a home away from home; a place to explore with the comfort of modern conveniences.

Living in Beijing 住在北京Life in the Chinese capital

4Welcome to Beijing

Education 教育

Families relocating to Beijing can choose for their child to attend a Chinese school or an international school. There are a number of international schools in Beijing that offer instruction in English to children of expatriate families. Some provide a curriculum that has a Canadian or British focus while others offer an international curriculum that draws on different learning approaches from across the globe.

Admissions requirements vary but most schools require an admissions application, health records, passport and visa information and previous school records. Others require recommendation letters, assessments and language requirements.

The International School of Beijing (ISB) is an independent, coeducational day school offering an international curriculum to the children of expatriate families aged 3 to 18. Established in 1980, ISB is recognized as a leading learning community in the city.

ISB’s tailored, connected curriculum, known as Learning21@ISB, draws from the best practices, standards and learning approaches from around the world. The school’s approach to teaching facilitates learning opportunities and experiences in which students develop and demonstrate transferable skills. The International Baccalaureate (Diploma or Course) is available to all students in Grades 11 and 12. ISB maintains its reputation for academic excellence as it explores innovative models of teaching and learning.

International Education

International School of BeijingThe International School of Beijing (ISB) aspires to be an adaptive, inspirational, forward-looking learning community, cultivating relationships that ignite each student’s passion for lifelong-learning. The school promotes social responsibility and global understanding and respect within and between cultures. ISB is made up of approximately 1,750 students from PreK 3 to Grade 12. Fifty-three different nationalities are represented in the diverse student body. ISB’s talented and passionate educators from across the globe provide students with opportunities to learn through real-world experiences. ISB educators nurture confidence and intellectual curiosity in their students through teaching innovative application of knowledge and skills. ISB educators encourage inquiry, problem solving and creativity in their students. At ISB, students grow as individuals, as scholars and as contributing members of the community.

ISB believes in providing the best possible environment and opportunities for students to excel. The campus is an extension of the learning philosophy and was designed to nurture the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of our students. ISB is located on a 32-acre campus in Shunyi, a suburb in Beijing. The school hosts 12 state-of-the-art science labs, dedicated visual arts studios, a 600-seat theater, black box theater, rehearsal space and studio stage. ISB is equipped with 2 library-media centers, 4 gymnasiums (one with a climbing wall), baseball and softball diamonds, 2 soccer fields and a 25-meter pool with diving boards. Further, 2 purpose-built sports and recreation “domes” enclosing six tennis courts and a wide range of indoor/outdoor sports and fitness areas, sit side-by-side over 8,500 square meters. Throughout the campus, the highest standards of air quality are provided by state-of-the-art filtration and air-handling equipment, including the domes - which are also equipped with heat recovery systems to maintain an ambient temperature.

“ISB is where‘learning for life’ begins. We empower students,

encourage their curiosity and provide opportunities for applying critical thinking and

transferable skills.”

Dr. Tarek Razik,Head of School

6Welcome to Beijing

Healthcare 医疗保健International Healthcare in China: World Class Services

One of the great unknowns when moving overseas is the healthcare situation of your new home. Will you have access to comparable care? What will you do if you find yourself in an emergency situation? Can you trust the medical facilities to be clean and safe? What kind of doctors do they have and do they speak my language? In modern China, the answers to these questions are very reassuring.

There are many misconceptions about the healthcare situation in China, ranging from medical services available to safety and continuity of care. Even in just the last 20 years, the country’s medical industry has grown by leaps and bounds -- some of the best imaging and surgical technology is available in the country’s biggest hospitals, as are skilled, experienced doctors. In these local hospitals, however, levels of patient service, privacy, and communication are still well behind those that expatriates are used to in their home countries. This is in part because of the incredible volume of Chinese patients and a need for local hospitals to prioritize quantity over quality.

International Standard HealthcareFortunately, there are a number of private, international healthcare providers in China that offer both foreigners and Chinese a higher standard of outpatient medical service.

