Sapore di Cina

Learn Chinese, Travel, Study or Work in China and Asia

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Top 4 International Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Beijing

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Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Beijing

  1. Oasis International Hospital
  2. Beijing United Family Hospital
  3. American-Sino Medical Group
  4. International Medical Centre Beijing

Are you looking for an international obstetrician and gynecologist in Beijing?

Beijing is the home of multiple international hospitals, some with decades of experience of catering to locals and foreigners. Many of them have specialized in obstetrics and gynecology from the start and have a reputable track record.

They also collaborate with most of the international insurance providers and put patients first, offering high-quality services. In this article, we list some of the top international and gynecologists, explaining their history, facilities, services, and more. [Read more…]

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Top 5 International Pediatricians in Beijing

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Pediatricians in Beijing

  1. International SOS Beijing
  2. Oasis International Hospital
  3. Beijing Puhua International Clinic
  4. Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics
  5. International Medical Center Beijing

Beijing is a Tier 1 city that has plenty of expats who work in everything from automotive to the insurance industry. Due to its size and economic importance, foreigners have poured into Beijing in the past two decades, creating an increased demand for various medical services.

As expat families move to Beijing, we’ve also seen a greater demand for pediatric services. And no matter if you live in Beijing now or if you plan to move there later, it can be a wise choice to identify quality service providers before you come across any issues.

Therefore, we have written this article where we oust some of the best and most popular pediatricians in Beijing. [Read more…]

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Top 4 International Ophthalmologists & Optometrists in Beijing

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Ophthalmologists & Optometrists in Beijing

  1. United Family Healthcare
  2. Beijing Aier-Intech Eye Hospital
  3. Eye Center – Peking University People’s Hospital
  4. Beijing International SOS

Foreigners who live in China sometimes need to find high-quality medical services and where the professionals are capable of communicating in English. This is especially the case if you have eye problems, might it be with your retina or cataract. To opt-in for a low-quality service provider and where there’s a risk of miscommunication is a big no.

Luckily, Beijing has been the home to many foreigners for decades and we’ve seen many international hospitals popping up, including ophthalmologists and optometrists. In this article, we present some of the top eye hospitals in Beijing, and what services they offer, how long experience they have, where they are located, and more.

Let’s get started and review one of the most renowned hospitals that have thousands of professionals employed. [Read more…]

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How to Find a Job as an English Teacher in China – The Complete Guide

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Teaching in ChinaTeaching kids in China

This is a complete guide to finding a job as an English teacher in China. It’s around 10,000 words, so take your time to read it. You can also click on one of the links below to jump directly to the sections that most interest you.

Click here to read the review of the best platforms to get your TEFL Certification Online

How to Teach English in China – Index

  1. Why teach English in China?
  2. Visa requirements
  3. What qualifications do I need?
  4. Teaching English as a non-native English speaker
  5. TEFL – Teaching English as a foreign language
  6. Best online platforms to get your TEFL certification
  7. What other skills will I need?
  8. Types of English teaching positions available
  9. Preparing a CV for a Chinese teaching position
  10. How to apply – from outside of China
  11. How to apply – from inside China
  12. Contracts and benefits
  13. What type of people teach English in China?
  14. Location considerations
  15. What can go wrong?
  16. Frequently asked questions

[Read more…]

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The Hutong of Beijing: Ancient Places Tied to Chinese Tradition

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The best Hutong in Beijing

We’ve received and published this article written by Alessandra Fratoni

If it’s your first time in Beijing and you’ve never heard of the Hutong, or are familiar with them but only from what you’ve heard, you need to take a pen and paper and write down which are the top 5 Hutong in Beijing that you can’t miss.

First of all, we need to clarify what the Hutong are and where they came from.

The Hutong of Beijing – Index

  1. What are the Hutong?
  2. The history of the Hutong
  3. The Hutong today
  4. Top 5 Hutong not to miss
  5. How to visit the Hutong

[Read more…]

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How to Rent an Apartment in Beijing: The Guide for Expats

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rent in beijing

How to rent an apartment in Beijing – Index

  1. Beijing: the current situation
  2. Find an apartment on the web
  3. A trick to find a cheap room in a shared apartment
  4. Find an apartment with an agency: what to expect
  5. Find an apartment with an agency: the steps you should follow
  6. Which are the best agencies of Beijing?
  7. What are the expenses of a flat (beside the rent)
  8. Why do you need a regular contract?
  9. What should be written on your contract?
  10. Frequently asked questions

P.s. Click here if you need an hotel
for your first days in Beijing

[Read more…]

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Living and Working in Beijing: The Complete Guide

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living and working in beijing

This guide is a collection of resources and practical advice for living in Beijing.

