High Rent Prices In Wudaokou

Picture taken near Golden towers, walking distance from BLCU, Wudaokou

Guest Blog in Living A Dream in China

Beijing is one of THE most happening capitals in the whole world. Living here you are bound to come across people from all over the world. I recently wrote a Guest Blog in Living a Dream in China on the few types of people that you can easily find sitting right next to you. 

Do check it out: Guest Blog in Living a Dream in China

1. I Want To Study In China

2. I Never Want To Grow Old

3. I’m Looking For A Good Time

4. Business with China

5. When In China, do as the Chinese do

Google images

Ganbei to you, China!

Recommendation- NO Spark

I have been a Jay Sean fan since he started with the Rishi Rich Productions. He’s always been a part of the group, I love Juggy D and Rishi Rich the same way. I've been so lucky enough to see and dance with Juggy D live! It’s been such an amazing experience. The following are two videos, one from before Jay showed up and the one after he did. 

This time when I was in Beijing, I found out Jay Sean was coming. Determined to see him live me and my sister reached there right on time, waited for over 2 hours for him to show up and when he did, the crowd obviously got crazy. The bouncers were right upfront, even though there were wide steel pipes separating us from the stage. After my several attempts to ignore and avoid the crowd punching and pushing from behind, the Chinese bouncers took both me and my sister out of the club. The most obnoxious sort of club I have ever come across. This club is so discriminatory. We were in the front, minding our business and dancing while these other Chinese women were dancing and punching us from behind, and to our surprise, the bouncers decided to take us out instead. It is ridiculous and honestly absurd. 

The View From The Great Wall does not recommend “Spark” located in Guomao, Beijing.  Avoid this discriminatory club. 

The Next Best 7 Wonders of Beijing

This post is in response to the article on the 7 Wonders of Beijing.

Blue sky days, Mc Donalds delivery, Taobao and Ayis, are few of the seven wonders that the author mentions in his article on thebeijinger. Well, here is the list of the next best 7 Wonders of Beijing.

1. Pyro Pizza

Like all good things, this amazing pizza place, is located in Wudaokuo district. Offering the most amazing pepperoni pizza, and the most exciting menu, Pyro also delivers right to your door step. Celebrations or no celebrations, good times call for Pyro.

2. BLCU/BFSU

These two universities are among the most famous universities for foreigners. Located in the Haidian district, majority of foreigners that come to Beijing to study get enrolled here for their bachelors and even language courses. Having studied in BLCU, I have got to say, the sort of university life I’ve enjoyed for one year- learning mandarin, travelling around China, meeting new people and making new friends in addition to my favorite – numerous conversations with the taxi drivers, the ride has been amazing.

3. National Holidays

The Chinese work hard, play harder. The few days they get off they spend travelling around and even out of the country. Unfortunately, I had to travel these national holidays and had the (unlucky) chance to be one of the millions travelling around the same time. For more on that, click here.

4. CCTV 6

The first day I moved in Chaoyang, I happened to browse through the Chinese channels and TO MY SURPRISE, I bumped into CCTV 6 playing “Kites”, a Bollywood movie featuring Hrithik Roshan. CCTV 6, the movies channel does rescue you sometimes even if it’s with some funny and interesting Chinese movies.

5. Roller-blades

Trolling around the city, I have come across people on roller-blades more than once. Enjoying the wind and the crowd behind you, roller-blades are not a bad idea moving through this busy city.

6. The Alien Market, Russian District

After moving to the Chaoyang district, here in Chaoyangmen, I live 5 minutes away from The Alien Market a.k.a The Russian district. Along with the huge shopping malls, there are a bunch of posh Russian restaurants also located here. 

7. Thebeijinger

This is one website that might as well be introduced to you as soon as you land Beijing. Including everything from housing, personals, jobs, etc., under classifieds, it offers very interesting blogs as well as the most happening events around the city along with reviews of all the top restaurants the city has to offer.

