Beijing is a great city to experience especially if you have plans for a long term visit. The city offers its visitors an ancient and charming heritage and culture that there is a lot to learn from. However before you decide to study Mandarin in Beijing you need to be aware of the quirks of the city. The team at NextStepChina will be there to give you all the guidance that you require, however here are some things that you should bear in mind.

Changing money

Our team will tell you that one of the most important things that you need to keep in mind when you are going to study Mandarin in Beijing is that you should make sure that you have changed your currency at the airport. If you do not do it here you will find it very difficult to carry on any transactions in the city. You must remember that in China everything works with cash. Your credit card will not be of any use even in restaurants and department stores. You will also find that there are hardly any places where you can change money in the city.

Accommodation recommendations

China is a very different society when compared with the western world. If you are going to study Mandarin in Beijing, we at NextStepChina would strongly recommend that you look at accommodation options that are within the boundaries of the 2nd ring road unless of course your place of study is elsewhere. The city is Beijing is very large and it has plenty of traffic, hence getting around can be quite a task in itself. You must also be prepared for Chinese hotels as they are not like the ones in the west and some travelers can get quite uncomfortable on their stay.

Leaving the city

If you have come to study Mandarin in Beijing, you will obviously be thinking of leaving at some point. When you decide to do this, here are some things that you must keep in mind. Do not carry any gels, liquids, pastes, soap, waxes or even makeup in you hand baggage. It will be taken away at the airport. Also bear in mind not to get to the airport more that three and a half hours prior to the departure of your flight. You will simply not be let in.

Making Hello

You will often come across a queer encounter if go to study Mandarin in Beijing – ?Making Hello?. While China is a booming economy, non-Orientals are still a novelty to them so do not be surprised if one of them walks up to you and requests a picture. They are just curious nothing else.