Living and Working in Beijing – Index

  1. The cost of living in Beijing
  2. The transportation system in Beijing
  3. The climate in Beijing
  4. Where to live in Beijing
  5. Tourism in Beijing
  6. Hospitals and clinics Beijing
  7. Schools and universities in Beijing
  8. Shopping in Beijing
  9. Useful addresses and numbers in Beijing
  10. Forums and directories for Beijing
  11. Frequently asked questions

[Read more…]

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Travel to Beijing: What to See and Do in the Capital of China

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Travel to Beijing

Travel to Beijing – Index

  1. What do you need before traveling to Beijing?
  2. Tour or independent travel?
  3. Transportation in Beijing
  4. When to travel to Beijing
  5. What to see in Beijing and the surrounding area
  6. Beijing off the beaten path
  7. Precautions when visiting Beijing
  8. Scams in Beijing

My story in Beijing started in 2004 when I visited it for the first time. There was no doubt that it was love at first sight. A ten-day visit was enough for me to decide that I wanted to go back for much longer.

I had to wait five years to go back, and that time I arrived on the mythical Transsiberian Railway, from Moscow. I took advantage of the visit to go to a job interview. Six months later, I was moving to Beijing without a return ticket.

I lived and worked in Beijing for almost 5 years. At the end of 2014, I decided to move to Barcelona, where I currently manage a small Chinese language and culture school. Beijing is my second home, and I try to go back at least once a year.

This article is a guide that summarizes everything that I have learned living on the Chinese capital over these years. [Read more…]

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The Best Hotels in Beijing, the Capital of China

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best hotels beijing

Beijing is an enormous city with more hotels that you can count, which may make choosing where to stay extremely difficult. This guide is a selection of the best hotels in Beijing, whatever your budget may be.

Best Hotels in Beijing – Index

  1. Things to consider before booking a hotel in Beijing
  2. Best hotels near the airport
  3. Best hotels in the city center
  4. Best hotels near the Great Wall

Things to consider before booking a hotel in Beijing

In Asia, we recommend booking hotels on Agoda because, in our experience, it is the agency with the best prices and a has great selection of hotels. You can click here to see all the hotels in Beijing or here to read our general recommendations on booking hotels in China. [Read more…]

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Transsiberian Express – The Complete Guide

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Transiberian Train

Before getting started

The purpose of this article is to share my experience and offer all of the practical information necessary for you to enjoy an unforgettable trip on the Trans-Siberian railway.

If you’re looking for specific information on Trans-Siberian tours,click here to read our guide. You can also fill out this form to get a free budget.

If what you’re interested in is knowing how much Trans-Siberian train tickets cost, click here, select the day, departing city and destination and you will get the prices of tickets (use the city names in English).

Last of all, if you’re looking for a story about the experience of traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, I suggest that you read this story.

Transsiberian Train Trip Guide – Index

  1. Trans-Siberian myths and incorrect beliefs.
  2. Why should you take the Trans-Siberian Express?
  3. Where to buy the tickets for the Trans-Siberian Railway
  4. Railcar and train classes
  5. To get a tour or to travel by myself?
  6. Which route should you choose?
  7. Where to stay? Our suggestions for hotels in Moscow, Irkutz, Ulan Bator and Beijing
  8. Russian, Mongolian and Chinese Visa requirements
  9. Things you should bring with you
  10. Essential information and tips

[Read more…]

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Transsiberian Railway Tour Guide

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Transsiberian Railway Tours

This article is aimed to provide all the necessary information to organize your tour with the mythical Trans-Siberian and is based on my personal experience as a traveler and resident in Beijing. In this article you will find (you can click below to read directly the section that you are interested):

Transsiberian Tour – Index

  1. How much a Transsiberian trip costs
  2. The most popular routes
  3. When to take a tour to travel the Transsiberian Railway (and when not to)
  4. What type of agency you should choose for the Transsiberian trip
  5. What you need to prepare before your trip
  6. Get a free quotation for your Transsiberian Trip

If you have already decided that you want to travel on the mythical Transsiberian Railway but aren’t sure which travel agency to choose, we can put you in contact with a trustworthy agency. Click here to get budget for your Transsiberian Tour.

