beijingkids Nov 2013

November 2013

Here’s Looking at You, Kid Movie-centric outings, student film clubs and young actors

Lunch Is Served School canteens put to the test Beyond Be-Leaf Autumn in Beijing’s picturesque universities Schools of Thought One mom’s experience with the Chinese education system

November 2013 Contents

64

28

20

Feature 58

Lights, Camera, Action!

Dining 26

Student critics and filmmakers sound off on movies

64

Two Thumbs Up

Getting to the root of pizza at Pie Squared

27

Editor reviews of the city’s film-centric attractions

70

Stargazing

Dining Out Eater’s Digest Tried-and-tested eats around town

28

Does your child have what it takes to be an actor?

Food for Thought A larger-than-life king prawn salad from Kerry Hotel, Beijing

Living 17

On the Blog

Playing 30

Five book recommendations for the budding historian

18

Admire golden gingko trees at PKU and Tsinghua

34

Noticeboard Talking Shop

21

Birthday Bash

Coffee and fine furniture at Radiance’s new location

Family Travels The Paschke family does Holland, Belgium, and the Czech Republic

Community news and announcements

20

What’s Fun In

36

Playing Inside Lacing up with Beijing’s ice hockey clubs

Speaking of kith and kiln at JOP Pottery

38

Weekend Warrior Turn back the clock in Phoenix County, Hunan

Health 22

Without Father Ado

24

The Natural Path

25

The Doc Is In

Health advice for dads in their 30s and 40s Melissa Rodriguez’s top three health-related documentaries Dr. Richard Saint Cyr takes a long, hard look at screen time

November 2013 Contents

42

30 Learning

42

16 96

The Mueller-Hofvenschioeld family

You Are What You Eat Sinking our teeth into school lunches

48 50

Blank Canvas Artwork by Atelier students

Parenting 52

The New Boy How the Chinese school system made one family leave Beijing

54

Directories

The Roundtable Students from ISB grapple with violence in films

Family Favorites

74 74 76 77 78 78 82 83

Family Dining Family Health Family Life Family Travel Fun Stuff Schools Shopping Sports

Beijing Baba Trouble comes in threes at Christopher Lay’s house

55

Alternate Routes Middle Earth or Middle Kingdom? Jennifer Ambrose can’t tell

Essentials 9 10 12 14 16

Editor’s Note November Calendar Top 10 Things to Do in November November Events New Arrivals Say hello to Beijing’s smallest

84

The Circuit Happenings in the Beijing family scene

ON THE COVER: Five-year-old Luca Phoenix has lived in Beijing since he was 1. A student at Harrow International School Beijing, his favorite movies include Ratatouille, Peter Pan, and Toy Story 1 and 2. When Luca is not directing movie shoots with beijingkids, he enjoys kung fu, ballet, playing with Ninja Turtles, and riding his bicycle. Luca lives in Shunyi with his mom and dad. He will soon welcome a baby sister. Photo by Mishka Family Photography

《中国妇女》英文刊

WOMEN OF CHINA English Monthly Sponsored and administrated by ALL-CHINA WOMEN’S FEDERATION Published by WOMEN’S FOREIGN LANGUAGE PUBLICATIONS OF CHINA Publishing Date: November 1, 2013

Adviser 顾 问 中华全国妇女联合会名誉主席

2013 年 11 月（下半月）

WOMEN OF CHINA English Monthly 中华全国妇女联合会主管/主办 中国妇女外文期刊社出版 本期出版时间: 2013年11月1日

彭 云 PENG PEIYUN 全国人大常委会前副委员长

Honorary President of the ACWF and Former Vice-Chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee Adviser 顾 问

顾秀莲 GU XIULIAN 全国人大常委会前副委员长

Former Vice-Chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee Director & Editor-in-Chief 社长 · 总编辑 Chief Editor 主编 Managing Editor School Editor

WEI LIANG 位亮 Sijia Chen Aisling O’Brien

Staff Writer

Oscar Holland

Web Editor

Nimo Wanjau

Shunyi Correspondent Editorial Assistant Contributing Writers

Editorial Consultant 编辑顾问 Director of Sales Department 广告发行经营部主任 Tel Legal Adviser 法律顾问 Advertising Agency 广告代理 Advertising Hotlines 广告热线

YUN PENGJU 恽鹏举

Fax 传真 Printing 印刷 Address 本刊地址

Dana Cosio-Mercado Morgan Shang Jennifer Ambrose, Christopher Lay, Debbie Mason, Melissa Rodriguez, Dr. Richard Saint Cyr

ROBERT MILLER (Canadian) 罗伯特 · 米勒 (加拿大) XIA WEI 夏巍 6522 5376 LI XUESEN 李雪森 Immersion International Advertising (Beijing) Co., Limited 深度体验国际广告(北京)有限公司 5820 7700 / 5820 7883 58207895 C&C JOINT PRINTING CO., (BEIJING) LTD. 北京华联印刷有限公司 WOMEN OF CHINA English Monthly 《中国妇女》英文月刊 15 Jianguomennei Dajie, Beijing 100730, China 中国北京建国门内大街15号 邮编:100730

国际标准刊号

ISSN1000 9388

国内统一刊号

CN11-1704/C

Advertorial

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Taiwanese Handmade Cakes: Buy Some If You Can Afford to Wait (tinyurl.com/lo3y2kt)

WEB ROUNDUP

Handmade Taiwanese cakes from a shop called Guzaowei have been all the rage lately. A beijingkids writer recounts her experience of trying to get her hands on the mouthwatering desserts.

For more, visit the beijingkids website at www.beijing-kids.com

ON THE FOR

UM

ing: Exciting Digital Learn r Kids Websites fo l a n o ti ca u d E worduj) (tinyurl.com/j

about digital are skeptical us websites Some parents there are vario , er ev to ow H . learning fun; read on education and that combine ns. commendatio find out our re

When Is It B est to Get a Tutor for my Kids? (tinyurl.com/m hbufx5)

User Dorothy asks: “My kid and my neighbors’ kids ar found a British e 6-8 years old. I’ve tutor for them before. I prefer teaching th seems the resu em one to one, but it lt doesn’t mee t my expectations. Is he too young to learn?” Share your expertise or the conversatio give advice by joining n on our Foru m.

The beijingkids Board Jacquie Golding Van Wyk

A Publication of

A proud mother of four, Jacquie has lived in Beijing for five years. She is a businesswoman and writer who is actively assisting her husband with his adventure business. Find out about their tour packages at www.ultimatewildsurvival. com.

True Run Media 出版制作 Advertising Agency

Immersion International Advertising (Beijing) Co., Limited

Christopher Lay Christopher’s many jobs include dad, writer, photographer and all-round nice guy. Catch him in beijingkids’ Beijing Baba column or visit his blog, www.alive.tom.com/chrislay.com.

广告代理

深度体验国际广告（北京）有限公司

Victor Wong

Tel/电话: 5820 7100 / 7700

Victor is a tech geek, serial entrepreneur, and the proud father of two boys. His latest venture is connecting parents and kids through mobile learning apps. Learn more at www.SmarTots.com.

Fax/传真：5820 7891 Advertising Hotline/广告热线：5820 7700 /5820 7883 General Manager Michael Wester

Yanhong Wheeler

Operations Director Toni Ma

Yanhong is a mother of two, a La Leche League leader, a Parent Effectiveness Training (PET) instructor, and the author of ten Chinese books on breastfeeding, parenting, and education (under the pen name Xiao Wu, or Wee Witch). Visit her blog at blog.sina.com.cn/weewitch.

Editorial Director Jerry Chan Managing Editor Sijia Chen School Editor Aisling O’Brien Staff Writer Oscar Holland

Johanna Selth

Web Editor Nimo Wanjau

Johanna is one busy mom. When she’s not looking after her two kids, Johanna supplies Beijing parents with must-have imported baby gear from her store, BabyGro. Contact her at johanna@babygro.com.cn.

Shunyi Correspondent Dana Cosio-Mercado Editorial Assistant Morgan Shang Marketing Manager Shana Zhang

beijingkids Brand Manager Lia Tjahjodihardjo

Charlotte Moreau

Art Director Susu Luo Production Manager Joey Guo

Charlotte is the former beijingkids Shunyi correspondent.

Originally from Michigan, this on-the-go mom of two girls juggles freelance writing, substitute teaching, and CrossFit. After more than six years in Beijing, they will move back to the US in June 2014.

Principal Designer and Illustrator Sun Zheng Advertising Designer Yuki Jia Photographers Mitchell Pe Masilun, Sui Sales Manager Ivy Wang

Liu Nan

Sales Team Sheena Hu, Maggie Zhang, Amy Sun, Anna Rudashko, Wendy Lv, Winter Liu

Liu Nan, also known as Chu Chu, is a native Chinese mother. When she is not out with her baby girl in search of food and fun, she sells imported baby products on Taobao. Check out aibaimm.taobao.com.

Finance Judy Zhao HR & Admin Cathy Wang, Siyu He

Wendy Loh

Director of Digital Communications Iain Shaw & PR

Wendy is embarking on her 10th year in Beijing with a 4-year-old daughter in tow. She works in public relations and, true to her Singaporean roots, loves checking out great eats. She is also a Weibo fanatic; follow her at weibo.com/wendyloh.

Distribution Cao Yue General Inquiries 5820 7100/7700

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Contact: General info: info@beijing-kids.com Editorial: editor@beijing-kids.com Sales: sales@truerun.com Marketing: marketing@truerun.com Distribution: distribution@truerun.com Directories: listings@beijing-kids.com

www.beijing-kids.com weibo.com/beijingkids @beijingkids www.facebook.com/beijingkids

Want to Join?

If you think you would make a valuable addition to the beijingkids board, email editor@beijing-kids.com.

After living in the US for 15 years, native Beijinger Michelle is happy to be living in her hometown again, where she works at an architecture firm. As a parent, she embraces both the Chinese and Western perspectives on culture and education. Contact her at mtliu123@yahoo.com.

AJ Warner AJ is father to two boys who attend Daystar Academy. These days, he is valiantly trying to balance his company and his family. Weekends are dedicated to the boys, while weekdays focus on helping Chinese college students gain admission to graduate schools in the UK and US. Learn more at www. touchdown.org.cn.

Editor's Note

9 Dad in the fall of 198 Young folks: Mom and

c

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Mom’s fishi ng line gets caught in a tree

Crowned in Gold

A

utumn has always been my favorite season, both in Beijing and in Montreal. In fall, the summer’s excesses fade from memory as a slowness descends upon the cities. Winter clothes are dug out from storage, pumpkin-laced drinks start appearing on menus, and frost curls over windows in the night.

Though my family has long made a tradition out of admiring fall foliage in Canada, it’s only in recent years that I started paying attention to individual trees. In Montreal, my sister and I grew up alongside maple trees, linden trees, birch, Siberian elms, red ash, and oaks. Our first house had a large lilac bush in the front yard; I can still smell the light, powdered sweetness of lilac blossoms from when we played outside in spring.

Though we’re approaching the end of autumn, early November is actually the best time to admire fall foliage in Beijing. All eyes will be on the city’s maples, oaks, birches, scholar trees, and willows – but the gingko (yinxing, 银杏) is perhaps the most majestic and unusual of all.

A living fossil, the sole existing species – Gingko biloba – can only be found in the wild in China. Few other trees loom as large in the national consciousness. The gingko is considered a symbol of longevity because of its millennia-long lifespan, and its seeds are prized ingredients in both Chinese medicine and cuisine. It blooms only at night and loses its blossoms right away, “as if celebrating the wonder of life in secret” (“Ginkgo: Cultural Background and Medicinal Usage in China”

by Heiner Fruehauf, The Journal of Chinese Medicine, March 1998).

Every autumn, locals and shutterbugs alike flock to Dajue Temple in Haidian to admire one the temple’s oldest inhabitants: an ancient gingko tree that is over 1,000 years old. Though there are three others in the compound, the “King of Gingkos” is the oldest and largest by far. It would take seven or eight people to encircle its trunk, and the shade from this single tree covers more than half of the courtyard’s surface.

By now, the ancient gingko will be crowned in gold and incandescent in the sun. Fan-shaped leaves will blanket the prayer halls, forming a sharp contrast with the temple’s emerald roof tiles and burnished red walls. It’s a cinematic scene, and one that fits in nicely with our issue theme.

November is the perfect time to discover the city’s more interesting cinemas and film-centric museums (p64). Cold nights and brisk days lend themselves well to the simple joy of curling up in the dark with a box of caramel popcorn, engaged by nothing more than the light of a flickering screen. We also spoke to students who took their love of cinema further by getting behind the camera (p58) – or even in front of it (p70).

There’s a scene in one of my favorite films, Cinema Paradiso, where the projectionist Alfredo urges his young protégé, Toto, to leave their village in search of his destiny: “You’re young and the world is yours.

I’m old. I don’t want to hear you talk anymore. I want to hear others talking about you.”

As it turns out, people are already talking about a couple of the young film buffs featured in this month’s issue – and we can’t wait to hear more.

Sijia Chen Managing Editor November 2013

beijingkids

9

NOVEMBER Mon

TUE

Want your family-friendly event to appear in our next issue?

Upload it at www.beijing-kids.com/events by November 11.

WED

THU

FRI

5 8 1112131415 20 22 26 28 4 Campus Color Change

O’le Ski Visits Wanlong Ski Resort

All ages. Forget crowded Xiangshan and head to Tsinghua or PKU to see the leaves change color. For a guide, see What’s Fun In (p30).

Embassy House Bazaar

All ages. Find gift wrap, jewelry, cashmere, treats, and more. See Nov 11 listing.

Ages 7+. Get a head start on ski season with O’le Ski. See Nov 8 listing.

Shout! Choir Open Trial Sessions

YCIS Beijing Kindergarten Open Day

For adults. Try out for O’le Music’s no-pressure choir, open to all skill levels. See Nov 12 listing.

All ages. YCIS Beijing welcomes families to learn more about the school’s bilingual curriculum education. See Nov 13 listing.

All ages. Why are Canadians, Americans, Swedes, Finns, and Russians so crazy about ice hockey? See what all the fuss is about in Playing Inside (p36).

Celebrate American Thanksgiving

All ages. Celebrate American Thanksgiving by enjoying a traditional dinner with the entire family. See Nov 28 listings for ideas.

All ages. Find memorable holiday gifts at the newly-reopened Radiance in Shunyi. See Talking Shop (p20).

photos: flickr users neilkod, GINNErOBOT, and itzafineday; wikimedia commons; VIVAXIAO photography STUDIO; CLEMENCE JIANG; KEN

Hit the Ice

Find Your Inner Radiance

2013 November

For teens and adults. Experience the diversity of the EU through the 2013 European Union Film Festival. See Nov 15 listing.

All ages. Head to JOP Pottery to make and fire your own pottery pieces. See Birthday Bash (p21) for details.

All ages. Explore the film industry revolution in China by visiting one of the city’s movie-themed attractions. See Features (p64).

beijingkids

For adults. Dr. Stephen-Claude Hyatt from International SOS speaks about the challenges of living abroad as a family. See Nov 14 listing.

2013 European Union Film Festival

Fire It Up

Visit a Film Museum

10

Managing Family Relationships While Living Abroad

KEY

Playing

Food/Dining

Sport

Culture/Education

SAT

Community/Networking

SUN

9 10 16 17 23 24 30 1 7 8

Rotary Club of Beijing’s Annual Charity Bazaar

All ages. Get some early Christmas shopping done while benefiting charity.

See Nov 9 listing.

Charity Bake Sale and Christmas Bazaar

Beijing Playhouse: Kids’ Christmas Theatre Camp Enrollment/Audition

Ages 6-14. BP holds auditions for Snow Queen and King, its next kids’ theater camp. See Nov 10 listing.

Trash Bash Free Trial Session

All ages. Fill up on baked goods and let the kiddies visit Santa’s Grotto. See Nov 16 listing.

Ages 6-18. O’le Music’s Trash Bash program shows kids how to use everyday objects to make music. See Nov 15 listing.

SIBS International Expo Day

“The Gift” Charity Bazaar

Ages 12+. Springboard International Bilingual School celebrates its different cultures. See Nov 23 listing.

All ages. Eat, shop, and have fun at the Candian International School of Beijing’s annual charity bazaar. See Nov 24 listing.

UCCA Touching China Series: Winter Solstice

Make a Prawn Salad

Ages 3-12. UCCA helps kids understand one of the most important dates on the Chinese lunar calendar. See Nov 30 listing.

All ages. Kerry Hotel Beijing shares a recipe for grilled king prawn salad. See Food for Thought (p28).

Escape to Fenghuang

Try Deep(in Dish Pizza Littlea Jeep Chinese)

All ages. Located in Hunan, Fenghuang makes an ideal getaway that won’t break the bank. For a review, see Weekend Warrior (p38).

All on over Pie Squared for Forages. agesGet 3-12.

The to Little Jeep is the some Detroit-style, deep-dish Chinese version of Thomas thepizza.

Tank See EnDining (p26).only. See Jan 1 listin gine. InOut Chinese

November 2013

beijingkids

11

Essentials Top 10

November Top 10 !

1

Fowl Play

Want your family-friendly event to appear in our next issue?

Upload it at www.beijing-kids.com/events

by November 11.

Tantalize your tastebuds for American Thanksgiving on November 28 by gobbling up traditional dishes like roast turkey and pumpkin pie at dining venues including Aroma’s, Grand Millenium, The Filling Station, and The Grand Hyatt. See Events (p14) for details.

2

Shop ‘Til You Drop

Get a head start on your Christmas shopping at the annual Rotary Club of Beijing Charity Bazaar, CISB’s The Gift, WAB’s Parent Link Charity Bazaar, and many more.

These events feature a variety of vendors, food, and entertainment, so bring the entire family and make a day out of it. Best of all? Proceeds go to charity. See Events (p14) for details.

3

Eat Your Heart Out, Tom Selleck!

Movember is back! Throughout November, men all over the world will grow out their moustaches for prostate cancer awareness, including male faculty members from international schools such as Dulwich College Beijing. To donate or to find out more, visit www.movember.com. In addition, check our article on men’s health for dads in their 30s and 40s (p22).

4

Pass up Megabox in favor of more educational film-related outings. Get to know the history of Chinese cinema or explore the latest film technology at Daguanlou Cinema and China Science and Technology Museum. For reviews of these and more, see Feature (p64).

Potter Around

5

See your child experience the magic of taking a lump of nothing and turning it into something beautiful – and useful. JOP Pottery offers pottery classes for all ages out of their large, airy studio in rural Shunyi. For details, see Birthday Bash (p21).

12

beijingkids

2013 November

Photos: stageone productions, ken and flickr users renes and karua jaui

The Reel McCoy

Top 10 Essentials Back to School

6 7 8 9 10

Xiangshan may be one of the most popular places to admire fall foliage – but it’s also one of the most crowded. This year, head to some of China’s most storied universities instead. Both Tsinghua University and Peking University have sprawling campuses full of golden gingko trees and red maples. To find out more, see What’s Fun In (p30).

As the Phoenix Flies

No travel plans for the holidays? Explore scenic destinations that aren’t too far away from Beijing, but just far enough to feel like you’re on vacation. See Weekend Warrior (p38) for our review of Fenghuang (Phoenix County) in Hunan, a 300-year-old ancient preserved town and UNESCO World Heritage candidate.

Caution: Icy Conditions

Winter is coming – and that means winter sports. You might have tried skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding before, but what about ice hockey? As it turns out, the premier sport of many northern countries is alive and well in Beijing. For details, see Playing Inside (p36).

I’m Ready for My Close-Up, Mom If your child loves to perform, bring them to auditions for the next Beijing Playhouse Christmas Kids’ Theatre Camp at Beijing Rego British School on Sunday, November 10 at 10am. To read about child actors who went on to appear in films, turn to Feature (p70).

The Early (Snow) Bird Gets the Worm Can’t wait to hit the slopes? You don’t have to. This month, O’le Ski leads two overnight ski trips to Wanlong Ski Resort just three hours from Beijing. Prices include accommodation, all equipment, and admission to the resort. See Events (p14) for details.

November 2013

beijingkids

13

KEY

Essentials Events Playing

Food/Dining

Sport

Culture/Education

Community/Networking

Readers are encouraged to double-check event details with the organizers, as dates and locations may change.

Fri, Nov 8 O’le Ski Visits Wanlong Ski Resort Ages 7+. Get a head start on ski season with O’le Ski from either Nov 8-10 or Nov 15-17. Both trips have a Friday evening departure and Sunday evening return. English-speaking ski/ snowboard instructors accompany each group. Includes equipment and admission. Rooms are shared with one other person. Free optional insurance (conditions apply). RMB 1,800 (no instructor), RMB 2,000 (instructor included). Minimum six people per group. O’le Ski (188 0014 9643, oleski@ole-sports.org)

Sat, Nov 9 Chinese Culture Teacher Professional Development Workshop at IMTI For adults. Montessori Art Teacher Liu Bing Bing delivers a hands-on workshop for teachers and/or parents.

Participants learn the history and culture behind Chinese New Year in order to take their new skills back to the classroom. RMB 400. 9am-noon.

International Montessori Teaching Institute (8949 6877 ext 288, snowzhang@imti-china.com)

Rotary Club of Beijing’s Annual Charity Bazaar All ages. This two-day bazaar features games and activities, a children’s art auction, talks, wine and food tastings, student performances, and lots of shopping stalls. Free. 9am-6pm. Rotary Club of Beijing (rotarybazaar@126. com)

Second Beijing Environment and Sustainability Fair All ages. The Beijing Environment and Sustainability Fair aims to bring the community together and show the variety of options available to lead a healthier and more conscious lifestyle.

Free. 10am-5pm. Hilton Beijing (5865 5000)

For Thanksgiving events, see Nov 28 listing

Academy of Performing Arts holds auditions for Snow King and Queen.

The camp lasts two weeks (Dec 16-28) and ends with a performance.

Free. 10am-3pm. Beijing Rego British School (139 1005 2384, performance@ beijingplayhouse.com)

Rotary Club of Beijing’s Annual Charity Bazaar See Nov 9 listing.

O’le Ski Visits Wanlong Ski Resort See Nov 8 listing.

Charity Readers Theatre Presents Our Town

Mon, Nov 11 Embassy House Bazaar All ages. Find Christmas gifts, gift wrap, jewelry, cashmere, kids’ products, coffee, cakes, and more.

Free. 10am-4pm. Embassy House (8449 9888, mary.han@embassyhouse. com.cn)

O’le Ski Visits Wanlong Ski Resort

Tue, Nov 12

See Nov 8 listing.

Shout! Choir Open Trial Sessions

Sun, Nov 10 Beijing Playhouse: Kids Christmas Theatre Camp Enrollment/Audition Ages 6-14. Beijing Playhouse’s

14

beijingkids

For adults. O’le Music holds its first open trial session for a new program named Shout!, a no-audition and no-sheet music “rock choir” open to all skill levels. Those who enjoy this session can sign up for the course, which runs on a weekly basis and

2013 November

Embassy House Bazaar

of International SOS shares how to deal with the challenges of living in a foreign place and the strain it can place on family relationships. RSVP required.

Free. 10-11.30am. International SOS (6462 9112, seminar@internationalsos. com)

See Nov 11 listing.

Wed, Nov 13 YCIS Beijing Kindergarten Open Day All ages. Yew Chung International School of Beijing holds a Kindergarten Open Day with a presentation about Early Childhood Education (ECE) and a discussion of the bilingual curriculum in ECE, followed by a tour of the kindergarten classrooms and playground. Parents can take part in some of the classes to get hands-on experience of how a bilingual classroom works. RSVP required. Free. 9am-noon.

Yew Chung International School of Beijing (8583 3731, info@bj.ycef.com)

Shout! Choir Open Trial Sessions See Nov 12 listing.

Thu, Nov 14 Managing Family Relationships While Living Abroad For adults. Dr. Stephen-Claude Hyatt

Fri, Nov 15 2013 European Union Film Festival For teens and adults. The 2013 European Union Film Festival features works that span several countries, languages, and cultures. All movies shown have English and Chinese subtitles. RMB 20 (adult), RMB 15 (students with valid ID), free for UCCA members. 4-6pm. Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (5780 0200, visitor@ ucca.org.cn)

O’le Ski Visits Wanlong Ski Resort See Nov 8 listing.

Sat, Nov 16 White Nights Photo Studio Tour Ages 6-15. Photographers Yang Wei and Wang Xue teach kids and teens how to take their own vintage photos.

One parent per family is required to attend. Registration required by November 14. RMB 300. 10amnoon. MAC Time Community Art

Photo courtesy of woodleywonderworks

All ages. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Our Town is an American play about the transience of human existence.

All ticket sales are donated to the Rural Women’s Literacy Project.

RMB 50 (advance), children and students half price. 7.30pm-9pm.

Beijing Playhouse Drama Club (8771 7171, artsforagoodcause@ charityreaderstheatre.org)

offers opportunities to perform.

Advanced registration required. Free.

7-9pm (Nov 12); 10.30am-12.30pm (Nov 13). (186 8247 1171) www.olemusic.org

Looking for more family-friendly events in Beijing?

Visit us online at beijing-kids.com/events Center (8046 1820/138 1033 4208, bj_mactime@yahoo.com.cn)

Children’s House Charity Bake Sale and Christmas Bazaar All ages. The Children’s House Charity Bake Sale and Christmas Bazaar features products by local artisans, baked goods, and Santa’s Grotto for family photos. All proceeds to go to Roundabout China. The Children’s House Kempinski Campus (6465 1305, info@montessoribeijing.com)

2013 European Union Film Festival See Nov 15 listing

O’le Ski Visits Wanlong Ski Resort See Nov 8 listing.

Sun, Nov 17 Trash Bash Free Trial Session Ages 6-18. O’le Music’s Trash Bash program shows kids how to use everyday objects to make music in a group. A selection of clean and great-sounding “trash” has been assembled into a mini-orchestra ready for playing. Two free trial sessions at a studio in Sanlitun are open to all. Free.

10.30am-noon, 3-4.30pm. O’le Music (bookings@ole-music.com)

2013 European Union Film Festival See Nov 15 listing.

O’le Ski Visits Wanlong Ski Resort See Nov 8 listing.

Sat, Nov 23 ACAF’s Charity Gala For adults. The Australia China Art Foundation (ACAF), will be hosting a large charity fundraiser and live art auction for their Arts Can Do program that brings artists from Australia over to China for residencies to lead art classes for kids in migrant schools throughout China. Registration required. RMB 1,288. 6pm-midnight.

The Australia China Art Foundation (186 2133 6657, beijing@acaf.org.au)

SIBS International Expo Day Ages 12+. SIBS celebrates the different cultures represented at the school and offers the public a glimpse into its community. Passports are issued to be stamped in every country classroom, with food tastings, music and dance, a culture quiz, a soccer competition, and more. Free.

10am-4pm. Springboard International Bilingual School (8049 0307, principal@ sibs.com.cn)

WAB Parent Link Charity Bazaar All ages. WAB’s Parent Link group organizes one of the biggest bazaars of the year with food and entertainment for all. All proceeds go to charity. Free.

10.30am-4pm. Western Academy of Beijing (charitylink@wab.edu)

Sun, Nov 24 “The Gift” Charity Bazaar All ages. Part of the proceeds from CISB’s The Gift Charity Bazaar benefit NGOs around China. This year’s bazaar features live music and food vendors, as well as shopping and Christmas performances. Free. 11am-4pm.

Canadian International School of Beijing (Info@stageoneproduction.org, www.stageoneproduction.org)

Thu, Nov 28 Aroma Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet All ages. Enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner buffet with traditional roast turkey, seafood, and free-flow champagne.

Reservations required. RMB 638, RMB 318 (ages 6-12), free for kids under 6.

6-10pm. The Ritz-Carlton Beijing (5908 8161, rc.bjsrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com)

An Intimate Thanksgiving at Grand Hyatt Beijing All ages. The Grand Café serves American-style Thanksgiving dishes including roast turkey, sweet potato, cranberry relish, pumpkin soup, and pumpkin pie. RMB 298, RMB 149 (ages 6-12), free for kids under 5.

11am-7pm. Grand Hyatt (8518 1234 ext 3628)

Thanksgiving Dinner at The Filling Station All ages. The Filling Station hosts an all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving dinner with traditional family recipes, craft activities for the kids, and seasonal holiday beverages. Crafts take place in the playroom from 4-7pm. RMB 160 (ages 10 and up), RMB 80 (kids under 10). 4-10pm. The Filling Station (8470 3821)

Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Grand Millennium All ages. This Thanksgiving buffet features roast turkey. Tables of four and more are personally served by the hotel’s head chef. RMB 398 per person. 6-10pm. Grand Millennium (6888 3012)

Sat, Nov 30 UCCA Touching China Series: Winter Solstice Ages 3-12. The winter solstice is one of the most important days in the Chinese lunar calendar. The festival marks the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Ji Chao will teach kids about the winter solstice and how it is celebrated in China: winter folk drawings, eating dumplings, and other interesting customs. RMB 100, RMB 50 (2012 UCCA individual members, free for 2013 and Kids Club members). 10-11.30am. Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (5780 0200, visitor@ucca.org.cn)

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Essentials New Arrivals

o t o l l e H Say t s e l l a m S Beijing’s

Doudou Su1 n to Liu

Chinese. Born on Sep g at New Pengyu and Sun Yanmin Children’s Hospital.

Century Women’s and

Zou Xiaomi

Chinese. Born on Aug 18 to Yu Han and Zou Jiale at New Century Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

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Adele Ah Kong

Eda Yurday

Turkish. Born on Aug 18 to Lian Meng and Levent Yurday at New Century Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Khaled Yahy a Abu

Want to share your new arrival with our readers?

Email a photo (at least 1MB in size) of your little one with his or her full name, nationality, birth date, hospital, and parents’ names to editor@beijing-kids.com. Due to space constraints, we can only publish photos of babies born in Beijing after May 1, 2013.

Ras

Saudi Arabian.

Born on Sep 7 to Halimah and Yahya As siri Abu Ras at Ne w Century Women’s and Children’s Hos pital.

French. Born on Jun 21 to Agnes and Jean-Michel Ah Kong at OASIS International Ho spital.

Long Tianlag ng 31 to

Chinese. Born on Au yong at New Wei Wei and Long Zhi en’s Hospital. ildr Ch and n’s Century Wome

On the Blog Living

For Old Times’ Sake: Best History Books for Kids

A

s the national holiday came and went, many parents hope that their kids emerged having learned something about the event that it commemorates: the birth of modern China. But why shouldn’t an interest in history carry through to the other 51 weeks of the year? Kids love stories and the tales found in the past can be just as – if not more – engaging than those found on the fiction shelves. Here is my list of some of the best history books for children, some of which fascinated me so much as a child that I ended up taking a degree in the subject a decade later.

Tony Robinson’s Weird World of Wonders Tony Robinson may be better known as the dim-witted manservant, Baldrick, in the British comedy Blackadder, but he has since forged a successful career as a writer and pop historian.

His well-received Weird World of Wonders series (see right) continues in a similar vein as Horrible Histories, with the stories of the Ancient Greeks, Egyptian and others told through cartoons, quizzes and genuinely entertaining historical narratives. Well-written and informative. Suitable for ages 7+

The Diary of a Young Girl Known to many as The Diary of Anne Frank, there is perhaps no child’s account of history more powerful than that of the young Jewish girl hiding from Nazi persecutors. Written in the form of a series of letters to imaginary friends, Anne uses her diary to reflect on her feelings of loneliness, the development of the Second World War and her tumultuous relationships with the adults in the hidden annex where she hid for over two years. Both a coming-of-age tale and a harrowing personal account of the 20th century’s defining conflict.

Suitable for ages 11+. Versions with sexual content removed are also available.

Chinese Cinderella: The Secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter If National Day sparked your child’s interest in modern Chinese history, then Adeline Yen Mah’s story of growing up here in the 1940s may be a good next step. Struggling with the indifference of her father and stepmother, she describes her battle to find a place amongst her siblings.

This account, along with the fictional sequel Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society, provide insights into life during this period, as well as looking the pressures of growing up in a wealthy Chinese family.

Suitable for ages 10+

All of these titles are available on Taobao.

Horrible Histories Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories series has captured children’s imaginations for over 20 years with its combination of illustrations, fun facts and jokes covering some of the past’s most gruesome periods. His tongue-in-cheek approach entertains and teaches in equal measure, covering over 100 subjects from Rotten Romans to Vile Victorians. The genre-defining books have spawned a number of spin-offs, most notably the animated and liveaction television series. Suitable for ages 6+

A Little History of the World It is no mean feat to chart the exhaustive history of human development, from cavemen to the 20th century, in a way that is accessible to children. But that is exactly what German art historian Ernst Gombrich manages in A Little History of the World, a book often enjoyed as much by parents as their kids. At over 300 pages, the book provides rich rewards to the patient reader.

Suitable for ages 10+

This article was modified from a post on www.beijing-kids.com by Oscar Holland.

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Living Noticeboard

What’s Happening in Beijing Introducing O’le Music The people behind O’le Climbing and O’le Ski have teamed up with professional musicians to launch O’le Music, a series of fun music education programs. The first – Shout! – is a “rock choir” open to singers of all skill levels and using a no-notation system.

This month also marks the launch of the Trash Bash program, in which kids are taught to make music with everyday objects. O’le Music will offer its programs to the public and as after-school programs. For more information, visit www.ole-music.com.

Atelier Rolls Out Birthday Services

Art Bug to Offer Kimochi English Classes in December

Budding artists are in luck. Atelier now offers art-themed birthday parties for ages 6 and up. Teachers design a special theme based on the birthday boy or girl’s interests. At the party, they and their friends can work on a collaborative painting, create a book, or take an art history workshop. After the class, parents are invited to view the children’s creations while eating birthday cake and opening presents. For more information, contact Atelier at atelier@atelier.cn.com.

Art Bug recently became the only authorized venue in mainland China to teach English using Kimochis, the award-winning educational toys from Australia designed to let kids express their feelings in a fun and safe way. The goal is to provide communication tools to parents, teacher, and children, as well as foster confidence in kids. Starting from next month, Art Bug will offer Kimochis English class for ages 4-12.

