Laowai's Losing Charm

Here is an interesting article about the falling number of marriages between the Chinese natives to foreigners.

http://online.thatsmags.com/post/laowai-losing-their-charm-foreign-marriages-fall-by-11-in-china

Happy Chinese New Year!

Take A Seat: China Is Bringing The Future To You

Although according to the economist China says 2014 trade growth may lag last year's rate, there is so much the Chinese are looking forward to adding to their wow list in 2014. 

More Magnificent Architecture

As part of an ambitious development plan, a new district is being constructed in the city China’s Hunan Province, and its focal point will be a sinuous, Mobius strip-style pedestrian bridge that arcs over Meixi Lake. With a span of 490ft (150metres) and a height of 79ft (24metres), the undulating bridge incorporates a variety of routes at different levels and its looped design also references traditional Chinese knots, which are used in decorative Chinese folk art. Conceived by Amsterdam-based firm Next Architects, the Changsha bridge is one of a number of confirmed and proposed distinctive bridges this year. 

More Shopping

SkyMall is mostly a catalog of the utterly useless and completely extravagant that we may pull out of the seat pocket in front of us when we're cruising at 36,000 feet, out of sheer boredom. And it just so happens that the Chinese are adding fairly low priced cars, at around 100,000 yuan ($16,000) to that list. Although there is a small percentage that does, it's still rare to buy a car without first taking it for a test drive.

For Chinese consumers, who are just becoming accustomed to the thought of owning personal vehicles, the percentage may be significantly higher.

Particularly interesting is the fact that flight attendants will be educated about the details of each model. Passengers may even qualify for discounts, just for buying in the sky, all to encourage passengers to purchase.

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!

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]