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BEIJING
Beijing literally means Northern Capital, a role it has played many times in China's long history. Few cities in the world besides Beijing may boast having served as the political and cultural center of an area as immense as China for so long, and even fewer, have successfully integrated ancient culture and modern development are well as contemporary Beijing has.
Beijing is the heart of China – the capital of government, economy, and culture in this great country. The municipality consists of 18 districts and counties, with an area of 16,800 square kilometers
Beijing is home to myriad places of interest, including ancient buildings, royal gardens, temples, palaces, and modern structures. It is a gathering place for modern Chinese culture, home to renowned artists and authors. Today, urban construction has modernized the numerous business facilities and family residences in Beijing, combining the comforts of the 21st century with the colorful history of this ancient metropolis.
PEOPLE
The population of Beijing Municipality, defined as the total number of people who reside in Beijing for 6 months or more per year, was 17.4 million at the end of 2007, making Beijing the ninth most populous city in the world. The immense size of the city however masks its immense population.
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HISTORY IN BRIEIF
• Beijing has one of the oldest archaeological sites in the world. The famed Peking Man was discovered in the caves just outside of Beijing.
• To the north of Beijing, the Great Wall of China was first built in short segments. In 221 BC the
• First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, has connected each section to form a continuous wall that was 2,800 km long Currently, three sites near Beijing are opened to tourists.
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GROUP
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POP
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%
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Han
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12,983,696
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95.69%
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Manchu
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250,286
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1.84%
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Hui
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235,837
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1.74%
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Mongol
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37,464
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0.28%
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Korean
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20,369
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0.15%
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Tujia
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8372
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0.062%
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Zhuang
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7322
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0.054%
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Miao
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5291
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0.039%
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Uyghur
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3129
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0.023%
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Tibetan
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2920
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0.022%
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• The Yan Dynasty created Dadu on the site of present Beijing.
• In 1406 AD, construction of the Forbidden City began.
• In 1912, The Republic of China was founded and the capital was called Peking.
• After the Second World War and the Chinese civil war, the People's Republic of China
was founded in 1949, and the city name changed to Beijing.
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The Yan Dynasty created Dadu on the site of present Beijing.
• In 1406 AD, construction of the Forbidden City began.
• In 1912, The Republic of China was founded and the capital was called Peking.
• After the Second World War and the Chinese civil war, the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, and the city name changed to Beijing.
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ORIGINS OF CHINESE CIVILIZATION: 2200 – 221 BC
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GEOGRAPHY AND LAYOUT
The city is well known for its flatness and regular construction. There are only three hills to be found in the city limits (in Jingshan Park to the north of the famous Forbidden City). Like the configuration of the Forbidden City, Beijing has concentric "ring roads", that go around the metropolis.
CLIMATE
During summer, the Bohai Sea winds bring thunderstorms, sudden rain showers and humidity to Beijing. In winter and spring, dry winds originate from the Gobi Desert. Though now less frequent with the creation of an ecological barrier to Beijing’s northwest, along with the Gobi Desert winds comes sandstorms that may last for hours or even days.
LIVING IN BEIJING
At an amazing speed, the city of Beijing is undergoing major developments. The city seems to change before your very eyes. The wonderful little restaurant or shop you found last week could be replaced by a high rise building in a matter of days. In some case, an entire neighborhood can be demolished in the name of progress.
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MONTH
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TEMP
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RAIN
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JAN
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-4.6
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2.0
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FEB
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-2.2
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3.1
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MAR
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4.5
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4.1
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APR
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13.1
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4.6
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MAY
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19.8
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5.9
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JUN
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24.0
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9.7
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JUL
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25.8
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14.1
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AUG
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24.4
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13.2
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SEP
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19.4
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6.8
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OCT
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12.4
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5.0
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NOV
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4.1
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3.7
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DEC
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-2.7
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1.6
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Average monthly temperature in Celsius
Average monthly rainfall in days
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HEALTH
REQUIREMENTS
Vaccinations/inoculations are not required for traveling to China except for those arriving from or via an infected area. Travelers arriving from or via an infected area must hold a valid certificate of vaccination/ inoculation. As health requirements change without notice, please check with your local public health department or the Center for Disease Control in your country for required or recommended vaccinations inoculations’.
TO BRING OR NOT TO BRING?
Bringing a dog or cat into Beijing is relatively easy, provided that you have completed all the necessary documents prior to arriving. In general, cats are easier to bring in the country in comparison to dogs due to fewer regulations.
