Beijing Guide - Dulwich College Beijing

LIVING
IN
BEIJING
CONTENTS
This book is not intended to be a comprehensive guide, but should be
enough to get started.
NOTE: contents are correct at time of writing (autumn 2013)
USEFUL CONTACTS
College Information
Other Useful Contacts
5
Resources
6
Transport
7
LIVING IN BEIJING
Communication
Travel and Activities
LANGUAGE
3-4
8-9
10-12
Especially for the Kids
12-15
Shopping, Eating Out and Entertainment
15-17
A Brief Guide to Speaking Chinese
18
Basic Phrases, Shopping
19
Numbers, Date, Time
Getting Around
20-22
23
Giving Your Address
USEFUL LOCATIONS
Tourist Sights & Popular
Areas
23-24
Around School Campus
25
Local Area: Shops/Restaurants
MAP OF LOCAL AREA
2
25-27
USEFUL CONTACTS
COLLEGE INFORMATION
Dulwich College Beijing
北京德威英国国际学校
Pinyin:
Beijing Dewei Yinguo Guoji Xuexiao
CAMPUS ADDRESSES
Legend Garden Campus
Reception (+86 10) 6454 9000
Legend Garden Villas (Gate 7),
顺义区, 首都机场路 89 号 , 丽京花
园
89 Capital Airport Road
Shunyi District, Beijing 101300
Riviera Campus
Reception (+86 10) 8450 7676
1 Xiang Jiang Bei Lu, Jing Shun Lu
朝阳区, 京顺路香江北路 1 号,香江
花园
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100103
Who should you contact at the school? Please view our website for
guidance of who to contact regarding your child’s education and well being
or any concerns you may have.
All emails for Dulwich College Beijing staff members are generic:
[email protected]
3
OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
SOS Alarm Centre
+86-10-6462 9100 (24 hour)
Kunsha Building, No.16 Xinyuanli
北京市朝阳区新源里 16 号琨莎中心
Beijing United Family Hospital
+86-10-5927 7120 (24 hour)
2 Jiangtai Lu, Lido
北京市朝阳区将台路 2 号
LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Police
110
Vehicle Accident
122
Fire
119
Ambulance
120 or 999
EMBASSIES & OTHER GREAT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Upon your arrival to China, it is recommended that you contact your
embassy and register as a resident of China.
There are so many ways you can start getting busy with your new life in
Beijing. The following organisations offer a great opportunity to obtain
information about Beijing and meet new friends. These organisations are
open to all foreign passport holders. Your embassy may be able to help
you find similar organisations for your own country, however, the
following organisations have an international membership.
•
Friends of Dulwich – this is Dulwich College’s parent run
organisation.
•
INN – International Newcomers Network – www.innbeijing.org
Monthly meetings and informal coffee mornings
•
British Club – www.britishclubbj.org
Meetings every alternate Tuesday, interesting guest speakers
•
ANZA – www.anzabeijing.com
The Australian/NZ Association – very active, good charity events
4
LIVING IN BEIJING
RESOURCES
The following information gives you a brief introduction to life in Beijing.
There are a huge number of resources available for expats to help
navigate Beijing life. There’s also a Handy Guide Google map here:
http://tiny.cc/o492e
FREE LISTINGS MAGAZINES
•
The Beijinger: monthly print publication also online at:
www.thebeijinger.com/. Also publishes a children’s magazine, Beijing
Kids www.beijing-kids.com
•
City Weekend: fortnightly, also online at
www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/.
•
Time Out Beijing: monthly, also online at
www.timeoutcn.com/Magazine/Digitaledtion/Default.html.
BOOKS
Aside from the usual Lonely Planet/Rough Guide books, have a look at the
phrasebooks, food guides and taxi books. For sale in branches of Jenny
Wang’s and April Gourmet, or try The Bookworm in Sanlitun.
WEBSITES
•
www.mobilenative.com a handy searchable site providing shop and
restaurant listings across Beijing. Provides a map and English/Chinese
address, and reviews. SMS service available on 13466660777.
•
www.xianzai.com provides email updates on offers and events.
IPHONE APPS (buy from the iTunes Music Store)
•
Beijing Taxi Guide (£5.99) – extensive listings, with addresses in
Chinese
•
Beijing Genius Map (59p) – offline map
•
Explore Beijing Subway map (£1.19)
•
Pleco Chinese Dictionary (free, but pay-for add-ons)
•
DianHua dictionary (free)
TRANSPORT
5
Taxis are cheap and abundant in Beijing, starting at 10 RMB (11 RMB at
night), then 2 RMB per km (3 RMB per km over 15km). There is a 2 RMB
surcharge (add it on at the end when you pay) for journeys over 3km to
allow for rising fuel prices. Most drivers do not speak English and driving
can be erratic. Be aware that many taxis still do not have seatbelts,
especially in the back, and you usually get in on the right side only. Taxis
are harder to find in rush hours and in bad weather. See the language
section for some useful phrases.
