Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Right in amongst everything is serviced apartment building Core Plaza (Lifang Ting,
立方庭
) at 1 Shanyuan Jie. It's surrounded all the digital markets and malls. This is a
relatively new complex with modern apartments and a large central garden. Prices start
at around RMB5,000 for a studio. Nearby and also perfect for those working in Zhong-
guancun is Somerset Zhongguancun Beijing serviced apartments (
www2.somerset.com
).
Prices range from around RMB19,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment up to ap-
proximately RMB32,000 for a two-bedroom plus study.
These kinds of locations might be ideal for short-term stays, but if you're here for the
long-term, you might want to reduce the constant intensity in your day. Toward the east or
south of the center life can feel a little more tranquil. There are clusters of compounds on the
east side of Zhongguancun subway station (Line 4), many of which have modern designs
and nice communal gardens. Tianzuo International Center (
天作国际中心
), just south of
Renmin University subway station (Line 4), has some impressive apartments, many with
views of the surrounds, for surprisingly affordable prices. One-bedroom apartments might
be found for RMB5,000 per month. You'll find it just off Zhongguancun Nandajie on Baiyi
Lu, opposite the east gate of Beijing Institute of Technology (
http://english.bit.edu.cn
)
.
Haidian isn't known for its places of holy worship, but with so much emphasis on science
and business in the district, that isn't surprising.
Those that do subscribe to Christianity, however, may be impressed with the main
church that is there—Beijing Haidian Church (
海淀基督教堂
, 39 Haidian Xidajie,
北京市
海淀区彩和坊路9号
, tel. 10/6257-2902,
www.hdchurch.org
)
, a short walk west of Zhong-
guancun subway station (Line 4, exit A). Though not in a traditionally expat heavy area,
the church goes to great efforts to include its English-speaking community, more it seems
than even many of the local churches in the east. Set in a lofty and bright modern building,
the church holds English services every Sunday, English holy communion every second
Sunday, and even has an English choir and English talk group.
Christian expat group Beijing International Christian Fellowship (BICF,
www.bicf.org
)
also runs various weekly services and groups near Zhongguancun. Join meetings with the
group at the Raycom Infotech Park (Tower C), located walking distance from either Zhong-
guancun subway station (Line 4, exit B) or Zhichunli subway station (Line 10, exit A).
