Beijing, China 🇨🇳
Nomad Score:
59%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Beijing is the capital city of China, known for its rich history and modern architecture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 21 million people. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is around 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Renminbi (CNY), 1 USD ≈ 7.1 CNY. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable, bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/C sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International banks like HSBC, Citibank are available; Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate payment methods. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, serviced apartments, and local housing listings. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local platforms like Danke offer numerous listings. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Happy Dragon Hostel offer affordable lodging. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coworking spaces like WeWork and Naked Hub are popular with remote workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Moka Bros in Sanlitun is known for a cozy atmosphere and good Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Beijing Expat Meetup hosts regular gatherings for professionals. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups such as 'Beijing Expats' are active for community events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Didi Chuxing is the leading ride-hailing app in Beijing. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike and Ofo offer bike-sharing services around the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Beidaihe Beach, approximately 3 hours away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | China Southern Airlines is a major regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air China and China Eastern Airlines operate many international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to the G6 highway and G55 highway nearby. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Beijing Railway Station is the central hub for trains. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Beijing offers a rechargeable transit card called Yikatong for subways and buses. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect to nearby cities like Tianjin and Langfang. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Peking University Third Hospital is a highly rated medical facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Yard offers various classes catering to all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Facilities like Anytime Fitness and Pure Fitness are popular with expats. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats like Wash-n-Spin provide self-service facilities. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Meituan and Ele.me are popular food delivery apps. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Peking Duck is a must-try traditional dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Plants & Co. and Veggie Table offer excellent plant-based menus. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Tiramisu and Baker & Spice are known for their desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Wangfujing Street has affordable and diverse food options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | JD.com and Taobao are popular online marketplaces. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Freshippo and YHD offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Sanlitun is the vibrant nightlife district with numerous bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Great Leap Brewing offers local craft beers and tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Parlor Wine Bar features a great selection of international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Wangfujing Snack Street is famous for its variety of street food. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Aroma boasts excellent Indian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City are iconic attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The National Museum of China is a must-visit for culture enthusiasts. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven are significant historical sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Lama Temple is a beautiful Tibetan Buddhist temple to visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Chinese New Year celebrations in January/February are spectacular. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Wangfujing and Dashilar offer rich cultural experiences and shopping. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Beijing Opera Theater offers traditional performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Silk Market is famous for its shopping opportunities. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Beijing has a vibrant live music scene with venues like Dusk Dawn Club. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The 798 Art District showcases contemporary Chinese artwork and street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Black Sesame Kitchen offers hands-on cooking classes featuring local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | UCCA Center for Contemporary Art hosts local and international exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Ming Dynasty City Wall is a fascinating historic structure. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Beijing hutongs represent traditional neighborhood architecture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Fragrant Hills Park offers hiking and beautiful scenery. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Miyun Reservoir National Park is ideal for outdoor activities. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Summer Palace has lovely parks and walking paths for leisurely strolls. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Jingshan Park provides a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The wetlands at Beijing's Olympic Park are excellent for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Shidu Scenic Area allows bonfires in designated zones. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | SF Express and China Post are reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Geekbuying and Xiaomi's official stores offer repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers often have tables for public use. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Cedar International Language School offers Mandarin classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The National Library of China is a quiet place for study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Beijing Cultural Center hosts various cultural and social events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Zone A is a popular spot for gamers in the city. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | While gambling is illegal in Beijing, local arcade parlors offer gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $5,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $200,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $140,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $4,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $270,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $320,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% applies to dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residency-based tax system focusing on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% maximum personal income tax rate. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 13%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, China's CFC rules are quite stringent. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on assessed value, with regulations varying by city. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Tax rates between 3% to 5% depending on property type and ownership. |