• Download Beijing Taxi Guide app or carry a map and your destination
written in Chinese characters: taxi books and business cards (called
‘míngpiàn’) are helpful.
• Some drivers are nervous of foreigners and might refuse a fare.
Learning some Chinese, and sounding confident, usually helps.
• Drivers usually know road names and big tourist sites - learn the
former and find out if any of the latter are near your destination.
• Using an expressway incurs a toll for outbound traffic from the city
centre - normally the driver will pay but you should add it on to the
final bill (5 or 10 RMB for journeys within Beijing).
• To order a taxi, call 96103, then dial 8 for English. The service costs 3
RMB extra (paid to the driver), and at busy times you should order in
advance.
• Driving restrictions are in place. Cars are not allowed on the road
inside the 5th Ring Road one day per week, as per your plate number.
OTHER OPTIONS
SUBWAY: The subway system is being constantly extended across the city
and is cheap (2 RMB). See www.explorebj.com/subway
BUSES: Buses are extensive and cheap (1-2 RMB) but can get busy. Bus
stop information is usually only displayed in Chinese, but this site may
help: www.bjbus.com/home/map_section.php?uPageType=5.
DRIVING: To drive a car you will need to get a Chinese driving licence.
The test includes an eyesight test and a written exam which you must get
90% correct. Try Expat Cars (www.expatcar.com), Beijing Car Solutions
(www.bjcarsolution.com) or Star Auto Club www.stautoclub.com.cn for
help with cars, licences and insurance. You can hire private drivers,
perhaps ask around for recommendations.
WALKING/CYCLING: Beijing is not a very pedestrian-friendly city, but
there are some areas that are easy and pleasant to walk around. Be
6
aware that vehicles rarely stop at zebra crossings, and can turn right at
junctions even on a pedestrian green light. Bicycles are readily available
and there are many cycle lanes (though these are often used by drivers).
COMMUNICATION
TELEPHONE
IP Cards offer cheap international calls and can be purchased from
newsstands, mobile phone shops and some markets. You should be able
to get them for less than the face value. Note: recommend 08448619090
for cheap UK-to-China calls, or try Planet Numbers online.
Mobile phone handsets and SIM cards are readily available. There are two
providers, China Mobile and China Unicom (the latter has better coverage
at Legend Campuses). Pay-as-you-go SIM cards are the easiest option,
with top-up cards available in many shops (including the Friends Shop in
Legend Garden and branches of Jenny Wang’s). If you want a contract
telephone you will have to pay in person, each month, at the provider’s
For more information go to
shop where you bought the SIM.
www.mobilenative.com/chinamobile.php
INTERNET
Home internet access is easily arranged through your landlord or
management company. Wireless access is readily available in Beijing in
many restaurants and cafes, and is usually free of charge.
www.mobilenative.com has a ‘search for venues with wifi’ function.
Skype is free software which allows you to have free computer-tocomputer calls. For a charge you can make calls to landlines or mobiles.
The Skype App for IPhones is also available. See www.skype.com/intl/en
for more information.
7
POST
Incoming mail can be unreliable. Documents and letters are usually fine
packages can be problematic and may be opened by Customs.
Sending a letter internationally costs around 5-7 RMB per letter. The
following Post Offices have English-speaking staff:
•
Jianguomenwai Dajie Yabao Lu, Dongcheng District. (tel 6512 8114)
(北京国际邮电局,东城区 建国门外大街 雅宝路). Main international
office.
•
Inside the shopping complex at Lido Metropark hotel (丽都假日饭店
Lido fàndiàn, pron. lee-do fan-dee-en).
•
Gongti Beilu, Sanlitun, opposite the Worker’s Stadium North Gate.
You can also use DHL, Fedex and UPS to send items - see their websites
for details. Sending documents to the UK is around 200RMB.
TRAVEL & ACTIVITIES
TRAVEL
Aside from making bookings directly with airlines/ hotels, you may find
the following resources useful. The Excursion Guide (details Page 6) has
ideas for short trips around Beijing, whilst the free magazines also provide
listings on travel and tours. There are many travel services in Beijing
which can book transport etc. for you. This is particularly useful for
booking train tickets which can be time-consuming to buy yourself.