[Read more…]

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Great Wall of China: A Short Review of The Top 14 Best Sections

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Great Wall of China

I’ve always been fascinated by the Great Wall of China (长城, Chang Cheng in Mandarin). The first time I had enough time and money to afford an intercontinental travel I took a flight from Paris to Beijing and I went straight away to see the Great Wall section of Mutianyu.

This was in February 2008 and since then I’ve visited the Great Wall other four times, once per year.

Great Wall of China – Index

  1. Where to visit the Great Wall of China?
  2. The head of the Great Wall: Badaling, Juyongguan, Mutianyu, Simatai, Jinshanling, Gubeikou, Jankou, Huanghuacheng and Huangyaguan
  3. Where the Great Wall meets the sea: Shanhaiguan
  4. The back of the dragon: Zhenbeitai and Yanmenguan
  5. The tail of the dragon: Jiayuguan and Yumenguan
  6. If you want to know more

[Read more…]

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Where to Study Chinese in Beijing – Best Private Schools and Universities

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Study Chinese in Beijing

Before you begin

If you are planning to study Mandarin Chinese in China, you probably thought about coming to Beijing. The goal of this article is to help you to understand whether Beijing is the right destination for you or not. You’ll find out:

  • The pros and cons of studying Chinese in Beijing.
  • The best universities for studying Chinese in Beijing.
  • A short list of well-known agencies and private schools for studying Chinese in Beijing (under construction).

If you’re interested in a more general overview, you can read Studying Chinese in China: What’s the best choice for you?

Click here to get up to 5 free quotations to study Chinese in Beijing!

Study Chinese in Beijing – Index

  1. The pros of studying Mandarin Chinese in Beijing
  2. The cons of studying Mandarin Chinese in Beijing
  3. Private Schools in Beijing
  4. Universities for studying Chinese in Beijing
  5. Free quotation request

[Read more…]

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How to Book Your Beijing Tour – The Complete Guide

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Tour in BeijingView of the Forbidden City from the Coil Hill

Beijing Tours and Attractions – Index

  1. When to take a tour to visit Beijing (and and when not to)
  2. How many days you need to visit Beijing
  3. The best time period to visit Beijing
  4. The most popular tours that include Beijing
  5. Featured 1-day tours in Beijing
  6. Things to see and do in Beijing
  7. Frequently asked questions
  8. Need a travel agency? Ask a free quotation

Before you begin

The first time I came to China, I only had one week. I had never left Europe before and I could barely speak English. So, I contacted a travel agency and took a tour. If you are looking for general information about China tours, click here (you’ll learn how to spot an honest travel agency, what you need to come to China and much more).

If you’ve already decided to book a China tour but aren’t sure what travel agency to choose, we can suggest a reliable agency to you. Click here to contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

[Read more…]

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How to Choose the Best China Tour or Travel Agency – The Complete Guide

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How to book a tour in China

China Tours – Index

  1. What are the most popular China tours
  2. How to spot an honest travel agency
  3. What you should look at before booking a tour to China (visa arrangements, past customers’ referrals and so on)
  4. When you shall book a tour and when you shall travel by yourself
  5. What are the pros and cons of private and group tours
  6. How to prepare your trip and what to bring to China
  7. Frequently asked questions
  8. Get in touch with our recommended travel agency

Before getting started

This article is based on my personal experience taking tours in China, first with a French company, later with a Chinese company to go to Tibet, and last of all, two “free” tours that I was invited on (one by the local Chinese government and another with a local travel agency, both of which were looking for opinions and advice from foreign tourists).

If you’ve already decided to book a China tour but you aren’t sure what travel agency to choose, we can suggest a reliable agency to you. Click here to contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

[Read more…]

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Visiting the Forbidden City – The complete guide

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The Forbidden CityThe Forbidden City as seen from Coal to the south.

Introduction

The residences of kings, sovereigns or emperors that we’re used to seeing in Western countries, though being rich and opulent, are the size of a large palace or at most, especially from pre-Renaissance times, a castle.

In China, starting in the late Medieval period, when the darkness of the Holy Inquisition dominated the scene in Europe, and up until the early years of the 20th century, the emperor lived in a true fortified city constructed entirely around him and designed to allow him to carry out his public functions, and at the same time, take care of his human and personal needs.

In this citadel you could come and go only with the permission of the emperor. Those who disobeyed this rule paid with their life.