Dogs are not permitted on the streets between 6am-8pm. This applies to parks and public places. Residents living in the suburbs or within private compounds can walk their dogs during in public or within the compound within the mentioned hours.
While it is technically illegal to own big dogs within the 4th Ring Road, the authorities have mostly turned a blind eye on the situation. If you are willing to take the risk, just be mindful that the circumstances can change anytime. Also, remember that proper documentation is required when out with your dog.
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QUARANTINE
There is an official quarantine period of 45 days. If the owner signs an agreement to keep the pet indoors for the said period, then official quarantine is usually not required. You will obviously want to avoid your pet being taken into quarantine if possible. We are told that the use of an agent greatly minimizes the chances of your pet being quarantined.
REGISTERING YOUR PET
All pet owners are required to register their pet and renew this registration annually . The following documents are required to complete the registration process:
• Vaccination certificate
• Health certificate
• A photograph showing the size of your pet (best to photograph pet next to a ruler)
• A letter from the management office of your intended residence stating that the pet may live
there
• A letter from your employer proving your employment in Beijing
• A copy of your passport
OWNERSHIP RECCOMENDATIONS
While many pets in the city are not actually registered with the relevant authorities (since a blind eye is turned), it is recommended to keep your pets within your compound. If it is your decision not to register your dog, try your best to not get in trouble. Police have become less tolerant to foreigners who claim ignorance to regulations.
Moreover, if you want to take your pet with you when leaving the country, you must get it registered. Though it seems that there has never been a case where a pet owner got into trouble, the penalty for a non-registration is 2,000RMB plus confiscation of the pet.
For more information regarding pet registration, visit: www.icvsasia.com/ 8/register_In_beijing.html
SAFETY
TRAFFIC
Personal safety in Beijing means YOU, being careful and mindful of yourself at all times. Shortly after arriving in Beijing, one will quickly notice that the traffic and driving here is substantially different from other places around the world. Hence, it is necessary to devote an entire section on explaining personal safety concerning Beijing traffic.
Personal concern while crossing the road is not something local Chinese people worry about. Though the tradition of looking left, right and then left again is necessary in Beijing, however, it is not recommended to dwell too much time on waiting for a clear path. At crowded areas and intersections in the city, one must adapt the crowd mentality. The bottom line is, cross with the crowd. The more people crossing, the safer it will be. No doubt, it would be a wise idea to stay in the middle and not the side, but there is a higher probability that cars and buses will actually stop for you when you are travelling with the crowd than by yourself. This may take some time to get used to, but if the reader has never been to Beijing before, for safety reasons and for your own sake, it is recommended to follow the instructions written here.
Other than buses, cars and people, one must keep in mind of bicycles. A large number of Chinese people travel around with their bicycles. Perhaps it may have crossed your mind that you want to venture out on a bike ride. If you do, you will soon learn to ride “China style”. When crossing a busy road, angle your wheel parallel to the road paints if you are stopping or trying to avoid a car. However, make sure to change it back quickly if there seems to be an opportunity to cross again, otherwise you may end up idling in the middle of the road. In this situation, slowly straighten your wheels. This will send a signal to oncoming drivers that you intend to cross. Another safe way of crossing the road on a bike is to travel with a mob of cyclists. As opposed to driving fast and zooming by individuals, cars and buses will drive slowly into the crowd so that they can get through.
SECURITY
Compared to many other countries, China can be ranked as one of the safest nations in the world when it comes to personal security. Beijing is a safe city with a relatively low crime rate. Pickpockets, purse snatching, bicycle thefts and other misconducts are often non-violent in nature. However, it is advised to be at a reasonable level of alertness when in crowded areas such as subway stations, markets, shopping malls, and other tourist hotspots. Serious crimes against foreigners are rare, but do avoid travelling through sites and locations that are not opened for expats.
Teenagers can go out with friends to restaurants and nightclubs with a small chance of “getting into trouble” which might have been a concern in your home country. This is not to say that one should not be careful, far from it, but rather, it is possible to walk the city streets at night with little fear of trouble.
Major civil disturbances are rare in Beijing. However, minor situations like traffic accidents or arguments may draw a speculative crowd. While it is rare that these situations will get out of control, one should resist the attempt to find out what happened by taking pictures or videos. Local police are sensitive to such activities.
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Most foreign residences and areas are gated (walled), and oftentimes employing security guards who patrol
the area.There is usually closed circuit video around the compound.
Like all big cities around the world, pickpocket is a common problem. It is perhaps best to place cash in your
Pockets, or perhaps even in your shoes! However, one must make sure that important documents and credit
Cards Should be left at home or carried separately.