Among them, however, there is only one internationally-accredited hospital and clinic network in China, United Family Healthcare. Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics (BJU) is the only truly full-service international standard hospital in the capital, with 7 satellite clinics across the city and suburbs. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission International, meaning that in terms of service quality and patient safety, BJU is ranked among top hospitals in the US and Europe.

7 Welcome to Beijing

United Family HealthcareWith 17 departments and services, including full-service Family Medicine, 24 hour Emergency, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dental, Psychological Health, and Physical Therapy, BJU provides its patients with a complete continuity of care, all in Beijing.

Emergencies in BeijingIn the event of an emergency in the capital, the emergency medical team at BJU recommends the following: •Call the BJU Emergency Hotline at 5927 7120. Our 24 hour Emergency Room is the most advanced and best-equipped of its kind in the city, and able to handle even the most critical emergencies. •The Emergency Hotline is available 24 hours a day. It will directly connect you to one of our bilingual, emergency-trained nurses who can help you determine the urgency of your situation, give you advice on how to handle the emergency, and help dispatch an ambulance, if needed. •If you are unsure whether your situation warrants a hospital visit, call our Emergency Hotline first and a member of our medical staff can advise you.•It may be quicker to drive directly or take a taxi to our Emergency Room than to call for ambulance transport. •Be sure to bring all necessary documentation with you, such as personal identification, insurance details, and credit card, as well as any vaccination, allergy, or medication information.•Since you never know when an emergency will happen, we recommend carrying this information with you at all times.

Vaccinations A medical consultation in your home country is recommended at least 6 weeks before your departure for both your health status and vaccination. At BJU, comprehensive immunization service is available from birth through adulthood, with the highest-quality vaccinations available.

MedicationIt is important to note that while most prescription medications are available in China, according to the law, prescriptions from your home country cannot be filled at any medical facility in the People’s Republic. You will need to have your prescription made by a doctor licensed in China, so bring extra medication so that you have enough time to make a consultation with a doctor. BJU handles these cases all the time and our doctors are happy to continue your care.

From the moment you arrive in China to when you return home, United Family Healthcare is here to provide comprehensive, international standard care for you and your family.

8Welcome to Beijing

EATING OUT

Chinese cuisine is possibly the most varied of national cuisines. With 56 ethnic groups across China, the specialities are plentiful and the range of food diverse. Beijing hosts restaurants that offer traditional food from across China. Some highlights include spicy Sichuan Hot Pot, Yunnan style fresh mint and beef, and of course, Peking duck. It is not, however, the same as Chinese food you find in the west. You will not come across any fortune cookies here but staples such as noodles, rice and the famous Chinese dumpling (Jiǎozi 饺子). And even with these old favorites, there is still great variety depending on the house style.Some of the best local fare can be bought very cheaply from street food vendors. One of the favorites among expatriates is the jiān bing 煎饼 - a savory pancake cooked on a hot plate with an egg cracked inside with the option of meat, lettuce and spices. This local breakfast staple can be bought on many a street corner from 5RMB (roughly 80 cents or 50 pence). In the summer time, people often sit outside and enjoy chuànr 串儿 - Beijing style barbecue with meat and vegetable skewers.

Eating 吃Restaurants and eating out - Beijing fare

Home comforts and food shoppingIf you prefer western fare or seek variety, Beijing is teeming with restaurants serving food from across the globe. The central area of Sanlitun plays host to a multitude of international restaurants, from steak houses to sandwich shops, from Italian to Persian, Indian, and Arabic cuisine. Local publications such as beijingkids magazine, Parents & Kids magazine, and the Beijinger and City Weekend websites have the latest reviews and recommendations for a wide variety of restaurants across the city.

There are also a number of supermarket chains that specialize in imported western goods. Large Wal-Mart and Carrefour outlets are dotted across the city and stock western groceries for your pantry. Smaller supermarkets such as Market Place (BHG) and Jenny Lou or Jenny Wang stores sell imported produce from all over the world. These stores also stock dietary specific products such as gluten free biscuits and so on. A number of supermarkets such as Carrefour and Ito Yokado stock organic meats, fruit and vegetables. However, many people find that the fresh fruit and vegetables found in smaller local shops to be less expensive and of a higher quality.

