Before you decide whether relocating to Beijing is a good idea or not, here is a brief description of what you may find. As the capital of China, Beijing is definitely the place to be! As the political and cultural heart of China, you can experience the ultimate combination of ancient and modern China. New futuristic sky scrapers, five star restaurants and subway lines are constantly popping up. Yet the temples and hutongs (ancient alleyways) will transport you back to the ancient past. The city also lays claim to some of China’s most famous sights, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace.

Beijing is also very famous as one of the most populous cities in the world. So be prepared to get used to the traffic jams and packed subways and buses!

Despite being a big city, don’t worry about getting lost. Beijing can easily be divided into North, South, East and West. For example, the Chaoyang District in the east, being the most developed, is the home to most multinational companies. Most expatriates usually choose to settle in this area, either in Sanlitun, Chaoyang Park, Lido or the Central Business District. Here, you can find other expats like yourselves and enjoy a multi-cultural environment!

Shunyi District, in the north-east, is another popular area amongst foreigners, especially those with young families. Its appeal lies in the fact that it offers spacious villa-style living in gated communities close to many of Beijing's most popular international schools.

Haidian District in the west is where many of the universities are located and the area is thus popular among students. You can enjoy the street food, street fashion and music venues infused with the youthful spirit of the student district. But this area is not just for students as it is also home to the new hi-tech zone and houses numerous hi-tech companies.