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VACCINATIONS AND IMMUNIZATIONS
While no vaccinations are compulsory to enter China, it is advisable to be immunized against poliomyelitis, tetanus and typhoid. Immunization against Hepatitis A and B is strongly recommended. To feel comfortable about the standard of hygiene, most people prefer to complete immunization procedures prior to arrival in China. However, immunization is also available in China.
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PERSONAL BANKING
For the most part, China is a cash-based society. Hence, local currency is needed for daily transactions. Most PRC banks in Beijing should be able to exchange foreign currencies. You can also exchange money in department stores and big hotels. Exchanging money on the street is strictly illegal.
You can open a bank account at any Chinese bank (e.g. Bank of China, the Commercial and Industrial Bank, or the Construction Bank) by presenting your passport and a nominal amount of deposit. The process is simple and fast. Personal accounts may receive electronic funds overseas and based on the exchange rate, the money will be automatically swapped based on Chinese currency rates. An electronic transfer to a destination outside of China is also allowed. Checking accounts are also available.
You can apply for an ATM card for a small fee which will allow cash withdrawals from ATMs located around the city. You can use the ATM card as a debit card. Larger
CURRENCY
Chinese money comes in many different shapes and sizes. Issued by the People’s Bank of China, the Renminbi (RMB, or the People’s Currency) is also referred to as the “Yuan”, or “Kuai” with a ¥ symbol. The RMB also consists of three subdivisions. The lowest denomination is the “Fen”. 10 “Fens” make 1 “Jiao”, and 10 “Jiaos” make 1 “Yuan”. The unit used in almost 99% of all transactions in China is the ‘Yuan’. The “Fen” is virtually out of the trading system.
INSURANCE
PROPERTY INSURANCE
Usually, the property owner purchases insurance that covers common areas and the actual premises. While it is not mandatory to have household insurance to protect the tenant, many companies provide services that cover loss of personal belongings, furniture and fixtures, third party liabilities and even robbery.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL INSURANCE
Insurance companies in China require patients to first pay for treatment, and then send all claims and receipts to the insurance company. Some of the best hospitals in China have direct billing arrangements with certain international health insurance companies. These arrangements are still the exception rather than the rule. Contact your insurance broker to determine which hospitals have direct billing arrangements with your international health insurance provider.
LOCAL MEDICAL INSURANCE
Foreigners in China cannot buy social medical insurance. But if they are living in China for a long time, they can buy business medical insurance. Requirements are: a passport and residence registration. Check with the local insurance companies to get more information.
Useful telephone number
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Emergency & Most Commonly Used
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1、Police:110
2、Telephone Repair:112
3、Local Directory Assistance:114
4、International Long-distance Register:115
5、National Long-distance Operator:116
6、Time Inquiry:117
7、Fire:119
8、Weather forecast:121
9、Traffic Accident Call:122
10、Long-distance Phone Inquiry:176
11、EMS Delivery:185
12、Local Phone Practices Inquiry:189
13、Civil Aviation Information Inquiry:2580
14、Red Cross Emergency:999
15、Airplane Ticket Booking Service:2581
16、Commercial Information Service:2583
17、Railway Information Inquiry:2585
18、Stock Market Phone Inquiry:2588
19、Check Inquiry:2850
20、Television Information Entertainment Service Audio Message System:2858
21、Film Information Entertainment Service:2859
22、Postcode Inquiry:010-63037131, 63037132, 63033148
23、Beijing Public Transit Li Suli Service Hotline:96166
24、Free Anti-Virus Computer Consultations:800-810-0020
25、Price Supervision and Reporting of the Beijing Price Inspection Department:12358
26、China Telecom:10000
27、China Mobile:10086
28、China Network:10060
29、China Tietong:10050
30、China Unicom:10010
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Life & Maintenance
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1、Gas Repair:96777
2、Water Supply Service:96968
3、Power Supply:95598
4、Cable TV Maintenance:968810
5、Municipal Water Service Repair Hotline:010-66189955
6、Traffic Injury Hotline:010-68455655, 68455665
7、24-hour Hotline of Beijing Fuel Gas Company:010-65940469
8、Beijing Natural Gas Company Control Room:010-64269603
9、Beijing Coal Gas Company:010-65024743
10、Beijing Liquefied Petroleum Gas Company:010-68316077
11、Power Supply Hotline, Beijing Power Bureau Repair Center:010-63129999
12、Urban repairing by Beijing Power Bureau:010-63034561, 63034562
13、Emergency Heating Repair by Beijing Heating Company:010-65005943
14、Home Relocation Hotline:010-65130699