Daystar Academy recently completed the resurfacing of its sports field with artificial turf donated by the school founders. The upgrade is designed to reduce sports-related injuries, as well as Daystar’s environmental impact, by conserving water that would otherwise be used to water grass.

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photos: courtesy of o’le music, daystar, art bug and atelier

Daystar Completes Sports Field

Noticeboard Living PFS Moves to Larger Digs Positive Foundations School (PFS) moved to a newer and larger location at 2099 Gahood Villas in Shunyi. Founded in 2009, PFS is an international preschool that blends an American curriculum with a Montessori teaching philosophy. Located next to Gahood Park, the school now has 500sqm of space and can accommodate more students. Facilities include more classrooms, a library, art and music rooms, and a large indoor play area. In addition to two lead teachers from the US and the UK, PFS recently welcomed Nursery Class Lead Teacher Laura Rico.

New Speech Therapist at HoK House of Knowledge International Kindergarten (HoK) recently welcomed Speech Therapist Sophie Horn. She studied Speech and Language Therapy in Germany and holds a Master’s in Clinical Linguistics. She has helped children and adults with speech and language difficulties such as stuttering, specific language impairment (SLI), and aphasia. Horn speaks German, English, conversational Dutch, and basic Finnish and French. She will mainly focus on HoK students, though her services will be open to the Beijing community.

Huijia Sanyuanqiao Campus Grows

photos: courtesy of hok, sibs, pfs and huijia

Since opening in February 2013, Beijing Huijia’s Sanyuanqiao campus has increased its facilities to a total area of 2,500sqm and counts students from more than 13 countries. Under the leadership of Principal Adele Kirkby-Clark, the school offers a bilingual learning environment with a curriculum based on the IB Primary Years Programme.

SIBS Welcomes New Principal Springboard International Bilingual School (SIBS) has a new Principal, Charlie Mackenzie.

Originally from the UK, Mackenzie has taught for 25 years at international schools in Shanghai, Malaysia, Tanzania, Thailand, and several European countries. He holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education. He moves to SIBS with his wife Jasmine, who teaches Mandarin and mathematics at the school. They are avid Shanghai Shenhua soccer fans.

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Living Talking Shop

Home for the Holidays Add a splash of color to your living room with Radiance

by Dana Cosio-Mercado; photos by VivaXiao Photography Studio

L

ooking to beat the winter blahs?

Why not liven up your interiors with some color and flair? Tucked away at Roma Lake in Shunyi is the second incarnation of Radiance, a home decor and furnishing shop that is sure to lift your spirits. You’ll find a variety of prints and patterns in every shade, and the stylish Chinese-themed items will look just as good in special corners of your home as they do on the store’s display shelves.

The front of the shop is a haven of DIY interior decorating. Pick up pillowcases (from RMB 150 each) to give your living room an instant facelift, grab a lao Beijing coffee table book (RMB 340) to bring a bit of history into the house, or spruce up

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your dining room with a new tablecloth in a stylized Chinese pattern (RMB 365). Radiance can also customize tablecloths or runners, and it carries silverware and serving utensils from South Africa – great for adding a special touch to your holiday table.

The middle of the shop houses small knickknacks that would be suitable as stocking stuffers. You can find items for a variety of ages. There is a memory game (RMB 100) for the little ones, trinket boxes for girls (RMB 100), fabric-covered drawing books (from RMB 25) for kids who enjoy doodling, and fabric laptop and iPad cases (RMB 60-180) for teenagers. Radiance also carries beautiful jewelry for women. For the man of the family, how about a retro aluminium mug with Mao’s

portrait on it (RMB 35)?

If you are looking for something extra special, take a look at the extensive period furniture collection at the back. You will find everything from lamps to chairs, side tables, beds, and armoires. Both Chinese and Western pieces are available. Prices are provided upon request.

Radiance 瑞氏东方新址 Tue-Sun 11am-7.30pm. South Bank of Roma Lake, Shunyi District (8049 6400, radiancebazaar@aliyun.com) 顺义区罗马湖南岸

Birthday Bash Living

Reinventing the Wheel Get creative with clay at JOP Pottery

by Dana Cosio-Mercado

photos: ken

J

OP stands for “Joy of Pottery” – and that’s exactly what your birthday boy or girl will discover after a visit to this suburban workshop.

Located just outside the villa area of Shunyi, JOP Pottery offers group courses in wheel-throwing and hand-building.

Throwing involves molding the clay into a vessel as it rotates on a motorized spinning surface, much like a lazy Susan. Handbuilding is the process of shaping a vessel using clay “snakes” as a basic shape. One snake is first coiled to form the base of the vessel, and succeeding layers are stacked upward to form the desired design.

Set in a serene garden, the workshops include the use of the studio’s electric kiln to fire the finished pieces. The electric kiln is the most commonly-used stove to cook ceramics. JOP Pottery, however, also has two other kilns which the in-house potters use. These artisans produce ceramics for sale at the studio or as part of commissioned projects. The cooked pottery has different finishes depending on what kind

of kiln it was fired in (electric, gas, or wood fire).

Kids can try making their own designs or find inspiration from the many creations on display at the studio. Either way, they get to transform an ordinary lump of clay into something useful. Part of the magic lies in not knowing exactly how a finished product will turn out.

Younger children (ages 5-10) should start with the half-day workshop, which runs for three hours. This would be ideal for a small group of up to six children and four adults. The full-day course (which runs for six hours and includes lunch) is better-suited to ages 11 and up. The full-day course is ideal for ten people and includes lunch made from vegetables grown onsite in JOP’s garden.

Check the seasonal menu in advance to ensure that there is something for all your guests. Otherwise, you can arrange to selfcater or head to Pinnacle Plaza or Europlaza.

The latter optioons are about 15 minutes away by car and contain a host of Western and Chinese dining options. Pickup is available

from Houshayu subway station but must be arranged in advance.

Prices • Half day (1.30-4.30pm): RMB 180 person or RMB 400 for one adult and one child • Full day (10.30am-4.30pm): RMB 280 per person or RMB 500 for one adult and one child (includes lunch).

All prices include 3-5kg of white clay, 5kg of rough stoneware, and a chance to fire two to five pieces, depending on the number of people in the group. Call for details.

JOP Pottery 拙朴 Daily 10.30am-4.30pm. 17 Shuipo Village, Gaoliying Town, Shunyi District (5145 0754, joppottery@163. com) www.joppottery.com 顺义区高 丽营镇水坡村17号

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Health

Kenny Hegarty (pictured with partner Katrina Maguire) has been more pressed for time since the arrival of baby Bella (11 months)

Without Father Ado Health issues that dads in their 30s and 40s need to know about

by Oscar Holland

W

hile “Movember” may be best known for bringing comical facial hair to offices around the world, it also helps put men’s health onto the agenda for one month out of the year. But only 1 percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer – the condition that the campaign is centered around – are under the age of 50. So what health issues do men in their 30s and 40s need to think about as they cultivate their novelty moustaches?

No matter how fit you feel (and remember, the marathon world record is held by a 31-year-old), there are certain health risks that men of this age need to be aware of. Some may be a natural part of the aging process but others result from the lifestyle choices you make.

Silent Killers

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Photo: ken

Two of the potentially deadly conditions most likely to develop at this age emerge without any obvious symptoms. This is part of what makes high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) and high cholesterol – the build-up of lipids that narrow your arteries – such a worry for family doctors.

Although they are two separate conditions, these silent killers are

linked, not least because the latter exacerbates the former by making it harder for the heart to push blood through the arteries. Both have similar causes and can ultimately lead to heart attacks, strokes and other severe health complications.

But while men at this age are certainly more likely to develop high cholesterol or blood pressure problems, these conditions cannot simply be dismissed as one of the inevitabilities of getting older, according to Dr. Michael Couturie, a general practitioner at Beijing’s International SOS Clinic.

“There is a significant lifestyle component to both of these problems, which is one of the reasons that men tend to be diagnosed with them in their 30s and 40s,” he says. “Many men start families around these years and are also often trying to develop a career. Thus, in addition to what can often be a lifetime of poor dietary choices, decreasing time for exercise and more time performing sedentary activities can lead to weight gain, decreased cardiovascular conditioning and elevated cholesterol.”

Quitting smoking is at the absolute top of Dr. Couturie’s priority list, and he believes that there is “literally nothing more important for

Health your health.” Not only does smoking increase the amount of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in your bloodstream, it also actively decreases the amount of “good” cholesterol (HDL), which is believed to carry the harmful LDL away to the liver.

The other usual suspects are all there. Exercising regularly and losing weight (if necessary) can both help, as can reducing alcohol consumption. A healthy, balanced diet low in saturated fats to counteract high cholesterol, with reduced salt and caffeine to maintain healthy blood pressure, is also an effective method of both prevention and treatment.

There are clearly rare cases where uncontrollable factors take their course but for the most part, your health is in your hands Making Ch-Ch-Changes It will come as little surprise to hear that leading a healthier lifestyle is the best way to fight off the emergence of these long-term health risks. Most of us know from an early age that eating properl, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol intake can prevent heart disease – or worse.

But there is a difference between awareness and action.

Men often find it difficult to shrug off feelings of invincibility that often accompany their 20s, especially when issues of genuine concern can feel symptomless and distant.

Although 34-year-old Kenny Hegarty describes discovering that his cholesterol was higher than expected in his mid-20s as a “wake up call,” it was not until he decided to start a family that he began to make serious lifestyle changes.

“I had been fit in the past but when my partner Kat and I moved to Beijing, there were a lot of opportunities to socialize. In the first couple of years I really enjoyed that aspect of life here,” he explains. “When we decided we wanted to start a family, we made the conscious choice to be fitter and healthier, not just for ourselves but for the sake of good parenting. We wanted to have some good habits for [our child] to pick up on.”

For many new dads, the pressure of adding a child to their responsibilities means that there is even less time to prioritize a healthy lifestyle. But for Hegarty, a teacher at Dulwich College Beijing, his partner’s pregnancy was the beginning of a journey that saw him lose approximately 13kg in a little over a year and a half. His cholesterol is now back within safe limits.

When taking on a high-intensity exercise regime he “actually found certain things easier” than when he was in his 20s because of the weight loss. “I’m in much better shape and feel so much better for it,” he says. “We know Bella is too. She’s 11 months old now and she’s just starting to eat solid food. She’s really enjoying all the fruit and vegetables!”

Beyond Lifestyle But while Hegarty was able to take matters into his own hands, not all health complaints that surface during your 30s and 40s can be put down to lifestyle alone. Naturally decreasing testosterone is a common problem, for instance; one that may lie behind a lack of motivation to stay in shape, according to Dr. Nizar Al-Salahat, medical director at Puhua International Hospital in Shuangjing.

“Testosterone levels gradually fall as you get older, typically lowering by about 1 percent every year after the age of 30,” he explains.

“This can cause weak erections, low sex drive and decreases in muscle strength and mass.

“First of all we need to work out the source of the problem for each patient,” he says. “It could be an ‘acquired’ problem but it could also be congenital, something that you’ve had since birth, like a more complex syndrome for example.”

So while certain lifestyle choices can impact on your hormone levels, testosterone deficiency could be the result of factors beyond your control. That does not mean that there is nothing that can be done after diagnosis, however, and hormone replacement therapy can help when lifestyle changes cannot.

Testicular cancer is another health risk with causes seemingly beyond one’s control. You may be years from reaching high-risk ages for most other cancers, but men in their 30s are especially at risk of being diagnosed with this disease.

Although some sufferers will feel an aching sensation in their lower abdomen, they will rarely experience acute pain. As such, regularly checking one’s testicles for painless lumps and bumps is necessary.

But again, while most men are aware of the risk, the evidence suggests that not enough take it seriously. A 2011 study in the US found that 40 percent of men performed self-examination no more than once a year.

There are clearly rare cases where uncontrollable factors take their course, but for the most part your health is in your hands. Taking simple steps to counter silent threats in your 30s and 40s may well mitigate the serious conditions that can follow.

Resources International SOS 北京国际救援中心 As well as offering a variety of medical services at its Beijing clinic, from counseling to dentistry, International SOS operates a 24/7 alarm center hotline and dedicated air ambulance. Dr. Couturie is a general practitioner and specialist in internal medicine. He gives consultations in English and Spanish.

Daily 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm. Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District (6462 9112, 24hr hotline 6462 9100) www.internationalsos.com 朝阳区新源里16 号琨莎中心一座105室 Puhua International Hospital, Shuangjing 普华国际门诊 Puhua International Hospital offers a range of inpatient and outpatient services at its Shuangjing site. As well as being the hospital’s medical director, Dr. Al-Salahat is trained in family health, emergency medicine, orthopedics, trauma surgery and sports medicine. He speaks fluent English and Arabic, with conversational Chinese.

Daily 9am-6pm. 54 Wusheng Beilu, Dongsanhuan, Chaoyang District (8773 5522, 8911 6665) www.puhuaclinic.com 朝阳区 东三环武圣北路54号 Beijing Health Portal (www.puhuaclinic.com/bbs) A new ask-a-doctor service from Puhua International Hospital.

Users can leave a health-related question and qualified doctors will try to get back to them within 24 hours, free of charge.

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Health The Natural Path

I

Chew on This: 3 Thought-Provoking Food Docs

n keeping with this month’s theme, I recommend three healthrelated documentaries that are great to watch with teens or pre-teens. Get out the popcorn and get ready to be entertained and informed.

In Supersize Me, a perfectly healthy guy decides to find out what would happen if he ate only McDonald’s for an entire month. I don’t want to give the story away, but let’s just say the results are … dramatic.

This movie has two versions; the “educational” version was designed to be screened in classrooms while the other contains comments that are not appropriate for kids. Supersize Me is humorous, entertaining, and provides lots of food for thought on the fast food industry.

Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and many other chronic diseases were linked to consuming animal protein Forks over Knives extolls the benefits of a plant-based diet of whole foods – essentially a vegan diet. The film mentions an historic field study called “The China Study.” Over a period of 20 years, scientists studied the lifestyles and diets of thousands of people across China.

They discovered that cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and many other chronic diseases were linked to consuming animal protein. The New York Times described the China Study as the “most comprehensive large study ever undertaken of the relationship between diet and the risk of developing disease.” The results were published in a book of the same name, which I highly recommend.

My third recommendation is Food Inc., which documents the food industry in the US and reveals how harmful mass production is not only to individual health, but to the health of our planet. This film is suitable for younger audiences; 8- to 10-year-olds should be able to understand and process the concepts presented.

I would suggest watching these movies on your own before introducing them to your kids. Every child is different and some are more impressionable than others. You know your child best, so wait until they’re a bit older to watch the films together if necessary. In the meantime, you can enjoy the documentaries yourself and learn something new about health.

The purpose of watching these films is to create awareness. It doesn’t mean that you or your kids will never eat McDonald’s again but the door will be open to have a discussion about balance, moderation, and healthy eating habits.

Got a question?

Melissa Rodriguez is a mom of two and a wellness consultant. She also works as a naturopath at International Medical Center. Check out her website at www.drmelissarodriguez.com.

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Health The Doc Is In

Scratching the Surface of Screen Time

W

e’re inclined to feel that too much of anything is unhealthy, but exactly how harmful is screen time? By “screen time,” I mean the total time spent on movies, TV shows, iPads, laptops, and more. There’s a lot of research on the topic that may stir up some interesting family discussions (but hopefully not over a TV dinner). Here’s some scary data to munch over: • For each hour of TV that a 5-year-old watches on the weekend, the risk of adult obesity increases by 7 percent.

• In a New Zealand study, the average number of children’s weeknight TV viewing hours was strongly predictive of adult BMI. • In a Scottish study, kids who watched more than eight hours of TV per week at age 3 had an increased risk of obesity by age 7.

• A study of children aged 9 to 12 found that having a TV in the bedroom was a significant risk factor for obesity. It has also been linked to smoking later in life, lower test scores, and sleeping problems.

Excessive TV can lead to weight gain and consequences in adulthood, including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis How does your family compare? There is debate about whether some types of screen time are better than others. But regardless, some of the things that your child isn’t doing when they’re sitting in front of a screen include asking questions, taking initiative, practicing hand-eye coordination, engaging in critical thinking and playing with others.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) thinks that children under 2 should have no screen time at all, and children aged 2 and up should have no more than two hours of “non-educational” screen time per day. The AAP also uncovered strong evidence that excessive TV can lead to weight gain and consequences in adulthood, including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.

Children who did not adhere to AAP guidelines were three to four times more likely to be overweight. Preschool-aged children who consistently ate dinner with their parents, got adequate sleep, and had limited screen time had 40 percent lower rates of obesity than their counterparts who didn’t follow these practices (the full study is available at tinyurl.com/3u7ao52).

We may be dazzled by new technology and apps that claim to offer “education” and “interaction,” but in the end, screen time is still a passive activity that keeps kids from healthier avenues of learning.

To quote an AAP doctor: “In today’s ‘achievement culture,’ the best thing you can do for your young child is to give them a chance to have unstructured play – both with you and independently. Children need this in order to figure out how the world works.”

Need more info?

Dr. Richard Saint Cyr is a family doctor at Beijing United Family Hospital, and the director of clinical marketing and communications. He runs the blog www.myhealthbeijing.com.

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Dining Dining Out

Hip to Be Square Pie Squared offers pie with character

by Dana Cosio-Mercado; photo by VivaXiao Photography Studio

T

hink all pizza is created equal? Banish the thought. Pie Squared makes pizza like we’ve never seen before, at least in Beijing. All the pies at this Shunyi eatery are created with a signature homemade sauce that is tangy and has just the right amount of bite. The sauce is spread all the way to the edge of the pan so that the cheese melts down the sides to form a caramelized crust during baking. You get a choice of thin flatbread crust or traditional round pizzas.

But why go for the same old thing when you can have a slice of history? The house specialty is deep-dish Detroit-style square pizza. In the 1940s, when the US was big on car manufacturing, pizzas were baked in

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square pans that originally served as tool trays in Detroit factories.

The smallest size at Pie Squared is an individual six-inch square pizza or eight-inch round pizza, while the largest square pizza measures 14 inches by 14 inches. With 11 topping combinations, even picky eaters are sure to find one they like. The delicious veggie pizza features a mix of mushrooms, green peppers, onions, black olives and tomatoes (RMB 42 for individual, RMB 128 for XL). Carnivores should try the Motor City Meat Supreme (RMB 55 for individual, RMB 148 for XL).

Pie Squared is not just about pizza, however.

Kids will enjoy the salt and pepper chicken wings with ranch dressing (from RMB 45 for six pieces). There are also breadsticks (RMB

2013 November Edda Molina beijingkids Biorck (age 3, attends AnRic Little Montessori Room) munches on margherita pizza

19 for six), mozzarella bread (RMB 34 for six slices) or stromboli (RMB 40 for ten), a kind of pizza wrap. There are six pasta dishes, including the creamy Chicken Fettucine Alfredo (RMB 58). The more health-conscious can stick with salads in varying sizes (from RMB 30 for regular, RMB 55 for large, RMB 100 for family size). There is beer for the parents (RMB 3050 for imported brands) and imported sodas like A&W and Dr. Pepper (RMB 20).

Daily 10am-9pm. Cathay View Garden (near Beijing Riviera and beside Didi’s Mart), 6 Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang District (8430 8859, 400 0314 PIE) 朝阳区香江北路6号观塘广场内

Dining Eater’s Digest Dishes tried-and-tested by Dana Cosio-Mercado, Oscar Holland, and Aisling O’Brien. Want to take a bite for yourself? See Directories for restaurant listings. Got a suggestion? Send us a photo and a description to editor@beijing-kids.com.

Barbecued Onions and Zhima Bao (Sesame Buns) Reviewed in: Shunyi Sliced onions are salted and generously sprinkled with ground black pepper, then roasted on a roadside barbecue pit. Paired with warm sesame buns, it’s a delicious opener to a dinner of assorted chuanr. RMB 10 for a plate of onions and RMB 2 per sesame bun at Yuji Barbecue and Beer.

Breakfast Burrito Reviewed in: Beixinqiao “Breakfast” and “burrito” might not sound like two words that should go together, but Grandma’s Kitchen makes it work. For RMB 42, you get two generous wraps filled with scrambled egg, cheese, and a choice of bacon or ham accompanied by a homemade tomato salsa.

Lemon Meringue Tart Reviewed in: Sanlitun This lemon meringue tart features short and crumbly pastry, a tangy, velvety curd, lightly-torched peaks of meringue, and a gold-stamped chocolate square. Delicious as an afternoon snack. RMB 30 at any branch of Comptoirs de France.

River Shrimp with Fragrant Leek Reviewed in: Shunyi The crunchy, lightly-salted shrimp paired well with Chinese leek sprouts bursting with color. One serving would suit a family of four as accompaniment to one or two other main dishes. RMB 59 at Meizhou Dongpo.

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Who Are You Calling a Shrimp?

Kerry Hotel, Beijing goes big with a grilled king prawn salad

Ingredients 配料 Serves 1 供1位 4 king prawns 4只大虾 1 lime wedge 1片青柠 1 whole lemon 1整只柠檬 1 clove garlic 1个蒜头 10g rosemary 10克迷迭香 20ml olive oil 20毫升橄榄油 5g cajun spice 5克香辣粉 5g salt and pepper 5克盐和胡椒 30g mixed salad 30克混合沙拉 10g cherry tomatoes 10克小西红柿 10g cucumber 10克黄瓜 A pat of butter 1片黄油 White wine (optional) 白葡萄酒（可选）

photos: lova

Chef de Cuisine Kenny Chen and Owen Keogh (age 12, attends the International Montessori School of Beijing) with a salad to krill for beijingkids 2013 November

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Food for Thought Dining

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2 Drizzle olive oil into a hot pan and sear the prawn for 30 seconds on each side with the garlic and rosemary. Flip the prawn over when it turns light orange and add more oil as needed. For some extra flair, add a liberal splash of white wine. Cover the prawns. 热锅上倒点儿橄榄油，香 蒜、迷迭香煎大虾，两面 都煎30秒。当大虾煎到略微 金黄时，翻个，如需要也可 再倒一点橄榄油。想锦上添 花的话，还可以大厨般游刃 有余、信心满满地挥撒点白 葡萄酒。然后防止喷溅，锅 盖盖上。

Pre-heat pan to 120°C. Peel and de-vine the king prawns, sprinkling with salt and pepper. For a bit of a kick, add a pinch of cajun spice as well. Squeeze a wedge of lime over the prawns. 预先热锅到120摄氏度。去 掉大虾黑线，撒上盐和胡 椒。重口味儿的可以再撒 上点香辣粉。在大虾上挤 点青柠汁。

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Add a generous pat of butter in the pan for flavor and spread it over the bottom. Plate the prawn by stacking it in top of the salad. Serve with one whole lemon for garnish. 平底锅上来片厚实的黄油， 溶化后均匀展开。大虾厚重 地堆在沙拉上。最后佐以整 只新鲜柠檬。

Toss the mixed salad, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. 在混合沙拉、小西红柿、黄 瓜上撒盐、胡椒、柠檬汁、 橄榄油，搅拌均匀。

Originally hailing from Guangzhou, Kenny Chen is the chef de cuisine for Kerry’s Kitchen. He has worked in both Asian and Western restaurants for the past 14 years. Before joining Kerry Hotel, Beijing, Chef Chen worked with Shangri-La in Guangzhou for seven years. He enjoys trying his hand at a variety of cuisines, but his culinary passion is experimenting with meat and seafood. In his spare time, Chef Chen enjoys travel.

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Playing What's Fun In

Peeking at Beijing’s Universities There is more to autumn in the capital than Xiangshan

by Clemence Jiang

photos: clemence jiang

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2013 November One of Pekingbeijingkids University’s revered gingko trees

What's Fun In Playing

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ne of the most striking features of autumn in Beijing is the changing of the leaves. From now until midNovember, we can expect to see the city’s foliage turning bright shades of yellow, orange, and red. Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan) might be the most popular destination to appreciate the changing of the seasons, but it also tends to be one of the busiest.

Instead, we decided to explore the quiet, sprawling grounds of Beijing’s storied academic institutions for a fall family outing rich in history and scenery. This journey takes place in Haidian District and features a walk around Peking University’s (PKU) Weiming Lake, a bike ride and lunch at neighbouring Tsinghua University, a detour to the Old Summer Palace, and dinner at Changchunyuan Gourmet Street.

Most expats are aware that PKU and Tsinghua are two of the most prestigious universities in China, but their appeal goes far beyond the intellectual. That’s why you are as likely to see tour groups as you are to see students on campus. Formerly known as the Imperial University of Peking (京师大学堂), PKU was built in 1898 and the campus hosts many famous attractions. The must-visits for autumn are the beautiful Weiming Lake and Boya Tower on its southeast bank.

To start your journey, take subway line 4 to East Gate of Peking University station and get out at exit A. You will see two admission gates nearby. The one near the newspaper stand is

for students and school staff, and the other one is for visitors. If you know someone at PKU, they can bring you in with them; otherwise, you will have to take your passport and register at the other gate.

The PKU campus is relatively small and most places are within walking distance. After you enter the gate, walk straight for about 200m and turn right on Weiming Beilu (未名 北路). You will see Boya Tower within 100m.

Walking under the trees around the lake, you will pass students reading books on the benches by the water. There are several young ginkgo trees around the lake; their leaves should be a luminous shade of gold by the time this issue is out. Although scarlet maple leaves are what many think of when it comes to autumn foliage, the elegant fan-shaped leaves from this rare, slow-growing tree have a special beauty of their own.

The ginko tree is one of the oldest trees in the world and is described as a “living fossil” because it is closely related to trees dating back before the time of the dinosaurs. Beyond its importance to botanists, it is also a symbol of longevity and vitality in Chinese culture. It is said that Confucius lectured his students under a ginkgo tree, which may explain why gingkos are selectively planted in the country’s best universities.

Gingko trees can also be spotted at Tsinghua University, our next destination. Exit PKU the way you came in. Then, walk for 500m on Chengfu Lu (成府路) in front of PKU’s

east gate and turn left on Qinghua Nanlu (清华南路). Tsinghua’s west gate is about 400m ahead. About halfway there, you will run into several tents that rent out bicycles.

The rental fee is RMB 20 per bicycle with no time limit, plus RMB 300 (or your passport) as deposit. Most of the stands close at 9pm, but ask to be sure. You can also borrow a bike lock at no extra cost, though they won’t give you one unless you ask. Be warned: Without a bike, you will be helpless within Tsinghua’s 400-hectare grounds.

Tsinghua is the former site of a princely private garden during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). Many Qing-style gardens, ponds, and lakes can be found near the school’s west gate. The campus is divided into the western and the eastern zones. The western zone (also known as the old district) features a famous lotus pool, which inspired the renown poem Hetang Yuese (“The Lotus Pool by Moonlight” 荷塘月色) by Zhu Ziqing. The eastern zone is newer, with modern classroom buildings, offices, gyms, music halls, and more.

Once you enter the campus, there are two main roads to remember: Qinghua Lu (清华 路), which goes east-west, and Xuetang Lu (学 堂路), which goes north-south. The two roads cross at Mengminwei Music Hall (蒙民伟音乐 厅) at the center of the university.

Take Qinghua Lu at the west gate and pedal 200m; you will see Jinchun Lu (近春路) on your left side. This will lead to Jinchun Garden (近春园), where you can see the famous

Benches near Lotus Cafe on Tsinghua University’s campus

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1. Weiming Lake 2. Jinchun Garden 3. Xichunyuan 4. Lotus Cafe 5. Old Summer Palace 6. Changchunyuan Gourmet Street

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photo: judy zhou

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beijingkids 2013 November To view the location of these attractions, consult the map on the opposite page

What's Fun In Playing lotus pool in the center. Although there are no more lotus flowers, the big pool of golden and yellow lotus leaves looks magnificent in the sun. Lock your bikes around the entrance and take a walk in the garden. As you watch the willows swaying in the breeze, you may understand why Forbes ranked Tsinghua among the most beautiful beautiful campuses in the world. Not only that, it was the only university in Asia to make the list.

At this point, the kids may be getting hungry. East of Jinchun Garden on Xichun Lu (熙 春路), you will find a Chinese restaurant called Xichuanyuan (熙春园). This is a popular place for school staff to host visiting scholars.

The fish with pickled Chinese cabbage (酸菜 鱼, RMB 58) and braised eggplant (红烧茄 子, RMB 32) come in small portions, but are decent enough in terms of quality. There are also children-friendly dishes such as gongbao chicken (宫保鸡丁) and fried corn with pine nuts (松仁玉米).

As you walk back to the entrance of Jinchun Garden to get your bicycles, you will pass the recently-opened Lotus Cafe near the lotus pool. Get an Americano (RMB 22) for your caffeine fix and kick back for a while to allow the meal to digest. After that, unlock your bikes and get ready for a long, beautiful campus ride. There is the newly-constructed Ginkgo Avenue (新银杏大道) at the northeast gate near the Zijing Dormitory (紫荆公寓). If you keep the two main roads in mind, you should be able to locate it using the campus’ bilingual Chinese and English signs. Take your time just

having fun, exploring, and riding through the campus streets.

If you still have energy after Tsinghua, exit the west gate and cycle north. Turn left on Zhongguancun Beilu (中关村北路) after 200m and travel for another 200m on Qinghua Xilu (清华西路); you will eventually see the Old Summer Palace on your right. Admission costs RMB 10 for adults, half price for students and free for children under 1.2m. The spacious park is another underrated place to view the

Weiming Lake 未名湖 Near East Gate of Peking University, 1 Yiheyuan Lu, Haidian District (6275 1230) 海淀区颐和园路1号（近北京大 学东门） Jinchun Garden 近春园 Near west gate of Tsinghua University, Chengfu Lu, Haidian District (6278 9437) 海淀区成府路（近清华大学西门） Xichunyuan 熙春园 Daily 10am-10pm. Xichun Lu (inside Tsinghua University), Chengfu Lu, Haidian District (6278 3074) 海淀区成府路西春 路（清华大学校园内）

autumn foliage in a relaxed way.

When you are done, ride west on Qinghua Xilu for 500m and turn left on Yiheyuan Lu (颐和园路). Within 1km, you will see Changchunyuan Gourmet Street (畅春园食街), where you can end your day with Japanese noodles, Sichuan hotpot, barbecued chuanr with beer, or waffles at Zoo Coffee (among many other options). Before going home, don’t forget to return your bikes.

Lotus Cafe 清华大学荷塘悦舍 Daily 10am-10pm. Beside Jinchun Garden (near West Gate of Tsinghua University), Haidian District (no telephone number yet) 海淀区近春园旁边（近清 华大学西门） Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) 圆明园 Daily 7am-7pm (May-Aug); 7am-5.30pm (Nov-Mar); 7am-630.pm (Apr, Sep-Oct).

28 Qinghua Xilu, Haidian District (6262 8501) 海淀区清华西路28号 Changchunyuan Gourmet Street 畅春园食街 Daily 9am-10pm. 8 Yuanmingyuan Lu, Haidian District (6262 6256) 海淀区颐 和园路8号

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Playing Family Travels

Micah (age 9) sits inside a fighter jet at the Military Museum in Brussels, Belgium

Kinley (age 2) has fun on a rope swing with dad Dan at Prague Zoo, Czech Republic

Euro Trippin’ With many of Europe’s sights so close to each other, why visit just one?

by Carrie Paschke

The Paschke Family

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Cameron (age 6) and Kinley play in front of Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels

Cameron holds a snake at the Reptile House in Breda, the Netherlands

photos: courtesy of carrie paschke

Travelers: Carrie Paschke, her husband Dan, their sons Micah (age 9) and Cameron (age 6), and their daughter Kinley (age 2). Micah and Cameron both attend The International Montessori School of Beijing.

Destinations: Breda and Amsterdam, Netherlands; Brussels, Belgium; Prague, Czech Republic.

Dates: September 26-October 6, 2013 Travel plans: The family flew from Beijing to Amsterdam via Frankfurt with Lufthansa. Afterwards, they took a train to Breda and rode in a friend’s car to Brussels. From Belgium, they flew to Prague with Brussels Airlines before catching another Lufthansa flight back to Beijing (with an unexpected stop in Seoul due to “fog”). The family booked and planned everything themselves with help from friends and travel websites.

Cost: Approximately RMB 67,000 in total. Flights to and from Beijing (and from Brussels to Prague) cost around RMB 10,000 per person. The hotel worked out to RMB 1,000 per night for the family and overall spending money came to about RMB 12,000 (including food, entrance fees, local transportation, and souvenirs).

Family Travels Playing

The Paschke family at Grand Place in Brussels

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e began our Europe trip in the Netherlands, staying with some good friends who recently moved to in Breda in the southwest of the country. Breda was very quaint and it is always more enjoyable to see a city with people who actually live there and know where to go.

Aside from seeing our friends, the highlights were a 16th-century Gothic church called the Grote of Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Church of our Lady) and the reptile house, where the kids got to handle snakes.

We also got a chance to see the canals and the Royal Palace in the Netherlands’ lively capital, Amsterdam.

From the Netherlands, we hitched a ride with a friend to Belgium.

The children would say that was the best country we visited due to all the chocolate. Micah celebrated his 9th birthday in Brussels, so he got to choose that day’s activities. He selected three museums. Of these, the boys particularly enjoyed Autoworld, where they got to see many models of automobiles, and the Museum of Armed Forces and of Military History, which houses old fighter jets and military tanks.

Our final stop was the Czech Republic, where the weather was beautiful, the air was clean, and you felt like you had stepped into the middle of a fairytale. It was lovely to wander the cobblestone streets of Prague and catch some of the city’s history, such as the Old Town, St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle, and the medieval astronomical clock tower.

For me, the hidden gems of our trip were all of the beautiful parks in each city, like Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels. In addition to being scenic and lovely to look at, they made for great places to stop and rest for the adults and provided the kids with a chance to stretch their legs in between the day’s activities.

Travel Tips • Although its one of Belgium’s most famous landmarks, the Manneken Pis in Brussels was smaller than we expected. It may not be worth the time it takes to walk there.

• Supper time can be frustrating because many of the local restaurants in Breda and Belgium did not open for dinner until 7pm, making it difficult traveling with kids who get tired and hungry by 5pm and usually go to bed by 7.30pm. I would advise having lots on snacks on hand, preparing your own food from a local supermarket, or locating restaurants that are open all day in advance.

