Below you'll find insider tips on getting the best from Beijing, from hints on finding a home to reviews of the hottest restaurants in town.
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Utilities & Services
Power and water are provided by state-owned monopolies. The Beijing Power Company provides the city with electricity, while Beijing Tap Water Company supplies most of your household... read more
Electricity
Each district has a branch of the Beijing Power Company, but it’s unlikely you’ll ever need to go. This is a good thing, since English services are not often available, either in person... read more
Water
With offices across town, the Beijing Tap Water Company is easy to reach, but English is not usually spoken. A typical bill will be around ¥50 per month for two people sharing an... read more
Gas
The Beijing Gas Company handles liquid natural gas, but supply issues are dealt with by a landlord or property management company. Some apartments will use propane canisters for the hot... read more
Sewerage
Beijing residents pay sewerage fees through the water bill. The system is reasonably good, though many apartments will have serious problems with odours. More than 60% of Chinese towns... read more
Rubbish Disposal and Recycling
The handling of rubbish and recycling is almost invisible to most expats. A large dustbin on each floor of an apartment, or a central dumpster near a house, will usually be the only spot... read more
Telephone
There are only two fixed-line providers in town: China Netcom (10060) and China Telecom, through Beijing Telecommunications (10000). If you are renting an apartment, telephone service... read more
Cheap Overseas Calls
You can use your credit card to pay for international calls from any landline, simply by dialling 108, then the country code. In addition, Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services... read more
