- You are here:
- Home
- Expat living
- Country and city guides
- China
- Beijing
Expat guide: Beijing
This guide offers information and advice if you are moving to Beijing.
Click on the different tabs to find out about anything from tax rules and banking to education and cultural highlights.
Download this guide as a pdfMoving to Beijing
Click on the other tabs for information about working, culture, embassy contact information and much more.
A short walk around Beijing ("northern capital") is a time capsule of Chinese history: the Forbidden City evokes ancient dynasties, Tiananmen square a reminder of the defining years of Chinese repression, and new Olympic buildings serve as elegant symbols of China's arrival on the world stage.
As with many Chinese cities, moving to Beijing is exciting because of its ferocious entrance into the international community. As Beijing's economy shakes off government regulation, international companies vie to hold on. Yet for all of the furious development and sprawling districts, central Beijing is also steeped in ancient architecture and impressive centres of government, providing a sobering counterpoint to the city's capitalist frenzy.
Expats usually need to make adjustments to an environment that isn't always as accommodating as other international cities. Large cultural hurdles can feel separating from the Chinese. Alternately, the city's density can feel claustrophobic and pollution on top of frenetic traffic can add to the expat's frustrations. The city of Beijing is aware of the problems though and have since the 2008 Olympics done an impressive string of initiatives that in 2009 brought the air quality to an all time best.
The city's size is staggering to understand. Beijing encompasses an enormous 6,500 square miles (16,800 sq km) and is home to almost 22 million people (2010). This has created smaller city-like districts within, from expat suburb communities to sprawling, shapeless developments. Yet at its heart is the political and cultural centre to all of China.
Shipping and removals
Shipping to Beijing should be a straight forward process through a shipping agency offering door to door service. Depending on where the cargo is originally from the transportation should take between four and eight weeks making a stay in short term furnished accommodation necessary. Often it is cheaper to buy new furnishings in Beijing rather than pay for long distance shipping. For smaller and lighter items the fastest means of shipping to Beijing is with air transport although there are size and weight limitations and it can be quite expensive. It is a good idea to buy insurance on shipped goods which can be damaged in transport.
Bringing pets to Beijing
Dog and cat expats in Beijing need necessary health certifications and need to be quarantined, often at the owners house, for thirty days. There is a restriction in the city centre on the size of dog making suburban areas popular with pet owners.
Links
Beijing Shipping company:
Click here
Shipping and removal company:
Click here
Air Freight:
Click here
Shipping and relocation company:
Click here
Pet relocation:
Click here
Shipping services:
Click here
This content is provided by www.expatarrivals.com, copyright © 2011 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in this expat guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities.
Neither Globe Media nor Bupa International can be held liable for any errors or omissions, or any loss, damage, illness and/or injury that may occur as a result of this information.
Bupa International is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Contact us
-
To discuss your needs, please call us on:
+44 (0) 1273 718 306