This is the origin of the name “Forbidden City” (“Zi Jin Chen”, in Chinese), a historic place, perfectly preserved, that hosted the emperor of the Middle Kingdom for about 500 years, from 1420 up until 1912, when the last emperor was forced to abdicate to the forces of the first Chinese revolution.

From that point on the name was changed to what it is called even today on maps and directions: “Palace Museum”.

The term “Museum” is there to underscore the fact that this is a historic relic and no longer the seat of any political power. [Read more…]

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The Legend of Kung Fu – Beijing’s Show

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In this article I will review the show “The Legend of Kung Fu” which has as its protagonists the Shaolin monks. The show is performed every night at Beijing’s Red Theater.

The last part of the article is reserved for practical information: ticket prices, and where and when to see the show “The Legend of Kung Fu”.

If you are looking for a general information about traveling to Beijing, you can read our complete guide.

Introduction

The first to introduce the words “kung fu” into western terminology was Bruce Lee, when asked the question “what do you call what you do?” he responded: “it’s called kung fu”.

Bruce Lee was perfectly aware that what he said was inaccurate but when dealing with the West, which wants things fast and simple, he took this liberty.

In fact, to say “I do kung fu” doesn’t specify anything in particular because, to do kung fu in a Chinese sense, just means to have reached a high level in something.

For example, if I have multiple degrees and tenure in a prestigious university, “I do kung fu” in studies. [Read more…]

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Jing-Jin-Ji: Birth of a megalopolis with Chinese characteristics

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Jing-Jin-Ji: Birth of a megalopolis with Chinese characteristics

A project to revitalize the economy in the north of China

China’s impressive economic growth in the past 30 years has been amply guided by the development of two enormous urban conglomerates: the Blue River Delta (DFA) around Shanghai and Nanjing in central China, and the Pearl River Delta (DFP) around Canton and Shenzhen in the south.

These two urban realities, made up of one or two metropolises surrounded by a series of satellite cities, have combined to produce 25% of the country’s GDP. Moreover, in recent years, these two areas have become the world’s largest testing ground for the study of creating wealth through urbanization.

Both in the area around the Blue River and the area around the Pearl River, the borders and differences between urban realities are slight with the wealth being divided more evenly. The secret of success in these two areas is the consolidation of a series of small realities around a few main economic centers and the usage of the comparative advantage of each of these cities to forge a solid financial and manufacturing center.

In the meantime Beijing, as the only top-tier city in northern China, has sought to emulate the success obtained by the areas in the center and south of China. [Read more…]

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Living in Shanghai, Beijing or Hong Kong? Pros and Cons

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living in ShanghaiShanghai’s skyline

People often ask us what is the best city to live in in China, Shanghai or Beijing? And is Hong Kong an option? What about second or third tiers cities?

Obviously, there isn’t a right answer: it depends on what you’re looking for. In this article, we’ll focus on Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong and look at the most important factors (cost of living, carrier opportunities, quality of life, and so on) in order to solve some of the most common doubts.

Before we start…

If you’re looking to move to China and you didn’t read it yet, make you a favor and get our free e-book.

Also, keep in mind that Hong Kong S.A.R. (Special Administrative Region) is a Chinese Province only since 1997 (before it was a British colony). [Read more…]

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The Great Wall of Mutianyu – How to plan your trip

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Mutianyu Great Wall

If you find yourself in Beijing and want to visit a section of the Great Wall of China, you’ll only have the burden of choosing: from the most famous and touristy in Badaling to the wall in the water of Huanghuacheng, passing by the wild wall of Gubeikou.

But which section to choose?

Today we’ll speak about the Wall at Mutianyu which, after the section in Badaling, is certainly the most famous.

Reasons to visit the Wall at Mutianyu

I recommend the section at Mutianyu for the following reasons:

  • It is not extremely crowded, especially compared to Badaling. Obviously, we recommend avoiding weekends and Chinese vacation periods;
  • It offers numerous tourist services, such as shops, restaurants, cable cars and lifts;
  • It offers the longest stretch of restored wall (more than 2 kilometers);
  • With only a 20-minute walk it connects with different sections of the original wall that still haven’t been restored;
  • It offers what is likely the best-conserved stretch of the Great Wall of China. The walls are of granite, 6-7 meters high and 4-5 meters wide. The section has blackbirds on both the outside and inside, which is almost unique to the Wall;
  • Getting there is relatively easy.

[Read more…]