FAQ: About Beijing

 1. What are the living expenses in Beijing?

Living in China is very affordable and good deals are abundant. There is a wide range of restaurants offering varying prices. A delicious meal at a Chinese restaurant is inexpensive while dining at an American-style restaurant can be a bit more costly. Transportation costs are low and public transport systems are convenient and well developed. There are many attractions in Beijing for a low cost and inexpensive activities are easy to come across. Chinese markets offer a vast range of shopping and deals are not hard to come by!

Subway: average RMB 2
Bus: average RMB 0.8
Meal: average RMB 4 – 20

Taxi: RMB 10 (for the first 3 km)

2. How difficult is to obtain medicines or healthcare in China?

There are pharmacies throughout china offering most medicines. However it is strongly recommend that you bring all prescription medication with you before you arrive in China. If you have any medical conditions, you should bring the necessary information with you in case of an emergency. It is easy to find a local doctor for health problems and is normally inexpensive. There are foreign ex-pat hospitals available and it is possible to find doctors and health care centers that can assist you in English or other languages.

3. Are vaccinations required to come to China?

No, vaccines are not required to come to china, although it is recommended to check the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese B Encephalitis, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Typhoid.

4. What clothing should I bring?

Beijing is a city of hot humid summers and cold dry winters. In the summer months, it can reach up to 35 degrees Celsius and as low as -10 in the winter. You should bring the appropriate clothing depending on which season you will be arriving for. If you find yourself with inappropriate items, clothing in China is very inexpensive and there are many markets selling everything you could ask for!

5. What voltage is used in china?

The voltage here is 220. Converters and power strips may be purchased locally.


6. Is it safe to eat the street food?

It is generally safe to eat street food, although some can experience stomach problems while adjusting to this variation of local cuisine. Over time, the body can adjust to the change in diet. Food from street vendors can be very tasty and is very inexpensive.

7. I have allergies to certain foods?

You should always clarify that the dish you are eating does not contain your food allergy and in when in doubt, do not eat it. It would be helpful for you to learn the Chinese names of the foods you are allergic to, in order to make the situation safer and easier.

8. How can I exchange money in China?

A foreigner can bring cash and change it at the Bank of China for RMB. Foreign money can be exchanged in China through traveler's cheques or currency conversion at banks and hotels. Credit cards can also be used.

You can change foreign currency at the airport, banks around the cities and hotels. It is a relatively easy process; you just bring the cash and your passport to the bank or money changer and get your RMB.

Travelers Checks. Again these can be cashed at the airport, hotels and banks.

Credit Cards. Cards are widely accepted at major stores, restaurants and hotels around china. It is also possible to get cash advances from ATM machines if you have a pin. There are now many ATM machines and they can be found pretty easily in most large Chinese cities.

Opening a local account is a good option for longer-term students. This gives them a place to keep cash they have brought with them and to receive money transfers from abroad. There are a few options when thinking about opening a local account; we recommend Bank of China or Industrial and Commercial Bank. These two banks have many locations around China and also on some university campuses.

About RMB Chinese currency is called Renminbi (people's money), often abbreviated as RMB. ( yahoo converter)


9. How useful is English in Beijing?

Though all signs are written in both Chinese and English, the English language is only spoken by a minority of the population. We recommend before heading out in the city, that you get a guide book to carry with you. It is best to have the addresses in both languages to get to your desired destinations. Subways are user friendly, the stops are written in western characters but bus lines are only written in Chinese characters becoming a less convenient choice of transport. It is very rare to find a taxi driver who is able to speak English, so its better to show them the address, written preferably in Chinese characters.