• This sort of trip is better suited for children that are no longer in diapers or strollers. Most of the cities were not stroller-friendly and finding a place to change diapers was a challenge. There was a lot of walking involved and public transportation can be tricky with kids who can’t get on and off a train, subway or tram on their own.

If you must take a stroller, take a jogging stroller; a regular one would never make it on the cobblestone roads and uneven paths of Europe.

• The weather was cooler than we expected. So even though we brought layers, we still had to shop at a local mall for hats and mittens. We did not experience any rain, but it is quite common in September and October. Be prepared with raincoats and umbrellas.

• We were surprised to find that we had to pay to use public bathrooms. Carry lots of spare coins for such occasions because getting correct change when the little ones “have to go” can be tricky.

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The Puck Stops Here Facing off with Beijing’s ice hockey clubs

by Dana Cosio-Mercado

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Beginners can expect some spills until they get used to the game’s rapid pace. Aside from being fun, ice hockey helps develop key arm and leg muscles, improves agility and coordination, boosts focus, develops flexibility, and sharpens reflexes.

Two clubs in Beijing – Beijing International Ice Hockey League and Beijing Imperial Guard Ice Hockey Club – have kept their passion for the sport alive by playing regularly in tournaments, taking the players to locales ranging from Houhai Lake to Mongolia. They also regularly participate in competitions across Asia. These clubs train kids Hokay Arena in Gaobeidian in the basics of the sport and give them a chance to play regularly together.

Beijing International Ice Hockey Established in 1995, Beijing International Ice Hockey is a recreational league that aims to not only provide an environment for playing the sport but also to promote a sense of community for experienced and new players alike.

For two years, the club has offered a Learn to Play Hockey program for children of club members and new players aged 3 to 13. Even the littlest players come to the rink all decked out in hockey gear, learn to navigate around the ice, and manipulate the puck with a hockey stick.

Adult volunteers teach the kids how to have fun on skates.

Starting from age 6, the children work with two coaches. In the first part of the class, they learn on-the-ice skills such as skating and maneuvering around obstacles. The second part of the class involves a friendly scrimmage where they learn the rules of the game and practice handling the puck.

The emphasis is on fun, says Curtis Dracz, the commissioner of Beijing International Ice Hockey and a Learn to Play Hockey coach.

Aside from learning the skills required to play the game, children are drilled in the importance of sportsmanship, friendship, teamwork, and – most importantly – the club’s no-hitting policy. It is precisely

photo: BAO QIUCHEN

hen you think “ice hockey,” the first country that comes to mind is Canada, where it enjoys a fervent following as the official winter sport. Hockey is also a national obsession in other northern countries like Finland, Sweden, and Russia, all of which consistently produce top-notch Winter Olympics teams.

It was European immigrants who first brought hockey-like games to North America, where the sport was adapted for the continent’s icy winter conditions and eventually evolved into its modern form. Ice hockey in the mid-1800s was often played on frozen rivers, lakes or ponds, with players improvising protective gear by strapping cheese cutters onto their boots.

China has not traditionally been a contender in what has been nicknamed “the fastest game on earth.” However, the sport is gaining traction in Beijing thanks to a combination of expat initiative and growing interest from local kids.

Ice hockey is played by two opposing teams that must outdo each other by scoring goals. A goal is made when a player successfully shoots the “puck” (a hard rubber disc) into the other team’s net. Each team has six players: one goaltender and five “skaters.” The “skaters” can go anywhere on the ice, attacking or defending in turn as the players make their way towards a goal. The puck can be handled with the hockey stick or the players’ feet, but picking it up with the hands is not allowed. A player can use their shoulders, hip, or torso to hit or block opponents who are in possession of the puck.

Because full body contact is allowed, ice hockey is often seen as a rough sport. However, young players are taught legal moves to avoid incurring penalties during the game. Given the speed of the game, it is essential that children learn not only the required physical skills but also how to make split-second decisions on the ice.

Ice hockey is a great way for kids to keep physically and mentally fit while also picking up social skills. It is a demanding game that requires a great deal of coordination, flexibility, balance, and speed.

Inside Playing

Program Organizer/Coach Curtis Dracz (far left) and Parent/Volunteer Coach James Aldridge (far right) with Group 2 players (ages 3-8)

this non-competitive atmosphere that has attracted many children and their approving parents to the club.

Angela is a so-called “hockey mom.” Her three sons are all part of the Learn to Play Hockey program. The two older boys, Thomas (age 9) and William (12), now play on the same team and their teamwork has extended to their lives off the ice as well. Youngest brother Jacob (7) is now also learning the game and, according to Angela, is eager to catch up to his older siblings.

Liam and Gunner, both 7, are two other young hockey players who look forward to training day with their coaches. On his first day, Liam took several spills and his mom Erin recalls thinking that he would not want to come back. Gunner used to play hockey with another club in Beijing, but his family pulled him out because there was too much of a focus on competition. His mom, Kate, did not want Gunner to learn hockey in an environment where getting ahead at all costs was the goal. Now, he is able to learn the sport while enjoying himself.

Beijing Imperial Guard Ice Hockey Club Safety is an element of training emphasized by Richard Walker of Beijing Imperial Guard Ice Hockey Club. “It is a fallacy that ice hockey is a violent sport,” he says. “It should not be a physical free-for-all.” For kids under 13, there is a no-hitting policy at the club. As they move into their teenage years, players are taught how to make physical contact while staying mindful of safety.

Beijing Imperial Guard Ice Hockey Club, established in 2007, offers a youth hockey program for children aged 4-15, mostly for those with prior experience and who pass a series of try-outs. As hockey enjoys increasing popularity within the Chinese community, Beijing Imperial Guard ensures a good mix of expat and local Chinese players. The club’s goal is to make hockey an accessible sport to children in Beijing and develop new talent. The Imperial Guard coaches’ objective is to develop players who are passionate about the sport and understand

the important link between individual skill and teamwork in being successful at the game.

Resources Hokay Arena 北京浩沙滑冰场 All training sessions take place here. 8 Xilong Jie, Chaoyang Lu, Gaobeidian, Chaoyang District (8578 2590) 朝阳区朝阳路兴隆 街甲8号（傣家村大酒店南边） Beijing International Ice Hockey Learn to Play Hockey program: RMB 1,400 for 12 weeks (trial equipment available). Wed 5.30-6.30pm (Group 1: Grades 4-6/ ages 9-13), Thu 5.30-6.30pm (Group 2: Grades 3 and under/ ages 3-8). (Curtis Dracz : 150 1055 8619, cdracz@gmail.com) www.beijinghockey.com Beijing Imperial Guard Hockey Club Hockey club for children with previous experience. (Richard Walker: 139 1112 0605, r.walker@canasia.net) www.imperialguardhockey.com Beijing Pioneers Hockey club for children with previous experience. RMB 110/onehour session. Fri 4.20-5.40pm. (Contact Curtis Dracz at the number listed above or Philip Ho: 139 0101 6012, philipbeijing@me.com)

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Playing Weekend Warrior

photo: clemence jiang

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beijingkids 2013 November One of the main streets in Fenghuang, a centuries-old town in Hunan province

Lost with the Phoenix A window into ancient life in one of China’s most beautiful towns

by Clemence Jiang

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Playing Weekend Warrior

Fenghuang’s riverside diaojiaolou lit up at night

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live by the river so that the women could wash clothes and the men could fish with nets. At the same time, the house was waterproof and shielded its inhabitants from wild animals living on the mountain. In the past, each family lived in a diaojiaolou that consisted of two or three floors.

Today, very few original diaojiaolou remain in Fenghuang. However, most of them are modeled on the ancient architecture and are enough to give visitors an idea of what the town might have looked like in old times. If you travel during low season, you can find a river-view room in one of the best diaojiaolou for only RMB 100 per night.

If you choose to stay in the old district like most visitors, your only concern should be dampness. On each riverbank, there are two rows of houses with a narrow alley between them, with most of the guest houses run by individual owners. During the off-season, many tourists opt to look for accommodations on arrival; the town is so small that you can quickly narrow your options down.

The guest houses built on top of the water offer a better view of the Tuo River, but the bedding and furniture can be musty and moldy if not taken care of by the owner. My travel companion and I chose one on the upper slope of the mountain. Our room on the third floor (which cost RMB 80 per night) offered a great view of the town – especially at night, when all the buildings by the river were lit up.

Once you are settled in, getting around is easy. You can easily cover all of Fenghuang’s attractions – including the Former Residence of Shen Congwen and Fenghuang Ancient City Museum – in only half a day. However, I would advise slowing down and wandering around to truly get a feel for the town.

One thing I never got bored of was taking a stroll on the cobblestone alleys populated by guest houses, restaurants, vendors selling snacks, and old women working on embroidery while taking in the pleasant smell of ginger candy and the sound of live music from cafes and bars.

photo: thomas fischler (flickr)

Mainly inhabited by Miao and Tujia minorities, Fenghuang (凤凰) lies at the western border of Hunan province. It is a well-preserved ancient town that takes visitors back to the China of hundreds of years ago.

Cross the stone bridge over the Tuo River, stroll down the paved roads, and meander through alleys filled with the fragrance of handmade ginger candy. Stay in one of the suspended houses built on the riverbank at the bottom of mountains; you will feel like staying forever.

Fenghuang is Chinese for “phoenix,” the mythical bird that returns to life by rising from its own ashes. The town’s history can be traced back to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) but it only got the name “Fenghuang” during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). According to legend, two phoenixes flew over the town and found it so beautiful that they hovered over it and were reluctant to leave.

Fenghuang was little-known by the outside world before it was described in the books of celebrity Chinese writer and native son Sheng Congwen (1902-1988). Readers can find the town’s shadow in many of his novels. In 2001, Fenghuang became a national-level tourist attraction on its cultural and historical merits. It also earned international fame after New Zealand writer Louis Aerie praised it as one of the two most beautiful towns in China (the other being Changting in Fujian province).

Fenghuang is now divided into a new district and an old district.

Tourists usually head for the latter, where the bulk of tourist attractions, hotels, shops, bars and restaurants are located. The Tuo River also runs across the old district. You can find a place to stay among the many diaojiaolou-style houses on either side of the river. Diaojiaolou is a type of residential structure traditionally inhabited by minorities scattered throughout Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan and Sichuan provinces.

The most authentic diaojiaolou are built on a slope at the bottom of a mountain and supported by several wooden columns stretching into a body of water. The design allowed the locals in ancient times to

Weekend Warrior Playing

A man makes traditional ginger candy

photos: magical-world, thomas fischler, and hopehill (flickr)

A closer view of diaojiaolou houses

There is a snack street located by Hongqiao (Rainbow Bridge), the main way of getting across the Tuo River (there are two other, smaller pedestrian bridges). After snacking on a small bowl of beef noodles, I jumped on the green sightseeing bus (RMB 1 per ticket) to get some seriously good local food in Fenghuang’s new district. About five minutes away from the old district, the yeshi shaokao yitiaojie or “night gourmet street” (夜市烧烤一条街) featured many open-air stalls offering shiguo yu (fish in hot stone pot, 石锅鱼), smoked pork, and something you probably won’t eat anywhere else: xueba (glutinous rice cake mixed with duck blood, 血粑), which is usually cooked with duck in a heavy sauce. The local mijiu (rice wine, 米酒) goes well with this spicy delicacy.

The next day, you might choose to eat a bowl of rice noodles with soup for breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Then, I recommend taking a small boat (RMB 30) at Fengqiao at the far end of the town. You will travel downstream through clear water spotting more diaojiaolou as green water weeds gently lap around the boat. The boat will stop for ten minutes at a turning point, where you can sample and purchase local kiwi wine, osmanthus wine, and rice wine at the town’s biggest brew house.

The Tuo River used to be the lifeblood of the local people, but you can no longer see minority women in traditional embroidered clothes doing the washing by the water. Domestic water from the town’s households is now collected and treated by a central sewage plant to keep the river clean. Many fishermen have taken to paddling boats for tourists to make a living, and Miao minority girls have found their folk songs appreciated on the many river cruises.

However, some things have not changed. Warm ginger candy is still made by hand on the street and makes a popular gift. If phoenixes flew over Fenghuang today, I think this beautiful little town that mixes ancient beauty and modern vitality would still make the birds reluctant to leave.

A view of the Tuo River

Getting There Despite the name of this column, traveling all the way from Beijing to Fenghuang for a weekend might be a stretch. But if you plan to visit Hunan, Fenghuang is definitely worth a few hours’ bus trip. From Changsha, buses frequently leave Changsha West Bus Station (长沙汽车西站) for Fenghuang. The journey takes approximately five and a half hours. From Zhangjiajie, buses leave at 8.40am, 10.40am, 3.30pm and 5:30pm. The journey takes four hours. There are direct flights (about two and a half hours) from Beijing to Changsha and Zhangjiajie every day.

High-speed rail takes less than 6 hours from Beijing West Station to Changsha. If you take time to travel, there are regular trains from Beijing to Changsha and Zhangjiajie which cost less than RMB 400 for a sleeper and take about 20 hours.

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You Are What You Eat Digesting the city’s school lunches

by Grace Gui and Echo Xie, with additional reporting

by Aisling O’Brien; translation by Morgan Shang

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photo: Mitchell pe masilun

he first wave of influenza has hit Beijing schools, and parents’ thoughts are naturally turning to prevention and nutrition.

Nutritious school meals are a key component of children’s health. If you have ever wondered what kids are eating at the city’s various campuses, here is your chance to find out. In this issue, our editors visited four schools ranging from kindergartens to high schools, and took an in-depth look at what kids are eating every day. (A version of this article originally appeared in the March 2013 issue of our Chinese-language sister magazine, jingkids.)

Learning

“I like everything here, especially Chinese cuisine! But ayi always gives me a lot of rice. I can’t finish all of it”

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November 2013 with beijingkids A plate of stir-fried beef and vegetables rice at Daystar Academy

Learning Beijing City International School

Ellen Oscar and Yasmine Rayyis (both Grade 8) tuck in at BCIS

Overview of the Lunch Program The Educational Dining Program at BCIS is run by Aramark, and with over 50 different nationalities represented at the school, Centre of Excellence Director Geoff Kennedy’s first priority is to ensure the food on offer is equally as diverse.

“We have a team of chefs [around the world] who teach our chefs how to cook authentic cuisine,” he says. In addition to making tasty food, Aramark pays close attention to nutritional value. “Everything we do is underscored by our health and well-being campaign,” continues Kennedy. “We try to process and work with our fruits and vegetables as little as possible because they lose so much of their nutritional value when you chop, slice and dice. It’s all about keeping food simple and delicious.”

Kennedy is pragmatic about treats and emphasizes moderation rather than prohibition.

Aramark’s snack bars offer pastries alongside healthier items like fresh fruit salads and yogurt pots. That being said, “less nutritious items are always less visible.”

Food safety is critical. “From the selection of our vendors and suppliers to the food production, we have very stringent food safety policies and procedures,” says Kennedy.

Student Reviews “Today I got a toasted wrap with bell

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peppers and chicken. Usually I get a sandwich. I don’t like the hot dishes; they’re sometimes too watery or too salty. I like this sandwich because it’s simple, fresh and healthy. I think the food is better now than it was.”

-Yasmine Rayyis (Grade 8, Georgian/ American) “I think the food is all right. Some days are better than others, but most of the time it’s OK. This pasta is all right; it has bacon and ham and stuff. There’s too much food for me. For snack break, I normally have a muffin or chicken; they took a lot of the unhealthy snacks away.”

- Ellen Oscar (Grade 8, American)

“Before we came to Beijing, we lived in California and my daughter really didn’t like the cafeteria food. Lunch was always a struggle. If I didn’t pack a lunch, she’d go through the day without eating. Here, for the first time, she’s coming to me and saying: ‘Mom, my lunch card’s out of money’. She says the food is very good and I couldn’t be happier. She also loves the cafe; the kids can grab healthy sandwiches or salad there. I think high school kids see the cafe as a place where they can be grown up and have that coffee shop experience.”

- Patty Ryan (American, has one child attending BCIS) Editor Review “BCIS operates a pre-paid card system.

The set menu costs RMB 19 from K-1 and RMB 26 from Grades 2-12. The set lunch includes soup, choice of three main courses, two vegetables, two starch dishes, unlimited salad and fruit, and a drink.

For lunch, I had salad, spring rolls, vegetable stir-fry, pizza, pancake with fruit, roast potatoes, and rice. My favorite dish was the stir-fry. The vegetables were well-seasoned and had bite, crunch and flavor.”

- Aisling O’Brien (beijingkids school editor)

photo: elf kids photography

Staff Reviews “I had the Chinese lunch today. I had chicken, vegetables, rice, spring rolls, and a salad. I enjoyed the chicken most, it was really lean and healthy, but it was still moist and I really enjoyed the sauce.

Overall, I find the food here good. I like coming downstairs and seeing so many options. I think it looks appetizing and I definitely eat with my eyes first. I also love that they highlight different cultures and different foods with special events. [Recently], we had Mexican food; it’s nice to have a change.”

- Kendal Reilly (Australian)

Parent Reviews “We had another company before that was good in the beginning, but the last year with them (2012) was horrible.

They were unable to accommodate the growth of the school, and they wouldn’t change anything if we complained.

I was a parent rep on the food committee which [looked for] a new company last year. We tried food from six different companies. Aramark was the best. Their prices and food quality were good, and they were very eager to please. At no extra cost, they renovated [the facilities, making eveything] more child-friendly and better-looking.

The kids now have a choice between a salad bar, seafood, or even something for vegetarians, Muslims or Hindus.

It’s difficult to please everybody.

What I like most is that if someone complains they have a meeting and change it the next day.”

- Khatuna Rayyis (Georgian, has one child attending BCIS)

Learning Daystar Academy Student Reviews “I’ve been here since second grade.

For lunch at school, I like lasagna, a sandwich, or rice best.”

- Anna Ding (Grade 5, Chinese) “I’ve been here since Grade 1. I’m happy with the school lunch. Some of my schoolmates aren’t into organic food, but I am. I like vegetables the most, because too much meat is un-

healthy. The best part is that we eat like a family here.”

- William (Grade 5, British/Chinese) “Red bean baozi, spinach, and pizza are my favorite. I don’t like the taste of eggplant; I think it’s weird. Otherwise, I also like Japanese, Indian, Chinese, and Italian food.”

- Devon (Grade 2, American)

Staff Reviews “I eat lunch with the kids every day.

Daystar has a lot to offer, from Mexican to Japanese and Korean. In the past, the dishes were sometimes a little cold, but now it’s much improved.”

- Chad Bryant (American) “I love the soup, sandwiches, vegetable salads, and fruit. I like my food a little saltier; Daystar tends to prepare it a bit mild for my taste.”

- Xuesong Zhao (Chinese) Parent Reviews “The organic lunch program was set up to ensure that kids would eat safe and healthy food. Parents have endorsed the changes, but some kids resisted a little while they had to try new things. We encourage our staff and parents to help us with educating our children about the importance of healthy and organic food.”

- Kristin Lack (has three children at Daystar)

photo: mitchell pe masilun

Lunch is served at Daystar Academy

Overview of the Lunch Program The Daystar school lunch program was conceived in 2010 by Director of Marketing and Admissions Kristin Lack and organic lifestyle practitioner and advocate, Yinghui Zhang.

They set out to create a program that would support local producers, use organic ingredients and offer safe, healthy and delicious food to their students. The program takes advantage of produce from local farms using natural farming practices that Zhang personally visited and vetted.

“Not all farmers had an organic certification, so I had to examine their farming methods in detail over a long period,” she says. Zhang has since left China, placing the organic lunch program in the hands of former TimeOut Beijing Dining Editor Lillian Chou. Chou is a foodie by birthright. The daughter of a chef, she has been involved in the culinary industry since the tender age of 14, working in top-notch restaurants and hotels for over 20 years. Chou is continuing Zhang’s mission to source ingredients from local farmers and use organic products. Currently, only about 6-8 percent of the school’s ingredients come from conventional sources.

The seasonal menu at Daystar encompasses a variety of ethnic cuisines. Daystar also provides a wide selection of healthy snacks such as fruits, homemade granola and Greenyard yogurt. Lunch costs RMB 25 per day at the kindergarten and RMB 30 per day for Grades 1 to 6.

“I used to be head of the PTA, so I understand what goes on behind the scenes. It’s because of this that I really trust in the safety of the food. During the first year, when Daystar changed to an organic lunch, a lot of children struggled to adapt. Less oil and less salt than they were used to made the food less tasty to them. However, Lillian [Chou] tried out many methods to maximize the flavor.

Since then, the children have begun to eat just like before.”

- Jennifer (has one child at Daystar) Editor Review “I had the menu of the day: braised Chinese cabbage with vinegar, chicken soup, Korean vegetables with vermicelli, beef, broccoli, beans, celery, rice, and apples. In general, the dishes were appetizing, even without much oil or salt.

The ingredients were fresh and colorful, and the flavors were well-combined. I ate a lot! The most impressive part was the “family” system set in place. When a child joins the school, they are assigned a unique “family” of eight to ten students that sits and eats every meal together from Grades 1 to 6. It’s so sweet!”

- Grace Gui (deputy managing editor of jingkids)

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Learning Canadian International School of Beijing Staff Reviews “I like the lunch here and normally choose the Asian set menu, mostly because I’m a big fan of rice.”

- Cory Dickson (Canadian) “I love their sandwiches!”

- Julie MacKay (Canadian) Student Reviews “I like everything here, especially Chinese cuisine! But ayi always gives me a lot of rice. I can’t finish all of it.”

- Laszlo Czinege (16, Bulgarian) “I love all of it and I can eat a lot. I love rice and pizza! Oh, and I love sushi best!”

- Fabio Stefana (12, Italian) Parent Reviews “I’m very curious about what the kids eat at school for lunch. My daughter eats a lot. I don’t make a lot of food at home; on vacation, they sometimes tell me they miss the food at school!”

- Mou Ruihan (has two children at CISB) “My kids have been at CISB for two years. They love the meals here, especially Fabio. When he gets home, he still wants to eat the school’s sushi. Poor Filippo is very thin because he doesn’t eat as much as his big brother, but he likes rice and pasta – pizza best of all.”

- Daniela Uberti (has two children at CISB) Students at CISB take their pick

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photo: Mitchell pe masilun

Overview of the Lunch Program The Canadian International School of Beijing outsources its food preparation to Sodexo.

The company’s Unit Manager at CISB, Lily Wei, has been at the school for seven years.

“We try to provide the kids with healthy, nutritious and appealing food. We use less oil, less salt and we never use MSG,” Wei says.

Lunch includes Chinese and Western set menus. Middle and high school students also have an Italian set menu and daily special set menu. Like lunch options, snacks on offer vary every day. “Sometimes it’s dim sum, sometimes it’s cookies, juice or yogurt, and we serve fresh fruit every day,” says Wei. Sodexo also runs periodic food festivals featuring different international cuisines.

In cooperation with teachers, Sodexo educates kids on the importance of eating a balanced diet and not wasting food through a program called Sodexo Star. Children who set a good example by eating healthily and responsibly have their photo displayed in the dining room.

The school employs a pre-paid card system. Every day, kindergarten students pay RMB 25 for a meal package which includes lunch and two snacks. Elementary, middle and high school students pay RMB 27.

Editor Review “We interviewed the junior grade students first; their udon noodles with drumsticks looked really tasty. Later, we ate with the senior grade students; their set menu of the day was pasta or rice. I chose pasta but most of the kids chose rice. The pasta was really good; it was served with mushrooms, onions, and ham in a rich tomato sauce. The dish was a little oily but the portion was big enough to satisfy the hungriest of 18-year-olds. I managed to finish all of it.

The fruit of the day was watermelon, and Fabio scoffed a whole plate! Sodexo also provided pastries, which were beautifully textured and perfectly sweetened.”

- Grace Gui (deputy managing editor of jingkids)

Learning

SCHOOL LUNCH FACTS For every ten children aged 6-19, three are overweight and one is obese.

Ideal weight

Overweight

Obese

A typical student will eat 4,000 school lunches from kindergarten to Grade 12.

Up to half of a child’s waking hours are spent at school.

Kids consume up to half of their daily calories at school.

50%

Children with access to salad bars eat three times more fruit and vegetables than their counterparts who do not.

Statistics from National Center for Health Statistics, Center for Ecoliteracy, Center for Disease Control, United States Department of Agriculture. All figures relate to the American child population.

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Too Fast, Too Furious?

Students from the International School of Beijing wrestle with violence in the movies

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photo courtesy of isb

Clockwise from left: David Liu, 16, France, has lived in Beijing for five years Sangwook Park, 15, Korea, has lived in Beijing for eight years Rebecca Leu, 16, Taiwan, has lived in Beijing for seven years Teety So, 15, China, has lived in Beijing for 13 years

The Roundtable Learning

“Even if there was no violence in any sort of media, violence would exist in our minds and souls” Do you think there’s excessive violence in movies?

Sangwook: It depends on [the genre] or [the film’s] rating. Some films are intended for a more mature audience. Older members of society may find violence more acceptable or entertaining; when younger people are exposed to violence [in] movies, it has a negative effect on them. I was introduced to violent films at an early age, maybe 9 or 10, and when I was really into violent films, I felt like I was getting more aggressive and becoming like the characters on screen.

Do you think it’s important to limit violence in movies?

Rebecca: Definitely. Even if it has a rating, [it] can be seen by anyone who can access it. We pick up social cues from everything we see; if the film promotes something particularly violent or grotesque, it’s not good for society. Ratings partly keep [the film] out of the reach of audiences [it was] not intended for, but there’s always a risk.

Do you think children who watch violent films become more violent?

David: In eighth grade, we did a project about violent video games and the conclusion was that there was no noticeable difference between children who watch violent films and [those who] don’t. At the same time, every kid is unique. Violent films can be an outlet for pent-up energy but they [can also] serve as inspiration for becoming aggressive. I used to be into spy films; there was always a super spy who’d go [on] an undercover mission and beat everyone up in the process.

It [made me want] to be a spy myself. It definitely did stir up a little violent thinking – even if statistics say that that’s not the case.

Teety: Movies do have an impact. I have a friend who has BB guns at home and they want to be just like the characters in movies. I don’t watch violent movies, so they haven’t had any impact on me.

Should young children be allowed to watch violent movies?

Sangwook: It depends on the type and intensity of violence being portrayed, because many films [depict] violence as a positive thing in order to attract a bigger audience. Violence [is] never portrayed as a negative aspect of society, but instead rationalized as a regular part of us. Violence is shown as a way [of becoming] a hero, to be more powerful in society.

Do you think cartoon violence has the same effect on kids as realistic violence?

Rebecca: I saw an article about a boy from a village in China who was imitating a scene from the goat cartoon [Xi Yang Yang]. Two of his friends were severely injured because he bound them to a tree and lit up the grass underneath. I heard that the cartoon company is considering editing out violent scenes. Cartoons such as Tom and Jerry or Roadrunner are actually really violent; knives are involved in Tom and Jerry. But watching them when I was small, I wasn’t interested

in copying them. I guess it’s debatable; perhaps realistic violence is worse.

Who should decide what movies kids should and shouldn’t watch?

David: I want to say parents, but kids [like me] would be annoyed if my parents stepped in and monitored every film. It’s an age thing.

You can better decide what’s right to view and what’s not. At the same time, it’s hard to determine what that age is; some people would say 18, but arguably kids younger than that can decide for themselves and some older kids still have trouble.

With the advent of the Internet, are movie ratings less relevant?

Sangwook: In movie theaters in the past, if you wanted to watch a movie that was [rated above your age] there were people to stop you.

Because there is no one regulating the Internet, you can freely download or stream movies. In reality, the rating system has disappeared.

When a person is selecting a movie to watch, they don’t [consult] the rating; they just read the reviews.

Do you think the world was safer before TV, films and video games?

Rebecca: It’s hard to say because the generations before ours had the World Wars, and I hope we don’t have one in our [time]. On that level, that’s a type of violence we don’t have. But perhaps on a personto-person level, [it’s] different.

Do you think countries with stricter ratings have less violent crime?

Sangwook: Even if there was no violence in any sort of media, violence would exist in our minds and souls. Perhaps [there would be less of it], but violence has always been a part of human society. Since day one, we have had hunters and tribal warfare. Humans always want more and some are willing to do anything to get more.

Should the depiction of violence be more responsible?

Rebecca: In the media, violence is sometimes portrayed as the only option, but in real life that’s not true. No one [pulls] out their gun to solve a problem.

Sangwook: I agree with Rebecca. Normally we don’t use violence in real life; we talk things out. It might not play well with the audience, but they could add [more scenes of people talking and cooperating] from time to time so that people can learn that violence is not the only viable option.

David: Granted, the protagonist uses violence – but it’s always to punish the antagonist’s violence. There are consequences for [the antagonist’s] actions. Though it’s still promoting violence as a tool to solve [problems], they do show the ramifications of violent acts.

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Learning Blank Canvas

Students from

Atelier

fill November’s Blank Canvas

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Sybille de Kerdanet, 6, France

Nicolas Schneyer, 8, France

Agathe Pialoux, 5, France

Amelia O’Connell, 9, US

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2013 November

Aaron Hou, 7, US

AnnaĂŤlle Crassous, 9, France

Kaili Woodland, 5, US

Lise Lambla, 9, France Basile Ferrier, 8, France

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“

When the children were told to draw a picture, he asked what they were meant to copy and didn’t realize that they were allowed to use their imagination

”

photos: courtesy of debbie mason

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Oscar Masonbeijingkids (then 8) in his new2013 BritishNovember school uniform

M

y Chinese neighbours in Beijing enthused about how lucky I was to get my 8-year-old into the primary school up the road, for which parents who didn’t have the right hukou had to pay through the nose.

“The teaching level is far higher than in your country, especially math,” I was told. “The respect for teachers is paramount here.”

My son Oscar was born in Beijing, went to a Chinese kindergarten, and followed it up with one year at a Chinese primary school.

His spoken Mandarin was completely native and, allowing my Tiger Mother tendencies to come to the fore, I had decided to send him to Chinese school.

It wasn’t just that I couldn’t afford the foreign schools. I’d also heard they only taught Chinese as a second language. As my son was already bilingual, I thought it would be great to get him educated in Chinese for a while. Surely, at least for the first couple of years, it wouldn’t be as bad as I’d heard. After all, his kindergarten had been fabulous, really bright, cheerful, and full of fun.

But while I hadn’t really contemplated moving back to the motherland (England) any time in the near future, it was this one year at a Chinese primary school that made me decide to leave the dear old Jing for good.

Oscar had always seemed quite happy at the school itself, where he was the first and only non-Chinese student. He liked most of his teachers and his friends, and he never complained about going to school.

He didn’t seem to mind the fact that everyone – from his peers in Year 1 to the teenagers in Year 6 – knew his name or called him Xiao Laowai (The Little Foreigner). He also didn’t seem to mind that his was the only Caucasian face among more than 1,000 young Chinese all being schooled in the importance of learning his mother tongue.

Homework was an issue, however, and it was a chore forcing him to do it every evening. Sometimes it took more than an hour, and sometimes he refused to do it at all (though rarely). But we lived with it and turned in the work.

All his classmates were taking after-school lessons in maths and English, and going to classes for at least one day every weekend.

In the two-week lead-up to exams, the children were given mock exam papers all day, every day, and brought them home every evening to correct their mistakes. I’m not used to this pressure being piled on children of 6, so I stopped him doing it. The teachers, worried about their statistics, probably marked him down as an aberration. I don’t know whether they included his marks in the averages.

But it wasn’t the homework and the exams that clinched my decision to move back to the UK. There were two reasons: (1) the children sat by themselves at their individual desks eating lunch; and (2) they only got free play time outside once a week for ten minutes. Once a week.

I just couldn’t do this to him any more, so within three months we had packed up, found a house to rent in England on the south coast, and signed him up at a primary school that had a grand total of 240 children.

For his first day, I dressed Oscar in his smart grey trousers and navy blue V neck jumper, and left him sitting down on the carpet for story time next to children he didn’t know. He hugged his knees and looked down. Tears welled up in my eyes as I walked out; I felt guilty and sick all day.

When I picked him up with a churning stomach at 3.15pm, he came bounding out the door with his new friend Ollie. His teacher mouthed “He’s been brilliant!” Oscar couldn’t stop talking the whole way home: • “Mummy, we played outside three times today!”

• “We sat on the floor and had stories!”

Spotlight Parenting • “We’re allowed to chat as we eat lunch!”

• “We can go to the toilet whenever we want!”

• “The teachers smile and tell jokes!”

The relief that washes over a parent is a wonderful thing.

A couple of months later, the school held a Victorian fair in which all the children dressed up as rich ladies and gentlemen or paupers. They all fashioned crafts just like the ones that would have been made in those days, and sold them at little stalls that they ran themselves.

Oscar learned about revolutionary heroes in the texts that were used to teach reading, but the students at his former school in China never re-enacted history, had dress-up days, or put on shows. At Oscar’s first school Nativity play at the local church hall, I cried like a child. I’m not even religious.

Not long after he started school, I checked up on Oscar’s progress with his teacher, Miss Gibson.

“Bit of a shaky start but he got there,” she said. A shaky start? Had he been playing up, being rude or – worst of all – bullying anyone?

“Oh no, nothing like that,” she replied. “It was him getting over the culture shock.”

In the first few weeks, she said it was like welcoming in a child from another planet. When first told he could go out to play, Oscar froze to the spot with a blank stare. “He didn’t know what to do,” said Miss Gibson. “He was waiting to be told how to play.”

Oscar was shown to a table where he would sit with his classmates during lessons. In China, the desks were set in rows and any slight turn of the head to one’s neighbour was punished.

“He sat there goggle-eyed and didn’t seem to understand what he was doing there,” continued Miss Gibson. “When the children were asked to draw a picture, he asked what they were meant to copy and didn’t realize that they were allowed to use their imagination.”

At home in China, Oscar had used up entire forests of paper with his drawings, but at school he had always drawn to specific demands.

In England, the line between school and home was now blurred; one could play at school, too.

The children were nice to him but it took a few days for Oscar to blend in. “He didn’t know how to interact with them,” said Miss Gibson. “He didn’t know any of the games they played or how to have a laugh with them.”

“It was as if they were speaking a different language. It didn’t last long because he’s young enough to adapt to new environments quickly.

