Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
One thing to be aware of here is that movies start bang on the dot, with possibly just
a handful of ads and zero trailers. So you'd better be on time. Additionally, while movies
can be expensive, there are plenty of ways to get a better deal. Look out for memberships
and discount days or times. Group buy websites (such as
http://t.dianping.com/Beijing
or
http://bj.meituan.com
)
are also extremely popular ways to get cut-price tickets.
One thing you'll notice in Beijing is that there are no major music stores. Occasionally you
may see a dusty rack of CDs in a department store, but for the most part, music is down-
loaded freely. While the local equivalents of Youtube—Youku and Tudou—occasionally re-
move Western movies and TV shows, sites like Baidu make it incredibly easy to download
whatever song you want, Chinese or international.
EXPAT PROFILE: MUSICAL NOTES
Tom Mattessi came to Beijing in 2004 and soon after set up his own company, This
Town Touring (
www.thistowntouring.com
). The company topics, plans, and pro-
motes tours for international musicians and bands within Beijing and across China,
and has a particular focus on rock music. When you head out to Beijing's bars, cafés,
universities, or music festivals, you may well be listening to a band brought in by
This Town Touring.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE BEIJING MUSIC SCENE?
Beijing is the coolest rock music scene in China. Most rock musicians come here
from other parts of China, and there are a lot of bars and opportunities to play, regard-
less of ability or experience. There are lots of rock fans here, and plenty of people
booking shows and helping bands.
HOW DO YOU THINK BEIJING COMPARES TO OTHER CHINESE CITIES?
Beijing is the heart of the rock music scene. In fact, given that most kids or bands
who really want to devote their youth to rock music move to Beijing, the other cities
tend to suffer. So there aren't really many bands in other cities, and so it's harder for
them to develop. Beijing is the place to develop as a musician.
