Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Despite the relative ease of life in Beijing for kids, bumps in the road do happen, so it's al-
ways good to make sure you're connected with supportive groups and people. Yahoo email
group Beijing Mamas can link you with hundreds of expat parents who have been or who
are going through the same experience as you. Members are extremely friendly and willing
to answer any questions. You'll encounter everything from people asking where the local
pediatric dentist is to mothers selling no-longer-needed maternity wares.
Several magazines in the city provide the latest news on everything going on in the city
relating to kids. These include Beijing Kids (
www.beijing-kids.com
) and City Weekend
Beijing Parents & Kids (
www.cityweekend.com.cn
).
For times when professional help is needed, English-language counseling services are
available in the city, such as through the Beijing International SOS Clinic Family Counsel-
ing Center (
www.internationalsos.com
)
and the Family Counseling Center at Beijing Un-
ited Family Hospital and Clinics (
http://beijing.ufh.com.cn
)
.
Just remember; the expat community in Beijing is close and very supportive—you only
have to ask and there will be people there to help you.
While humanity toward animals hasn't always contributed positively to China's reputation,
things in the capital are a little different, and improving. Down in Guangzhou you might
still see exotic species on the menu at a restaurant, but up here at least, turtles aside, they're
rarely seen. Added to this, there is a growing love and respect for canine companions in
Beijing. Dogs are a ubiquitous part of life here, and while the older crew still love their
Pekinese, the younger, wealthier crowd like to flaunt their new, pedigree breeds.
Wherever you plan to live in the municipality, every dog is required by law to be re-
gistered. There are two different sets of regulations, however, depending on where you live.
If you plan to live within Beijing's eight major districts, roughly inside the Fifth Ring Road,
you'll face a few restrictions on the number and type of dogs you can own. In an effort
to improve public health and safety, the government has introduced a one-dog policy—one
home, one dog—and a height restriction on dogs living within these areas. Outside the Fifth
Ring, almost anything goes.