But we’d never seen anything like it before.”

We visited Beijing at the end of the summer and saw some of his old classmates. They were jubilant about the new rule that has eliminated homework for students in Grades 1 to 3 – but they still only play outside once a week.

Oscar moved up to middle school in September with a full set of friends and a ton of fun stuff on the agenda: football, keyboard, rugby, choir, gymnastics, and more. At reading time, they read My Dad Bought an Alligator and Killer Mushrooms Ate My Gran, not the stories of Lei Feng and Deng Xiaoping.

His math isn’t great, but it’s good enough. And at least he is still very polite to his teachers.

Debbie Mason is a freelance journalist with 15 years of experience. In the past, she has worked for China Daily, South China Morning Post, expat magazines, British newspapers, and radio.

After several years in Beijing, she moved back to the UK last year with her son Oscar.

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Parenting Beijing Baba

Mighty Morphin’ Movie Night from Hell Fighting the evil forces of food poisoning

by Christopher Lay

H

alfway through the October holidays, heaven and earth somehow moved. The boys were in bed, Reina was at a sleepover, and we had no meetings or deadlines to worry about. As my wife Savvy and I pondered what to do with our evening, we spotted the pile of DVDs gathering dust under our TV. Perhaps just once this year, we could start a movie and finish it on the same night. Together. We settled on a film and pushed “play.”

Our selection for the evening was Jack Reacher, a film starring Tom Cruise. Savvy and I both felt like we needed a little action/adventure in our lives, since raising 1-year-old twins and a first-grader was proving

At 3am, Ryder decided he had waited long enough and proceeded to unload the contents of his stomach as well

to be an uneventful experience. As luck would have it, the film was all right; I’d give it three stars out of five.

However, the most notable part was actually finishing the movie.

We marveled at our luck; the boys didn’t cry once and no phone call came informing us that Reina wanted to come home early from her sleepover. Operation “Movie Night” was a success. We brushed our teeth, bid each other good night, and crashed blissfully in our bed to get at least five or – dare we dream? – six hours of sleep before the boys woke up in the morning. Alas, it was not to be.

At 2am, I rocketed out of bed when Bryson started screaming. I rushed into the nursery thinking he needed a change of diaper, only to be greeted by a gooey, smelly child in the throes of bringing up what appeared to be at least three days’ worth of meals. Containing a toxic waste dump in a crib without dragging it through the rest of the place on the way to the bathroom was a delicate operation, but I somehow managed in my comatose state. I rinsed the child, changed his clothes, replaced his bedding, and put everything in the washing machine – all while said child rested on my shoulder in a state of comforted discomfort.

At 3am, Ryder decided he had waited long enough and proceeded to unload the contents of his stomach as well. Unfortunately, he was lying in our bed at the time. The washing machine was reloaded; we started to question the meal we had purchased for lunch. Both boys would revisit the vomitorium several more times that night until they were reduced to dry heaves.

I had just settled down in my daughter’s bed (as Ryder was still in ours) when the phone rang: Reina was awake and asking to come home. I explained the situation to my neighbor, who graciously walked her back at 5am. Within 30 minutes of climbing into bed with me, Reina complained of a stomach ache. I was just getting a plastic bag when she puked at my feet; fortunately, she had the good sense not to sully her bed and I managed to get the bag open mid-hurl. I then realized I didn’t feel so well either, though I somehow managed not to puke that night (Savvy reported feeling ill too).

In the end, our movie night turned into a food poisoning-induced reality TV show that no network would ever air. With only 90 minutes of sleep, it was by no means the best night of our staycation – but definitely the most memorable.

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illustration: sun zheng

Christopher Lay comes from the sleepy town of Ashland, Oregon, USA. Father to 6-yearold Reina and twins Bryson and Ryder (born August 2012), Christopher has worked in Beijing for five years as a photographer and writer. View his work at www.chrislay.com.

Alternate Routes Parenting

The Middle Kingdom as Middle Earth A family geeks out over its China experiences

by Jennifer Ambrose

T

he first time we found ourselves quoting Lord of the Rings in response to a situation in China was in Guilin back in 2007. We were deep inside one of the caves “ooohing” and “aaahing” at the incredible rock formations when we lost our bearings.

The way people were milling about, we couldn’t tell which way the tour was meant to proceed. My husband Randy looked at Myles and I. “I have no memory of this place,” he said.

My son and I recognized this as one of Gandalf’s lines from the first movie in the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring. Like us, Gandalf and his companions were lost in an underground cavern; unlike them, we only needed to watch out for hordes of tourists – not attacking orcs.

illustration: sun zheng

The rest of us – even 5-yearold Brigid – then chime in with Théoden’s heroic response: “And Rohan will answer!”

After that, a new tradition took root. We would often view the Middle Kingdom as a stand-in for Middle Earth; both places felt equally mystical to us at times. In Xi’an seeing the Terracotta Warriors, we were at it again. We were struck by the fact that each clay sculpture was supposedly modeled on a real soldier who served Qin Shi Huang 2,000 years ago. It was as if we were actually looking at an ancient army, recruited or conscripted from all over China. Suddenly, I thought of something that Faramir says in The Two Towers after he kills an enemy Southron summoned by the Dark Lord Sauron: “I wonder what his name was, where his home is, his family? What lies or threats led him on the long march from his home?”

In Beijing, our free time is frequently spent exploring the Great Wall.

None of us remember who was the first to say it, but now upon sighting one of the Ming-era signal towers on a mountaintop, someone will invariably imitate Aragorn’s desperate plea from The Return of the King: “The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!”

The rest of us – even 5-year-old Brigid – then chime in with Théoden’s heroic response: “And Rohan will answer!” It is easy to imagine Chinese soldiers stationed on the Great Wall several centuries ago having to relay a similar call to arms by lighting a fire in each tower.

With the release of The Hobbit last year, the kids themselves found another Middle Earth reference. One cold, rainy afternoon in spring, we were driving on a narrow road that hugged the mountains near the Hebei border when an icy fog fell all around us. From the back seat we heard, first Myles then Brigid, singing the dwarves’ mournful exile song in voices as deep as they could muster: “Far over the misty mountains cold/In dungeons deep and caverns cold …” We looked out at the fog feeling like we were in Middle Earth as the kids continued: “We must away ‘ere break of day/To seek the pale enchanted god.”

Jennifer Ambrose hails from Western Pennsylvania and misses it terribly. She still maintains an intense devotion to the Pittsburgh Steelers. She has lived in China since 2006 and is currently an at-home mother.

With her husband Randy and children Myles and Brigid, she resides outside the Sixth Ring Road in Changping, northwest of Beijing. Her blog can be found at jenambrose.blogspot.com.

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Coming to an Issue Near You photo by Mishka Family Photography

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s we say goodbye to autumn and turn up our collars against the cold, many families will be curling up with a good movie on those long, blustery nights. However, there is more to the film-going experience in Beijing than just sweet popcorn and Hollywood blockbusters. Before the holiday rush hits next month, November is the perfect time to explore the city’s more noteworthy cinemas and film-centric museums. Asides from screenings, these venues provide an opportunity to learn about Chinese film history and culture. We also spoke to kids who took their passion for movies one step further by getting behind, as well as in front of, the camera. Go ahead, take a long look; they are ready for their close-up.

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2013 International November School Beijing) gets into character at Fangjia 46 Theater Luca Phoenixbeijingkids (age 5, attends Harrow

Feature

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Lights, Camera, Action!

Meet Beijing’s student film buffs

by Aisling O’Brien

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any filmmakers believe their art to be as valid as any piece of literature, but movies are often perceived as culturally less significant than other forms of media. While there are plenty of modern cinematic classics such as Up, it is true that many blockbuster films aimed at children depend too heavily on technical wizardry, action sequences and merchandising rather than highlighting positive messages or depth of characterization. Back in my school days, dimming the lights and firing up the movie projector was an infrequent treat, a lazy way for harried teachers to keep the kids amused while they took a breather or caught up on grading. It is little wonder that films in school have historically gotten a bad rap.

For the movie issue, beijingkids visits two classrooms in which teachers treat film as a legitimate art form by integrating cinema into the curriculum and enthusiastically exploring movies with their students.

We observe a film appreciation club at the British School of Beijing and a film studies class at the Western Academy of Beijing.

Cinema of Dreams, British School of Beijing

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photos: VivaXiao Photography Studio

Cinema of Dreams is the brainchild of English Teacher David Robinson, a brisk and vigorous Scotsman. He began the after-school club in 2010 because he wanted to expose kids at BSB to inspiring and thought-provoking movies. “A few years ago, my school organized a trip to a cinema in Beijing to see Transformers 2 as an end-of-term ‘treat’. While watching, I got so depressed by the casual misogyny, crass commercialism and lack of imagination that I walked out and read a book instead. It became a ‘transformative event’ – excuse the pun – which made me want to try to change the attitude towards film [at BSB],” he explains.

Each term, he shows a different genre of film, which is selected depending on the types of students who join his club. For example, when a big group of sci-fi loving boys joined last year, Robinson decided to feature movies that inspired George Lucas’ Star Wars series, including Japanese samurai movies, Westerns, and early sci-fi.

This term, Robinson decided to explore the documentary genre with his students. He has two goals for participating kids: to choose a subject

“To be honest, I think kids are far more open-minded than most adults are”

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in their own lives that they believe would be suitable for a documentary film, and to understand the tricks that documentary filmmakers use to manipulate viewers’ emotions. In the process, students are meant to begin questioning the authenticity of “reality” in film.

Given the ages of the club members (between 11 and 13), I have my doubts about their ability to grasp such abstract ideas. I ask Robinson if he felt the concepts of film theory are too difficult for children. “It depends how you present it,” he says. “I only add theory if I can link that to what the students themselves have to say about the film. Some areas of theory are pretty accessible.”

Curious to see the process in action, I join Robinson’s club one afternoon as he leads his students on a wide-ranging discussion about the nature of reality in film. He begins by showing a short clip of babies yawning (see “Resources” on the next page for links to the films we watched). When the student’s “oohs” and “aahs” subsided, he explains that any real situation, any moment from life – even a baby’s yawn – can be an acceptable subject for a documentary film.

“Documentaries can be about absolutely anything,” Robinson explains. He relates a challenge issued by the famous documentary filmmaker, Werner Herzog, to his students. Herzog pushed them to select unusual subjects; at the time, student filmmaker Errol Morris decided to make a movie about a pet cemetery. Herzog proclaimed the idea ridiculous and said he would eat his shoe if the movie was successful.

Morris’ film Gates of Heaven became one of the most critically-acclaimed documentaries ever made and featured on Roger Ebert’s list of top ten films of all time. Herzog was as good as his word, and Morris’ next documentary was entitled Werner Herzog Eats His Own Shoe.

To further illustrate his point, Robinson then screens a film about a band from his native Scotland, Heavy Metal Jr. The film follows a group of long-haired Marilyn Manson fans as they gear up for the performance of a lifetime. Robinson frequently pauses the film to discuss the footage, pepper the class with questions, and impart documentary concepts.

The film’s lightheartedness undercuts the young heavy metal band’s earnestness. Robinson chuckles softly in parts, to the chagrin of 13year-old Sophia Konovalova, a Year 9 student from Russia.

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“Sophia raisish gl es an interesting En point there. I was laughing at that. Is it bad to laugh at this?”

“No, but you were, like, mean laughing,” Sophia replies.

“Do you think the director who made this wanted you to laugh at this a bit?” Robinson asks.

“Maybe,” comes Sophia’s uncertain response.

“I think it is a little bit cruel, because these are real people. But as we go on we’ll look at how the director has made the film to encourage us to laugh.”

In the next scene, the band manager, who is also the lead singer’s father, takes over the band’s rehearsal to demonstrate how to really rock out. Unfortunately, his vocal delivery is more budget Elvis impersonator than Megadeth. His hip-rolling rendition leaves the BSB audience alternately laughing and squirming in their seats. Robinson stops the tape and interjects, “That is meant to be funny I think, isn’t it? Does anyone find that funny?”

The kids chorus in the affirmative.

“How do they try to make it funny through the filmmaking? Let’s have a quick watch. Watch the faces of the boys in reaction to the dad’s performance.” He rolls back the film and replays the worst of it.

“We’ve got this guy crazily singing, over-the-top, and the boy’s faces like that,” he says while pantomiming a look of deadpan horror.

“They’re clearly not enjoying it at all.”

By breaking the film down and using real-time, concrete examples, Robinson is able to introduce sophisticated concepts to the group of young teens and pre-teens, such as the subject’s loss of control over how they are represented and the ethics of poking fun at people by staging shots and making specific editing choices.

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At the end of Heavy Metal Jr, Robinson explains that one of the boys who appeared in the film exposed it as a work of “scripted reality.”

“Everything was staged and intentionally laid out to be comedic,” he informs the students. “And a lot of things were made up. So does that spoil it for you?”

The class has mixed reactions. Sophia feels a little cheated, “First I thought it was weird that this generation of kids would be interested in this dark stuff. But now I know that it was staged. Maybe they were a band, but they were not a heavy metal band.” Twelve-year-old Collin Sorgenfrei, a Year 8 student from Germany, does not think it is a documentary anymore. “It was just something to make fun of the kids,” he says. On the other hand, he thinks it was “OK to change things because it’s only a little bit and it makes it more dramatic.”

When the movie ends, I ask the kids if they have any thoughts about what they would film if they could make a documentary about life at BSB. Initially, the class is sure there is nothing worth making a documentary about, but then Collin pipes up with an idea for a film about “Lunch! Food! And all the students!” Sophia takes his idea further.

“I’d like to make a documentary about the staff room so we’d know what the teachers talk about when we’re not around. To see [which] teachers hate you!” she suggests.

Robinson tells the class that similar documentaries have been made in the UK. “There have actually been a few documentaries where they follow kids around. They get the naughtiest student in the school, the best-behaved students, and students who have some problems, and then they follow the teachers and go into the teacher’s staff room.”

“With a hidden camera probably,” says Sophia.

Robinson introduces another ethical consideration in documentary filmmaking. “You have to tell the people first when you’re making documentaries. It’s a bit dodgy to film people without telling them.”

As the students file out, I express amazement at the receptiveness of his junior cinephiles. They displayed maturity, thoughtfulness, and openness to material I mistakenly believed to be above their level.

“To be honest, I think kids are far more open-minded than most adults are,” says Robinson. “Most will watch black-and-white films or subtitled films without batting an eyelid, whereas a lot of teachers are far more conservative, sticking to standard contemporary Hollywood fare.” If you want to deviate from run-of-the-mill blockbusters for your next family movie night, see Robinson’s recommendations below.

Robinson’s Top 5 Family Movies: My Life as a Dog (Sweden, 1985) Rabbit Proof Fence (Australia, 2002) Kirikou and the Sorceress (France, 1998) Gregory’s Girl (Scotland, 1981) The Liitle Girl Who Sold the Sun (Senegal, 1999)

Documentaries (Suitable for Families): Please Vote for Me (China, 2007) Hoop Dreams (US, 1994) The Up Series (7 Up to 56 Up) (UK, 1963-2012) Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working with Time (UK, 2001) Powers of 10 (US, 1977)

Websites: www.eightandahalf.org/recommended_films en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_list_of_the_50_films_you_should_ see_by_the_age_of_14 Movies from the Cinema of Dreams class: Yawns by Everynone: vimeo.com/59629693 (VPN required) Heavy Metal Jr: vimeo.com/71328806 (VPN required)

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photos: Mishka Family Photography

Resources:

Family-Friendly Movies from China: Not One Less (Zhang Yimou, 1999) Shower (Yang Zhang, 1999) King of Masks (Tian Ming Wu, 1996) Shaolin Soccer (Stephen Chow, 2001) Uproar in Heaven, aka The Monkey King (Wan Laiming, 1965)

Whether the kids intend to go further with their interest in film or not, they – as well as their families – benefit from their knowledge

Grade 10 Film Studies, Western Academy of Beijing The Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) was an early adopter of the IB Film Studies course, and the program there is well-established and supported. Film Studies is taught at every grade level in high school, so it spans both the Middle Years Program (MYP) and the Diploma Program (DP). At every grade level, the class combines academic content about film with hands-on experience in filmmaking.

In Grade 10, one of the goals is to give students a sense of what the DP version of the class entails so students can make the right decision about whether to commit to Film Studies in their diploma plan.

“Since the Grade 9 and 10 MYP classes feed into the Diploma Class, I make sure to touch on the content that is central to Film Studies,” explains Film Teacher Don Jepsen-Minyard. “[That means] production skills – camera operation, editing, writing for film and such – along with approaches to analyzing film and an introduction to film theory and history.”

Jepsen-Minyard is a tall, free-wheeling, expansive, and slightly atypical Texan. “I was asked to leave [Texas] when I became a vegetarian and

refused to ride a horse,” he jokes. He came to Beijing two years ago with his wife, Donna, who teaches elementary school art at WAB. This is his 18th year teaching film.

When I join the class, the students are just starting their second film project, which concentrates on cinematography. Filmmakers have to use a broad but finite set of specialized shots in different types of scenes.

For example, chase scenes often include a shot that shows the person being chased at the moment they realize that their pursuer is closing in on them. The Grade 10 students study diagrams of these often difficult shots and build a story around the ones they had chosen.

As soon as Jepsen-Minyard finishes introducing the beijingkids team and ascertains which student scripts are ready for shooting, he announces: “I’m going to sit here for ten minutes and check out [the] gear and get you cards”. The area around his desk immediately explodes into activity, with kids converging on him to make simultaneous equipment requests. Jepsen-Minyard sits calmly in the eye of the storm, carrying on several conversations as he doles out kit, advice and witticisms in equal measure.

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O n e a l l - b oy s g ro u p consisting of Juan Boschero, Joseph Weingrad, Jacques Holmsen and William Lennie is hoping to “fly” a camera (slang for using a camera stabilizer).

“You can’t fly that large one unless you’re superhuman,” warns Jepsen-Minyard. “I could fly it though, being a cowboy and all.” The kids grin and shake their heads. “I just wear this jacket to conceal my giant muscles,” insists their teacher. The students crack up. “I mean that though,” he protests to another burst of laughter. “I’ll take my jacket off!” he warns while examining and preparing equip-

ment. “So, you guys want to switch to a camera you can fly. I actually have one of these set up,” he tells William. “Yo, guys, we already have one on a plate,” William calls back to his team.

I ask Joseph why they want to use a stabilizer on their camera. “We’re going to work on building suspense through filming techniques, [and] it allows us to film moving scenes, sort of like a dolly scene, and it makes it look smooth with no camera shaking. It’s more professional-looking. The stabilizer balances out the weight on the top and bottom, so no matter how you move it, it will stay level if we do it right. There’s a lot of technique to it.” Joseph, like all the students I spoke to, exudes enthusiasm and confidence. I feel as though I am talking to a professional cameraman rather than a high school kid.

Once the groups gear up, they take off all over campus to begin filming. Jepsen-Minyard cautions the students to use their time wisely, as they only have an hour. I drop in on several teams; everyone explains their shooting plans with passion and competence.

The first team I visit is filming a scene from their detective story.

“This is an interrogation scene. It’s like an episode of CSI. Alongside this, we’re going to do a chase scene and a car scene,” says Katie Rowley. Katie is playing a detective. She sits facing Rena Xiao, who plays

the murder suspect. They run through their lines while Daniel Vedelago sets up the camera and Aliisa Harju positions the boom mic and checks the monitor over his shoulder.

As the scene gets underway, I move to the Koi Garden to check in with another group – this time an all-girls team.

Stephanie Bekker, Alicia Borchert, Cate Hooton and Josephine La have written a creepy whodunnit about a stalker. I watch as they film a pivotal scene in which the protagonist enters the high school, oblivious to the antagonist loping behind her in a black hoodie.

Cate outlines the day’s shooting tasks: “We’re doing the first few shots for our film, which is based on suspense scenes. They’ll mainly be shot from the mid-level up. We’re trying to show the audience something the protagonist doesn’t know.”

“We’re making a suspenseful, mysterious film. We have a cliffhanger at the end [and] we never show the stalker’s face, but we give the audience hints as to who it might be,” Josephine adds.

When I meet up with the all-boys group again, they are in the middle of filming a scene which has a panicked Joseph running to the safety of the library and a mysterious hooded stranger scurrying past him in the background. They have just enough class time remaining to run through the scene a couple of times before shooting a take they are satisfied with.

On the way back to the classroom, I ask William why he chose to study film. “Because I was interested in it,” he answers. “The Year 9 course really reinforced that. This is my second year with Don [JepsenMinyard], and he really puts a lot of time and effort into the film unit.

WAB have gone all out with the equipment we’re using. We’ve got expensive cameras, tripods – things like that. [Film is] something that I’m really interested in, and possibly something I could even make a career out of.”

I ask Rena if she can see herself making movies professionally. “I don’t think I’ll get involved in film for my career, but I do want to take IB Film. I’ve gotten to explore different genres and also get to know the process behind making film. Sometimes when I’m watching a movie, I’ll recognize shots from class or I’ll spot continuity errors.”

Whether the kids intend to go further with their interest in film or not, they – as well as their families – benefit from their knowledge.

Jepsen-Minyard repeatedly hears from parents “that their son or daughter is constantly interrupting family movie time with observations about how the film is made.

I think the parents are happy that their kids are learning something, but maybe they wish they could just watch the movie in peace!”

As the kids go off to lunch, I tell Jepsen-Minyard how impressive and eager his students seem. “Yes,” he agrees, “but I’m used to that level of enthusiasm and effort in my classes. It goes with the subject.

I saw several groups celebrating after getting successful takes in their projects. Part of the hidden curriculum in a Film [Studies] class is for the students to develop a respect for just how hard it is to make professional-looking films. So they’re happy and proud when they get it right.” If you would like to make movies with your kids, take a look at Jepsen-Minyard’s recommended resources below.

Resources: Vimeo (vimeo.com, VPN required) has a channel dedicated to learning how to make movies at vimeo.com/ videoschoolvideos/videos.

For general information about film and a taste of film studies, see Tim Dirks’ Filmsite at filmsite.org. (There is adult content on both of these sites, so adult supervision is advised.)

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China Science and Technology Museum and its instantly-recognizable silver dome

Two Thumbs Up Not your run-of-the-mill cinemas

by Oscar Holland, Clemence Jiang, Morgan Shang, and Nimo Wanjau

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id you know that the largest film museum in the world is located just north of 798 Art District, that there’s a 4D cinema in the Olympic Village, and that the oldest cinema in China is in Qianmen? This month, our editors visited four movie theaters and film-centric museums to find the best of family-friendly cinematic Beijing. We also devised our own awards (see below) to point out the best and worst feature of each venue. Happy exploring!

Director’s Choice Award (Best)

The Wooden Spoon Award (Worst)

photos: clemence jiang, ken and sui

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November An exhibit at beijingkids China National Film 2013 Museum

Daguanlou Cinema, the oldest movie theater in China

Huge on e , the n g lecti o n e i t S y Screening R ie visi onl f ooms e o h t h Mov i t as s, w time w m At l e almost 30m w r fi h e t e s t r g a e ide and 22m hi a e At t u s h gh, the displa Theater is on ckbu -lang en T y in the Huge-S ly a few meter Scre g English wood blo ecause creen s aw B y ay from being n l w i l . or s ld o w .

W e H i o he n n i v h the biggest in be d s ijingkids visite title c mo the 4D c , the i b d, t w u s e th ha s e e ga d the best poss rgantuan scre two dom effects, hich ib en le w e . vi O ew n d s i bu of sier days, thos s l lm get a sore neck e at the front along additiona -made fi ces, are (or miss some m y ay ie ll of e th p remarkable ci ia e action). None of th nematic expe spec al master viewer ’s theless, it is a rience, made plays ic a six-track su even more en ema ot theatr ance the reliably rround sound grossing by e n sy h r stem. While th compete in te while ed to en e. We we ers that e 4D cinema rms of screen cannot c d n siz n e, a g it is still big en date around 20 re rie in desi ough to accom 0 people. The expe e of our own h y r s moo no n ve s n lty vi brate with the here is the four ee yo sen action, flashin th “D.” Seats ave b ed b h The 2008 m g r lig h ht o of s s f i sim air brush your ulate lightning in gl head as 3D vi , and puffs in En party may have suals appear In addition, films he past. to fly past view CS TM’s metallic t moved on, but China Sciers. n i dome houses 4D screen that ac a wraparoun ts as a virtua ence and Technology Museum d l planetarium an experiential fil d shows shor ms.

(CSTM) continues to attract tourists t to the Olympic Park area. Aside from the exhibitions, the museum also housFood es the self-explanatory “Huge-Screen When we visited, the Theater” and a state-of-the-art 4D snack stall at the Hugecinema. In the latter, the fourth diScreen Theater was closed. mension refers to a combination Also, bear in mind that there are of seat movements and other Location no snacks available at the 4D cinema effects. Oscar Holland The location is a key part of the so bring your own (assuming you can cinemas’ appeal. Given that they are hold onto popcorn in the midst of all housed inside a family-friendly museum, the movements and effects). As it makes a lot of sense to include a film a next resort, there are plenty screening into a longer day trip. The of reliable restaurants about nearby Bird’s Nest and the water park ten minutes east of the muat the National Aquatics Center (the seum on Datun Beilu (大屯北 Water Cube) can be built into 路), including the Sichuan an itinerary of sightseeing flavors of Meizhou Xiaochi and activities with (眉州小吃) and pizzas from China Science and the kids.

Papa John’s.

Technology Museum 中国科技馆

photo: oscar holland

Family-Friendliness Despite the additional effects at the 4D cinema, it was designed for kids of all ages and adults alike. The fourth dimension is not too intense and we received a very positive review from a 5-yearold. At the Huge-Screen Theater, the only limitation for bringing the family will be individual film ratings.

When we visited, none of the English-language films were suitable for under13s.

The Building The abstract, interlocking shapes of the museum’s main building (and the huge metallic dome beside it) might look out of place were the CSTM not standing amidst the unusual structures of the Olympic Village. Depending on your taste, it could be seen as either a triumph of modernism or a dystopian nightmare. Either way, it is certainly very difficult to miss.

Movie Times The Huge-Screen Theater plays movies regularly through the weekdays, with more on weekends and evening screenings after the rest of the museum has closed. The 4D cinema can only be accessed when the exhibitions themselves are open, though there are six screenings a day during the week and eight each on Saturdays and Sundays.

Movie choices and screen times on the website were not up-to-date when we checked, so we recommend inquiring and booking in advance. There are Englishspeaking staff members and the website also recommends emailing ticket@cstm.org.cn if you have trouble calling, though beijingkids did not receive a response to its online inquiry.

How to Get There • Bus: 328, 379, 419, 484, 617, 628, 630, 751, 913, Yun Tong 110; Get off at Wali Nankou (洼里南口) bus stop.

• .Subway: Take the northeast exit at Olympic Green (Line 8), walk north for a couple of minutes and then turn right onto Datun Beilu (大屯北路) and you should see the museum’s huge silver dome.

Practical Info Tue-Sun 9am-4.30pm (museum), but screenings at the Huge-Screen Theater run until after 10pm. 5 Beichen Donglu, Chaoyang District (5904 1188) www. cstm.org.cn 朝阳区朝阳区北辰东路5号

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photo: ken

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beijingkids November MOMA’s ultra-modern Broadway 2013 Cinematheque

indie with ore e h c m ni ction d itself a end to be also Sele t e e v h e u r i c i n a v h ve Mo has c gs, w The va l s , festi an dway se offerin adults. m l Broa fi u d erm rt ho teens an specific nd G and a t r yval a asionally for i n t u s e l e o b suita various c ian Film F vies occ usually o l s Brazi wood m y’re not host for a l ly s the the a o t H h u hown have c . l s b a su , y v t l i s t e li Fes e on movies to th s and ar Film e h ave it on guag m l lms e n fi k fi a l g n h n ma i s g ei Engli gross l l fo r h high- time. All nd a a y wit s d e librar cks, limite e subtitl m l fi a . es dtr sa titles Chin A ha soun 100 h sub MOM and film s i c han l t b g , e r s n En r D o o i t V m w fo D di borro in In ad lection of nes, and o t i e z e re om es aga are f ening ro eir a larg 0 film m that re th s c 4 k s n o e i r o e min ove scr lm b n a fi he a s c i h s e ers. T bers Engli rs. Ther mem s with oth s and e h b ic mem ary in wh h movie seminar br atc costs nt the li s or w s freque bership k r o w m st own o h o g ula r m e y als e librar ops. A r per year. sh 100 work RMB

Food The only drawback was the cinema’s snack selection. They had the standard caramelized popcorn and some cookies, but nothing special.

Drink options were limited to Coke, bottled coffee, Snapple, and water.

Broadway Cinematheque 当代MOMA百老汇电影中心

Family-Friendliness The staff at bc MOMA was friendly and spoke English.

I tried using Chinese, which they were very patient and polite about.

(Bonus: No one follows you around when you browse the bookstore.) Their bathrooms at the cinema were clean and western-style.

Broadway has a bilingual English and Chinese website with movie times and ticketing information. You cannot buy tickets online, but there is a reservation hotline.

photo: ken

Screening R ooms There are thre e screening ro oms with a to capacity of 40 tal 0 people. The screening room are on par with s what you wou ld find in othe cinemas. They r tend to get dr afty, but Broa way actually dlends blankets to customers.

All you have to do is pay a RM Film buffs B 100 deposit, which will feel at home at is refundable upon th e bl anket’s return Broadway Cinematheque, . which specializes in indie and art house films. Opened in December 2009, Broadway bills itself as the first art house cinema in mainland China.

We reviewed the original location at MOMA (abbreviated as “bc MOMA”), but two branches Location have since opened at China There are few World Trade Center and dining options withOriental Plaza. Nimo in the MOMA complex, though there is a cafe Wanjau called Kubrick just around the corner if you are fixing for a cup of joe. The compound is located in a rather isolated part of Dongzhimen.

It takes about 15 minutes to walk to Dongzhimen Waidajie (东直门外大街). The popular Xingfucun Zhonglu (幸福村中路) area is a stone’s throw away from the latter, with cafes, bars and restaurants like Great Leap Brewery, Big Smoke Bistro, O’Steak, Pho La La, Comptoirs de France, Zap Urban Eatery, Jingzun Duck Restaurant, and more.

The Building The cinema is located at the heart of the MOMA complex (the one with the interlinked sky bridges). Set on an island in the compound’s artificial pond, bc MOMA looks as though it is floating on water. There are three floors: a lobby on the first, a cafe and a lending library on the second, and the screening rooms on the third.

Visitors have access to escalators and a lift, so families with strollers or young children need not worry. The decor has a contemporary European feel, with a soft lime-and-white color palette.

Framed movie posters adorn the walls.

How to Get There • Bus: Lines 18, 614; get off at Xiangheyuan station.

• Subway: Lines 2 and 13, Dongzhimen station. Take the northeast exit and head north along Second Ring Road to Xiangheyuan Lu.

Movie Times The screening times vary from five times a day to twice a day depending on release dates; the latest films play more often, usually five times a day. Movies that are part of a film festival have special screening times to coincide with other activities such as director Q&As and special panels. Tickets prices range from RMB 40 to RMB 80 depending on movie times.

Practical Info Daily 10am-10pm. T4, MOMA, 1 Xiangheyuan Lu, Dongcheng District (8438 8202/8258) www.bc-cinema.cn 东城区 东直门香河园路1号当代MOMA北区T4

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Screening R ooms Daguanlou ha s some of the smallest screen ing rooms we have ever seen Movie Times . They feel mor like home th e ea te rs than projec Movies play from 10am tion rooms; three out of fo ur have a max to 9pm every day, but show imum capacity of around 30 to 35 people times are not as frequent as each. The “b screening ro ig” om shows ne at larger cinemas. Each film wer movies is still only ab bu t ou t half the size averages five screenings per of a regular screening room at Mega Box, UM day; on the bright side, E, and other big-box Daguanchains. tickets usually only cost lou Cinema doesn’t RMB 40. have the biggest of screens or the newest facilities. Rather, the venue’s appeal lies in its long Food history and cultural significance.

It was hard to decide between Located in the storied Qianmen area, the food or the screening rooms for the Daguanlou is best seen as part of a Golden Raspberry Award. There was popday trip that encompasses the neighcorn on sale for RMB 15, but we would not vouch for borhood’s other attractions and any of the other snacks at Daguanlou; they looked some traditional Beijing cuisine. like they had been sitting there for a while. Luckily, Morgan Shang there are some reputable restaurants in the area. Siji Minfu (四季民福烤鸭店) is a duck restaurant with good reviews on Dianping. The duck costs RMB 188 per bird, which is Location much cheaper than at the more famous Quanjude.

It is all about location, location, Established in 1903, Donglaishun (东来顺) is a Daguanlou Cinema location. Daguanlou might not Beijing hotpot chain that predates Daguanlou by be the most impressive cinema in 大观楼影院 two years; the kids will get a kick out of using Beijing, but it has the best story. At the funnel-shaped cooking vessels. For somethe grand old age of 108, the movie thing a bit lighter, head to Huama Tiantang theater is the oldest one in China. (花马天堂云南餐厅), a reasonably-priced Its milestones read like a primer in Yunnan restaurant that has the second Chinese film history: most reviews on Dianping. If you feel •.In 1905, the first Chinese film, Ding like being decadent, there is always Jun Shan, was screened here. the brunch at Capital M. •.In 1930, the cinema caused a huge stir when it allowed men and women to sit together for the first time.

• .In 1935, Daguanlou imported a 35mm Pathi Kinetphone projector with sound from France.

Family-Friendliness • In 1970, the cinema underwent renovations.

One advantage of the • .In 1987, Daguanlou became the first “big-screen” cinsmall screening rooms is ema in China (“big” by the standards of the time) when that there are barely any The Building it started to show 70mm films. people; the kids can Daguanlou possesses a grand Daguanlou is located on Dashilar, a buzzing run around and yell without fear exterior, even by modern commercial street that has been around of disturbing others. However, families standards; a highlight is its since the reign of Emperor Yongle. with strollers or young children might have lavish ceremonial archway.