'Celebrating' The National Holidays In China

So, a little introduction, The Golden Week (黄金周) in the mainland of the People's Republic of China is the name given to a semi-annual 7-day national holiday, implemented in 2000.

• The "Chinese Lunar New Year Golden Week" begins in January or February.
• The "National Day Golden Week" begins around October 1st.

Top left: Forbidden city, Beijing; Top Right: The Great Wall  queue of China
Bottom left: Pudong, Shanghai; Bottom right: Guangdong highway

Fun facts and figures: In 2012, the PRC government announced that national highways would be toll free for Golden Week, and as a result 86 million people traveled by road (13% increase compared to the previous year). The same year, the Forbidden City in Beijing had a new record of 182,000 visitors within one day on October 2.

This National Holiday, I had to unfortunately travel to Shenzhen. Even though the 'crowd' at Shenzhen was bearable, things got a little out of hand reaching Beijing- in the subway, as it was a Saturday and i'm guessing people had already started coming back to the capital. 

Not only this, but the weather was extremely dull through-out and smog was everywhere. Even during take-off I could clearly distinguish smog and it was quite an unpleasant thing to notice.

Some claimed the holiday does more harm than good to both the health of the tourists and the development of the economy, and advised the widespread introduction of paid vacations instead of the current system of long, nationwide holidays.

[Images via: Southern Metro Daily, Weibo]

[Sources: Shanghaiist, Wikipedia]

Xiang Shan 香山 (Fragrance Hill) & Cloud Temple in Pictures 2011!

Studying in Beijing also comes with travelling in Beijing and most of us have been to the hills near-by. The Fragrance Hills are one of them. Located around an hour away from the City, one can travel there by bus or even a taxi. 

[All images are self clicked]

Living in Haidian V/s Living in Chaoyang

A First-hand Experience into moving & living in Major Urban Districts: Haidian and Chaoyang in Beijing, China

Beijing is spread across 16,801 km² with a population over 20.18 million (20122 census). The vast size and the constant economic growth of this city are a vital part to what foreigners are attracted to and the possible reason they promptly leave the life they were living in their own country and move here in the City of the East.

Beijing Municipality currently comprises 16 administrative county-level subdivisions. But in this post, I am only going to be focusing on the districts located at the center of the city and moving from one end to another. In the heart of hearts, lies Xicheng and Dongcheng. Moving further away, between the 2^nd and 5^th ring road, lie the major Urban Districts: Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Shijingshan.

The central part of Haidian's economy is the Zhongguancun electronics district, which hosts the Beijing offices of many software and computer technology companies. Whereas, Chaoyang is home to the majority of Beijing's many foreign embassies, the well-known Sanlitun bar street, as well as Beijing's growing CBD.

Wudaokuo, Haidian crossing

CCTV Building, Haidian 

Having lived a major part of my time in Haidian, an educational district, with the majority of universities located here, it is definitely going to be a change to be moving to the Chaoyang district, to be more precise- Chaoyangmen. The Chaoyang Gate (the Gate Facing the Sun) was the main gate of the East City. The gate was demolished, along with the walls and moat of the East City in the 1950s and replaced with the 2nd Ring Road where the moat and walls had been.

Chaoyangmen crossing

One observation that cannot be ignored is that Haidian is more relaxed than the ever-busy Chaoyang. I am most certainly 2 minutes walking distance from Starbucks which, just by the way, I regard as a complete hype for absolutely no reason at all. I've tasted better coffee, better food in the most local of the local places. That is my one line review of the God-knows-why-famous Starbucks. In Chaoyangmen I live right across what seems to be the Russian District. There are numerous cafes, shopping malls all Russian. There are plenty of foreigners on this side of the city. H&M, Suning, U-town, Walmart, Costa coffee, Mc Donalds and even Burger King join the list of places within 5 minutes from where I live on Chao wai nan lu.