15、Price Reporting:12358
16、Consumers' Complaint Hotline:12315
17、Anti-Drug Hotline:010-65214111
18、Patent Consulting Hotline:010-26291111
19、Beijing Association of Consumers:010-62241234
20、Legal Aid Hotline for Environment Protection:010-62267459
21、Women and Children Friendly Healthcare Hotline: 010-66122429,66188089
22、Psychological Consultation Hotline:010-66055431ext.332
23、Beijing Tourism Hotline:010-65130828
24、Beijing Emergency Center:010-65255678
25、Pets Hotline:16861166
26、Reporting of Social Insurance and Labor Disputes:010-63044923
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Railway, Aviation & Courier
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1、Taxi Order Hotline:010-68373399
2、Taxi Complaints:010-68351150
3、Railway Ticket Booking Hotline:010-63217188
4、Beijing West Railway Station Inquiry:010-51826273
5、Beijing North Railway Station Inquiry:010-51866223
6、Beijing Railway Station Booking Hotline:010-51016666
7、Beijing West Station Inquiry:962585
8、Train ticket booking Hotline:962586
9、Beijing Capital Airport Inquiry:010-64563604
10、Passenger Ticket Center Booking Hotline:010-51827188
11、EMS Express (or Post office) Service:11185
12、China Railway Express:95105366
13、ZJS Express:400-678-9000
14、DHL:800-810-8000
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Finance
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1、Bank of China:95566
2、Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC):95588
3、China Bank of Construction:95533
4、Agricultural Bank of China:95599
5、Shanghai PuDong Development Bank:95528
6、Bank of Communication:95559
7、China Merchants Bank:95555
8、China Pacific Property Insurance Co. Ltd.:95500
9、Bank of Beijing:96169
10、CITIC Bank:95558
11、Guangdong Development Bank:95508
12、Industrial Bank:95561
13、Citibank:800-830-1880
14、HSBC:800-820-8878
15、Standard Chartered Bank:800-820-8088
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Municipal Government Agencies
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Mayor hotline:12345
2、Municipality Hotline:010-63088467
3、Beijing Tourism Bureau:010-85157015, 65130828
4、Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal People's Government:010-65192708
5、Taiwan Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal People's Government:010-84080909
6、Foreigner's Exit & Entry Administrative Division Beijing Public Security Bureau:010-84020101 (24-hour
automatic inquiry)
Telephone & Phone Cards…………………………………………
Telephone
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Hotels, offices and housing for foreigners have international direct dialing services. In local housing one needs to apply for these services at a cost, which depends on the number of lines needed.
In most expatriate housing there are at least 2 lines, one for fax and one for Internet.
Mobile phone usage rate is very high in Beijing and mobile phones are easy to find here at a cheap price. Public telephones are also easily accessible. There are two types of public phones – one requiring a card and one requiring coins.
Country code: 86
Outgoing international code: 00
Communication by phone or internet
China is high developed, now I Phone is very popular here, especially for foreigners, you can easily find interesting places, restaurants, bars and shopping area, also can be used as guider or translator So do recommend you do one SIM card in China Unicom used for telephone call and surfing in the internet
China Unicom hot line: 10010-2 for English
3G card
In China it is very easy to have 3G card and easy to access internet service, the signal is very stable and fast, you can easy find nice places to visit, nice shops and restaurants nearby, you can also use it GPS function
You can easily buy one 3G card with your passport and RMB45 for mobile SIM card。They got different package:
RMB46 free phone call for 120 minutes internet: 40M
RMB66 200 minutes internet 60M
RMB96 450 minutes internet 80M
RMB126 680 minutes internet 100M
RMB156 920 minutes internet 120M
Phone cards
With prepaid China phone cards, you will get terrific rates, and the ability to control your monthly spending in advance.
Phone Card Rates
The rates can vary widely depending on where in the country you call and depending on which carrier you use. With a prepaid calling card, however, you don’t have to guess what the bill will be. While there are a variety of plans available online, you will know before you buy your card what you will be spending per call (with the exception of cell-phone charges that may be added by your cell-phone provider).
If you choose to get your card from a provider that offers service through several carriers, you will have choices in the type of card you get. Some cards have a connection fee per call but offer lower per-minute rates. Others have a rounding fee that rounds your call up by as much as four minutes per call. You can get a China calling card beginning around $10, and the higher the denomination you choose, the lower the rate per Minute! You can now also get your China card with a rechargeable PIN for added convenience.