•
Ctrip: Payment in cash or credit card (faxed copies of the credit
card wil be required). Tickets can be delivered. www.ctrip.com
•
Elong: Payment details as above. Offices in Lido. www.elong.net
•
BJS Travel has offices in Pinnacle Plaza and inside Jenny Wang’s
at Chaoyang Park West Gate. Email [email protected]
•
Travel Agent, James Zhang can book travel, deliver tickets and
collect payment. Email: [email protected]
WITHIN BEIJING
Main tourist sites: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square (including
Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, National Museum and the Great Hall of The
People), Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs.
8
Great Wall: Accessible from Beijing are the following sites:
Badaling: Approximately one hours drives from Beijing, but being the
closet site to Beijing also means it is the busiest and most popular with
tourists.
Mutianyu: Approximately 1.5 hrs, still popular but not as busy. Take the
option of a cable car up, walk along the Wall for approximately 40
minutes and toboggan down. Would recommend this site for children and
others who are less able. The Schoolhouse restaurant is nearby for good
rewarding lunches (Call ahead at the weekends)!
Jinshanling and Simitai: further away, not all renovated, good 3-4 hour
hike. At time of printing was being maintained, so check in advance that
this site has re-opened.
Lesser known sites: Ming Dynasty Walls, Old Summer Palace, Longqing
Gorge (near Badaling Great Wall), Fragrant Hills, Botanic Gardens,
Yonghegong (Lama Temple), Bell and Drum Towers (Gulou/ Zhonglou),
Legation Quarter, Wangfujing Snack Street (try some scorpion or
seahorses on sticks!), Panjiayuan Market (antiques market, also known as
the ‘dirt’ market) and Confucius Temple.
Parks: Jingshan Park (great view over Forbidden City), Beihai Park
(boating), Ritan Park, Chaoyang Park (sports and activities), Ditan Park
Architecture: Olympic Park, CCTV Building (East 3rd Ring Road), National
Centre for the Performing Arts (‘the Egg’)
Culture: 798 art district and Caochangdi art district (both Lido), China Art
Museum, City Planning Museum, Acrobatics shows (try Chaoyang Theatre)
‘Old Beijing’: hutongs (traditional alleys/streets) around Houhai/Gulou
and the Forbidden City, Liulichang Culture Street (SW of Tiananmen)
ACTIVITIES
Beijing has a huge number of sports clubs, cultural and national groups,
alumni organisations and other interest groups. Check the free magazines
for full listings, or try the following companies.
•
China Culture Center www.chinaculturecenter.org Offers tours,
classes and courses.
•
The Hutong www.the-hutong.com or phone 8915 3613. Offers classes
and courses in a traditional setting.
•
Beijing Hikers www.beijinghikers.com or phone 5137 4906. Organises
9
hikes of varying difficulty around Beijing.
•
Yin Yang Center www.yinyangbeijing.com Courses and classes.
OUR STAFF RECOMMEND…
Manicures, pedicures and massages are cheap and abundant. Treat
yourself!
Sunday brunches are a Beijing fixture. From all-you-can-eat-and-drink
champagne extravaganzas (The Westin is a staff favourite or Sureno at
The Opposite House), to tasty fry-ups (try The Vineyard). Check magazine
listings for the dedicated brunch section.
Outdoor eating and drinking can be great on summer evenings. Sanlitun
has a number of restaurants/bars with outside space (Migas, Blue Frog,
Flamme, Element Fresh, Fez, Kokomo, The Saddle, Bar Blu) plus try The
Pavilion (West Worker’s Stadium), Xiu Bar (CBD Park Hyatt hotel),
Parkside Bar (Lido), Q Bar (Sanlitun Nanlu).
Wandering in the parks at the weekend is a popular Beijing pastime.
Beijingers love parks and you’ll see ballroom dancers, singers, accordion
players, calligraphers, games of table tennis, mahjong and more. The
exercise parks, similar to outdoor gyms are fun and busy. Temple of
Heaven park very early on a Sunday morning is unbeatable.
798 – Art Zone – wander around the many galleries show-casing Chinese
Contemporary Art and enjoy a coffee or lunch break at one of the many
cafes.
ESPECIALLY FOR THE KIDS
A very useful website when you arrive in Beijing and have children to think
about is www.beijing-kids.com Beijing Kids is a monthly publication (you can
often pick up a copy in bookstores, housing compound clubhouses, and
many expat haunts) with parallel website aimed at expat families in Beijing.
Their website directory (and back pages of print publication) is full of places
to go, places to eat, shopping guides etc. Here are a few things to get you
started.