If you head south from Dashilar, trouble going up the long, carThere are two floors. On the you’ll eventually arrive at the peted staircase to the second first, you will find a couple west gate of the Temple of floor. The modest exhibits tables selling overpriced and Heaven. have English headings but poor-quality tea; on the secChinese-only descriptions. The ond, there are four screening Western toilets are clean, with rooms. both toilet paper and liquid soap provided. gn forei ction een r e sl c s e to t pha ie S nds re jus n we e Mov a t t u a th he anlo films s. W Dagu estic r cinema & Furious m o d and othe Fast e (both ut of M aying ing o it was pl You See tles), a d, w bti e o t u i N s s i e v r film inese alled Lov e h p C a h c t i a 6, c y w r glish antic dram a litera in En and rom ive , t t e c r s e a t e Chin ar Us Ap oung De .

Y n Te alled rago Will tion c he Sea D a t p a t ad of Rise Dee:

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Practical Info Daily 10am-10pm. 36 Dashilar Jie, Qianmen, Xicheng District (6303 0878) www. zhdyy.com.cn 西城区前门大栅栏街36号

Photo: sui

How to Get There • Bus: 2, 20, 48, 59, 66, 69, 71, 93, 120, 729. Get off at Dashilar bus stop.

• Subway: Take Line 2 and get off at Qianmen station. Walk to Dashilar Jie; the cinema is just southwest of the subway station.

, films Screening R tream l and s n n i o i a ooms loca t m lect ( s e e n s S t a w CN m l l FM o ie fi bo h v e as s ts r o h cutting-edge M ing m t olde . film projectors Its six screenin er be s fro rices atch and equipmen g rooms (includ Aside n also w e no long onable p ith t. ing one IMAX a s w co r a m a c a bi e ne s l theater) have r d t ca u a a pa y o v ci r i h ty y t t of e s 1, s v ) 21 t e 0 f t d e pe IMAX screen m ople. The 21m rte sa m ick ight not be th by 27m impo r cinema holds fil ay free t ed, e biggest in Be the best repu e it w y s h l a i t t v ijing, but it ha o n s e e tation by far e v u at i w q d g e e t when Avatar fr 2009. Upon vi inu hen and was showing siting the IMAX CNFM themes nings. W g a 40-m om in cinema (which in people), my fir gd ng ee can hold 403 st impression varyi cted scr was show nimal Kin s e d was that the sc o le r A le as p e e t fo t a s ur reen seemed a y m tim e n o es to th e h c e t si K g ze at of a traditional was lled surround soun MAX youn one. The thea and the I entary ca d i e n c e d t sy te e st r’s l u em p o an d 70mm proj au eo m ith produces brill ector – which iant colors an docu e . T h e ese p nglish w taff, d sharp images Chin e E s r y f l n e r i ex r e h pe – t rie complete the d s l fo nc a e. e o X Th t w f e seats are very MA lm ly o ing spacious but the I l have cup hold most n. The fi . Accord n i do not n e er s. s ow re l fe child e subtitle films sh er, we stil In a e s v e e th Chin jority of . How rves an city where commera inese se m h e C e d h in t are ction s rarely e r cial movie chains are ubiquil e e t s a vie the nre ’s mo turing ge (e.g. tous, China National Film Museum M F CN as fea inem (CNFM) outside Northeast Fifth Ring r for Family-Friendliness Osca n other c educai , t Road is not usually the top option for r d a n We spotted many families with ry, fou enta m movie-goers.

Though it opened in 2007, u young children at the IMAX c do l). many in Beijing had never heard of the mutheater and in the exhibition tiona seum until 2009, when Hollywood blockbuster halls. The museum offers Avatar brought crowds for the “ultimate free admission for children Food IMAX experience.” Besides the variety under 1.2m in height and half price of films screened here, the exhibition There were several admission for students (except for the areas offer a great opportunity to snack shops in the complex IMAX theater). If you are touring the exhibilearn about the art of filmmaking and one cafe with fresh-ground tion halls, you can borrow a stroller at and the history of Chinese film. coffee and free Wi-Fi. There was the the Great Hall Service Centre for Clemence Jiang sweet popcorn for sale on the first floor; free. CNFM’s 20 exhibition halls fans of salty popcorn will have to pack feature well-curated displays their own. There was a cafeteria in the with excellent English descripbasement if the kids get hungry tions. The elevators and escalators enough for a meal, but only one make it easy for families to move window was open when we around the complex, and there were visited on a weekday. It offered clean, well-marked bathrooms with China National Film Museum a Chinese set meal with meat western toilets on each floor. and vegetables for RMB 20; 中国电影博物馆 the fare was simple but fresh-looking.

Feature

photo: clemence jiang

The Building At 38,000sqm spanning four floors and 20 exhibition halls, CNFM is the largest professional film museum in the world and its opening coincided with the 100th anniversary of Chinese cinema.

According to the website, you would have to walk for nearly 3km to see all the exhibits. The building exterior features a massive black wall with slanted structures in front that emulate a movie clap board.

Location CNFM’s location is probably its biggest obstacle and the main reason why many people have never been. If you do not drive and are not used to taking the bus, it can be difficult to find a taxi for the way home. On the other hand, the Caochangdi art district is just five minutes away by car.

If you have the time and energy, there is potential to turn this Golden Raspberry into an Oscar.

How to Get There Bus: Take 402, 418, 688 or 973 and get off at Nangao (南皋) bus stop, then follow the signs for the film museum.

Movie Times Although there was a wide selection of films, most of them only screened once a day. Access to the cinemas were limited to the museum’s opening hours, so you’ll have to be an early bird if you want to watch a film at CNFM; the last screening usually starts around 2.30pm.

Most movie listings were up-to-date on CNFM’s Chinese website (www.cnfm.org.cn) but there was no such information on the English website. To obtain the latest and most comprehensive timetable, ask for the blue flyer (Chinese-only) from box office, which details movie showings for the week. When beijingkids visited, we also received a pink flyer for a special promotion in which movies cost RMB 2 each. For more information, call 8435 5959 or email cnfm2007@yahoo.com. cn. Most of the staff members do not speak English, but they will try to find someone who can if a foreigner calls.

Practical Info IMAX 3D films: RMB 60 (non-members), RMB 40 (members); regular films: RMB 30-40 (non-members), RMB 20-30 (members). Tue-Sun 9am-4.30pm (ticket office closes at 3.30pm and door closes at 4pm). 9 Nanying Lu, Chaoyang Distict (Cinema and IMAX hotline: 6438 1229, Other events information: 8435 5959, group reservations: 6434 9100) www.cnfm.org.cn 朝阳区南影路九号

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photos: courtesy of ellen carberry

f your kid dreams of seeing their name in lights, read on. To find out how to make it big in Hollywood, we speak to PoPing AuYeung, a Vancouver-based casting director who worked on Karate Kid, Man of Tai Chi, and other big-budget Sino-foreign productions. AuYeung started her career in casting in Hong Kong over 25 years ago, and has since worked with major studios such as Universal, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., and Sony Pictures. We also speak to young actor Luke Carberry (pictured) and his mom Ellen about the casting process for his role in The Karate Kid. Luke played Harry, a boy who befriends Jayden Smith’s character after he moves to Beijing. Luke’s younger sister Chloe also appeared in Karate Kid as an extra.

“My first jobs were babysitting, dog walking and scooping ice cream. His first job was being in a movie with Jayden Smith” Supply and Demand The good news is that there is a growing market for foreign and English-speaking child actors in China. “There will be more coproductions in China and more English-language films happening in the next couple of years,” says AuYeung.

like it to be photoshopped and I don’t want it posed. I want it very natural so I can see what you’re like. Also, kids change so fast.

They could be very different in six months, so I just say ‘Snap a picture so I know what you look like right now, not four months ago.’ That’s all I need. Don’t waste money on head shots.”

Get Noticed

Be a Performer

AuYeung outlines the methods she uses to find talent in Beijing: “When I have a casting call, I contact all the schools. The drama teacher can tell you who would be the right fit for that particular role, so they [essentially] do the pre-screening. When [the recommendation] comes through a teacher, it legitimizes the whole process.” Case in point: Luke Carberry first heard about the casting call for The Karate Kid through his drama teacher at the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB).

AuYeung also makes anonymous scouting trips to Christmas performances at schools around Beijing and attends Beijing Playhouse performances when she’s in town. She also takes referrals from parents she has worked with before, who can vouch for her services.

AuYeung also posts open calls on the Beijinger and beijingkids.

“I just finished [working on] Outcast and cast a kid from Beijing to play a young Hayden Christensen opposite Nicolas Cage.”

However, the simplest way to get AuYeung’s attention is to contact her. If your kids would like to be in the movies, you can make a direct submission by emailing her at opencalls@gmail.com.

“Anyone who’s interested in acting, even adults, can email me, and we’ll send them a submission form to fill out. For foreign actors, I have my own database.”

AuYeung says acting ability is something that every child has instinctively. “The minute you talk to the kids, you know who is good and who is not. You recognize it fast with kids.”

Ellen Carberry agrees that the child’s personality is more important than their acting experience, at least in China. “[It] was one of those lucky, random things that happens when you live in Beijing,” she says. “If we were living in Los Angeles, Luke would never have been able to compete because he would’ve been [up against] all kinds of trained actors. [On The Karate Kid], it wasn’t so much about acting as just being yourself.”

“The directors were just trying to see if the kids had a level of confidence, maturity and comfort in their skin. [They wanted] kids who could meet an adult who’s just flown in from LA, and look them in the eye and talk to them comfortably and naturally. [In other words, kids who were] not afraid to engage with people in a totally different context than they’re normally used to. Luke got into the movie because of those things; it wasn’t about trained acting.”

Should I Use an Agent?

AuYeung does not recommend using an agent. “I don’t go to agents,” she says. “I don’t think there are any professional agents in China who represent foreigners – just a lot of middle men.”

“I’m sure there are some good agents,” she adds, “But I have a pretty good network and don’t rely on [them] so much in China for casting. A lot of agents ask for money for head shots or say you need to take classes from [them] and then they’ll get you work.

I don’t do any of that.”

She makes an exception for Beijing Playhouse, however. “Beijing Playhouse is legit. They tell you how much commission they’re going to take. With other agents in China, you just don’t know. You never get the full payment. That’s why sometimes I insist on paying the actors myself, and I say ‘Whatever your commission is, I’ll pay you separately, but I want to pay the actors myself.’”

Take Candid Photos at Home “I don’t like professional [head shots],” says AuYeung. “I don’t

Speak Chinese One skill that can make your child stand out is the ability to speak Chinese. “I said a few lines in Chinese to the camera, which I think in hindsight really helped,” says Luke. “We’ve been in China since 2001 and I’ve been learning Chinese since Grade 1.” As the movie progressed, the writers kept adding in more lines for him. Initially, his character only had a dozen lines in the movie. The writers expanded their vision of his role because he could speak Chinese.

Fit the Profile No “look” is more in demand than others when it comes to foreign child actors in China. “On The Karate Kid, we wanted AmericanChinese, Caucasian and African-American – but it really depends on the story,” says AuYeung. “You can’t foresee what will be in demand.” When kids are rejected, it’s very often not because of their acting ability, but because they’re not the right type. When casting for Outcast, she needed to match a young actor to Hayden Christensen, which meant looking at hair, skin color, and personality (among other factors).

Never Spend Your Own Money On the subject of “hidden extras,” AuYeung’s advice for parents is unequivocal. “Anytime someone asks you for money, that’s when

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From left: Ellen Carberry, Assistant Director Marty Schwartz, Chloe Carberry, Taraji P. Henson (the actress who played Jayden Smith’s mom in The Karate Kid), Luke Carberry, Bernice Gordon (Taraji’s mother) and Marcel Henson (Taraji’s son)

you should stay away. As a casting director, I don’t take a penny.

I’m paid by the production [company] and the studio. If any casting director asks you for money, say no.”

Ask Questions She also advises parents to get informed. “When parents get a call from an agent, they should ask lots of questions; there are a lot of scams out there. Ask [the names of] the casting director, director, and production company. It’s a very small industry; we all know each other. Parents can ask me or Chris [Verill] at Beijing Playhouse if [the project] is legit.”

Prepare Kids for Rejection AuYeung stresses how important it is to set expectations for your child before the audition and explain that the competition will be tough. “If you don’t get the job, it’s not [necessarily] because you’re not good. There are many other things that are taken into consideration,” she says. “For example, if we’re casting a family, the kid has to look like he fits with the family. When we decide which actor to go with, we put all the pictures together to decide if they look good. It’s really important to tell kids there are a lot of other factors that have nothing to do with [them].”

“We talked about it a fair amount before the first audition,” says Ellen Carberry. “Luke asked me if he should do it, and I was like ‘Go for it, why not?’ But I said: ‘Hey, don’t expect anything is going to come from it.’ So if you approach it with that mindset, you have nothing to lose.”

“I liked drama,” says Luke. “[Mom] also told me how she had

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auditioned for a cereal commercial when she was 13 and it was just a really cool thing to do. So from the beginning my mindset was it [would be] good experience. A month later, I had forgotten about the audition. My mom called me and said ‘Guess what, I have really great news!’ and for the life of me I couldn’t guess what it would be.”

Question the Terms and Conditions “In China, there are no unions or union rates,” says AuYeung. “Payment depends on how desperate the production [company] is. If I’m looking for a certain look that’s difficult to find, I have to pay more money to get it. Most of the kids don’t get into to it to make money. They do it for fun and for the experience. It’s different for every production and it depends on the budget.”

Ellen Carberry signed the contract for The Karate Kid without having a lawyer look it over, partly for simplicity, partly because of their trust in AuYeung and other production staff, and partly because they saw it as a fun experience rather than a professional opportunity.

“PoPing [AuYeung] was a class act, very professional,” she says. “We knew it was Sony and Will Smith, so it was a high-caliber Hollywood thing. We weren’t worried about anything. And we had no to low expectations. It was about the fun and not the money.”

“My first jobs were babysitting, dog walking and scooping ice cream. His first job was being in a movie with Jayden Smith,” jokes Carberry.

The terms and conditions were slightly different for Jayden Smith, who had a teacher, two security guards, and even a social worker on set to make sure he didn’t work more than eight hours per day and took proper breaks.

From left: Luke Carberry, his mom Ellen, and his sister Chloe at the Los Angeles premiere of Karate Kid

Luke, by comparison, experienced long days on set. “He was there regularly ten hours a day and there were a couple of days when he was gone for [even] longer, closer to 12-15 hours,” she says. “We were comfortable about the people he was with, however.

There was always staff onsite, he had food available all the time, and he was around other kids. But if you are doing something where you have less visibility [over] the quality of what’s going on, I would pay attention. There certainly is the potential for kids to be working quite long days.”

What Not to Do “Don’t coach your kids,” warns AuYeung. “I send the script out and often parents teach kids how to do the wrong things for the audition. The less they rehearse the better.” In addition, do not dress them up. “Dress very comfortably and casually. Sometimes adults bring them in all dressed up and I tell them go and take their makeup off. Kids need to be very natural.”

Arrange Homework with Teachers If you are going to be on set for days [at a time] like Luke Carberry, it would be a good idea to arrange for school work to stay abreast of what is going on in the classroom. On The Karate Kid, filming was scheduled during the summer so the kids wouldn’t miss school.

But production ran into October, so Luke was out of school for two or three days in a row on three occasions. Luke’s teachers at WAB gave him homework and he worked on a computer. He did written math and Chinese homework, and didn’t have any trouble rejoining his classmates once filming was over.

Enjoy the Experience Luke got the full Hollywood treatment when he walked the red carpet for the world premiere of Karate Kid at Fox Westwood Village in Los Angeles. “It was my first time in LA and we were staying in the Venice Beach area, which was very cool,” says Luke.” They sent a driver to pick us up in a really nice SUV and took us to the red carpet. There were a lot of cameras and reporters asking questions like: ‘What was it like to work with Jayden Smith and Jackie Chan?’” The entire Carberry family was stunned to see Luke and Chloe meters high on the silver screen. “It’s a cliche, but it was unbelievable,” Luke recalls.

Ellen Carberry remembers watching the movie for the first time.

“Nobody had seen the movie until that moment. Very quickly into the movie, they [main characters] are in Beijing, arriving in a taxi in front of their apartment building. As they’re pulling up, there’s this blond boy coming over to help get the luggage out of the trunk. I suddenly realized ‘Oh my God! It’s Luke!’ A couple of minutes into the movie, there’s our son on the screen, larger than life, and our jaws hit the floor. Chloe’s also in the movie, in the school, in the cafeteria, among the extras. She was three or four times onscreen.

It was amazing to see them both up there.”

“One of the best outcomes of the movie is that it captured Beijing at a particular point in time,” says Carberry. “Will Smith’s [film] captured some of the transitions going on in Beijing: that a black American family [would move there], that there would be a school where Western and Chinese families would [come] together.

[It’s] actually much more sophisticated than we expected. For Luke, for his contemporaries, for all of our friends and family, that part of their lives will always be captured in that movie. They’ll always have a souvenir of what was their life was like in Beijing.”

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Directories

Family Dining

Family Dining American Grandma’s Kitchen Tuck into hearty Yankee tucker at any of the four cozy locations of this franchise started by an actual American Grandma. Enjoy sandwiches, burgers, steaks and shakes (banana variety known to be addic-tive). Voted “Outstanding American” in the Beijinger’s 2011 Reader Restaurant Awards. 1) Daily 7.30am-11pm. 0103, Bldg B, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (5869 3055/6); 2) Daily 10am-11pm. 5/F, Wudaokou U Center, 28 Chengfu Lu, Haidian District. (6266 6105); 3) Daily 7.30am-11pm. 11A Xiushui Nanjie, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District. (6503 2893); 4) Daily 10am-10pm. 28 Shique Hutong, Beixinqiao, Dongcheng District (8403 9452) grandmasbeijing.com 祖母的厨房, 1) 朝阳区东 三环中路39号建外SohoB座0103; 2) 海淀区成府 路28号五道口购物中心5层; 3) 朝阳区建国门外 秀水南街甲11号(友谊商店后面)；4）东城区北新 桥石雀胡同28号

Cafes & Sandwiches Comptoirs de France 1) Daily 8.30am-9pm.

Stalls 1 & 2, 1/F, Silk Market (east side), 8 Xiushui Dongjie, Chaoyang District. (5169 9298); 2) Daily 7am-8.30pm. Daily 7am8.30pm. Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics Shop Number 1, Chaoyang District.

(5927 7597); 3) Daily 7am-8.30pm. (opening soon) Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics Shop Number 2, 2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District.; 4) Daily 7am-8.30pm. 1/F, Bldg 5, Hairun International Apartment, 2B Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District. (5135 7645); 5) Daily 7am8.30pm. 55-1, Xingfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (6416 2853); 6) Daily 7am-8.30pm. 2/F Riviera Plaza, 5 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District. (8470 2347); 7) Daily 7am-8.30pm.

1/F, East Lake Club, 35 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6461 1525); 8) Daily 7am8.30pm. 4 Ritan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (8562 3355); 9) Daily 7am-8.30pm. L-111, Europlaza, 99 Yuxiang Lu, Tianzhu Zhen, Shunyi District.

(8046 6309); 10) Daily 7am-8.30pm. Rm 102, 1/F, Bldg 15, China Central Place, 89 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (6530 5480) www. comptoirsdefrance.com 法派, 1) 朝阳区秀水东 街8号秀水大厦东区一层1,2号; 2) 朝阳区将台路 2号北京和睦家医院店; 3) 朝阳区将台路2号北 京和睦家医院2店; 4) 朝阳区将台路乙2号海润 国际公寓商业5号楼1层; 5) 朝阳区幸福村中路 55-1号; 6) 朝阳区来广营东路5号2楼东侧; 7) 东城区东直门外大街35号东湖俱乐部1层; 8) 朝 阳区日坛北路4号; 9) 顺义区裕翔路99号天竺镇 欧陆广场L111室; 10) 朝阳区建国路89号华贸中 心15号楼102 Switch! Cafe This family friendly café seats 38 with additional seating on the large terrace and specially designed play areas for the children. An extensive kids’ menu accompanies an all-day menu that consists of breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, and pastas, as well as a changing selection of seasonally inspired comfort foods in the evening. 10am-9pm. 1/F, No 1 Bldg, 6 Xiangjiang Lu, Chaoyang District.

(8430 8682) http://www.switchrestaurants.com 朝阳区香江路6号（观唐广场）1号楼1层

Shunyi’s Beidong Flower Market, The English Tearoom is a quintessentially British, familyfriendly tearoom. The cafe prides itself on serving real tea in traditional English-style teapots, including black teas, green tea, rooibos, herbal and fruit teas (all imported from the UK). Visitors will also find gourmet coffee, fresh fruit juices, and smoothies. For food, there are traditional fresh-baked English scones and a selection of British cakes and biscuits.

The light lunch menu includes sandwiches, salads, and specials like sausage rolls and Scotch eggs. There’s also an English afternoon tea and a generous English breakfast. The English Tearoom strives to use organic, local, and free-range produce whenever possible. The space is divided into the Main Tearoom and the Children’s Tearoom; the latter contains a large play area for tots to run around in. Parking is available outside the restaurant within the Chuangyi Yuan compound. Daily 8.30am-6pm.

Inside Chuangyi Yuan, 1A Shunhuang Lu (near Scitech Outlets), Sunhe Township, Shunyi District. (8459 4407, 158 1099 8410 (English and Chinese)) www.englishtearoombeijing.com 英国茶房, 顺义区孙河乡顺黄路甲1号创意园内( 近赛特奥特莱斯)

Vineyard Cafe This hutong cafe, specializing in comfort food and comfy couches, is both hip and sensible, and their hearty English breakfasts are excellent weekend brunch fare. Good pizza and excellent beer selection.

Voted “Outstanding Brunch (Affordable)” in the Beijinger’s 2011 Reader Restaurant Awards.

Tue-Sun 11.30am-11.30pm. 31 Wudaoying Hutong (just north of the Confucius temple), Dongcheng District. (6402 7961, info@ vineyardcafe.cn) www.vineyardcafe.cn 葡萄院 儿, 东城区五道营胡同31号

Japanese Haru Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar Watch and listen to your food as it sizzles and cooks to your preference. Haru impresses with sleek decor and the quality of the food. Kids will be entertained by the chefs flaming hot plates, and the large portion servings mean this is a great place to spend a few extra kuai on a family night out. Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30pm-10pm.

1) Unit N4-30, 3/F, Sanlitun Village North, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District. (6415 2112); 2) 902 Pinnacle Plaza, Jingshun Lu, Shunyi District. (8046 5112) 尚 水长廊铁板烧餐厅, 1) 朝阳区三里屯路11号院 （Village北区）能号楼三层N4-30单元; 2) 顺义区 天竺镇开发区荣祥广场902

The English Tearoom Located behind

The Kro’s Nest Run by Olaf Kristoffer

Yellow River Restaurant 10am-10pm. 15 Baishu Hutong, Dongcheng District. (400-0971180) 黄河水陕西小吃, 东城区柏树胡同15号

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intecheye.com 英智眼科医院, 朝阳区潘家园南 里12号潘家园大厦1，4，5层 Beijing Antai Maternity Hospital Founded in 2003, Beijing Antai Maternity Hospital is the first hospital in Beijing with a water birth center to allow natural births. The hospital also researches male and female infertility, recurrent miscarriage, endometriosis, and more. Daily 8.30am-5pm. Building 18, Court 1, Xingheyuan, Jiayuan Road, Fengtai District. (67735551, 67537768) www.antaihospital.com 北京安太 妇产医院, 丰台区北京丰台嘉园路星河城1号 院18号楼 Beijing HarMoniCare Women and Children’s Hospital (HMC) Beijing HarMoniCare Women and Children’s Hospital (HMC) offers medical services both Chinese and western families with JCI (Joint Commission International) standard. HMC is strategic partner of PHMI and cooperates with Teaching Hospital of Harvard Medical School—Boston Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital. Located next to Olympic Forest Park, HMC covers an area of 13,000 square meters. HMC is a medical center in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics.

Daily 8am-5pm. A2 Xiaoguan Beili, Beiyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (6499 0000, contact@ hmcare.org) www.hmcare.net 和美妇儿医院, 朝阳区北苑路小关北里甲2号 Beijing Hongyitang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Traditional Chinese medicine hospital that received the State Council Special Allowance. Daily 7am-9pm. 2 Tuanjiehu Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6582 7850, hongyitang@hotmail.com) www.guoyitang.com 北京弘医堂中医医院, 朝阳区团结湖北路2号

Dacha Located near Ritan Park, this new Russian restaurant caters to families with a kids’ room full of toys and special attention for moms and babies. Daily 10am-3am. 1 Ritan Lu (on the north side of Ritan Hotel), Chaoyang District. (8563 5765, dacha.asia@ mail.ru) www.dacha.asia 别墅西餐厅, 朝阳区 日坛路1号（日坛宾馆北侧）

Family Health Clinics & Hospitals Amcare Women’s & Children’s Hospital This newly opened hospital near the Lido focuses on maternity services, women’s health and pediatrics. Foreign language support is available upon request.24-hr appointment service. 1) Daily 8am-4.30pm. 9 Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6434 2399 24hr hotline, 800 610 6200); 2) 9-9 Jiangtai Xilu, Chaoyang District. www.amcare.com.cn 北京美中宜和妇儿医院, 1) 朝阳区芳园西路9 号; 2) 朝阳区将台西路9-9号

Beijing New Century Women’s and Children’s Hospital (NCWCH) With state-ofthe-art park side facility, New Century Women’s and Children’s Hospital (NCWCH) is established to operate with international standards. Backed by strong ties to Beijing Children’s Hospital and Beijing Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, the experienced and friendly medical staff of NCWCH provide fi¬rst-class gynecology, obstetrics, pediatric, NICU and urgent care services for women and children (0-18 years old). 51 Wangjing Beilu (Wanghu Park south gate), Chaoyang District. (5178 3366) www. ncich.com.cn 北京新世纪妇儿医院, 朝阳区朝阳 区望京北路51号院（望湖公园东门南） Beijing New Century Harmony Pediatric Clinic As a satellite clinic of renowned Beijing New Century International Children’s Hospital, Beijing New Century Harmony Pediatric Clinic has a strong team of experienced pediatricians and nurses from China and overseas. Multilingual services are offered on a 24hr basis, consultations 9am-9pm. Harmony Business Center, Liyuan Street, Tianzhu Zhen, Shunyi District. (6456 2599) www.ncich.com.cn 北京新世纪荣和儿科门诊部, 顺义区天竺镇丽苑 街荣和商业中心 Beijing New Century International Children’s Hospital This hospital provides affordable pediatric care at international standards: qualified doctors and nurses, private and safe family rooms and imported equipment.

English speaking staff offers a full range of children’s health care services on a 7/24 basis.

Mon-Sun 8am-5pm. 56 Nanlishi Lu (next to the East Gate of the Beijing Children’s Hospital), Xicheng District. (6802 5588) www.ncich.com. cn 北京新世纪国际儿童医院, 西城区南礼士路56 号 (北京儿童医院东门南侧)

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European

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Russian

Switch! Grill Offering a lunch express set menu as well as a all day menu and a dinner menu that is grill inspired menu featuring fresh seasonal ingredients, great appetizers, juicy steaks and perfectly prepared seafood. Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week, or just pop in for a few drinks, one of our signature appetizers and watch the game on the big screens and satellite! Daily 11am-10pm. 1/F, Regent Land, 66 Gongti Beilu (east of the Swissotel), Chaoyang District. (6553 5691) 朝阳 区工体北路66号瑞士公寓西侧1层

Gung Ho! Gourmet Pizza Factory Pizza delivery service that positions itself as a cut above the competition, offering ten “gourmet” toppings featuring wine-soaked blackcurrants, fresh pesto and New Zealand mozzarella. Voted “Outstanding Pizza” in the Beijinger’s 2011 Restaurant Awards. 1) 10-9 Fuli City Xingguang Avenue(West of the Beijing Capital Renaissance Hotel), Chaoyang District. (5876 5262); 2) Daily 11am-11pm. Shop 2, Hairun International Apartments, corner Jiangtai Lu and Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District. (5135 8557); 3) Daily 11am-midnight. Bldg. 3, China View, (rear side, opposite City Hotel), Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang District. (8587 1404/1370) www.gunghopizza. com 叫板披萨, 1) 朝阳区富力城, 星光大道 10-9（富力大酒店网西走）; 2) 朝阳区将台路 2号海润国际公寓（将台路和方园西路的十字路 口）; 3) 朝阳区工体东路中国红街3号楼

The Rug Bagels, outdoor seating and free WiFi make this a welcome addition to Chaoyang Park. TTue-Fri 11.30am-10pm (last order 9.30pm), Sat-Sun 10.30am-8pm (last order 7.30pm). Bldg 4, Lishui Jiayuan, Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu (opposite South Gate of Chaoyang Park), Chaoyang District. (8550 2722) 朝阳区朝阳公园南路丽水嘉园4号楼(朝阳 公园南门对面)

“The Kro” Bauer, the new edition of this Beijing pizza institution features enormous pizzas, deep-fried jalapenos and other pizza innovations like pizza sliders. You’ll even find hyper-caloric desserts like funnel cake and Rocky Road Rice-Krispy Pie. The beverage offerings have expanded to wines, cocktails, soda floats, smoothies and milkshakes. All this, plus video games and Wi-Fi. Voted “Outstanding New Restaurant of the Year (Non-Chinese)” and “Outstanding Pizza” in the Beijinger’s 2011 Restaurant Awards. Daily 11am-midnight. 1) Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu (across from Salsa Caribe), Chaoyang District.

(8523 6655); 2) 35 Xiaoyun Lu (opposite Renaissance Beijing Chaoyang Hotel, next to Kou Fu Ju restaurant), Chaoyang District.

(8391 3131) 乌巢, 1) 朝阳区工体北路4号院 ( 卡利宾拉丁舞俱乐部对面); 2) 朝阳区霄云路35 号(国航大厦万丽酒店对面, 口福居旁)

Beijing Aier-Intech Eye Hospital 15 years of eye care experience, including emergency treatment, telephone consultations, laser vision corrective surgery and preventative care. On-site shop sells frames and lenses.

The VIP clinic has English-speaking staff, many trained overseas. Can direct bill to many international insurance companies. Daily 8.30am-4.30pm. 1,4,5/F Panjiayuan Plaza, 12 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District. (6773 2700, customerservice@intecheye.com) www.

Beijing Puhua International Clinic Beijing Puhua International Clinic’s unique services include orthopedic and trauma surgery conforming to European standards. They also offer physical rehabilitation, an eye clinic with certified US ophthalmologist, a chiropractic clinic, comprehensive family medical services, a Western-style pharmacy, and emergency services. The clinic offers services in English, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Filipino, Amharic, and Taiwanese. Conveniently located in Jinsong, the center has free parking available for customers.

Mon-Sun 9am-6pm. 54 Wusheng Beilu, Dongsanhuan, Chaoyang District. (8773 5522,

Family Health 5245 2585 (24hr hotline)) www.puhuaclinic. com 北京普华门诊, 朝阳区东三环武圣北路54号 Beijing Puhua International Hospital Beijing Puhua International Hospital is the first International-Standard Hospital in Beijing, and has been open in Beijing since 1994. Inpatient, Outpatient, Surgery, Inpatient Care and ICU Services. English-speaking staff on 24/7 call.

Wide range of Medical, Surgical and Consulting Services. Direct-billling with International Insurance Companies. The reference-level Medical Facility in Beijing for all Neurology, Neurosurgery and Rehabilitation Issues. World leader & Pioneer in Regenerative Medicine.

Member of Asia Pacific Medicine (APMG) the leading, and the largest, International-Standard Medical Services Group in Asia. 12 Tiantan Nanli (800m west of the South Gate of the Temple of Heaven), Chongwen District. (8911 6665 (24hr hotline)) www.puhuachina.com 崇文区天坛南里 12号（天坛南门往西800米） Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics (BJU) offers international-standard care to thousands of Beijing’s expatriate and Chinese families. BJU features an international team of doctors from more than 20 countries and since 2005, it has been consistently re-accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Since 1997, BJU’s multilingual staff has provided professional expertise with heartfelt care. The hospital and clinics offer a full range of medical services. In addition to departments of family medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and dentistry, BJU has attracted top medical professionals in cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, dermatology, psychological health, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, integrative medicine, ophthalmology and ENT. Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm. 24-hour emergency care. 2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District. (5927 7000, 5927 7120 (ER ), fax 5927 7200) www. ufh.com.cn 北京和睦家医院, 朝阳区将台路2号 Beijing United Family Rehabilitation Hospital Daily 24hrs. 1 Yaojiayuan Bei’er Lu, Chaoyang District. (8558 1800) www.ufh. com.cn 北京和睦家康复医院, 朝阳区姚家园北 二路1号 Children Counseling Services Dr. Mike Mehrvarz, PhD, is a child and adult psychologist trained in the US and licensed to practice in China since 1998. He uses a holistic approach to evaluate and treat children and teens. His specialties include eating difficulties, learning and behavior problems, anger, depression, bedwetting, ADD/ADHD, and more. Dr. Mehrvarz speaks English, Chinese, Farsi, and Japanese. International Medical Center (IMC), Rm S106, Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (158 0131 9796, 6465 1561/2) 朝阳区亮马桥路50号燕莎中心写字楼 1层S106 GlobalCare Women & Children’s Hospital Formally know as the famous Beijing Wuzhou Women’s Hospital. Global Care, now provides a full range of health care services from gynecology, pediatrics, obstetrics, dentistry, general practice, dermatology, basic medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine. With over 12,000 square meters and 80 beds, the hospital provides first class comprehensive health care services to expatriates and internationals.

Being one of the first hospitals in Beijing to offer membership healthcare programs, Global Care Women and Children’s Hospital also offers luxury VIP services at its beauty boutique and healthcare facilities at an affordable price. If your new in Beijing or still don’t have your health insurance taken care of; the hospital can provide you with a free insurance consultation.

Currently, Global Care, has direct billing relationships with many international insurance providers. The hospital provides healthcare for women, children, and men. Special offers are given for group packages. Mon-Sun 8am8pm, 24h emergency services. 24 Dawang Xilu, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District.