And if there is nothing in the cupboard you want and you do not feel like going out - you can always order in! Food delivery is very common in Beijing, it is generally inexpensive and easy to arrange online or by phone. Depending on taste and area you live, it is also often cheaper to eat out or order in than to go food shopping and cook from scratch.

10Welcome to Beijing

Culture 文化An introduction to Chinese culture

With the cultural upheaval that China has experienced over the last century, many of the traditional mannerisms and customs have been lost. Many of the Chinese people you meet in Beijing are not from Beijing but are from cities, towns and rural villages across China and have come to the city to find work. This, and the influx of expatriates from around the globe has meant that people in Beijing operate in a very different way to other areas of China. It is true that manners mean different things depending on where you are and many expatriates will, in their first few interactions, find the Beijing locals to be more direct than those in other communities. Yet, Beijingers tend to place a great emphasis on personal respect and value loyalty.

Though traditional customs have changed over time, there are a number elements to Chinese social etiquette that are useful to keep in mind. It is common practise to exchange name cards or business cards with people you meet in China, particularly when doing business. Many Chinese people present a business card to a new acquaintance with both hands as a sign of respect. It is customary to receive the card with both hands and examine the card, noting the title of your new acquaintance. Giving and receiving money or a credit/debit card in this manner is also a sign of respect. With regard to dining etiquette, it is advisable to avoid sticking your chopsticks straight up in your rice bowl. To Chinese friends or colleagues this resembles someone offering incense to the dead. Also be aware that when eating in restaurants, ordering food or taking taxis, that tipping is not encouraged but is accepted in the travel industry.

One very significant aspect of Chinese culture is the language. Having the most basic grasp of the language can completely change the experience of living in Beijing. Having some stock phrases is helpful when navigating the city and provides a greater insight into the culture. If you choose to take lessons, there is an extensive range of language schools and study centers that offer part-time and full-time courses. Many people choose to meet with a language partner to practice conversational Mandarin in a more informal and social setting.

The Chinese capital is steeped in the ancient culture and yet, is a melting pot of languages and traditions. The international community in Beijing is close-knit and vibrant. The International Newcomers Network is a volunteer organization which welcomes expatriates arriving in the city. The organization hosts coffee mornings and monthly talks that bring people together and offer information and advice for those settling in Beijing. Organizations like this are able to help with choosing a reputable language school, suggesting an interesting cooking class or even giving recommendations for which sights and parks to explore first. Email the International Newcomers Network to find out about their upcoming events: contactus@innbeijing.org

11 Welcome to Beijing

Basic Chinese Survival Phrases

EnglishChinese

charactersPinyin

Hello, my name is (………)

你 好，我 叫（。。。）

nǐ hǎo wǒ jiào（。。。）

I’m from (………) 我 是 从（。。。）来 的

wǒ shì cóng （。。。） lái de

How are you? 你 好 吗？ nǐ hǎo ma?

Good bye 再 见 zài jiàn

Please 请 qǐng

Thank you 谢 谢 xiè xiè

Excuse me 劳 驾 láo jià

You are welcome 不 客 气 bú kè qì

I’m sorry 对 不 起 duì bú qǐ

No, I don’t have 没 有 méi yǒu

No, I don’t want it 不 要 bú yào

I’m just looking 我 先 看 看 wǒ xiān kàn kan

How much? 多 少 钱？ duō shǎo qián?

Too expensive 太 贵 了 tài guì le

Can you reduce the price?

能 便 宜 一 点 儿 吗？

néng pián yi yì diǎn r ma?

Please give me a receipt

请 给 我 发 票 qǐng gěi wǒ fā piào

Slow down 慢 一 点 儿 màn yì diǎn r

Hurry up 快 点 儿 kuài diǎn r

Stop 停 tíng

Turn left 左 拐 zuǒ guǎi

Turn right 右 拐 yòu guǎi

Go straight 一 直 走 yì zhí zǒu

Language 语

Here are a few phrases you can try out when you arrive:

12Welcome to Beijing

Welcome to Beijing 北京欢迎你