Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tsinghua University. Alternatively, take the 355 bus from outside the East Gate, getting off
at the third stop, Qinghua Dong Lu Xikou (
清华东路西口
), and then backtracking slightly
to the main entrance. Both universities have exceptional campuses, which might easily take
you an entire day to tour if that's what you're interested in.
If you're quick on your feet, however, there are some other options to fill up the after-
noon. For lunch, consider a relaxing picnic in the nearby Yuan Ming Yuan (
圆明园
). To get
here take either the 438 or 628 bus from the bus stop across from where you got off for
Tsinghua University. Alternatively, if you'd like to explore the gargantuan digital markets
of Beijing, head to either Zhongguancun or Haidianhuangzhuang subway station (Line 4).
Computer malls interconnect like a maze between these two stations and sell any possible
electronic device you could need.
For a third option, head to Wudaokou, which has a much richer student feel about it. En-
joy lunch at Bridge Café or Sculpting in Time café, both mainstays of student life, and both
on Caijing Donglu, which runs along the subway line on the southwest side (exit B).
Following lunch, consider heading to one of the major universities perhaps most heavily
populated by expats, Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). This is a short walk
from Wudaokou subway station on the northeast side (exit A) of the southwest gate. The
university's website (
wwwnew.blcu.edu.cn
)
has a good map of the campus, which points
out such things as the Admissions Office for Foreign Students, the dining halls, the gym-
nasium, and the library.
Schools
Schools are scattered all around the north and east of the city, including Harrow Internation-
al School up near Beitucheng subway station (Lines 8 and 10) and Beijing City Internation-
al School down near Shuangjing subway station (Line 10). Though both are in Chaoyang
district, they are about 19 kilometers (12 miles) apart. Many of the international schools,
however, are on either side of the Wenyu River, which forms the border between Chaoyang
and Shunyi districts.
It's recommended that you have a driver organized for the day, as it'll be much faster and
more convenient than trying to traverse the distances on public transport. The Shunyi and
outer Chaoyang regions are sprawling areas with large distances between complexes and
not much in between. Until just a few years ago this was largely countryside, and though
it has developed at the speed of lightning, much of it still has a rural feel about it, sans the
cows and chickens. If you're coming by subway, allow for about an hour altogether to get
here from the CBD. Take Line 15 and get off at the China International Exhibition Center