(8776 9899, 800 810 8911, 6770 5558) www. globalcarecn.com 北京五洲妇儿医院, 朝阳区望 路西大24号, 朝阳区

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Hong Kong International Medical Clinic, Beijing Beijing’s first joint-venture medical organization operates according to international standards, has a high-quality international administration system, high-level medical staff, and warm service. A 24hr helpline offers medical support in English, Chinese and Japanese, and other languages on request.

A basic consultation costs RMB 680. Direct billing with over 50 international insurers. Daily 9am-9pm (after 9pm nurse on duty). 9/F, office tower of the Swissôtel, 2 Chaoyangmen Beidajie, Dongcheng District. (65532288 ext 2345/6/7, 6553 9752) www.hkclinic.com 北 京港澳国际医务诊所, 东城区北京港澳国际医 务诊所，朝阳门北大街2号港澳中心瑞士酒店办 公楼9层

International Medical Center (IMC) Foreign doctors on-site offering a wide range of medical services, including family medicine, psychological services, dental, Ob/ Gyn, pediatrics and TCM. Drop-in services for travelers; x-rays and ultrasounds available on-site. English, Chinese, Arabic and Russian spoken. Daily 24hrs. S106, S111 Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmahe Lu, Chaoyang District.

(6465 1561/2/3, 6465 1384/28, marketing@ imcclinics.com) http://www.imcclinics.com/ 北 京国际医疗中心, 朝阳区亮马桥路50号燕莎中心 写字楼1层S106 International SOS One of the world’s leading international healthcare, medical and security assistance company with 66% of the world’s Fortune 500 companies choosing International SOS. Since 1989, International SOS has led international-standard medical care in China, with a 24/7 alarm center hotline, a dedicated air ambulance, four international quality clinics staffed with expat and foreign doctors and 200+ network of medical service partners.

International SOS Beijing clinic is the city’s leading family practice and specialist services clinic, represented by 15 nationalities, including English, French, Japanese, German, Spanish, Korean and Chinese-speaking doctors. Offers 24/7 Emergency Services, GP, Pediatrics, Gynecology, specialists, Pharmacy, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Dentistry and Orthodontics, Optometry. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am6pm. Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District. (Clinic: 6462 9112, 24hr hotline 6462 9100, china.inquiries@ internationalsos.com) www.internationalsos. com, www.clinicsinchina.com 北京国际救援中 心, 朝阳区新源里16号琨莎中心一座105室 Joinway Dental Clinic Joinway Dental is a leading dental clinic in Beijing. Proficient in cosmetic dentistry and implants; services include preventive dental care, oral and teeth treatments. Striving for perfection from the treatment design to the treatment procedure, and following up patients after all treatments.

Also providing more than 20 different international insurance companies direct billing service. Mon-Sat 9am-6pm. 11D, Bldg D, Oriental Kenzo Plaza, 48 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District. (8447 6092/93, 132 6181 6708/139 0109 6692 English, joinway@ dentalcn.com) www.dentalcn.com 久汇齿科, 东 城区东直门外大街48号银座大厦D座11D OASIS International Hospital OASIS is a full-service private hospital. Their international medical team provides patient-centered care in a modern facility designed for comfort, safety

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Family Life

and privacy. OASIS offers attentive service in a soothing environment and expert medicine backed by leading technology, including the most advanced MRI and CT scans available from a private hospital in China. The hospital currently provides services in family medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, general surgery, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and dentistry. Direct billing is available for many insurance providers. Daily 24hrs (emergency care), Mon-Fri 9am- 6pm, Sun 8.30-12.30am. 9 Jiuxianqiao Beilu, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District. (400 UR OASIS (876 2747)) www. oasishealth.cn 明德医院, 朝阳区朝阳区酒仙 桥北路9号 United Family CBD Clinic The United Family CBD Clinic is United Family Healthcare’s (UFH’s) sixth satellite clinic in Beijing and will be staffed by bilingual doctors and nurses who are committed to providing the high-quality, international-standard care unique to United Family. Mon-Sat 9.30am-6.30pm. Suite 3017, Bldg AB, Vantone Center, 6 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (5907 1266) www.ufh.com. cn 和睦家朝外诊所, 朝阳区朝阳门外大街6号万 通中心AB座2层3017室 United Family Home Health Daily 8:30am5:00pm. New Hope Oncology Center, 2/FNo. 9-11 Jiangtai W. RdNear Fangyuan W.Rd, Chaoyang District. (5927 7333, homehealth@ ufh.com.cn) homehealth.ufh.com.cn 和睦家家 庭医疗, 朝阳区和睦家家庭医疗和睦家启望肿瘤 中心二层地点：丽都将台西路9-11号近芳园西路 United Family Jianguomen Health and Wellness Center United Family Jianguomen Health and Wellness Center is a satellite clinic of BJU located in the St. Regis complex in the heart of Beijing’s Central Business District. The clinic makes high-quality healthcare accessible to CBD residents and employees. It offers integrative medicine, family counseling services, and provides health checkups for immigration purposes. Mon-Fri 8.30am-12pm,1pm-3.30pm.

B1/F, The St. Regis Residence, St. Regis Hotel, 21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District.

(8532 1221; 8532 1678 (immigration clinic)) www.ufh.com.cn 和睦家建国门保健中心, 朝阳 区建国门外大街21号北京国际俱乐部饭店公寓 楼地下1层 United Family Liangma Clinic United Family Liangma Clinic serves Beijing’s diplomatic area, providing internationallyaccredited Family Medicine services. A multinational clinic staff of experienced doctors and bilingual nurses will ensure that you and your family receive the highest quality medical care available. Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm.

2/F, Grand Summit, 19 Dongfang Donglu, Chaoyang District. (5927 7005) www.ufh.com. cn 和睦家亮马诊所, 朝阳区东方东路19号1号楼 会所27号（外交人员公寓B区官舍16号） United Family New Hope Center The United Family New Hope Center offers a unique new concept in international-standard cancer treatment. New Hope’s goal is to provide patients with the most up-to-date treatment options from a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, specialist physicians, and healthcare professionals. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

9-11 Jiangtai Xilu, Chaoyang District. (5927 7008) www.ufh.com.cn 和睦家启望中心, 朝阳 区朝阳区将台西路9－11 United Family Shunyi Clinic United Family Shunyi Clinic serves Beijing’s suburban area and international school district with internationally-accredited family medicine, pediatrics, rehabilitation (physical therapy), psychological counseling, Traditional Chinese Medicine, laboratory, and pharmacy services.

A multinational clinic staff of experienced doctors and bilingual nurses will ensure that you and your family receive the highest quality medical care available. The Shunyi Clinic is a satellite facility of BJU. Like other BJU satellite facilities, the Shunyi Clinic strictly adheres to Joint Commission International (JCI) and international infection control standards. MonThu 9.30am-7.30pm, Fri-Sun 9.30am-4.30pm.

Unit 806, Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi District. (8046 5432,

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fax 8046 4383) www.ufh.com.cn 和睦家顺义诊 所, 顺义区天竺开发区荣祥广场806号

Vista Medical Center Medical services including family and internal medicine, OB/ GYN, pediatrics, dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology, ENT, TCM, physiotherapy, psychiatry, imaging laboratory and pharmacy service. Also offers pre- and postnatal care and infant health check-ups. English-speaking staff onsite 24hrs a day. A consultation with a GP costs RMB 660. Direct billing with more than 40 international insurance providers. Daily 24hrs.

3/F, Kerry Centre, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (8529 6618, fax 8529 6615, vista@ vista-china.net) www.vista-china.net 维世达诊 所, 朝阳区光华路1号嘉里中心3层

Dentists Beijing United Family Hospital Dental Clinic Provides comprehensive dental services for families, including cleaning, crown and bridges, dental implants, fillings, tooth whitening and more. 2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District. (5927 7058) www.ufh.com.cn 北京和睦 家医院牙科, 朝阳区将台路2号 Beijing Vista Dental Clinic Provides comprehensive dental services including teeth cleaning, whitening, gum treatment, white filling, crowns and bridges, root canal treatment, wisdom tooth extraction, orthodontics and implants. Daily 8.30am6pm. Level 3, Kerry Centre, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (vista@vista-china.net) www.vista-china.net 朝阳区光华路1号北京嘉 里中心三层 IDC Dental Standing for International Standards, Dedicated Professionals and Compassionate Care, IDC is a multi-specialty clinic offering a broad spectrum of family and restorative dental care. Experts in cosmetic makeovers and CT-guided implant surgeries.

A certified clinic with Progressive Orthodontics and Beijing’s only Western-trained root canal specialist. Multi-tier pricing. IDC is a Preferred Provider with CIGNA, Allianz, and MediLink. Daily 9am-6pm. Rm 209, Bldg 7, Yard 9, Richmond Park Clubhouse, Fangyuan Nanli, Chaoyang District. (6538 8111, info@ idcdentalbj.com) www.idcdentalbj.com IDC国际 齿科中心, 朝阳区芳园南里9号院7号楼209室 International SOS Dental, Orthodontics Clinic Provides comprehensive dental services for the whole family, including routine cleaning, X-rays, fillings, whitening, crowns, bridges and cosmetic makeovers. Mon-Sat 9am5pm. Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District. (6462 0333) www. clinicsinchina.com 国际SOS齿科,畸齿矫正诊所, 朝阳区新源里16号琨莎中心一座105室 OASIS Dental Clinic OASIS Dental provides complete dental care for families through internationally-trained dentists. Services include routine cleaning, fillings, root canals, crowns and bridges, veneers, whitening, orthodontics, prevention orthodontics, periodontics, and implants. Mon-Sat 6am-9pm. 9 Jiuxianqiao Beilu, Chaoyang District. (5985 0305) 朝阳区酒 仙桥北路9号 SDM Dental Teeth cleaning, root canals, restorative dentistry, porcelain crowns, dental implants, orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry.

A basic consultation costs RMB 50, with a first-

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time registration fee of RMB 50. 1) Daily 9am8pm. East of the Basement, Sunshine Plaza, 68 Anli Lu, Chaoyang District. (6497 2173, 6498 2173); 2) 2层NB210. NB 210, B2/F, China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6505 9439); 3) Daily 9am-8pm. FC222, 21st Century Hotel, 40 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (6466 4814, 6461 2745); 4) LB107, Euro Plaza, 99 Yuxiang Lu, Tianzhu Town, Shunyi District. (8046 6084); 5) Daily 9am-8pm. Rm 106, Bldg 11, 22 Yuanda lu (near Golden Resources Department Store), Haidian District. (8859 6912/13) www. sdmdental.com 固瑞齿科, 1) 朝阳区安立路68号 阳光大厦东侧底商; 2) 朝阳区建国门外大街1号 国贸商场地下2层NB210; 3) 朝阳区亮马桥路40号 二十一世纪饭店FC222; 4) 顺义区天竺镇裕祥路 99号欧陆广场LB107; 5) 海淀区远大路22号11号楼 106室（金源时代购物中心斜对面) United Family Shunyi Dental Clinic United Family Shunyi Dental Clinic is located in Pinnacle Plaza, just around the corner from the United Family Shunyi Clinic. A multinational clinic staff of experienced doctors and bilingual nurses will ensure that you and your family receive the highest quality dental care available. Like other BJU satellite facilities, the Shunyi Dental Clinic strictly adheres to Joint Commission International (JCI) standards, which enables the Shunyi Dental Clinic to be officially recognized as an internationalstandard dental clinic. Mon-Thu 9am-7.20pm, Fri-Sat 9am-5.30pm. 818 Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi District. (8046 1102) www.ufh.com.cn 和睦家顺 义牙科诊所, 顺义区天竺开发区荣祥广场818

Spas Dragonfly Therapeutic Retreat Rapidly expanding Shanghai-based chain of high-end spas. Chinese, shiatsu and foot massages start at RMB 150 per hour. An exhaustive menu of spa packages, such as an hour each of full-body and foot massage, starts at RMB 290. Daily 10am-1am. 1) 1/F, Grand Summit Plaza, 19 Dongfang Donglu (100m north of Lufthansa Center), Chaoyang District.

(8532 3122); 2) 60 Donghuamen Ave (near The Peninsula Hotel and Oriental Plaza), Dongcheng District. (6527 9368); 3) B1/F, Eastern Hotel, Nansanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (6593 6066) 悠庭保健会所, 1) 朝阳 区朝阳区燕莎桥东方东路19号外交会所1层（燕 莎中心路北100米）; 2) 东城区东城区东华门大 街60号(近王府饭店和东方广场); 3) 朝阳区朝 阳区三里屯南路逸羽酒店1层 Le Spa at River Garden The modest size of Le Spa be-lies the wealth of treatments available, with everything from facials and manicures to micro-dermabrasion. Try the crystal aroma steam room (RMB 168, 20min), featuringa giant purple crystal in the center of the room, or the far infrared energy house (RMB 168, 20min). Foot reflexology (RMB 88, 1hr) and Chinese therapy massage (RMB 168, 90min). They run a shuttle bus (RMB 10) from the HSBC at Guomao or the Holiday Inn Lido. Mon-Thu 10am-10.30pm, Fri-Sun 10.30am-11pm. Le Spa, River Garden, Houshayu, Shunyi District. (8046 6558) 水漾 会馆, 顺义区后沙峪镇裕京花园水漾会馆7号

Family Life Community Groups and Organizations Beijing Playhouse China’s English community theater presents contemporary live semi-professional theater productions, performed in English with Chinese subtitles.

Professional acting experience not necessary and nationality not important, though ability to perform in English is required.

Balizhuang (E 4th Ring Rd)100025 Chaoyang5 Houbalizhuang, Yew Chung Int’l School, East gate of Honglingjin Park, Chaoyang District.

(13718908922, performance@beijingplayhouse. com) www.beijingplayhouse.com 北京剧场, 朝 阳区八里庄东四环中路后八里庄5号

International Newcomers’ Network A networking and information resource for all newcomers to Beijing. Meetings are held on the last Monday of each month except December. Function Rm, 3/F, Athletic Center, Capital Mansion, 6 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (8486 2225 ext 110, innbeijing@ hotmail.com) www.innbeijing.org 朝阳区新源 南路6号京城大厦康乐中心3层 Roundabout Roundabout is a non-profit organization run by volunteers that accepts donations from the community and distributes them to people in need. They accept donations of almost anything: clothing, furniture and much more. Any items that are not needed by the charities, such such as handbags, paintings, home decor, surplus furniture and toys, are sold in their store. All proceeds fund their operation: truck hire, rent etc.The new building location is directly beside/behind Yosemite (the side towards Dragon Bay). Directions: Drive past ISB, with ISB on your left (this is Anhua Jie going west). Pass the intersection where BSB is on your right. Take the next left (leading to the back gate of Yosemite), and it is just down the road on the right past the blue and white migrant worker buildings. Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm. Yuyang Road West,Off An Hua Road (Behind Yosemite Villa Compound), Shunyi District. (137 1877 7761 (English), 137 1805 3814 (Chinese only), roundaboutchina@ gmail.com, thecharitystore@gmail.com) www. roundaboutchina.com 顺义区众爱商店，顺义区 榆阳路（优山美地别墅后街，从安华路转入） SinoRescue Sister company of highly-rated SinoScuba, SinoRescue is dedicated to serving and providing the Beijing community with the very best in emergency preparation, be it training in emergency first response, primary and secondary care, care for children, safety training, home proofing, and offering the most up-to-date information on being ready to care for your family when the need arises. (186 1113 3629)

Hair & Beauty Salons Catherine de France Hair & Beauty Salon The C. de France team of international and local stylists, colorists and beauticians offer an holistic hair and beauty experience.

The salon mixes French chic with modern simplicity to create a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere offering a wide range of hair services and beauty treatments, including manicures and pedicures, waxing and tanning. Referral and VIP programs available.

Tue-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun-Mon 11am-6pm.

B1/F, East Avenue Apartments, 10 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District. (139 1097 1473, 8470 4639, catherine@catherinedefrance.com) www.catherinedefrance.com 法式美容美发沙 龙, 朝阳区新东路10号逸盛阁地下1层 MyStudio A full service beauty salon offering hair removal via sugaring (instead of waxing) to safely and less painfully remove hair.

Haircuts go for about RMB 300 for women and a full leg wax is similarly priced. Daily 10am-8.30pm. Bldg 811, Zone 8, Jinsong, Chaoyang District. (6771 4375, 137 0125 3148) 朝阳区劲松八区811号楼 TATA With its eye-catching, panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, this swanky salon in Gongti is the perfect stop for doing up your hair and nails before clubbing. Daily 10am10pm. Workers’ Stadium North Gate, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (8511 3880) 朝阳区 工体北路工人体育场北门 VivaXiao Kids’ Hair Salon Located in the same venue as VivaXiao Photography Studio, this Shunyi-based hair salon specializes in children’s haircuts from infants and above.

The salon’s patient hairstylists know what it takes to get kids’ cooperation, with special haircut car seats videos they can watch while getting their hair cut. Tue-Sun 10am-7pm.

Rm 509-510, 5/F, Euro Plaza, 99 Yuxiang Lu, Shunyi District. (8046 1603 (Chinese), 138 1160 2673 (English)) www.vivaxiao.com 小小 世界美发沙龙, 顺义区天竺镇裕翔路99号欧陆广 场五层509-510

Family Travel Veterinarians Doctors Beck & Stone Pet Health Care Center Get full, international standard, pet care with open Western and highly trained Chinese veterinarians, nurses and medical technicians.

Hospitals are also emergency crisis centers.

Ambulances available for collection and drop off of pets. Daily, 24 hours. 1) Unit 104, Tower B, Bldg 3, Hou Xiandai Cheng, BaiziwanLu, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District. (8774 8653, 135 0103 0572 (emergencies), info@ drbns.com); 2) Daily 9am-7pm. Shop 0153, Tower B, Chaowai Soho, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (5869 6401, 400 103 8686 (for appointments, pet pick-up and emergencies), info@drbns.com); 3) Daily 9am9pm. Unit 104, Bldg 7, Compound 9,Fangyuan Nanli, Chaoyang District. (8457 8233, 400 103 8686 (for appointments, pet pick-up and emergencies), info@drbns.com); 4) Shop LB05, Euro Plaza,99 Yu Xiang Lu, Shunyi District, Shunyi District. (8046 2886, 135 0103 0572 (emergencies), info@drbns.com) www. doctorsbeckandstone.com 思威（北京）国际 动物医院有限公司, 1) 朝阳区百子湾路后现代 城3栋B座104底商; 2) 朝阳区朝阳门外大街6号 朝外SohoB号楼0153; 3) 朝阳区芳园南里9号院7 号楼104; 4) 顺义区顺义区天竺镇 裕祥路99号 欧陆广场LB05 International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) ICVS is a professionally managed and affordable full service international standard animal hospital and pet care facility. All doctors are legally licensed in the PRC. Services include internal medicine, hospitalization, spay/neuter, soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries, dentistry, dermatology, blood tests, laboratory diagnostics, X-rays, ultrasound, legal vaccinations, prescription pet foods, behavior counseling and obedience training, import/export advice, pet adoption counseling and more. Boarding kennel, grooming salon, SAFE pet foods & pet shop available. All services in Mandarin and English.

Licensed rabies vaccinations for export.

Soft opening hours: 10am-5pm daily. 13-16 Rongke Ganlan Chengshang Jie, Futongxi Dajie, Wangjing, Chaoyang District. (8456 1939/40/41, ICVS_CHINA@yahoo.com) www.

ICVSASIA.com 北京新天地国际动物医院, 朝阳 区望京阜通西大街, 融科橄榄城商街13-16号

Family Travel Hotels, Hostels and Resorts China World Hotel With bragging rights to being the first super luxury hotel in town, the 716 room China World is an oldie but still a goodie thanks to its attentive service, location in the heart of the CBD and quality food outlets - especially Aria. The lobby is opulent and marble-laden enough for even the most discriminating Carraran and it leads, via an escalator, to the restaurants, offices and luxury retailers of the China World Trade Center. The main conference hall will be closed for renovation from January to March of 2007.

Also, the affiliated Traders Hotel (Guomao Fandian) just behind the China World Hotel is a less-expensive alternative for business travelers. RMB 3,000-31,000. Daily 6am-11pm.

1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District.

(6505 2266 ext 33, cwh@shangri-la.com) www. shangri-la.com 中国大饭店, 朝阳区建国门外 大街1号 Crowne Plaza Beijing Popular with tourists and foreigners adopting kids in China, the recently renovated Crowne Plaza’s appeal lies chiefly in its location just north of the main Wangfujing drag and within walking distance of the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen. Rooms overlooking the streets are preferable to those on the atrium. RMB 2,760-6,610. 48 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6513 3388) www. crowneplaza.com 国际艺苑皇冠假日酒店, 东城 区王府井大街48号 EAST Beijing 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (6417 6688) www.east-beijing.com 北 京东隅, 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号

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Grand Hyatt Though it will always be overshadowed by the more glamorous Grand Hyatt Shanghai (in the Jinmao Tower), this hotel remains one of the most upscale in China - with prices to match. Great for shopping, business and sightseeing, with comfortable, sleekly lit and furnished rooms, the Grand Hyatt now also has a stunning new meeting venue, The Residence, in addition to their award-winning Chinese restaurant (Made in China) and indoor pool done up like a tropical grotto. RMB 3,500-34,200. 1 Dongchang’an Jie, Dongcheng District. (8518 1234) www.beijing. grand.hyatt.com 东方君悦大酒店, 东城区东 长安街1号 Hilton Beijing Located along the east Third Ring Road, the Hilton Beijing offers easy access to Sanlitun, the CBD and the embassy district, as well as the Airport Expressway. Experience a higher realm of pampering and prestige with exclusivity, personalized service and upgraded amenities in the newly built nine-story Executive Tower and relax in the Executive Lounge. There are also 12 meeting rooms, as well as a fully equipped Business Center.

Also has five restaurants and bars, including Pan-Asian cooking at Elements restaurant, contemporary American cuisine in One East or creative cocktails in Zeta Bar. Daily 24hrs.. 1 Dongfang Lu, Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (5865 5000) http://www1.hilton.com/ en_US/hi/hotel/BJSHITW-Hilton-Beijing-hotel/ index.do 北京希尔顿酒店, 朝阳区东三环北路 东方路1号 Hilton Beijing Capital Airport Just minutes after clearing Customs you could be taking a snooze in your room, attending a business meeting or relaxing in the spa. This stylish departure from typical airport hotels offers five-star comforts and unique convenience for people in transit, business travelers, trade fair visitors and event organizers. One minute away from Terminal 3 by 24-hour hotel free airport shuttle bus, the city center just 16 minutes away by direct rail, and the most popular tourist sites within a 40-minute drive, it’s also the perfect base for tourists. Terminal 3, Beijing Capital International Airport, Chaoyang District.

(6458 8888) http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/ hi/hotel/BJSCAHI-Hilton-Beijing-Capital-Airport/ index.do 朝阳区北京首都机场三号航站楼 Hilton Beijing Wangfujing “Recently voted the ‘World’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel’ for the second year running at the prestigious World Travel Awards, the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing hotel offers some of the largest hotel rooms in the city.Set in the heart of Beijing’s shopping district, indulge in some retail therapy or visit nearby Beijing attractions. The iconic Tiananmen Square is just a ten minute walk from the hotel. After a busy day sightseeing, treat yourself to a holistic massage in the hotel’s Spa, swim laps of the rooftop pool or work out in the fitness center.Hold a conference in one of the 8 fully equipped meeting rooms then relax and enjoy stunning city views in the Executive Lounge or take advantage of the hotel’s Business Center. Sample delicious Macanese cuisine at Vasco’s restaurant or sip an expertly mixed cocktail in stylish Flames bar at the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing hotel.”

8 Wangfujing Dongjie, Dongcheng District.

(5812 8888) www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/ BJSWFHI-Hilton-Beijing-Wangfujing/index.do 东 城区北京王府井希尔顿酒店 InterContinental Beijing Beichen Recognized as the only award-winning international luxury hotel in the northern part of Beijing, InterContinental Beijing Beichen is connected to the China National Convention Center (CNCC), one of Asia’s largest convention centers. The hotel stands out for its scenic location next to the National Stadium and the Water Cube, with easy access to Beijing International Capital Airport, the Great Wall, historical sightseeing spots, and major business centers. Bldg 4, 8 Beichen Xilu, Chaoyang District. www.intercontinental.com/bjbeichen 北京北辰洲际酒店, 朝阳区朝阳区北辰西路8号 院4号楼 JW Marriott Standard rooms are elegantly

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appointed and super luxurious. Downstairs, the loungy Loong Bar aspires to the metro-chic networking set, while restaurants Asia Bistro and CRU Steakhouse maintain a high standard.

Rooms RMB 1,500-2,500. 83 Jianguo Lu, China Central Place, Chaoyang District. (5908 6688) 北京JW万豪酒店, 朝阳区华贸中心建国路83号 Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center Located in the heart of Beijing’s central diplomatic and business district, the Kempinski Hotel Beijing boasts a blend of European style with elements of Beijing’s rich cultural history. In addition to 526 guestrooms and suites, including four executive floors and eight no-smoking floors, the hotel also has eight fully equipped banqueting/conference facilities accommodating up to 1,300 people.

The hotel also has seven restaurants and bars, including the Paulaner Bräuhaus boasting the city’s finest Bavarian food and microbrewed beer, and Kempi Deli, renowned for its gourmet European cakes and pastries. On the 18th floor overlooking Beijing’s skyline is the swimming pool of Pulse Health Club, which also includes a fitness centre, tennis courts and squash courts.The Kempinski also manages a neighbouring eight-storey complex offering 12,500 square metres of office space, 42 shops and showrooms and 170 fully furnished one to four bedroom apartments. Facing the Liang Ma River, the complex also contains a 24-hour serviced international medical centre, dental clinics and fully equipped children’s park and nursery. Beijing Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (6465 3388) www.kempinski.com/beijing 凯宾斯基饭 店, 朝阳区亮马桥路50号 Kerry Hotel Beijing This Shangri-La property is noted for its modern design, business-friendly amenities, kid-friendly restaurant (Horizon) as well as the city’s most popular cocktails (at Centro). The Horizon Club’s executive floor will be upgraded in the coming months The Kerry’s sports center wins kudos for its big pool, two indoor tennis courts, basketball court and rooftop track. RMB 1,300-23,000. 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6561 8833) www.shangri-la.com 北京嘉里大饭店, 朝阳区 光华路1号 Langham Place Beijing Capital Airport Langham Place Beijing Capital Airport boasts “372 spacious, stylish guest rooms and suites;” dining options, including Ming Court and Fuel Bar and Grill; a location just one minute from Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3; a 24-hour gym and cardio studio; 22 function rooms, including a ballroom and various multipurpose rooms; and the 24-hour private Club L Lounge offering “two floors of sleek luxury and an intimate, upscale vibe.” 1 Er Jing Lu, Terminal 3 Capital International Airport, Shunyi District. (6457 5555) http://beijingairport. langhamplacehotels.com/ 顺义区首都机场1号 航站楼 Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street Another top-range hotel on Beijing’s “Wall Street.” With a striking glass and chrome exterior, the hotel boasts 253 guest rooms appointed with flat screen TVs, cordless phones and high-speed Internet and fax connections.

The hotel features three restaurants (including the award-winning Cepe) and a lounge and bar serving Chinese, Italian and all-day cuisines.

RMB 1,500-48,000. 1 Jinchengfang Dongjie, Financial Street, Xicheng District, Xicheng District. (6601 6666) www.ritzcarlton.com 北京 丽嘉饭店, 西城区金融街金城坊东街1号 The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu This renovated elementary school proves there is more to Mutianyu than just the Great Wall. Located 90mins northeast of Beijing (via Jingcheng expressway) and offering a restaurant with fresh local ingredients, art glass studio and art room and is a creative way for the family to escape the city. Daily 7-10am, 3-5pm. Mutianyu Village (for detailed directions see website), Huairou District. (6162 6506) www.theschoolhouseatmutianyu.com 慕田峪 小园餐厅, 怀柔区慕田峪 (具体路线请查看网 站信息)

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Sofitel Wanda Despite an ominous exterior, Sofitel’s new Asia flagship hotel is sure to dazzle with its sophisticated blend of modern comfort and classical Chinese elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows profit iconic CBD skyline views from west side rooms, specially designed feather beds, Wi-Fi, broadband and flat screen TVs complete a high-tech vision of luxury. The hotel’s F&B outlets include Le Pré Lenôtre and Farm House (see Restaurants). Rooms RMB 1,088-4,986. Tower C, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (8599 6666) 北京万达索 菲特大饭店, 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场C座 The St. Regis Beijing With more marble than an Italian quarry and more wood than an old growth forest, the St. Regis is one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. At any hour round the clock, guests can summon their personal butler or a professional masseur; to fight jetlag, there is always the gorgeous pool, spa or putting green. The restaurants, notably the Astor Grill, will sat-isfy discriminating palates, and the buzz around town is that the bartender whips up a mean tequila Bloody Mary at the Press Club Bar. RMB 1,750-51,170. 21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6460 6688) www.stregis. com/beijing 北京瑞吉酒店, 朝阳区建国门外 大街21号 Swissotel Beijing Though the rooms are fairly small, the large swimming pool, the diverse dining options and central location of this fivestar hotel appeal to both leisure and business travelers. RMB 2,755-7,180. 2 Chaoyangmen Beidajie, Dongcheng District. (6553 2288) www.swissotel.com 北京港澳中心瑞 士酒店, 东 城区朝阳门北大街2号 The Brickyard Inn and Retreat Center at Mutianyu Great Wall 100m South of Yingbeigou Cun, Huairou District. (6162 6506, info@brickyardatmutianyu.com) www. brickyardatmutianyu.com 瓦厂, 怀柔区怀柔区 营北沟村南100米

our hotel has the capacity to accommodate events of various sizes. The Jinmao Ballroom and seven meeting rooms feature the latest in audiovisual technology and five-star service. 7 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (5922 8888) 金茂北京威斯汀大饭店, 朝阳区东三环 北路7号 Westin Beijing Financial Street This megahotel on Financial Street (West Second Ring Road) has spared no expense in meeting the high expectations of its well-heeled clientele, from its vast lobby and elegantly appointed rooms to its opulent spa and pool. The Westin also boasts seven restaurants and bars – including Senses, which offers what many cognoscenti consider to be Beijing’s most decadent Sunday brunch. RMB 1,500-21,100.

9B Jinrong Jie (Financial Street), Xicheng District., Xicheng District. (6606 8866) 威斯汀 大酒店, 西城区金融街乙9号

Travel Agencies Sunflower Travel 22D, Bldg B, Ginza Mall, 48 Dongzhimenwai Dajie(8447 6361, tours@ sunflowertravel-cn.com. www.sunflowertravelcn.com, Dongcheng District. (8447 6361) 东城 区东直门外大街48号东方银座B座22D) TUI China Travel Co. Ltd. With its extensive international network, this German-Chinese joint venture can arrange personalized tours to destinations both domestic and worldwide. Unit 921-926, Bright China Chang An Bldg, Tower 2, 7 Jianguomennei Dajie, Dongcheng District.

(8519 8800, private-tours@tui.cn) www.tui. cn 途易, 东城区建国门内大街7号光华长安大厦 2座921-926

Fun Stuff Art Schools

The Opposite House This chic boutique hotel owned and operated by Swire properties (the same group behind adjacent Village at Sanlitun) boasts a prime location, cuttingedge contemporary architecture by Kengo Kuma, creative units ranging from studios to penthouses fitted with rain showers, LCD TVs and nespresso coffee machines, chic bars, lounges and restaurants (Sureno, Punk, Mesh), and much more. Bldg 1, Sanlitun Village North, 11 Sanlitun Lu (north of 3.3 Shopping Center), Chaoyang District. (6417 6688, answers@ theoppositehouse.com) www.theoppositehouse. com 朝阳区三里屯路11号三里屯Village北区1号楼 The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing Old World elegance, plush comfort – everything you’d expect from this hallowed name, including impeccable restaurants such as the internationally themed Aroma and Yu (Cantonese/Sichuan). An in-house wedding chapel sets this hotel apart, but the 109sqm executive suites with innovatively partitioned living and entertaining quarters are where the Ritz really shines. 83A Jianguo Lu, China Central Place, Chaoyang District. (5908 8888) 北京丽 思卡尔顿酒店, 朝阳区建国路甲83号华贸中心 The Westin Beijing Chaoyang Fantastic location and first class amenities make the Westin Chaoyang one of Beijing’s premiere luxury hotels. All 550 guest rooms and suites are oversized and feature quality contemporary furnishings including the signature Heavenly Bed® and rainforest shower as well as wireless High Speed Internet Access. The Westin Executive Club Floor guest rooms and suites provide the ultimate comfort and convenience.

The Heavenly Spa by Westin™ offers a range of treatments for the renewal of the body, soul, and mind. Facilities include an indoor pool, hydrotherapy centre, and WestinWORKOUT® gym. The business centre, located on Level 3, provides secretarial and business support while the gift shop features a selection of premium souvenirs and gift items.Find a journey of culinary delights and moments to savor in our restaurants, bars, and lounges as you enjoy offerings from China, Europe, and Asia. With a total of 1,100 square meters of function space,

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ArtBug Singaporean art center ArtBug aims to make art accessible for everyone, with programs catering to children from ages 2-12.

ArtBug focuses on nurturing a child’s creativity, communication skills, and self-confidence through the arts. The center offers courses in a wide variety of subjects, including drawing, sculpture, photography, speech and drama, and performance arts. Rm 753, Tower A, Chaowai SOHO (north of Central Park), 6 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (5900 0270) www.artbug. com.cn 朝阳区朝阳区朝外大街乙6号朝外SOHO写 字楼A座753 （新城国际北侧）

Cinemas Broadway Cinematheque MOMA (BC MOMA) North area of Dongzhimen MOMA, 1 Xiangheyuan Lu, Dongzhimen, Chaoyang District. (8438 8258) http://www.bc-cinema.cn/ 当代MOMA百老汇电影中心, 朝阳区东直门香河 园路1号, 万国城北区（二环路东北角） China National Film Museum Tue-Sun 9am-4.30pm (last entry 4pm). 9 Nanying Lu, Chaoyang District. (6431 9548) www.cnfm.org. cn 中国电影博物馆, 朝阳区南影路9号 Daguanlou Cinema 36 Dashilan’r, Qianmen, Xuanwu District. (6303 0878) 大观楼电影院, 宣武区前门大栅栏36号 Mega Box One of the more popular cinemas in Beijing, Mega Box screens both the latest

Hollywood blockbusters and Chinese films. For RMB 20 per year, their membership program is well worth it. Non-members pay RMB 80 for regular tickets and RMB 120 for 3D tickets.

