Going Out.
As in so many places east of Istanbul, the expatriate scene is very splintered. Enter a bar or club and impressions are often confirmed. The French are hanging out with the French, the British and French are doing the same, the Israelis, even the Swedish.
But here, just walk up and talk, a smile and a glance is all it takes and the ice is broken. With western foreigners still in a way the needles in the haystack, it is no wonder.
The biggest joy however, is that basically every place that expatriates frequent, is visited by Chinese locals.
Street Vendors.
As diverse as the number of hutong configurations, the type and style of street vendors in greater Beijing is quite impressive. Selling clothing, food, accessories, games, toys, electronics, and other mass-produced goods from...
Restaurants.
According to official estimates from several years ago, the number of restaurants in Beijing is between 30,000 and 40,000, but with new eateries opening every day, and possibly some of the smaller joints not being taken into account...
Fast Foods.
The bags are packed, the visas issued, the house sold or leased... But exactly how different is life going to be in Beijing? Of course, there are plenty of things that one could be worried about when moving to China, but one thing's...
Pubs.
Traveling to Beijing might mean giving up your favorite drinking hole, but it won’t mean giving up your tipple of choice. China’s capital has come light years from the old days of the dingy hotel-basement bar, and now boasts a wide array...
Beer Gardens.
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, enjoying a cold beer with friends in an outdoor beer garden is a favorite past time for many Westerners. Luckily, there are also a few great beer gardens here in Beijing where it’s possible to soak...
Sports Bar.
Beijing has come into its own as a city that’s all about sport, and there’s no better place to unwind with the expat crowd than one of the many sports bars in town. Whether it’s F1, Premier League, or the World Series that you’re itching...