Public Transportation
Subway
The Beijing Subway is a rapid transit rail network that serves the urban and suburban districts of Beijing municipality. With 8 lines, over 200km of tracks and 123 stations currently in operation and ridership averaging 3.4 million per day, the Beijing Subway is the busiest in mainland China, and the second longest after the Shanghai Metro. However, the existing network cannot adequately meet the city's mass transit needs and it is undergoing rapid expansion. Three new lines were opened on July 19, 2008 ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games. Existing plans call for 19 lines and 561km of tracks in operation by 2015.
How to Buy the Ticket
A single-ride ticket costs RMB 2.00, it is a flat fare with unlimited transfers. This applies to all lines except the Airport Express, which costs RMB 25.00 per ride. and you can also get a Yikatong, an integrated circuit card that needs a RMB 20 deposit, refundable, plus whatever amount you want to put on the card, All subway lines now collect fares through automatic fare collection (AFC) machines that accept single-ride tickets and Yikatong.
Subway Lines:
The original lines are "Line 1" which goes east-west line underneath Chang'an Avenue, which bisects the city through Tian'anmen Square. It connects major commercial centres, Xidan, Wangfujing, Dongdan and the Beijing CBD. "Line batong" extends Line 1 eastward from Sihui to suburban Tongzhou District. "Line 2" which is a a rectangular loop line, traces the second ring road, and stops at 11 of the wall's former gates, now busy intersections, as well as the Beijing Railway Station. The "Airport Line" connects the Beijing Capital International Airport, 27 km northeast of the city, with Line 10 at Sanyuanqiao and Lines 2 and 13 at Dongzhimen. The "Line 13" which across suburbs north of the city and channels commuters to Xizhimen and Dongzhimen, at the northwest and northeast corners of Line 2. the "Line 5" which is a straight north-south line just east of the city centre, "Line 10" passes just south of the Olympic Green Park. It turns straight south and follows the eastern 3rd Ring Road. And the Olympic Branch Line ("Line 8") extends north off Line 10 with three stops in the Olympic Green.Starting operation on September 28, 2009, "Line 4" runs from north to south, parallel and to the west of Line 5, through Haidian, Xicheng, Xuanwu and Fengtai Districts in the western half of the city. It is 28.2 km long with 24 stations, and just takes 40 minutes from South 4th Ring to North 5th Ring.
Taxi
There are over 67,000 taxis running in every corner of the city. Some drivers speak little English, while most do not. Since the city authorities improved drivers' English for the 2008 Olympics, more and more drivers can speak English. Make sure you have the address written in Chinese, and don't rely on a name like Hilton or Hyatt to get you to your hotel; the Chinese names for these establishments are quite different from their famous global labels, which very few drivers will recognize. If there is a phone contact at your destination, note that as well: a mobile phone is the most useful navigation tool in Beijing!
Beijing cab drivers are honest, and incidents of drivers deliberately taking advantage of foreigners are very rare. Tipping in China is not customary and drivers will expect to be paid only what is on the meter, plus any road tolls. The taxi fleet has been upgraded over the past two years, and nearly all vehicles are now reasonably spacious and comfortable. Sit in the front if you want to buckle up, but strangely, there is no requirement for rear seatbelts, and most cab companies rip them out.
Starting fare is RMB 10, and beyond 3 km the rate is RMB 2 per km. There are surcharges for long-distance and late night trips. Five minutes of waiting time equals 1 km of driving time. Keep the printed receipt at the end of the trip: it includes all vehicle details, which is invaluable if you have left an item in the taxi.
Avoid taxi touts at the airport, at bus stations etc. They are trying to steer you to unofficial taxis. These have no meters, and while some Beijingers cheerfully use them, foreigners should steer clear.
Taxi calling number: 6837 3399
Taxi complaint number: 6835 1150
Bus
Beijing is one of the largest metropolises with a comprehensive bus system. There are more than 20,000 public buses, including normal buses, double decker buses (beginning with te, te in Chinese means "special") and trolley buses. Beijing's bus system is cheap, convenient and covers the entire city. In general, bus drivers and ticket sellers do not speak English.
Buses run from 5:00am to 11:00pm daily. The starting fare of public buses is RMB1 for both non air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses. Buses that travel in the suburban areas cost RMB2. The public bus system has implemented an IC card system that allows passengers to travel at a discounted rate. Usually, a bus that costs RMB1 will cost RMB0.40 after the discount.
IC cards can be purchased with a RMB20 reimbursable deposit, and any additional amount is counted as a prepaid fare. IC cards can also be used for the subway system, but there are no discount fares. Cards can be bought at any subway station and at some kiosks.
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