With the discount, members get 50 percent off on weekdays and 30 percent off on weekends and holidays. 1) B1/F, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (6417 6118); 2) 3/F, Area C, Zhongguancun Mall (West of Dinghao Mall), Haidian District. (5986 3777) www.imegabox.com 美嘉欢乐影城, 1) 朝阳区 三里屯路19号三里屯Village南区地下1层; 2) 海淀 区中关村广场购物中心C区三层（鼎好西侧） Saga Cinema SA-42, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6868) www.sagacinema.com 传奇时代影城, 朝阳区朝 阳公园路6号蓝色港湾商业区SA-42

Museums & Education China Science and Technology Museum Mammoth 48,000 sqm facility features five themed exhibition rooms (the Children’s Science Paradise, The Glory of China, Exploration and Discovery, Science, Technology and Life and Challenges and the Future) and an array of hands-on scientific exhibitions, a science playground and displays of Chinese exhibitions.

Also boasts four state-of-the-art “4D” and 3D cinemas, and an array of dining options. TueSun 9am-4.30pm, extended hours for special events (ticket selling 8.30am- 3.30pm). 5 Beichen Donglu (ten minutes east of the south gate of the Olympic Forest Park), Chaoyang District. (5904 1188) www.cstm.org.cn 中国科 技馆, 朝阳区朝阳区北辰东路5号

Theme Parks Happy Valley Amusement Park Beijing’s best amusement park sprawls out across a square kilometer of land outside the East Fourth Ring Road and offers 40 rides, an IMAX theater, more than 100 games and seven cinemas.

The park is divided into a number of themed areas inspired by such civilizations as Mayan Central America, Minoan Greece and Shangrila – the little kiddies play in Ant Kingdom. The roller coasters are world class, the park is well maintained, and the lines for rides are fairly reasonable. RMB 160 (April 1-Nov 14); RMB 120 (Nov 15-March 31). Half price for kids 1.21.4m, free for kids under 1.2m. Daily 8.30am10pm. Wuji Beilu, Dongsihuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (6738 9898 ext 0, 6205 0088, happyvalley@bjoct.com) http://bj.happyvalley. com.cn/park/ 北京欢乐谷, 朝阳区东四环路小 武基北路

Schools Educational Services Eliott’s Corner A therapy center, offering speechtherapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy for children from 0-12 years of age. Experienced therapists work with children, helping a wide range ofissues - from communication and articulation to handwriting to balance and coordination. Eliott’s Corner is a division of Olivia’s Place, Shanghai’s premier pediatric therapy clinic. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm. Rm 19-05, Block 2, Condo 360, 10 Dongsihuan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6461 6283, jac@ oliviasplace.org) www.oliviasplace.org 胡宝小 屋, 朝阳区东四环北路10号瞰都国际2号楼19－05 室 (东风北桥东北角） The Learning Center (TLC) The Learning Center opened in 2004 to meet the specific educational needs of local and expatriate students in Beijing. They aim to address the individual challenges of students by offering a nurturing environment, small classes or 1:1 tutoring, and experienced, specialized teachers who design tailor-made programs for each child. By helping them realize their academic potential, The Learning Center cultivate not only students’ skills, but also their confidence and self-esteem. The Learning Center has worked with more than 1,000 local and expatriate students in the Shunyi and Haidian areas. As the only professional tutoring service

Schools in Beijing, they pride themselves on offering a nurturing environment in which students of all ages and levels can find the support they need in the subjects they need. Subjects for students ages 5 to 18. Parenting programs are also available, including adult education and child development workshops. TLC tutors are native English speaking professional educators with an understanding of the international school curricula across Beijing. Mon 10am-6pm, Tue-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat-Sun 9.30am-4.30pm.

Gahood Villa 2108 ((next to Yosemite and Capital Paradise), Xibaixinzhuang, Houshayu, Shunyi District. (8046 3886/7085, registration@ hyde-education.com / learningcenterbeijing@ gmail.com) www.thelearningcenter.cn 顺义区后 沙峪嘉浩别墅2108(新国展与ISB之间)

Language Schools Beijing Mandarin School Established in 1998, Beijing Mandarin School has students speaking 60 percent of the time in class and focuses on communication for everyday life.

Over the years, thousands of students from over 50 countries and over 70 companies and embassies have studied at the school. Beijing Mandarin School offers weekly Chinese cooking classes (RMB 150/two hours) and other cultural activities. Visa help and accommodations are also available. Call for a free trial lesson. 1) Rm 709, 7/F, 42 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District.

Contact Skype ID: beijingmandarinschool1998 (8441 8391, 186 1173 6419, info@ beijingmandarinschool.com); 2) Rm 904, 9/F, E-Tower, Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District.

Contact Skype ID: beijingmandarinschool1998 (6508 1026, info@beijingmandarinschool.com) www.beijingmandarinschool.com 北京普通话学 校, 1) 朝阳区亮马桥路42号光明饭店709室; 2) 朝阳区光华路数码01大厦9层904 Beijing That’s Mandarin Featuring a loftstyle space in Dongzhimen, That’s Mandarin was established in 2005 and features friendly, qualified staff with experience teaching kids and teens. Language learning is tailored to each individual, whether it’s basic survival level, exam preparation, or just a desire to learn. There are one-on-one and small group options (arranged by age and level) for each program. Students can also take the Intensive Chinese Program, which includes morning lessons or part-time classes to fit around their schedule. That’s Mandarin has its own curriculum and has an inhouse team of education researchers who work on the latest teaching methodologies. Support is available for students working towards the YCT and other overseas examinations. In addition to classes, there are tailor-made group packages for individuals and institutions and the Chinese Summer Camp, which runs from June to August (open for registration as of April).

Age range: 7-18. Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-7pm. 1/F, Office Bldg B, Xinzhong Yuan, Xinzhong Jie, Dongcheng District. (5218 6432, info@thatsmandarin.com) www.thatsmandarin. com 东城区新中街新中园写字楼B座1层 he Bridge School The Bridge School has about 150 teachers and over 60 companies and embassies as clients. The school’s in-house textbooks (complete with with memory cards and CDs) are published by Beijing Language and Culture University. The Bridge School is also an official HSK, BCT and YCT test center.

There are over 5,000 worldwide students at The Bridge School every year. 1) 1/F, Capital Paradise Club, Houshayu, Shunyi District. (8046 6114, info@bridgeschoolchina.com); 2) Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm. Rm 8013, Tongguang Tower.

12 Nongzhanguan Nanli, Chaoyang District.

(6538 9422, info@bridgeschoolchina.com); 3) Rm 901, 9/F, Yufei Dasha, 42 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6416 3990, 157 1284 5017, info@bridgeschoolchina.com); 4) Rm 701, Furniture Building, Riviera Plaza, Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District. (8430 8068, info@bridgeschoolchina.com); 5) Rm 903, 9/F, E-Tower, 12 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6503 5193, info@bridgeschoolchina. com); 6) Rm 503, 5/F, Guangming Hotel, Liangmaquiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (8451 7605, info@bridgeschoolchina.com) www. bridgeschoolchina.com 桥学校, 1) 顺义区后沙

Directories

峪名都园会所1层; 2) 朝阳区农展馆南里12号通 广大厦8013; 3) 东城区东直门外大街42号宇飞大 厦9层901室; 4) 朝阳区来广营东路尙古城7层701 室; 5) 朝阳区光华路12号数码01大厦9层903; 6) 朝阳区亮马桥路光明饭店5层503室

Schools School fees listed are for one academic year unless otherwise. Specified.Abbreviations: IB = International Baccalaureate; ESOL = English as a Second or Other Language 3e International School Founded in 2005, 3e International School has grown into an institution of over 200 studentsfrom Nursery to Grade 4. The school aims to develop critical thinkers through a specially-developed, research-based curriculum. Classes are taught inEnglish and Chinese with half of the day devoted to each language. Within this inquirybased program, a balance of child-initiated and teacher-directed activity is provided to supportchildren’s development across the entire curriculum. Age range: 2-10. Tuition fees (2012-2013 academic year): RMB 93,800 (Half-day Nursery); RMB 103,800 (Full-day Nursery); RMB 136,900 (Pre-K); RMB 140,600 (Kindergarten); RMB 150,700 (Grades 1-4) 9-1 Jiangtai Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6437 3344 ext 100, admissions@3einternationalschool.org) www.3einternationalschool.org 3e国际学校, 朝 阳区将台西路9-1号 American International Academy of Beijing (AIAB) Founded in 2012, AIABprovides a bilingual Montessori-based teaching approach to preschool that also incorporates elements of the Chinese National Curriculum. School facilities include Montessori classrooms, adance studio, library, music room, baking room, meeting room, clinic, and outdoor playground. Age range: 1.5-6. Tuition fees (2013-2014 academic year): RMB 77,000/11 months (full-day); RMB 47,300/11 months (half-day); RMB 7,700 (optional summer camp, Jul 15-Aug 15) Bldg 5, 78 Baiziwan Nan’erlu, Chaoyang District. (8776 0606, apaiacademy@ gmail.com) www.aiab.com.cn A 派国际双语幼 儿园, 朝阳区百字湾南二路78号院5号楼 Beijing BISS International School (BISS) With a diverse student body, Beijing BISS International School’s mission is to foster international relationships to educate and empower students to attain personal excellence and positively impact the world. BISS offers the IB Diploma Program, serves as an SAT Test Center, caters to children with learning needs, and offers counseling, student enrichment programs, universitysearches, and transitional education services to third-culture kids and their parents. Age range: 3-17. Tuition fees (20122013 Academic Year): RMB 18,000-23,000 (refundable deposit); RMB 3,800 (registration); RMB 99,000 (Kindergarten); RMB 146,400177,500 (Grades 1-12); RMB 20,000 (ESOL) Bldg 17, Area 4, Anzhen Xili, Chaoyang District.

(6443 3151, admissions@biss.com.cn) www. biss.com.cn 北京BISS国际学校, 朝阳区安贞西 里四区17号楼 Beijing City International School (BCIS) The school motto of BCIS is “Empowering and inspiring throughchallenge and compassion.”

This non-profit, independent co-educational day school is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Associationof Schools and Colleges (WASC).

BCIS offers an international curriculum for Nursery through Grade 12 students under the International Baccalaureate (IB) World School system and isauthorized to teach all three IB programs (Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma). The campus culture is characterized by a warm and inclusive nature and an emphasis on personalized rigorousacademic inquiry through the extensive use of information technology in the classroom. Age range: 3-18.

Tuition fees (2012-2013 Academic Year): RMB 2,000 (registration fee); RMB 5,000 (new student fee); RMB 132,600 (Nursery); RMB 144,500 (Pre-K); RMB 154,000 (Kindergarten); RMB 186,300 (Grade 1-2); RMB 188,700 (Grade 3-5); RMB 195,300 (Grade 6-8); RMB 199,100 (Grade 9-10); RMB 206,600 (Grade 11-12) 77

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Schools

Baiziwan Nan Er Lu, Chaoyang District. (8771 7171, admissions@bcis.cn) www.bcis.cn 北京乐 成国际学校, 朝阳区百子湾南二路77号 Beijing Collegiate Academy Formerly known as British Columbia International School (BC School), Beijing Collegiate Academy caters to both local and international students with a blend of Canadian and Chinese curricula.

This gives students a bilingual education and knowledge of world cultures, while also conferring a dual diploma. The school features a team of certified British Columbian and native Chinese teachers, as well as brand-new, purpose-built facilities located on 60,000sqm of space. BC School’s sports facilities are offered via a joint venture with Arsenal youth Academy. Extracurricular courses include major league sports. For ages 2.5-5, the school has a program modeled after the Montessori method.

Age range: 2.5 to 18 years old. Tuition fees (2012-2013 Academic Year): RMB 132,500197,100. 10 Upper East Dongfeng Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (5681 2155, admission@ bj.ccaschools.cn) www.ccaschools.cn 常春藤国 际学校, 朝阳区东风南路上东10号 Beijing Huijia Kindergarten Part of a nationwide chain, Huijia Kindergarten has 17 campuses and early childhood centers around Beijing. The curriculum combines advanced international educational ideas, modern teaching methods and Chinese traditional culture and focuses on nurturing children to become international citizens. The coursework, which emphasizes basic concepts, skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, is designed to help students become “lifelong learners” and take responsibility for themselves, their studies others.Age range: 1.5-6 years old.

Tuition fees (2010-2011 academic year): Huijia Longwan Experiential Early Childhood Education Center - RMB 72,000/year; Huijia Central Park Experiential Early Childhood Education Center RMB 72,000/year; Tuition for other centers vary from RMB 25,000-72,000/year (contact school administration for details) 1) Shangdi MOMA campus: MOMA, Anning Zhuang, Haidian District, Haidian District. (8275 9510 / 8274 1391, hjkids@263.net); 2) Changping campus: Huijia Vocational College, 20 Chuangxin Road, Zhongguancun Kejiyuan, Changping District, Changping District. (5163 1603, hjkids@263. net); 3) Sanyuan Qiao campus: 6 Jing’an Dongli, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District.

(6463 5251, hjkids@263.net); 4) Wanquan campus: 35 Xinxin Jiayuan, Wanquanyuan, Bagou nanlu, Haidian District, Haidian District.

(8255 1751, hjkids@263.net); 5) CBD campus: 24 Xincheng International Apartment, 6 Chaowai Dajie (6597 9358), Chaoyang District.

(6597 9358, hjkids@263.net) www.hjkids.com 汇佳幼儿园, 1) 海淀区安宁庄上地MOMA小区; 2) 昌平区中关村科技园创新路20号汇佳职业学院 内; 3) 朝阳区静安东里6号; 4) 海淀区巴沟南路 35号小区万泉新新家园; 5) 朝阳区朝外大街6号 新城国际公寓24号楼 Beijing Huijia Private (IB) School Beijing Huijia Private (IB) School is comprised of a kindergarten, primary school, junior high school and senior high school. It is a day and boarding school where Chinese and foreign students study together, and it is the first member school of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in China that admits Chinese students.

With a mix of Chinese and foreign students (from 15 countries) and more than 500 Chinese and foreign teachers and staff, it is one of the largest private schools in Beijing. Age range: 3-18. Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year): RMB 1,000 (application fee); RMB 20,000 (deposit); RMB 146,600/year (Grade 1-2); RMB 148,200/year (Grade 3-4); RMB 152,500/year (Grade 5-6) 157 Changping Lu, Changping District. (400 889 1993, zhaoban@hj2000.net. cn) www.hj1993.com 北京汇佳私立学校, 昌平 区昌平路157号 Beijing International Bilingual Academy (BIBA) BIBA (founded in 2006) combines a bilingual curriculum based on US standards, coupled with elements of the Chinese National Curriculum. Its Shunyi campus is comprised of kindergarten, elementary and middle schools.

A high school department is scheduled to open

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in August of 2013. BIBA emphasizes academics and a wide array of sporting, music,performing arts and other programs. A sibling discount of 20 percent applies forsecond and subsequent children. Age range: 2.5-15.Tuition fees (20122013 Academic Year):RMB 1,600 (Application fee); RMB 70,000 plus RMB 10,000capital levy (Pre-K); RMB 80,000 plus RMB 10,000 capital levy (Kindergarten); RMB 120,000 plus RMB 20,000 capital levy (elementary school); RMB 130,000 plus RMB 20,000 capital levy (middle school); RMB 140,000 plus RMB 20,000 capital levy (high school) Monet Garden, 5 Yumin Dajie, Houshayu, Shunyi District. (8041 0390, info@bibachina.org) www.bibachina.org 海嘉国 际双语学校, 顺义区后沙峪裕民大街5号 Beijing No. 55 High School Beijing No. 55 High School is a Chinese key school that began recruiting foreign students in 1975. The International Students Section was established in 1989. No. 55 became the first Chinese member of the IBO in September of 1994. To date, more than 3,000 foreign students from 70 countries have studied at the school. The International Students Section offers a wide variety of compulsory and elective subjects, as well as extracurricular activities and a student council. Graduates have been admitted to universities both abroad and within China. Age range: 6-17. Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year): RMB 1,500 (enrollment fee); RMB 41,600 (Foundation program for Grades 1-6); RMB 31,600 (Grades 7-9, Chinese Program); RMB 41,600 (Grades 7-9, English MYP class); RMB 36,000 (Grades 10-12, Chinese Program); RMB 48,600 (Diploma Programme and foundation class, Grades 10-12) 12 Xinzhong Jie, Dongzhimenwai, Dongcheng District. (6416 9531) www.bj55iss.cn 北京第五十五中学, 东城 区东直门外新中街12号 Beijing Rego British School One of the newest schools in the city, Beijing Rego British School follows on the heels of two successful schools in Tianjin and Shanghai and caters to students from the surrounding Shunyi area with its array of educational facilities and ageappropriate resources on campus. Coursework is based on the UK national curriculum with the addition of Chinese Culture and Mandarin courses for all year groups. Rego places strong emphasis on close cooperation between parents, students and teachers and aims to create an educationally comfortable but truly challenging atmosphere for students to “be their best” and explore their talents and abilities to the fullest. Age range: 3 ½-18 years old.

Tuition:Registration Fee RMB 2,000; Deposit RMB 15,000; Nusery (Full Day) RMB 130,000/ year; Reception (Full Day) RMB 130,000/year; Years 1-6 RMB 160,000/year; Years 7-9 RMB 170,000/year; Years 10-11 RMB 192,000/ year; Years 12-13 RMB 202,000 15 Liyuan Jie, Tianzhu County, Shunyi District. (8416 7718, victoria.chu@brbs.regoschool.com) www. bjrego.org 北京瑞金英国学校, 顺义区顺义区天 竺镇丽苑街15号 Beijing Shuren Ribet Private School (BSRPS) Beijing Shuren Ribet Private School is a boarding school that incorporates American education and Chinese language and culture. The school community nurtures academic, social, physical and emotional growth. The lower end of Shuren Ribet teaches a primarily Chinese program, with an increase in the numberof courses in English as students move up in grade level.

Students at the American high school receive an American overseas education as they embrace the essence of Chinese culture and literature. The tuition fees quoted below include room and board, registration, textbooks, materials, and meals.Age range: 3-18.Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year): RMB 15,500/semester (kindergarten); RMB 35,000/semester (Grades 1-6); RMB 36,000/semester (Grades 7-9); RMB 112,420/ semester (Grades 10-12) 1A Xiaopu Nan, Songzhuang Town, Tongzhou District. (8085 6318 (bilingual), 8085 6787 (Chinese), inquiry@shurenribet.org) www.shurenribet. org (English), www.shuren.org (Chinese) 北 京市私立树人瑞贝学校, 通州区宋庄镇小堡 南申1号

2013 November

Beijing World Youth Academy (BWYA) Beijing World Youth Academy is an IB World School offering both English and bilingual (Chinese/English) programs for local and overseas students. BWYA values holistic education and inquiry-based learning, and offers students opportunity to develop as globally aware critical thinkers. The faculty hails from over 15 countries. BWYA emphasizes creativity and teamwork using a curriculum that incorporates standards from North America, Europe and Asia. The school has a strong track record of preparing students for both Chinese and overseas universities, including Peking University, Tsinghua, Fudan, Harvard, Princeton, UC Berkeley and Stanford.Age range: 9-18Tuition fees (2012-2013 Academic Year): RMB 1,600 (application fee); RMB 30,000 (capital levy fee); RMB 100,000 (International Primary School, Grades 3-5); RMB 80,000 (Bilingual Middle School, Grades 6-9); RMB 120,000 (Bilingual High School, Grades 10-12); RMB 120,000 (IB Middle Years Progamme, Grades 6-8); RMB 140,000 (IB Middle Years Progamme, Grades 9-10); RMB 140,000 (IB Diploma Programme, Grades 11-12) 18 Huajiadi Beili, Chaoyang District. (6461 7787, admissions@ibwya.net) www.ibwya.net 北京世 青国际学校, 朝阳区花家地北里18号 The British School of Beijing (BSB) The British School of Beijing is the oldest Britishstyle school in the city and is part of the Nord Anglia family of international schools. BSB follows the English National Curriculum and prepares students for the IGCSE and A-levels.

BSB has two campuses in Sanlitun (primary education) and Shunyi (primary and secondary education). The school is approved by the UK’s Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

Families are eligible for a 5 percent discount if they pay yearly tuition fees in full, in advance.

Age range: 1-18. Tuition fees (2012-2013 Academic Year):RMB 1,600 (application fee); RMB 16,000 (Security deposit, payable upon student’s acceptance); RMB 102,176 (PreNursery, mornings); RMB 153,280 (Pre-Nursery, full day); RMB 102,176 (Nursery, mornings); RMB 153,280 (Nursery, full day); RMB 165,333 (Reception); RMB 184,017 (Year 1 and 2); RMB 196,450 (Year 3); RMB 199,370 (Year 4-6); RMB 216,949 (Year 7-8); RMB 223,557 (Year 10-11); RMB 234,340 (Year 12-13) 1) 7 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang District. (8532 3088 (Sanlitun Campus), 8532 5320 (Sanlitun Foundation Stage), admissions@britishschool. org.cn); 2) Shunyi Campus: 9 Anhua Lu (south side), Shunyi District. (8047 3588, admissions@ britishschool.org.cn) www.britishschool.org.cn 北京英国学校, 1) 朝阳区三里屯北小街7号; 2) 顺义区安华路9号南院 Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) CISB offers a Montessori Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten program, as well as a Canadian-style curriculum for K-12 students.

CISB is an IB World School authorized to provide the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) at the high school level and is in the process of being accredited for the Primary Years (PYP) and Middle Years Programmes (MYP). Founded in August 2012, CISB’s Shunyi Campus offers a Montessori-based curriculum for ages 18 months to 6 years. Age range: 18 months-18 years. Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year): RMB 1,800 (application fee); RMB 76,600 (half day Montessori Nursery, Main Campus); RMB 121,800 (Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten, Main Campus); RMB 158,800 (Grades 1-5, Main Campus); RMB 160,400 (Grades 6-8, Main Campus); RMB 179,800 (Grades 9-12, Main Campus); RMB 59,000 (Infant/Toddler half day, Shunyi Campus); RMB 75,000 (Primary half day, Shunyi Campus); RMB 121,800 (Primary full day, Shunyi Campus); RMB 121,800 (Pre-Elementary full day, Shunyi Campus) 1) Main Campus: 38 Liangma Qiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (6465 7788, Main Campus: admissions@cis-beijing.com, Shunyi Campus: admissions_shunyi@cis-beijing.com); 2) Shunyi Campus: 7 Yuyang Lu, Houshayu, Shunyi District. (8046 6191, Main Campus: admissions@cis-beijing.com, Shunyi Campus: admissions_shunyi@cis-beijing.com) www.cisb. com.cn 北京加拿大国际学校, 1) 朝阳区亮马桥

路38号; 2) 顺义区后沙峪榆阳路7号 Daystar Academy Daystar Academy, a Kindergarten-Grade 6 school, offers a balance of Montessori-based English education and the Chinese National Curriculum. Students spend half of their day in each language environment. As part of their curriculum, they are developingan integrated, capabilitiesbased character education program that unites all areas of the school and community.

This approach connects two cultures and implements the strongest attributes of both Western and Eastern teaching methodologies.

Sibling discounts availabe. Age range: 3-12.

Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year): RMB 105,000 (Kindergarten full day); RMB 57,000 (half-day, for 3-year-olds only); RMB95,000 (3 years old); RMB 105,000 (4-5 years old) RMB 110,000 (Elementary, Grade 1-6); RMB 10,000-30,000 (additional one-time entry fee) 2 Shunbai Lu, Chaoyang District. (8430 2654 ext 8009 or 5603 9446 (Heather Zhao in Admissions), heatherz@daystarchina.cn) www. daystarchina.cn 启明星双语学校, 朝阳区顺 白路2号 Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) Dulwich College first opened its doors to students in Beijing in August of 2005. Since then, the school has grown to include approximately 1,400 students ranging in age from 12 months to 18 years. DCB is a 21st-century school that couples outstanding ICT facilities with a modern approach. The school features a one-to-one laptop policy for students in Year 8 and above and utilizes a Virtual Learning Environment for the entire faculty. DCB is accredited by the Council of International Schools and Western Association of School and Colleges, and was named International School of the Year in 2011.

The school aims to provide students with a well-rounded environment to grow, develop, and learn in. Ages: 12 months – 18 years.

Application Fee: RMB 2000 – non-refundable; Placement Deposit: RMB 18,000 – refundable subject to terms and conditions; Early Years: RMB 66,200-168,000; Grades 1-12: RMB 168,000-219,200 1) Legend Garden Campus and Legend Early Years Campus: Legend Garden Villas, 89 Capital Airport Road, Shunyi District. (6454 9000, info@dulwich-beijing.cn); 2) Beijing Riviera Campus: 1 Xiangjiang Beilu, Jingshun Lu, Chaoyang District. (8450 7676, info@dulwich-beijing.cn) www.dulwich-beijing. cn 北京德威英国国际学校, 1) 顺义区机场路 89号丽京花园; 2) 朝阳区京顺路香江北路1号 香江花园 Eduwings Kindergarten The culmination of two former schools, Der Kingergarten and Jin Yi Kingergarten, Eduwings Kindergarten is divided into English/Chinese and German departments that are each split into three age groups (2-3, 3-4, 5-6 years) and one infant group (2 years and under). All of the lead and language teachers are native-speakers and educate children individually following the school’s philosophy: “Every child needs to have roots and wings – roots to know where they are from and wings to explore the world.” Eduwings also offers Montessori education, swimming, music and art activities, a library, climbing facilities, as well as an outdoor playground and yard. All afternoon activities are included in the tuition fee. Age range: 2-6 (infant group for under 2 years old). Tuition fees (2010-2011 Academic Year): RMB 52,000 for half day program; RMB 72,000 for full day program (afternoon activities and lunch included in the tuition fee).

Merlin Champagne Town Clubhouse, 6 Liyuan Jie, Tianzhu, Shunyi District. (6450 8384, mariaseemel.eduwings@gmail.com) www. eduwingskids.com 金翼德懿幼儿园, 顺义区天竺 镇丽苑街6号美林香槟小镇俱乐部 Etonkids Bilingual Kindergartens Part of the Etonkids Bilingual Kindergartens’ division of the Etonkids international education group, the Central Park campus features a bilingual Montessori program designed to develop “independence, initiative and creativity.” The school caters to children from 1 to 6 years of age and are divided into nursery school (18 months-3 years) and “Casa” (a.k.a. “Early

Schools Childhood Community,” 3-6 years) divisions with lessons promoting intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth (nursery) as well as coursework in language arts, mathematics, everyday living skills, sensory awareness exercises and culture (Casa stage).

Check the website for additional EtonKids Bilingual Park Campuses. Tuition fees (20102011 Academic Year):Monthly payment plan - Morning session (8.30-11.30am) RMB 6,250; Full-day session (8.30am-4.30pm) RMB 8,500; Yearly payment plan - Morning session (8.30-11.30am) RMB 62,500; Full-day session (8.30am-4.30pm) RMB 85,000 1) Central Park Campus: Bldg 19, Central Park, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District.

(6533 6995, Peking House Campus: xuyan@ etonkids.com or zhoudan@etonkids.com, Central Park Campus: cpadmin@etonkids.com, Palm Springs Campus: psadmin@etonkids.com, Midtown Campus: gcadmin@etonkids.com); 2) Midtown Campus: Bldg 21, Guangqujia Yuan, Guangqumen Waidajie, Chongwen District.

(6749 5008, Peking House Campus: xuyan@ etonkids.com or zhoudan@etonkids.com, Central Park Campus: cpadmin@etonkids. com, Palm Springs Campus: psadmin@ etonkids.com, Midtown Campus: gcadmin@ etonkids.com); 3) Palm Springs Campus: Palm Springs International Apartments, 8 Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (6539 5967, Peking House Campus: xuyan@etonkids. com or zhoudan@etonkids.com, Central Park Campus: cpadmin@etonkids.com, Palm Springs Campus: psadmin@etonkids.com, Midtown Campus: gcadmin@etonkids.com); 4) Peking House Campus: 20 Xidawang Lu, Chaoyang District. (5870 6778/9, Peking House Campus: xuyan@etonkids.com or zhoudan@etonkids. com, Central Park Campus: cpadmin@etonkids. com, Palm Springs Campus: psadmin@ etonkids.com, Midtown Campus: gcadmin@ etonkids.com) www.etonkids.com 伊顿双语幼儿 园, 1) 朝阳区朝阳门外大街6号新城国际19号楼; 2) 崇文区广渠门外大街广渠家园21号楼; 3) 朝 阳区朝阳公园南路8号棕榈泉国际公寓; 4) 朝阳 区西大望路20号 Etonkids International Kindergarten CBD Global Trade Mansion Etonkids International Kindergarten is one of the oldest schools in Beijing’s Etonkids franchise (a nationwide educational group). The school provides a community-centered American-style education led by Montessori-certified teachers and an educational philosophy based on the Three C’s – Creativity, Character and Culture. Coursework includes lessons in practical life, “sensorial,” math, language, culture and science. A variety of programs are also available including Reggio Baby and Kindermusik. The staff meets regularly for training under the EXCELS school improvement planning program, which is designed to share new teaching practices, the Montessori method and current educational trends. Age range: 1.5-6 years old. Tuition fees (2010-2011 Academic Year): Annual Registration fee RMB 2,000 Yuan (inclusive the materials and uniforms)RMB71,800-112,000/ year 1) CBD Campus: 3/F, Block D, Global Trade Mansion, Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District.

(6506 4805, Lido Campus: lidoadmin@etonkids. com, CBD Campus: gtmadmin@etonkids.com); 2) Lido Campus: Rm C103, Lido Country Club, Lido Place, Jichang Lu, Chaoyang District. (6436 7368, Lido Campus: lidoadmin@etonkids.com, CBD Campus: gtmadmin@etonkids.com) www. etonkids.com 伊顿国际幼儿园, 1) 朝阳区光华 路世贸国际公寓D座3层; 2) 朝阳区机场路丽都 广场C103室 The Family Learning House Recognized as a model kindergarten by the Chaoyang Ministry of Education, The Family Learning House is a virtues-based, bilingual pre-school dedicated to “acquiring knowledge and good character for the purpose of serving humanity.” In addition to its “Virtues in Us” character education program, the school aims to provide an academically stimulating Montessori and Chinese curriculum. The Jianwai Soho campus includes a petting farm, organic produce and a child directed recycling program, and the curriculum places strong emphasis on art and music and includes daily

piano lessons for all 4 1/2 and 5-year-old children. Students also participate in monthly educational outings, community service projects and multicultural celebrations. Age range: 1.5-6 years old. Tuition fees (20102011 Academic Year): Full Day Session – RMB 69,500/year; Half Day Session (under 4 years old) – RMB 46,500/year Beside Bldg 14, Jianwai SOHO West Area,39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (5869 7540 ext 800 (reception) or 801 (office), administrator@thefamilylearninghouse.com) www.thefamilylearninghouse.com 家育苑, 朝 阳区东三环中路39号 建外SOHO西区14号楼旁 Fangcaodi International School Fangcaodi is a state-run primary school that has been accepting foreign students for over 40 years. Classes are in Chinese, with the exception of English language classes.

The school uses the same textbooks as other Chinese schools in the municipality and places a strong emphasis on math and Chinese. Fee-based after-school activities include badminton, arts and crafts, wushu and rollerblading. Grades: 1 to 6. Price range: RMB 16,000-48,000 plus RMB 20,000 capital levy. 1 Ritan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (8563 9140, fcdyy@hotmail.com) www.fcd.com.cn 芳草地国际学校, 朝阳区日坛北路1号 Harrow International School Beijing Harrow International School Beijing prides itself on high academic standards that are maintained within a close-knit school community. All students are assigned a personal tutor who looks after their overall welfare and serves as a liaison between school and home. High academic standards and leadership skills are promoted schoolwide, with a range of enrichment activities to help students develop teamwork and creative thinking skills, as well as independence and responsibility. Graduates from Harrow Beijing have been accepted at universities across the world, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Princeton.Harrow Beijing follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales, culminating in the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE and IGCSE’s), and A Levels. Its curriculum is fully accredited by all British Examination Authorities and it is an accredited SAT center. Harrow Beijing is also a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS) and, like all Harrow International Schools, undergoes regular accreditation visits by CIS and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in the US. Harrow Beijing is also a member of the Federation of British International Schools in Southeast Asia and East Asia (FOBISSEA), which enables students to collaborate in music and sports with other schools across Southeast Asia.

Age Range: 3-18. Tuition Fees (2012-2013 Academic Year): Nursery: RMB 119,800; Reception: RMB 149,300; Years 1-2: RMB 177,700; Years 3-6: RMB 189,100; Years 7-9: RMB 207,600; Years 10-11: RMB 217,600; Years 12-13: RMB 231,700. 287 Hegezhuang Village, Cuigezhuang County, Chaoyang District. (6444 8900, enquiries@ harrowbeijing.cn) www.harrowbeijing.cn 北京 哈罗英国学校, 朝阳区崔各庄乡何各庄村287号 International Montessori Teaching Institute (IMTI) The International Montessori Teaching Institute ( IMTI ) provides training for new and experienced teachers. The Early Childhood Montessori Teacher training course is designed for teaching 2 and a half to 6 year olds and is affiliated with the American Montessori Society ( AMS ) with accreditation by MACTE, therefore it is an internationally recognized qualification. We offer a flexible year-round training schedule designed with Adult learners in mind. It is delivered with Chinese/ English bilingual synchronous translations and includes English or Chinese manuals.

Our training facilities are well equipped with Montessori materials to ensure ‘hands on’ experience is delivered. IMTI offers a suite of Professional Development workshops to increase the knowledge and skills of teachers

and parents. They include Art, Music and Movement , Infant and Toddlers, Preparing for Chinese New Year and Designing Classroom materials just to new a few. 688 Glory Palace, No.2 Shunfu Road, Renhe Town, Shunyi District. (8949 6877 ext 288, snowzhang@imti-china.com) www.imti-china. com 蒙台梭利教学法国际交流中心, 顺义区仁 和镇顺福路2号御墅688号 Jiade Montessori Bilingual Kindergarten Jiade Montessori Bilingual Kindergarten is located in one of the most beautiful residential compounds in the CBD area of Beijing, with convenient transportation and city parks amidst. Jiade combines Chinese culture with an international blend of English classes and an international faculty team.