SHOPPING
LeYou
Level B1 Europlaza, 99 Yuxiang Lu, Tianzhu Zhen, Shunyi District
顺义区天竺镇裕翔路 99 号欧陆广场 5 层
10
This store also has several downtown locations addresses can be found in
BJ Kids Magazine, Directory.
Diapers (Pampers/Huggies), Wipes, General baby equipment (from weaning
spoons, to soothers, to strollers), Toys, Clothes. Several well known
Western Brands are available. You can order online and on the telephone
but you will need a Chinese speaker to help you with that! www.leyou.com
Mothercare
Solana Mall (See below)
British chain of baby and young children’s supplies. Strollers, car seats, cots,
linen, feeding equipment, high chairs, shoes, clothes. Expect to pay
sometimes as much as 50-80% more than you would in the UK.
Solana 蓝色港湾
6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳公园路 6 号蓝色港湾国际商区
Indoor and outdoor shopping mall. Pleasant place to wander around.
Basement level is devoted to children – toys, Lego, clothing etc. There is a
small soft play area in the Scholastic bookshop. There is also a cinema
which shows Hollywood films. www.solana.com.cn/english/web/bom_3.asp
CHILD FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS
Beijing has a large restaurant scene and many of these cater for young
children. Most will have baby chairs/high chairs. Some restaurants have a
play area to entertain the kids while you wait for your meal, some go as far
as having a separate room where the kids can play, watch TV and eat their
meal. The following are a few examples of family friendly restaurants which
have a fair size kids’ menu and cater well to little people! Most of the large
hotel brunches have a playroom, usually supervised, for children.
Annie's - Italian
Several branches across town and towards Shunyi.
www.annies.com.cn/en’
Element Fresh – ‘Healthy’ American
One branch in Lido another in The Village Sanlitun
www.elementfresh.com
Blue Frog – American
1 branch in The Village Sanlitun. At time of going to print another branch is
rumoured to be opening up in Pinnacle Plaza, Shunyi. (NB Their website
currently says there is a branch in Europlaza Shunyi – that has closed down)
www.bluefrog.com.cn
11
Union Bar and Grill - American
The Village Sanlitun
www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/listings/dining/american/has/union-bargrill/
The Orchard – European
Shunyi
Sunday brunches are very popular
www.beijing-kids.com/directory/The-Orchard
THINGS TO DO:
Happyland Arts and Crafts
Xibaixinzhuang (near Capital Paradise), Houshayu, Shunyi District
顺义区后沙峪白辛庄村东（名都园的附近）
Hands on craft studio. 50rmb per hour and children can take home what
ever they make. Supervised by patient staff with some functional English.
Pottery, painting, beading, paper cutting, clay figurines, window art, sand
pictures. www.beijing-kids.com/directory/Happy-Land-Arts-and-CraftsCenter
Myoyo
Level 5 Europlaza Shunyi
Europlaza, 99 Yuxiang Lu, Tianzhu Zhen, Shunyi District
顺义区天竺镇裕翔路 99 号欧陆广场 5 层
Soft Play Centre. Equipment most suitable for age 5’s and under. Pay per
visit or buy a discount card for several visits.
A-Z Kids
Room 102, Bldg 3, Pinnacle Avenue, Linyin Lu, Shunyi District
顺义区 A-Z 英伦创意园，顺义区林荫路荣和广场 3 号楼 102
Large Soft Play Centre with Amusements. www.a-zkids.cn
Fundazzle
Gongti Nanlu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体南路
Large Play centre
Beijing Zoo
137 Baishiqiao Lu, Xizhimenwai Dajie, Haidian District
海淀区西外大街白石桥路 137 号
12
Lovely area to walk around, some animal enclosures are not what you
would hope to see, but the Monkey Enclosure and Panda House are very
nice. Would recommend taking a picnic and sitting by the lake!
www.beijingzoo.com
Beijing Aquarium
18B Gaoliangqiao Xiejie, Haidian District
海淀区高粱桥斜街乙 18 号
Located next to the zoo. Fantastic modern Aquarium with twice daily
dolphin and sealion shows. Would recommend taking a picnic – the food
options are not very inspiring. www.bj-sea.com
Blue Zoo
Workers’ Stadium South Gate, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育场南门
Small Aquarium with walk through tank. Great entertainment for an hour or
two. Not particularly stroller friendly but small enough for a toddler to
toddle around! www.blue-zoo.com
Magic Bean House
7 Chaoyang Park Xilu, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳区朝阳公园西路 7 号
Fun space with mini supermarket, building area, water play, car servicing,
amongst other things.
www.beijing-kids.com/directory/The-Magic-Bean-House
China Science and Technology Museum
1 Beisanhuan Zhonglu (Beisanhuan at Anhua Qiao – look for the geodesic
dome),
Xicheng District
西城区北三环中路 1 号
Hands on Science Museum
www.cstm.org.cn/eapdomain/home/english/index.htm
13
Top Tips
If venturing to any of the popular tourist sites including the Zoo, Aquarium
and Science Museum get there early. Tourist buses and school parties tend
to arrive late morning and therefore places can start to get crowded.