A walk on the Chaowainanlu, and the Russian malls are all around this place, also a very interesting find is the lack of Chinese restaurants and a bunch of stores selling fox skin. It was shocking to see the amount of skin people had outside their stores, very casually just counting the number of dead animal fur. 

Although this Business District is suppose to impress, it fails to do so as compared to the Haidian soul. Good inexpensive chinese food is hard to find, and this is a vital point to focus on as is good housing, places promoting themselves for students. A good location is mostly all that matters, not only does the apartment count, but don't forget to also look carefully around the locality you choose to live in Beijing.

[All images are self clicked]

F Visa (Business) Extension In Beijing, China 2013

The Extension of the Business "F" visa

Most of us are confused with the new visa rule changes that have come up in the recent times. Starting on 1st September, the following on the link are the changes come in effect.  http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2013/07/25/china-releases-final-draft-of-new-visa-and-residence-permit-regulations-for-foreigners.html

Foreigners being invited to Beijing for undertake activities like short term visit investigations lectures business scientific & technological and cultural exchange and short-term advanced studies practice etc., should holding "F" (visiting) visa for entry, and stay within the resident period of visa, which countered from the date of entry, if still need to stay when exceed the resident period, should process visa extension application procedures to Exit & Entry Administration, Public Security Bureau in Beijing before the expiry, the times of extension is not limited, but each time extension shouldn't exceed 3 months, the accumulated resident period not exceed one year. When request visa extension application, must provide the following materials:

1. One's valid passport and visa;

2. Host units' official letters in chinese (if hosted by independent investment joint venture and foreign investment enterprises the whole-people collective and joint stock companies etc., must also provide originals and copies of duplicate of "Business License");

3. Adding the official seal of the unit when fill out "Application Form for Visa Residence Permit", and stick a recent, two in., bareheaded, full-faced photo.

Sources:

http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/visa/Fvisa/t982146.htm
Official website: http://www.bjgaj.gov.cn/web/

Note: You cannot apply for an extension of visa AGAIN. You have the choice of either leaving the country (eg HK) or apply for another kind of visa. I know, totally sucks. Let's see what's in store for me next week. 

Address of visa Office: 

2 Andingmen Avenue (East), Dongcheng District, Beijing (Southeast of BeiXiaoJie Bridge, 2nd Ring Road).

How to get there: Public transportation: BeiXiaoJie HuoKou Stop by Bus 44, 13, 116,807, 117,  or Lama Temple Station by Underground Line 2, exit B

A Look Into The Teaching/Modeling Scenario In Beijing

To an alien familiar with China, it is of no secret that working as a part time teacher or even getting acting/modeling assignments are great ways to earn a fast buck. Of course, Europeans and Americans and the likes are also open to dating/getting married to (probably rich) Chinese men or even women who crave for the fantasy of the white skin. Yes, such immense obsession that this potential superpower has with the actual superpower; it is absolutely, most certainly, ridiculous. But this blog post is not about how the Chinese are fascinated with other humans that do not even remotely look like them; or how desperately they try; dye their hair blonde or use not only various cosmetics to turn their skin whiter, but also plastic surgery to get a pointier nose, chin and bigger more “western looking” eyes – You get the picture.

Since the past ten years, the need for English teachers in China has increased by a tremendous amount, and even so for Native English teachers. There are several advertisements, several agencies providing work visas, a salary from anywhere between 10k to 20k, along with several benefits.

Example of AD looking for A Native English teacher

TIENS photo-shoot

In 2012, it was just another ordinary day as I was walking out my form building in BLCU, Wudaokuo and a woman came to me, took me to her group a few feet away and told me she wanted me to let her take pictures of my face profile. If they needed someone with my look they would get in touch. I let them take pictures and a few days later I got a call then an email and the next thing I know I’m getting my make-up done for a pharmaceutical photo-shoot. I had a good set of foreigners with me; this was a new experience for some. But for 12 hours we were in it together and it was tiring but pretty amazing. To be honest, now that I’m back in the city, I do feel like going for more photo-shoots. It was good money about 1300 RMB for 12 hours and then again around 500 more for 3 or 4 hours. 

