what to bring to Beijing

Posted by juliettecalow (1040 days ago)

I am moving to Beijing from England in December with husband and 2 kids. We want to bring the minimum we can as we know most things are now available in Beijing. We're even thinking of coming with only what we can carry on the plane. Anyone got any opinions on what we might need to bring?

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Posted by Stinkerbelle (1039 days ago)

What I would bring:

Your preferred over-the-counter medications of all sorts (cold and flu medicines, tylenol, nyquil, whatever you rely on).

There are no Body Shops or Lush or L'occitaine, or anything like that here, so if you use Body Shop products, stock up.

Lingerie -- It's hard to find reasonably-priced, well-made lingerie, especially if you are an unusual size. I'm a 32D and can't get bras here.

I bring some spices that I prefer from home, as they are hard to find here.

That's all I can think of.

Posted by BaiKeli (1038 days ago)

Stockings, I can`t find my size.

Posted by Ed (1038 days ago)

There are some useful suggestions in reolcation tips:

http://beijing.asiaxpat.com/forums/relocationtips/

Posted by kaisatsu (1038 days ago)

FYI regarding Body Shop, etc.

According to That's Beijing, Beijing's first Body Shop is opening at the 3.3 center on Sanlitun:
http://thatsbj.com/index.php?a=28&b=150

Also, I saw a L'Occitane in one of the shopping malls at Wangfujing.

Posted by wai ta itai (1038 days ago)

I would bring some medicine just until you get familiar enough with BJ to find it here. (You can get almost everything here...Tylenol, Bufferin, etc.) If you or the kids were to get sick it is just easier to have it around when you are still learning your way about. If you are above a size 8 (39, 245) it can be a challenge to find shoes. Again, there are places, but you would probably want to bring a few pairs for various outfits/sports. Same goes for stockings if you are tall or a larger size. Don't know about the lingerie, but there is a Body Shop in BJ now, and at least four L'Occitaine branches that I know about, the latest being in Pacific Century Place. World Trade Center, Wangfujing, Xidan also have them. In short, you definitely don't need to bring more than you can carry on the plane. When you get here make friends with someone who likes to shop. They will show you the ropes and you can have fun discovering places to find things on your own. BJ really does have everything if you know where to look. You didn't mention the age of your little ones, but there are darling, cheap clothes/shoes everywhere for kids and Le You is great for general kid supplies if they are still in the diaper stage.

Posted by Stinkerbelle (1038 days ago)

I've never seen western medications like Tylenol, Nyquil, etc. here. What shop has them, and what is the address?

I've also not ever seen a l'occitaine at World Trade Center. must go back and look...

Posted by juliettecalow (1038 days ago)

Thank you everyone. It's good to hear I don't need to send crates out ahead of me. We will be living in Season's Park (hopefully) in a part furnished flat. The children(7 and 10) will go to the British School. I am an English teacher. Anyone know if it's possible to get hold of good teaching materials? All suggestions greatly appreciated.

Posted by wai ta itai (1038 days ago)

There is a good Drug store at the west gate of Chaoyang park. I have bought Children's Tylenol here several times. Seven Eleven's almost all carry contact cold medicine and bufferin, the English side isn't usually displayed, so flip over boxes until you find it. I don't take Nyquil so I haven't looked. Not sure about that brand. Will say that last week L'Occitaine at World Trade Center didn't have shea butter hand cream in stock. Pacific Century did...it is bigger and nicer than the others, I think. If you are going to teach English I suggest bringing a really good English Grammar reference book. You will encounter English of a new dimension here and sometimes people will insist that it is correct because it is what they were taught. They won't take your word on grammar disagreements,even if you are a teacher and a native speaker!

Posted by Stinkerbelle (1037 days ago)

Good point!
A friend of mine is a degreed, experienced English teacher. She has frequently had Chinese colleagues refuse to accept her word on correct grammar, spelling, etc. They were taught poorly, but CANNOT be convinced that they don't know everything! Their poor students!

Posted by pregnant in Beijing (1037 days ago)

Bring stuff like deodrant, weird but its impossible to find good ones if at all! also I knwo people who have found it difficult to find cooking stuff like cake tins and food processors.

Posted by maggiewh (1031 days ago)

dear friends
donot worried so much stuff
just come here and buy any things your want here
there are anything here you can buy in beijing.
welcome to beijing
sincerely from maggie
keep in touch
01086941241

Posted by wai ta itai (1030 days ago)

Just an update on the "Body Shop" I actually went yesterday. It is not the real thing. Just a shelf of products some enterprising young women has brought in and decided to re-sell. I mean, the products are real and I did buy a few, but this is not a real franchise. Just wanted to give a head's up! Happy Travels!