• It’s often best to pack a picnic! Lunch options are sometimes
limited – especially for the tastes of young children.
• If travelling in a taxi, often there will not be seat belts in the back
seats – be aware.
SHOPPING, EATING OUT & ENTERTAINMENT
SHOPPING
Western brands are becoming easier to find, but you will not find the
range you might get in Hong Kong or Shanghai. Markets sell almost
anything you can think of at varying levels of quality and authenticity.
Look up the following on www.mobilenative.com for addresses/maps or
use the Handy Guide Google map (http://tiny.cc/o492e):
•
Household/Electronic Items - Ikea, Da Zhong, Lufthansa Center,
Carrefour, Wal-Mart, Muji. Apple store and Johnson Computers sell
(genuine) computer equipment. Golden Five Star market on Xueyuan
Nanlu has been recommended for household goods.
•
Bicycles - There are a number of Giant bicycle shops across Beijing
and Decathlon, a huge sports shop, also delivers (4th Ring Road).
•
Groceries - Jenny Wang’s and April Gourmet provide imported
expat favourites- mostly US brands. The Market Place situated in
Europlaza near Pinnacle Plaza, and also has stores city wide, is a
nice, clean supermarket, also stocks a lot of expat favourites
although a little more expensive. Jingkelong – a Chinese
supermarket has many branches across the city. Local food markets
like San Yuan Li (on Xinyuanli) which sell good quality fruit,
vegetables and meat. City Shop off Liangmaqiao Lu sells some
imported British food items. Look out for the small fruit and
vegetable shops nearby the housing compounds, for example
opposite the back gate of Capital Paradise. Schindlers Meats is a
German run butchery.
•
Clothes/Shoes - Beijing has numerous clothes markets (Yashow,
14
Sunny Gold, Silk Market, Zoo Market to name but a few) selling
cheap clothes and tailored items, or try Oriental Plaza, China World,
or Shin Kong Place malls for the other end of the spectrum- designer
gear. Malls including The Village in Sanlitun, Solana at Chaoyang
Park, Joy City in Xidan, The Place near Ritan Park and Wangfujing
Street have more mid-price outlets including Zara, Mango, Uniqlo,
H&M and sports brands like Adidas and Nike. Shopping in Ritan
Office Building can be fun, take the time to rummage through the
racks to find discounted designer brands, including Calvin Klein,
MaxMara, Monsoon and more.
•
DVDs/CDs - It is difficult to find genuine copies of CDs or DVDs in
Beijing. Be aware that DVD shops, whilst popular and plentiful, will
stock fake copies. Carrefour stocks a few genuine DVDs; otherwise
try online sites like www.cd-wow.com (free shipping) or Amazon.
You may incur customs charges importing these items, though in
practice this rarely seems to happen. US/UK iTunes Music Store is
available if you have US/UK-registered accounts/ payment cards.
•
Books - Second hand shops include Coffee & Books at Legend
Garden campus, or buy new at The Bookworm (Sanlitun), Foreign
Languages Bookstore (Wangfujing), Charterhouse (The Place/River
Garden) or buy online from Amazon. For children’s books try Little
Books in the Holiday Inn Lido.
EATING OUT AND ENTERTAINMENT
For ideas of good restaurants and bars, check out listings in the free
magazines. Their annual awards are a good indication of popular places:
The Beijinger Restaurant Awards/ Bar and Club Awards 2011
www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2011/03/21/The-Winners-the-Beijingers-8thAnnual-Reader-Restaurant-Awards
www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2011/05/19/The-Beijinger-2011-Reader-BarClub-Awards-The-Results
City Weekend Restaurant and Nightlife Awards 2011
www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/articles/blogs-beijing/the-dishbj/readers-choice-awards-2011-the-final-results/
15
AREAS TO TRY
Sanlitun Located around Gongti Bei Lu (Worker’s Stadium North Road),
Sanlitun has an abundance of good bars and restaurants.
Gulou/Houhai More traditional hutong area with shops and restaurants.