A bunch us students from BLCU at the photoshoot in Tianjin for a 12 hour shoot

Teaching English is new to me, and this time around that’s what I got to focusing on. The following are a bunch of my personal experiences. I want to be able to share these with others in my shoes, living and earning on the side here in China.

Sino Education Building

The Classic Case of the Brat

So one bright morning, I go to the Sino education office located about 35-40 minutes, including the fifteen minute it takes walking to the Weigongcun subway. I reach in time and I find out I need to wait out ten or fifteen minutes for the kid to arrive for her class. This cute girl was nicely carried in by her mom. I didn't think much of this then but I’m beginning to understand why I’m bringing this into light right now. A room full of funny looking chairs and props were kept for kids to play around with. The Kid’s mom was… oddly older for a child around 4 or 5? She had the skin of a 50's lady –dark spots and no glow, absolutely. But, anyway, enough with how much noticing I took interest in. I was introduced to Angel, her name was the only anything angel about her though. Angel wore a nice bow around the head, would not sit still for even a second. But somehow, even I don’t know how, we got from A to well M as far as alphabets are concerned. Her mom, and another office member and I spent about more than half an hour trying for her to stick to her seat and interact with me. The only thing she was concerned with was A. freedom to jump around, B. that her mommy stay in the room. How this delightful session ended was with Angel crying her throat out behind the comical chair she sat/hide behind, and this is after her mom left the room for the student teacher interaction to take place. I was not going to move my ass. I know better than to run around a spoilt princess crying for attention. I might not be painting a pretty patient picture of myself here but the truth is if you were there, you’d agree with me. Later, after the duo left, the office assistant Alice told me that because Angel’s mom already had a 18 year old son, she was the more focused on and therefore loved more. No wonder.

Irene- the real teacher

I met Irene through my sister. My first impression of her is my last impression of her. She is a professional, smart and polite Chinese lady who runs her own chain of English teaching offices around Beijing. She also gave us a good teaching rate per hour unlike other agencies that make it an almost never ending process for you to get to the point where you start earning what you well deserve. So far, I enjoy working for Irene and sharing this with my sister. I don’t think I can forget how she always somehow manages to bring in “I see’, or ‘we’ll see’ in a conversation. 

If you like what you read, watch this space for more!

[All images are self clicked]

The 21st Century Pain!

In August 2013, I got myself one of the best phones the world had to offer – The LG Nexus 4. Smooth, sleek, classy black and just beautiful. I was on the constant hunt to look for a good cover for it because the one con it did have was a glass back. An extremely bad idea for any phone to have, absolutely. I wanted a cover, a funky one for my baby. I safely got it to Beijing and for the good few days I didn't go out, me and my bff were getting long just great. Everything from my emails, the best 8 megapixel camera, my new found excitement for Instagram and so on forth, I didn't even notice I was already in a relationship with the one thing that was my rock- my phone.

ONE UGLY night, under the sign –San li tun SOHO, a bit tipsy and too excited, I don’t even know what exactly happened but the next thing I know my baby fell in the water. It hit the ground went for a swim. I do not even know how to describe how that feels. To have your super new phone that you wanted soooooo bad to just fall within weeks of purchase. This is the 21^st century pain. I am currently trying out my options to save my baby. I've tried a couple of times here but the chinese guys say I need to change the motherboard along with the screen, Damnit! But the ultimate decision would be back to India- warranty repair.

I have gone through with the option of RICE. And it did not work for me. I can see 20% of my screen when I put it on with a charger, the power button’s gone. I have just gone through the worst feeling. This was brand new. This was everything to me : ( Here’s hoping to fix it in the new future… or a new phone even.

Dark Sunday Afternoon in Beijing!

First sunday i'm back in Beijing and its pouring cats and dogs! Thank God we decided to stay in that day! Travelling on a weekend in and around Beijing isn't a wise idea anyway.