Nanluoguxiang is a redeveloped hutong with many bars, restaurants and
shops.
Lido 15 minutes from Legend Garden campus- good mixed
Western/Chinese area, lots of restaurants and bars. Centred around
Holiday Inn hotel (pinyin: Lido fandian) and along Jiangtai Lu.
CBD (around Guanghua Lu) Swanky hotel bars and restaurants plus
upmarket shopping malls.
Haidian student scene in north-west Beijing around the universitiesgood live music. Centered around Wudaokou area.
Lucky Street/Solana Mall Increasing number of bars/restaurants.
16
LANGUAGE
The Chinese spoken in Beijing (and in most of China) is Mandarin (not
Cantonese, which is only spoken in Hong Kong). This is sometimes
referred to as ‘Hanyu’ (‘spoken language’) or ‘Putonghua’ (‘ordinary
language’). Mandarin is a tonal language, written in characters. The
Romanised phonetic version, which is commonly used to teach the
language to foreigners, is called ‘pinyin’; for example, China is 中国 in
characters, or ‘Zhōng guó’ in pinyin. Characters have both a simplified and
traditional form (中国 is simplified; 中國 is traditional).
Although tones are important in Mandarin (and can make the difference
between saying, for example, ‘mother’ (mā) and ‘horse’ (mă)) don’t worry
too much about them to begin with. The context in which you use the
word will help someone understand what you are trying to say. For
information, the tones are as follows:
Number
Mark
Sounds like…
1
__
(ā)
Steady high tone (almost sung)
2
/
(á)
Rising tone (from mid to high, as
though asking a question, like ‘what?’)
3
\/
(ă)
Falling then rising (mid to low to high)
4
\
(à)
Sharp falling tone (as though giving a
command, like ‘stop!’)
Consonant and vowel sounds can also be quite different. The ones that
tend to confuse most often are the letter ‘Q’ (pronounced ‘ch’) and the
letter ‘X’ (pronounced like a breathy ‘sh’).
Some more resources:
• Immersion Guide/ Lonely Planet/ Rough Guide phrasebooks.
• Free Chinese Lessons : www.freechineselessons.com
• Chinese Pod : www.chinesepod.com
• Chinese Learn Online : www.chineselearnonline.com
• Online Dictionaries : www.xuezhongwen.net/chindict/chindict.php or
www.nciku.com
• Other tools, e.g. flashcards : www.mandarintools.com
17
For local classes, check the free magazines for listings.
BASIC PHRASES
English
Pinyin
Pronunciation
Characters
Hello
Nĭ hăo (lit. you
good)
nee how
你好
How are
you?
Nĭ hăo ma? (lit.
you good?)
nee how ma?
你好吗？
Goodbye
Zài jiàn
dzai jee-en
再见
Thank you
Xiè xie
s-yeah s-yeah
谢谢
Please could
I ask…
qĭng wèn…
ching gwen…
请问
OK.
Hăo de
how duh
好的
OK?
Hăo ma?
how ma
好吗？
I don’t
understand.
Tīng bù dŏng.
(can hear, but
don’t understand)
teeng boo dong.
听不懂
English
Pinyin
Pronunciation
Characters
How much
[money]?
Duō shao qián?
dwor shao cheeen?
多少钱？
I don’t want
it.
Bù yào (lit. don’t
want)
boo yao
不要
That’s too
expensive!
Tài guì le!
tie gway luh!
太贵了
Can you
make it a
little
cheaper?
kěyĭ piányi yidian
ma?
kuh-yee pee-en-yee
ee-dee-en ma?
可以便宜吗？
I want this
one
Yào zhè ge
yao jay-gur
要这个
SHOPPING
18
The unit of currency in China is the RMB (rén mín bì). It is more commonly
known as the yuán (元, pron. yoo-en) or colloquially, the kuài (块, pron. kwhy).
In markets you will need to bargain- start with around 10% of what you are
offered and be prepared to walk away. If you express any interest in any
item, it is assumed that you want to buy it.
NUMBERS
Pinyin
Pronunciation
Characters
0
líng
ling
〇 or 零
1
yī
ee
一
2
èr
ar
二
3
sān
san
三
4
sì
sur
四
5
wŭ
woo
五
6
liù
lee-oh
六
7
qī
chee
七
8
bā
baa
八
English
9
jiŭ
jee-oh
九
10
shí
shur (short)
十
11
shí yī
shur ee
十一
12
shí èr
shur ar
十二
20
èr shí
ar shur
二十
21
èr shí yī
ar shur ee
二十一
100
yī băi
yī băi wŭ
(shí)
yī qiān
ee bye
一百
ee bye woo (shur)
一百五十
ee chee-en
一千
150
1000
19
DATE
the largest number comes first, so format is year-month-day
Year
Month
Day/ date
8 May 2010
Use the corresponding number and ‘nián’, which means
‘year’. Each digit is spoken separately, e.g. 1987 is 1-9-8-7,
not 19-87.
Use the corresponding month’s number and ‘yuè’, which
means ‘month’.
Use the number and ‘hào’ (meaning ‘number’).
‘èr líng yī líng nián, wŭ yuè, bā hào’ (2-0-1-0 year 5 month
8 day)
DAY
English
Pinyin
Pronunciation
Characters
Today
Jīntiān
jin-tee-en
今天
Tomorrow
Míngtiān
Yesterday
Monday Saturday
Sunday
明天
ming-tee-en
昨天
Zuótiān
zwor-tee-en
Use ‘xīng qī’ and the corresponding number yi/ er/ san/ si/
wu/ liu e.g. Wednesday is ‘xīng qī san’.
星期天
Xīng qī tiān
shing-chee tee-en
WEEK, MONTH, YEAR
English
Pinyin
Pronunciation
Characters
This week
Zhè ge xīng qī
这个星期
Next week
Xià ge xīng qī
This year
Shàng ge xīng
qī
Zhè ge/ Xià
ge/ Shàng ge
yuè
Jīn nián
jay-gur shing-chee
shee-ah gur shingchee
shang gur shingchee
jay-gur/ shee-ah
gur/ shang gur yeweh
jin nee-en
Next year
Míng nián
ming nee-en
Last week
This/ next/
last month
20
下个星期
上个星期
下/上/这/个月
今年
明年
Last year
Qù nián
choo nee-en
去年
TIME
the largest unit comes first, so format is period-hour-minute
English
Pinyin
Pronunciation
Characters
Zăoshang
zow-shang
早上
Xià wŭ
shee-ah woo
下午
evening
Wănshang
wan shang
晚上
7 o’clock
Qī diăn
Wănshang liù
diăn bàn (lit.
‘evening six
o’clock half’)
Zăoshang wŭ
diăn shíwŭ
fēnzhōng (lit.
‘morning 5
o’clock 15
minutes’)
chee dee-en
七点
wan-shang lee-oh
dee-en ban
晚上六点半
zow-shang woo
dee-en shur-woo
fun-jong
早上五点十五分钟
(early)
morning
afternoon
6.30pm
5.15am
GETTING AROUND
English
Pinyin
Pronunciation
Characters
Taxi
Chū zū chē
choo zoo chuh
出租车
I want to go…
Wŏ yào qù…
woah yow choo…
我要去…
Turn left
zuŏ guăi
zoh g-why
左拐
Turn right
yòu guăi
yoh g-why
右拐
Straight ahead
Yī zhí zŏu/
ee jur zoh/
一直走
Qián miàn
chee-en mee-en
前面
diào tóu
dee-ow tow
掉头
Turn around/
u-turn
21
Stop the car
tíng chē
ting chuh
停车
We’ve arrived
Dào le
dao le
到了
Please use the
meter
Qīng yòng biăo
ching yoong beeow
请用表
I know where
to go
Wŏ zhīdao qù
năr
wo jur-dow choo
nar
我知道去那儿
At the traffic
lights…
zài
hónglùdēng…
zai hong-loo-dung
红绿灯
GIVING YOUR ADDRESS
Most apartments are in compounds with building numbers, apartment
numbers and sometimes unit numbers. Give the compound name first,
then:
English
Pinyin
Pronunciation
Characters
Building number
[no.]
[no.] hào lóu
[no.] how low
号楼
Unit [no.]
[no.] dān
yuán
[no.] dan yooen
单元
Apartment [no.]
[no.] shì
[no.] shur
室
So building 10, unit 2, apartment 601 = 10-2-601
Housing compounds and apartment complexes are too numerous to
mention but most addresses, including Chinese characters can be found in
the taxi guides.
USEFUL LOCATIONS
TOURIST SIGHTS
English
Pinyin
Pronunciation
Characters
Forbidden City
Gùgōng
Goo-gong
故宮
22
Tiananmen Square
Tiān'ānmén
Tee-an-an-men
天安门
Temple of Heaven
Tiāntán
Tee-en-tan
天坛
Bird’s Nest (Olympic
Park)
Niăocháo
Nee-ow chow
鸟巢
Summer Palace
Yíhéyuán
Yee-hur yoo-en
颐和园
Great Wall (you need to
give a specific location)
Cháng
chéng
Chang-chung
长城
798 Art District
Qī jiŭ bā
Chee jee-oh baa
七九八
POPULAR AREAS
To get to…
Ask for…
Pronounciation
Sanlitun
Sanlitun san dian san
(Sanlitun 3.3)
San-lee-toon (or san-leeturr) san dee-en san
3.3 is a building on Sanlitun Lu that is known to taxi drivers. It is just
beside the Village, and is a good place to be dropped off to explore the
area.
Houhai
Houhai
Ho-hi
Gulou (drum tower)
Goo-loh
If you ask for Houhai, most taxis will drop you off at the south side of
what is actually Qianhai Lake on Di’anmen West Street (Di’anmen Xi Da
Jie). Gulou is the Drum Tower, and is surrounded by interesting hutongs.
Lido
Lido fàndiàn (Lido hotel)
Lee-doo fan dee-en
The Holiday Inn hotel in Lido was the first open to foreigners, so most taxi
drivers know it. The hotel complex houses a few shops and restaurants,
and is a good starting place for exploring the area.
CBD area
Guanghua Lu (Guanghua
Road)
Gwang-hwa loo
Guanghua Lu cuts through the middle of the CBD area and the older
Embassy district and Ritan Park. There are a few high-end shopping malls
here.
Haidian
Wudaokou ditie zhang
23
Woo-dao-koh dee-tee-eh
jang
Wudaokou subway station (ditie zhang) is close to the student bar area.
AROUND SCHOOL CAMPUSES
English
Pinyin
Pronunciation
Characters
Airport…
Ji chang…
Jee chang…
机场…
Terminal
1/2/3
…yi/ er/ san
hao
ee/ ar/ san how
Airport
Expressway…
jī chăng gāo sù
Jee-chang gow-soo
机场高速
Yang Lin exit 7
yáng lín dà dào
Yang lin da dow
杨林大道
Beigao chukou
Bay-gow choo-koh
北皋出口
一/二/三号
for Legend
Garden
Beigao exit 4
for Riviera
LOCAL AREA SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS
PINNACLE PLAZA
Rong Xiang Guang
Chang
Rong see-yang gwang chang
荣祥广场
Mexican Kitchen
Tex Mex
 8046 4558/9
Delivers
Little Italy
Italian
 8046 4679/80
Delivers
Haru
Japanese
 8046-5112
Delivers
Domino’s
Pizza
 8046 3226
Delivers
Also: Jiu Ding Feng hotpot, Subway, Starbucks, Baskin Robbins
Shops: Johnson Computer, Trek Bicycles, KK Pet Shop, Jenny Wang’s
supermarket, Lohao organic supermarket, Kodak, Bookstore, Kids+
(toys/games etc), Winns picture framers, Zen Yue (beauty), Beijing
United Family Clinic/Dentist.
24
across junction with Jingshun Lu, first left
EUROPLAZA
Ou Lu Guang Chang
Oh loo gwang chang
欧陆广场
Papa John’s
Pizza
 4008887272
Delivers
Comptoirs de
France
Bakery
 8046 6309
Delivers
Taj Pavilion
Indian
 8046 3238
Delivers
Michael’s Ristorante
Italian
 8042 4457
Delivers
Also: McDonalds, Cold Stone Creamery, South Beauty (Sichuan food), Costa
Coffee, German Bakery
Shops: Market Place supermarket, Villa Lifestyles (outdoor equip) plus an
indoor play area on the 5th floor for children.
PINNACLE AVENUE
Rong He Guang Chang
Rong huh gwang chang
荣和广场
Has a Burger King, Starbucks, Jenny Wang’s supermarket, BJU medical and
dental branch.
towards Yosemite Villas
XI BAIXINZHUANG
Xi Baixinzhuang
See buy-shin-jwang
西白辛庄
Mrs Shanen’s
Pizza/bagels
 8046 4301
Delivers
Smallville
American
 8046 5446
Delivers
The Yard
Malaysian
 8046 5449
Delivers
Also: Paddy’s Bar and Grill (formerly The Pomegranate) (south area of
village near Capital Paradise)
Shops: Radiance (gifts, furniture), Roundabout Charity Store
25
back road towards Yosemite Villas
YUYANG LU
Piazza Café
Chinese/western
 8046 7788
Delivers
Victor’s
Indian
 8046 2287
Delivers
Also: King’s Bar
Shops: Lion Mart (supermarket), Le Spa (beauty), Costa Coffee,
Charterhouse Booktrader
26
www.dulwich-beijing.cn
27