The vision of Jiade is to be a community in which the education of the child in its fullest sense is nurtured and the child’s potential is realized. We emphasize the development of basic skills and the strong foundation in language, mathematics and cultural subjects which are essential for higher learning. At the same time, we foster the development of the child as a happy, responsible, motivated, confident, thinking person who is well equipped for life. Bldg 221 Balizhuang Beili, Chaoyang District. (8591 8288, Tinatoh@ jdmotessori.com) www.jdmontessori.com 北 京市朝阳区嘉德蒙台梭利双语幼儿园, 朝阳区八 里庄北里221号楼 The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China (RDFZ) Founded in 1950, the education philosophy of RDFZ is to respect individuality and develop the students’ personal development. Led by Liu Pengzhi, RDFZ boasts more than 50 international faculty members and over 200 international students. Students can choose to study Mandarin as part of the Chinese language program or take classes with regular middle and high school students.

More than 85 percent of the student body has been accepted to top universities like Peking University and Tsinghua University. RDFZ has launched reforms that combine traditional Chinese education and international curricula, including elements of A-Levels, the IB program, and AP classes. RDFZ has a network of 46 partner schools worldwide, including Escola-Hamelin Laie Internacional, Spain; Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology; Phillips Academy Andover; Raffles Intitute; Eton College; and Mahidol Wittayanusorn. Department of International Students, The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, 37 Zhongguancun Dajie, Haidian District. (6251 3962, guojibu3962@sina.com) www.rdfz.cn 中国人民大学附属中学（简称人大附中）, 海淀 区中关村 大街37号人大附中国际部 House of Knowledge International Kindergarten House of Knowledge (HoK) boasts its own unique curriculum that includes aspects of the Montessori and Reggio Emilia programs, with special emphasis placed on the latter approach.

Students are treated as competent learners with boundless potential, who are capable of infinite discovery. With this in mind, the curriculum trains them to acquire critical thinking and collaboration skills by teaching them how to “learn to learn.” Age range: 10 months-6 years. Tuition fees (2010-2011 Academic Year): Registration RMB 2,000; Deposit RMB 5,000-15,000 (refundable according to withdraw policy); RMB 53,500122,800 (depending on choice of program and campus) 1) Administrative Office, C511, Lufthansa Centre, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (400 650 7747, info@ house-of-knowledge.net, 400 650 7747); 2) Liyuan Campus, A11 East Gate of Liyuan Compound, Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang District, Shunyi District. (8470 5928 (English, Chinese and German), info@house-ofknowledge.net, 400 650 7747); 3) Chaoyang Park Campus, Victoria Gardens, 15 Chaoyang Park Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6538 2624 (English, German, Mandarin), info@house-ofknowledge.net, 400 650 7747) www.house-

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of-knowledge.net 好思之家国际幼儿园, 1) 朝 阳区亮马桥路50号燕莎中心C511; 2) 顺义区香 江北路丽苑小区东门A11; 3) 朝阳区朝阳公园西 路15号维多利亚花园公寓 The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) As the first and only fullyregistered international Montessori school in Beijing, MSB has been serving the city’s expatriate children for 22 years. During that time, it has earned a glowing reputation for its steady commitment to the growth, education, and well-being of its pupils. The school is both an affiliate member of the American Montessori Society(AMS), which upholds the MACTE Montessori education standards on an international level, and the International Montessori Teaching Institute, which provides ongoing training to all of MSB’s lead teachers and teaching assistants. In August 2012, the school expanded its Riviera campus to cover all of its pre-kindergarten through elementary programs, and counts spacious classrooms, an indoor pool, and a multi-purpose auditorium among its facilities. Parents, in particular, are fond of the campus’s twoCoffee Stops, where they can mingle with a cup of coffee and a freshly-baked treat, courtesy of the school’s dedicated parent association. Age range: 1-12.

Tuition fees (2012 Academic Year): 3 Day Toddler (Age 1): RMB 41,000; 5 Day Toddler (Age 1): RMB 65,000; Morning Nursery (Age 2): RMB91,000; Full-day Nursery (Age 2): RMB 135,000; Morning Kindergarten (Ages 3-4): RMB 95,000; Full-day Kindergarten (Ages 3-4): RMB 140,000; Reception (Age 5): RMB 157,000; Elementary (Ages 6-12): RMB 163,000. Bldg 8, 2 Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6432 8228, admissions@msb.edu.cn) www.msb.edu.cn 北京蒙台梭利国际学校, 朝阳 区朝阳区香江北路2号院8号楼 The International School of Beijing (ISB) The International School of Beijing (ISB) traces its roots back to the early 1970s when a small foreign school was established by the United States Liaison Office, the precursor to the US Embassy, and was little more than a simple “classroom that was wedged into a hallway in a diplomatic apartment compound in Sanlitun.”

In the 1980s the school was merged with the schools of the British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand embassies and was eventually moved to its present-day 50,000sqm purposebuilt facility near Capital Paradise in Shunyi.

Over the years ISB has gained an international reputation for its solid academic programs (it was the first school in Beijing to offer the full IB Diploma), comprehensive facilities and full curriculum catering to all age levels. Age range: 3-18 years old. Tuition fees (2010-2011 Academic Year): EC3 (half day) RMB 65,490 (RMB 10,970 capital fee); EC4 (full day) RMB 119,690 (RMB 10,970 capital fee); Kindergarten RMB 140,330 (RMB 13,180 capital fee); Grades 1–5 RMB 140,330 (RMB 31,600 capital fee); Grades 6–8 RMB 150,540 (RMB 31,600 capital fee); Grades 9-12 RMB 165,540 (RMB 31,600 capital fee) 10 Anhua Jie, Shunyi District. (8149 2345 ext 1047, admission@isb.bj.edu.cn) www. isb.bj.edu.cn 北京顺义国际学校, 顺义区安华 街10号 Ivy Academy Ivy Academy is a pre-school and kindergarten created in collaboration with the Harvard Graduate School of Education Researchers that accepts students of ages two through six. The school offers an English environment with a “specialized focus on the customized development of every child” based on Harvard Professor Dr Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory and a convenient Dongzhimen area location. Age range: 2-6 years old. Tuition fees (2010-2011 Academic Year): Deposit RMB 8,000 (nonrefundable, to be credited toward tuition); Registration fee RMB 800; Half-day RMB 86,000; Full day RMB 127,900 C101, East Lake Villas, NO. 35 Dongzhimenwai Main Street, Dongcheng District. (8451 1380, Infoel@ivyschools.com) www.ivyschools.com 艾 毅国际幼儿园, 东城区东直门外大街35号东湖 别墅C座101室 Ivy Bilingual School Like its sister school Ivy Academy, Ivy Bilingual School (IBS)

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enrolls children from two to six years of age and offers a curriculum designed in the spirit of the Multiple Intelligences theory. The goal of Ivy Bilingual School is to provide children with the most current research-based practices coupled with the knowledge of the unique Chinese culture. Children graduating from IBS are comfortable speaking in both English and Chinese. Age range: 2-6 years old. Tuition fees (2010-2011 Academic Year): Registration fee RMB 800; Deposit RMB 6,000 (non-refundable, credited toward tuition); RMB 42,600–57,000/year (Ocean Express Campus); RMB 39,000–52,400 per year (Orchid Garden Campus) 1) Ocean Express Campus, Bldg E, Ocean Express, 2 Dongsanhuan Beilu (north of Kempinski), Chaoyang District. (8446 7287/6, info-wj@ ivyschools.com, info-og@ivyschool.com); 2) Orchid Garden Campus, 18 Xinjin Lu, Cui Ge Xiang (Airport Expressway, Beigao Exit), Chaoyang District. (8439 7080, info-wj@ ivyschools.com, info-og@ivyschool.com) www.ivyschools.com 艾毅双语幼儿园, 1) 朝 阳区东三环北路2号远洋新干线E座; 2) 朝阳区 崔各乡新锦路18号卓锦万代 Keystone Academy Keystone Academy will open in Shunyi District in the fall of 2014. Keystone promises to be a unique and exciting school option for families in China – offering Chinese and American instructional techniques of inquiry-based learning, criticalthinking, and creative problem solving in a rigorous intellectual environment. The academic program will be international in scope, with a central curriculum thread that focuses on Chinese identity, language, culture, and history. Keystone will serve students grades 1 through 12, with a bilingual curriculum in the primary years and more intensive instruction in English as students progress through the program. There will be a boarding school option for Grade 7 and 8, and mandatory boarding in Grade 9-12. (admission@keystoneacademy.cn) http:// www.keystoneacademy.cn/ 北京鼎石国际学校 Muffy’s Education Founded in 2003, Muffy’s Education provides English immersion kindergartens, seasonal camps and afterschool programs that impart “Knowledge Through English”. Using English as the medium for learning, students receive a high quality education and a strong foundation of English skills. Muffys has an educational program that includes all core subjects in an English immersion environment. Educators use a variety of teaching methods to help each student with their unique learning needs. Muffy’s also uses internationally known curriculum from the University of Chicago, Columbia Teachers College and Pearson Education. Muffy’s teachers are from Canada, United States, England and Australia.

Before students enroll, assessments and placement will be arranged. 1) Shijicheng Location: 5/F, Bldg B, Huibo Dasha, Landianchang Lu, Haidian District.; 2) 1 Yangchun Guanghua Jiayuan, Wanliu Donglu, Haidian District.; 3) Wangjing Location: East gate of Beixiaohe Gongyuan, Wangjing Xilu, Chaoyang District.; 4) Xiangshan Location: Xiangshan Qingqin, Mentou Cun, Sijiqing Town, Haidian District. www.muffys.cn 博识梦 飞, 1) 海淀区蓝靛厂路（人大附小对面）汇博 大厦西侧5层; 2) 海淀区万柳东路阳春光华家园 1号; 3) 朝阳区望京北小河公园东门; 4) 海淀 区香山清琴别墅儿童会所 National Institute of Technology (NIT) Founded in 1997, NIT is composed of three schools: NIT (Grades 10-12), the Australian International School of Beijing (Grades 1-6), and Beijing International School (Grades 1-9). As a joint project of the Chinese and Australian governments, NIT bills itself as the largest international school in China and the first and only school to offer courses provided by the current Australian educational curriculum council. The school now has over 2,300 students, including more than 150 foreign students. NIT and BIS accept both local and foreign students, while AISB accepts expats only. Age range: 2-18. Tuition fees

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(2012-2013 Academic Year): Kindergarten: RMB 150,000; Primary school (Grades 1-6): RMB 94,100; Middle school (Grades 7-9): RMB 102,100; High school (Grades 10-12): RMB 139,500; Accommodations: RMB 8,000/ year (primary school students); RMB 16,000/ year (middle school students); RMB 20,000/ year (high school); English training (high school): RMB 42,500/semester (14 weeks); Piano class: RMB 9,600; Health check and insurance (kindergarten): RMB 300. 7 Louzizhuang, Chaoyang District. (8439 0808, jinyumei@nitbj.com) www.bischool.com.cn 北 京爱迪国际学校, 朝阳区楼梓庄路7号

Lu, Chaoyang District. (5202 0293); 2) Liangma Qiao Campus: Unit S114, Lufthansa Center Tower, 50 Liangma Qiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (6465 1305/3388 ext 4477); 3) Shunyi Campus: C Area Clubhouse, Yosemite Villas, 4 Yuyang Lu, Houshayu Town, Shunyi District. (8041 7083); 4) Guomao Campus: 1/F, North Lodge, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6505 3869/2288) 巧智博 仁国际幼儿园, 1) 朝阳区辛店路1号亚运新家 园社区; 2) 朝阳区亮马桥路50号凯宾斯基写字 楼S114室; 3) 顺义区后沙峪镇榆杨路4号优山 美地C区俱乐部; 4) 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国 贸北公寓１层

Prestige Education Centre (PEC) Prestige Education Centre is a weekend school with full day and half day programs that teaches students about the world in an English environment. Many of their students hope to study abroad or join an international school in the future, as well as enrich their education in general. Prestige Education Centre’s curriculum is based on that of independent schools in the UK. The institution also has a few weekday programs. Area D, Art Base 1, Hegezhuang, Chaoyang District. (6432 2797 / 155 0120 8418, pedcentre@163.com) www. pedcentre.com 朝阳区何各庄壹号地国际艺 术园D区

Western Academy of Beijing Western Academy of Beijing is an International Baccalaureate World School that boasts a “challenging and caring educational environment in which students are active participants in the learning process.” WAB provides a learner-centered atmosphere that nurtures a strong sense of community among its 1,550 students from 55 countries, with the mission to “Connect, Inspire, Challenge: Make a Difference.” Campus facilities are extensive and include a lake and model wetlands that are the foundation of its environmental science center.Age range: 3-18 years old. Tuition fees (2010/2011 Academic Year, combined total includes capital levy and tuition): Nursery RMB 85,000; PreKindergarten RMB 141,000; Kindergarten RMB 165,000; Grades 1-5 RMB 165,000; Grades 6-8 RMB 181,000; Grades 9-10 RMB 198,000; Grades 11-12 RMB 204,000 10 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District.

(5986 5588, wabinfo@wab.edu) www.wab. edu 北京京西学校, 朝阳区来广营东路10号

St. Paul American School (SPAS) Saint Paul American School (SPAS) is a private residential school, part of the Nacel International School System, dedicated to meeting the educational needs of international students at the middle and high school level. Located near the Olympic Village Park, and partnered with Number Two High School attached to Beijing Normal University, SPAS offers both an American curriculum, as well as intensive study in Chinese language and culture.

This arrangement provides a unique dual diploma system that is fully accredited by the NCA (North Central Association on Accreditation and School Improvement).

Saint Paul American School’s intercultural program now serves students from 23 countries around the world, and is truly dedicated to providing a new concept of high school for future leaders in the global community. CurriculumSaint Paul American School provides a full US curriculum, with over 40 courses offered, ranging from the introductory to AP level. Students also take courses in Chinese language, culture, history, and art.For students needing more academic support there is a peer tutoring program, as well as a nightly study hall in which certified teachers provide additional help. All students participate in an after school activity or club of their choosing. Emphasis is given to the fine arts. 18 Guan’aoyuan, Longgang Lu, Qinghe, Haidian District. (8273 8613, david. krieger@saintpaulamerican.org) www. stpaulschool.cn 北京师范大学第二附属中学, 海淀区清河宝胜里观澳园18号 The Children’s House International Montessori Kindergarten The Children’s House opened its China World Trade Center campus in 1992 and has since established schools at the Lufthansa Center, Yosemite Villas in Shunyi and in Yayuncun’s Yayunxinxin Gardens. Today, the educational group serves over 300 international students in its four campuses, which are characterized by their small, friendly down-home atmospheres, English-only and bilingual curriculums that adhere to the Montessori system. Please note that the bilingual and bilingual reception classes are offered only at the Kempinski and Yosemite campuses. Age range: 0-6Tuition fees (2012-2013 Academic Year): RMB 74,000(Nursery/Pre-Primary morning program); RMB 93,000 (Nursery/PrePrimary half-day); RMB 114,000 (Nursery/ Pre-Primary full day); RMB 98,000 (Primary half-day); RMB 122,000 (Primary full day); RMB 126,000 (Primary Reception Class full day); RMB 72,000 (bilingual half-day); RMB 103,200 (bilingual full day); RMB 115,200 (Bilingual Reception Class full day) 1) Olympic Village Campus: Yayun Xinjiayuan, 1 Xindian

2013 November

Yew Chung International School of Beijing Located within the scenic Honglingjin Park in the heart of downtown Beijing, Yew Chung International School of Beijing celebrates its 15th year of educating students of the Beijing expatriate community. YCIS Beijing, an IB World school, is fully accredited

by CIS, NEASC and NCCT, and is a part of the larger network of schools with over 5,000 students across campuses in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Qingdao, and Silicon Valley, US. Providing K2 – Year 13 students with a quality curriculum based on the National Curriculum for England and a research-based Chinese Language Program that equips students to be bilingual, competitive, and globally-minded citizens.

Age range: 2-18 years old. Tuition fees (2011/2012 Academic Year): Application Fee RMB 1,660 (non-refundable); Placement Deposit RMB 5,000–14,000 (year level dependent); K2 (half day) RMB 60,800; K2 (full day) RMB 102,000; K3 RMB 136,000; K4 RMB 142,000; Year 1-3 RMB 168,000; Year 4-6 RMB 172,000; Year 7-9 RMB 191,000; Year 10-11 RMB 204,000; Year 12-13 RMB 210,000 Honglingjin Park, 5 Houbalizhuang, Chaoyang District. (8583 3731, enquiry@ bj.ycef.com) www.ycis-bj.com 北京耀中国际学 校, 朝阳区后八里庄5号红领巾公园东门 Yew Wah Infant and Toddler Education Centre (YWITEC) YWITEC’s reputation is founded upon decades of experience offering international education in Hong Kong and mainland China through the Yew Chung Education Foundation. YWITEC offers a childfriendly, nurturing, and multicultural setting for learning and development, which allows students to experience different cultures from both Chinese and Western teachers. The curriculum draws from advanced research, as well as local and international early childhood education practices. YWITEC adheres to a child-centered philosophy, values the individual development and interests of each child, and plans a fun but challenging experience with age-appropriate learning goals. Age range: 1.5-6 years old. Tuition fee (2012-2013 Academic Year): RMB 53,000.

Block F, Honglingjin Park, 5 Houbalizhuang, Chaoyang District. (8583 9223, 8581 8466 ext 817, itec@bj.ycef.com) www.ywitec.com 耀华婴幼儿教育中心, 朝阳区后八里庄5号红领 巾公园东门F楼

Shopping Bookstores Page One This addition to Beijing’s bookstore scene offers the best selection under one roof (in art/design, food & wine, bestsellers, classics, etc.), with competitive prices for English-language material. 1) Daily 24hrs. S2, 1/F, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (6417 6626, page1_cwtc@pageonegroup.com, page1_ indigo@pageonegroup.com); 2) Daily 10am9.30pm. B2/F, China World Summit Wing, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District.

(8535 1055, page1_cwtc@pageonegroup. com, page1_indigo@pageonegroup.com); 3) Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri-Sun 10am-10pm.

Shop 50, 1/F, Indigo Mall, 18 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (8426 0408, page1_cwtc@ pageonegroup.com, page1_indigo@ pageonegroup.com) www.pageonegroup.com 叶一堂, 1) 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯Village 南区2楼1层; 2) 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商 城三期地下2层; 3) 朝阳区酒仙桥路18号颐堤 港地铁层50号

Home Accessories and Gear Beijing Torana Clean Air Center Air purifiers from Blueair and Alen Air, pollution masks from Totobobo. Free home assessments and delivery. 1) Daily 10am8.30pm. Unit LB09, 1/F, Europlaza Mall, Shunyi District. (8459 0785); 2) 10.30am6.30pm. Unit 308, Pinnacle Plaza, Shunyi District. (8046 1091) www.toranacleanair. com/index.html 1) 顺义区天竺镇裕翔路99号 欧陆广场LB09; 2) 顺义区天竺镇花梨坎村南“ 荣祥广场308室

IQ Air While little can be done about outdoor air pollution, you can certainly make a difference with the air you breathe in your home or office. IQAir has been the top-rated air purifier brand for more than a decade. The Health Pro 250 is their most popular product and is considered by most to be the best all-around air cleaning system available. With their HyperHEPA technology, you are guaranteed near perfect levels of efficiency for the life of your machine.

IQAir China specializes in bringing clean air solutions to both residential and commercial users. 1) B1/F, 03A Europlaza, 99 Yuxiang Lu, Tianzhu, Shunyi District. (6457 1922, info@iqair-china.com); 2) Daily 10am10pm. 5/F, Household Appliance Area, Youyi Shopping City, 52 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (158 0136 1601, info@iqair-china.

Sports com); 3) 10am-8pm. 6/F, Parkson Plaza, 101 Fuxingmennei Dajie, Xicheng District.

(157 1286 8485, info@iqair-china.com); 4) Daily 10am-10pm. B1/F, Parkson Plaza Taiyanggong, Bldg 1, 12 Qi Sheng Zhongjie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, Chaoyang District.

(157 1286 8454, info@iqair-china.com); 5) Daily 10am-10pm. 5/F, Shin Kong Place, 87 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (5738 2401, info@iqair-china.com); 6) Daily 9am-6pm.

Rm 1801-03, Air China Plaza, 36 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District. (8447 5800, info@iqairchina.com); 7) Daily 10am-9pm. 4/F, 417 Seasons Place, 2 Jinchengfang Jie, Xicheng District. (6622 0179, info@iqair-china.com); 8) Mon-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sun 10am-10pm.

B1/F, Golden Resources New Yansha Mall, 1 Yuanda Lu, Haidian District. (157 1286 9044, info@iqair-china.com); 9) 10am-10pm.

B2/F, Scitech Plaza, 22 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Beijing, Chaoyang District. (188 1020 5987, info@iqair-china.com) www.iqair-china.com 1) 顺义区天竺镇裕翔路99号欧陆广场地下一层 03A; 2) 朝阳区亮马桥路52号燕莎友谊商城5层; 3) 西城区复兴门内大街101号6层百盛复兴门店 家电部; 4) 朝阳区七圣中街12号院1号楼B1百盛 太阳宫店生活家电区; 5) 朝阳区建国路87号新 光天地5层生活家电区; 6) 朝阳区霄云路36号国 航大厦1801-03室; 7) 西城区金城坊街金融街 417号四层; 8) 海淀区远大路1号金源新燕莎商 城地下1层; 9) 朝阳区建国门外大街22号赛特购 物中心地下二层

Directories

pro, www.mishka.cn 1) 朝阳区双井桥富力城 C3; 2) 朝阳区广顺南大街嘉美中心1910 VivaXiao Photography Studio Formerly known as Small World Photo Studio, VivaXiao is a professional photography studio based in Shunyi. Providing services both in and out of the studio, VivaXiao aims to create memorable photos that evoke emotions, capture memories, and awaken the imagination. Tue-Sun 10am-7pm. Rm 509510, 5/F, Euro Plaza, 99 Yuxiang Lu, Shunyi District. (80461603 (Chinese), 13691091046 (English)) www.vivaxiao.com 小小世界专业 摄影, 顺义区天竺镇裕翔路99号欧陆广场五层 509-510

Toys Tianle Toy Market The four-floor building includes 300 vendor booths that sell all kinds of cheap children toys, sports gear, art works and handicrafts, wedding supplies, stationery and office supplies. Daily 8.30am-7pm. 136 Fahuasi Jie, Chongwen District. 红桥天乐玩具 市场, 崇文区法华寺街136号 Toys “R” Us Toys “R” Us, the world’s leading toy and baby products retailer, has opened its first stores Beijing in both CapitaMall Taiyanggong and Chaoyang Joy City. The Beijing stores will feature one of the most comprehensive collection of educational toys in the city. Daily 10am-10pm.. 1) Rm 52, B1/F, CapitaMall Taiyanggong, 12 Taiyanggong Zhonglu, Chaoyang District.

(8429 7072); 2) Rm 10, 5/F, Joy City Chaoyang, 101 Chaoyang Beilu, Chaoyang District. (8552 2898) www.toysrus.com.cn 玩 具反斗城, 1) 朝阳区朝阳区太阳宫中路12号凯 德广场B1层52号; 2) 朝阳区朝阳区朝阳北路101 号朝阳大悦城5F-10

Sports Climbing

Lily’s Antiques Furniture Lily’s Antiques is the most famous furniture dealer in Beijing, offering quality Chinese antiques, but also imported traditional and modern styles from all over the world, from Ming chairs and Tibetan rugs to Indian trunks, Spanish design and Italian sofas. The service is the best in town, with a one-year guarantee and delivery. 1) Daily 8.30am-6pm. Gaobeidian Showroom, 69 Gaobeidian Furniture Street, Chaoyang District. (8579 2458); 2) Visit

by Appointment. Factory and Warehouse Address, Baimiao industry area, Songzhuang town, Tongzhou District. (138 0139 6309) www.lilysantiques.com 华伦古典家具, 1) 朝 阳区高碑店家俱一条街69号; 2) 通州区工厂地 址,通州区宋庄镇白庙村工业大院

Photography Studios & Services ELF kids Photography 爱儿菲亲子摄影工作 室 Daily 9.30am-5.30pm. 5-2-101, 33 Shiyun Haoting, Guangqu Lu, Chaoyang District (8776 9877, 152 0110 0176, 1824019404@ qq.com) www.ielf.cn 朝阳区广渠路33号石韵 浩庭5-2-101 Littleones Kids & Family Portrait Studio This Western photography studio specializes in newborn, children, family, and maternity photos. Photo shoots are tailored to each family. Daily 9am-6pm. Swan Bay Building 16, suite 2203, Chao Yang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District. (8577-9987, service@littleones.com. cn) www.littleones.com.cn 美国乐童万色儿 童摄影机构, 朝阳区朝阳北路天鹅湾南区16号 楼2203 Mishka Family Photography 1) C3, Fuli City, Shuangjing Qiao, Chaoyang District. (maxim@mishka.pro); 2) Rm 1910, CAMEO Center, Guangshunnan Dajie, Chaoyang District. (maxim@mishka.pro) www.mishka.

O’le Climbing O’le Climbing is the city’s premier indoor climbing gym, as well as the meeting place and events center for the Beijing climbing community. Opened in 2008, they are one of China’s longest-running climbing centers. Whether it’s your family’s first time or not, O’le’s friendly, nationallycertified, and bilingual staff will “show you the ropes.”O’le’s top-roping and lead climbing wall is 12.5m high and features 7 roped climbing stations with numerous professionally-set routes suitable for novices and experts alike. Staff members frequently change the holids and routes, so there’s something new every time. The center also has one of the best indoor bouldering rooms in China, with 150sqm of verticals, slabs, bulges, and a 45° overhanging wall.O’le Climbing offers private lessons for children or groups and has an O’le Kids Climbing Club that meets every Saturday morning to train and have fun.O’le Climbing also hosts birthday parties, offering climbing and other activities for kids, like box climbing, slacklining, and indoor soccer.Directions: If you’re coming from Baiziwan Lu, turn south on Shimencun Lu and walk around 200m until you see a hotel on your right. There will be a toll booth with a traffic gate; walk around the gate and head down the small road behind it. After about 100m, take the first left; O’le Sports will be on the right-hand side. Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-8pm. 5 Shimencun Lu, Baiziwan Qiao Dong, Dongsihuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (182 1113 9293, oleclimbing@gmail.com) www.oleclimbing. com 奥莱攀岩, 朝阳区朝阳区东四环中路百子 湾桥东石门村路5号

Scuba Diving SinoScuba Offers safe, family scuba diving services! Kids aged 10 and up Underwater activities, including swimming with dolphins and full certification courses for ages 10 and up. Classes available in Chinese and English.

(186 1113 3629, steven@sinoscuba.com) www.sinoscuba.com

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The Circuit The Circuit is a chance to sneak a peek at what’s happening on the family and school scene. Want to see your event on these pages? Send an email with the date of your past event and a brief description to morganshang@beijing-kids.com by November 11. beijingkids 7th Halloween Costume Party On October 25 and 26, beijingkids had its annual Halloween celebration at the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing. For the first time ever, we hosted three parties instead of one, with trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, creepy games, a costume parade, face painting, free family portraits, and a five-star buffet.

A special thanks to the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, Littleones Kids & Family Portrait Studio, Beijing New Century Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Nina Griffee Face Painting, Magic-E, Secret Garden Genting Resort, and all our readers for once again making this event a success.

photos: ken, ricky zhang and mitchell pe masilun

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The Circuit Hilton Staff Visits Autism Center On September 18, volunteers from Hilton Beijing Capital Airport visited Beijing Stars and Rain Autism Institute to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with autistic children and their families. Helpers at the festive charity party organized games, put on a guitar show, and handed out mooncakes.

They also prepared a “wishing poster” containing the wishes of hotel team members, and a letter to the parents to thank them for their efforts looking after the children.

photos: courtesy of hilton and keystone

Keystone Head Speaks at Hurun Report Event On September 12, Keystone Academy Head of School Malcolm McKenzie gave a speech on the educational philosophy of US elite boarding schools and how it can be implemented in China.

The talk took place at an “American Night” event hosted by the monthly magazine the Hurun Report.

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The Circuit YWITEC Kids Visit Museum On September 27, Yew Wah Infant and Toddler Center organized a visit to the China Science and Technology Museum. The center’s K3, K4 and K5 students explored, discovered and played in the Children’s Science Paradise exhibition room.

NCWCH’s Wraps up School Health Program On September 14, New Century Women’s and Children’s Hospital concluded its educational program for Beijing’s international schools and bilingual kindergartens with a series of lectures from hospital staff. The talks, which covered neurobiology, children’s health care, and pediatric therapies, were aimed at helping school employees develop their professional knowledge.

photos: courtesy ywitec and ncwch

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The Circuit Roots & Shoots International Summit On September 25, the environmental and humanitarian education program Roots & Shoots held its International School Summit at the British School of Beijing’s Shunyi campus. Students from five international schools shared ideas about how to make the world greener and happier.

photos: courtesy of roots & shoots amd daystar

Daystar Run for Cancer Charity On September 27, students, parents, and staff from Daystar Academy took part in a charity run on the school’s athletics track to raise funds for the Cancer Foundation of China. Rubber bands were used to keep track of the number of laps each student completed.

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The Circuit BJU Aces Tournament Medical Care Between September 22 and October 6, Beijing United Family Hospital provided medical support to players at the 2013 China Open tennis tournament. On the afternoon of September 29, Serbian ace Ana Ivanovic came to the hospital to interact with fans and promote World Breast Cancer Prevention Month.

Making Mooncakes at AnRic On September 23, kids at AnRic Little Montessori Room made mooncakes to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. The students got their hands dirty making dough for the pastry skin, pressing it, and filling the mooncake molds.

photos: courtesy of BJU and AnRic

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The Circuit Huijia Kindergarten Get Artsy On October 10, the K2A class at Huijia Kindergarten’s Sanyuanqiao Campus explored colors, textures, scent, and light through sensory art activities. Kids got creative (and a bit messy) with shaving foam and tin foil.

photos: courtesy of huijia and biba

BIBA Holds International Celebration On September 27, Beijing International Bilingual Academy held its annual Elementary School International Day celebrations. Students, staff and parents enjoyed on-stage presentations, parades, soccer and international cuisine from the countries represented.

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The Circuit ASOGPS Launches Women and Children’s Clinic On October 9, American-Sino Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics Service held a grand opening for its new outpatients’ building. As well as covering women’s health, the 5,000sqm clinic in Chaoyang District provides examinations and immunizations for children aged 0-14.

Marriott Hotels Join for Community Visit On September 25, employees from ten Marriott hotels across Beijing and Tianjin visited Xiehe Fangtong Autism Rehabilitation center as part of the company’s community engagement program. The visitors spent an afternoon at the center with children and teachers, donating books, bookcases, clothing, and toys.

photos: courtesy of asogps and marriott hotels

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The Circuit BSRPS Celebrates 20th Anniversary On September 20, Beijing Shuren Ribet Private School celebrated its 20th anniversary with parents, students, and friends of the school. The event featured singing, dancing, and awards for longstanding members of the school community.

photos: courtesy of bsrps and cisb

Healthy Food Education for CISB Students On October 11, Grade 1 students from the Canadian International School of Beijing went on a field trip to BHG Market Place to learn about nutrition. They toured the grocery store, using their newfound knowledge about food groups and eating a balanced diet to pick out some healthy choices for an upcoming parent tea event.

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The Circuit Children’s House Get Festive On September 17, the Children’s House International Montessori Kindergarten celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival at its Kempinski Campus. As well as cooking traditional mooncakes, students made origami boats and pushed floating candles out onto the river at twilight.

Late Summer Party at Eduwings On September 14, Eduwings Kindergarten hosted its summer party with the theme “travel around the world.” Families enjoyed arts, crafts, games, and facepainting at the school’s Shunyi campus.

photos: courtesy of children’s house and eduwings

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The Circuit BCIS Elementary School Math Week September 9-13 was Math Week at Beijing City International School, giving teachers from different disciplines a chance to showcase and celebrate the many ways that math plays an important part in our everyday lives.

photos: courtesy of bcis and jdm

Mooncakes at JDM On September 17, students at Jiade Montessori Bilingual Kindergarten had morning fun preparing mooncakes to enjoy in the afternoon.

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The Circuit Beijing Kickers October Camp From September 30 to October 4, local soccer club Beijing Kickers organized its first October camp. The kids in attendance improved their skills through a combination of activities, exercises and ball games.

Ice to Meet You Students at Side by Side education support center made an igloo from recycled boxes as part of their “hot and cold� learning unit.

The igloo will soon be completed with the addition of pictures and words relating to the cold.

photos: courtesy of beijing kickers and side by side

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The Circuit Silly Stories at BSB On October 10, students at the British School of Beijing’s Shunyi campus were entertained with stories by Katrice Horsley from the UK National Storytelling Laureate. Primary school children from Foundation Stage through to Year 6 enjoyed lively, made-up stories to inspire their own creative writing.

photos: courtesy of bsb and wab

Sports and More at WAB Event In late September, the Western Academy of Beijing hosted the fall edition of its WABX to the MAX event, which included the Tiger Rugby Cup, Beijing Volleyball Challenge Tournament, Tri-Cities Tennis Tournament, and WAB Jazz Festival.

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Family Favorites

The MuellerHofvenschioeld Family

Date Night Atmosphere for great views and amazing cocktails or Capital M for a bit of decadence, good food, and wine.

The Mueller-Hofvenschioeld family comes from Sweden and Germany.

They are mom Elizabeth, dad Axel, Henrik (age 5), and Freja (2). Both children attend House of Knowledge International Kindergarten.

Elizabeth is a part-time student and full-time mom and Axel is the head of procurement at Daimler Greater China. They moved to Beijing for Axel’s work almost two years ago. Aisling O’Brien

Best Place for a Special Occasion We just celebrated our wedding anniversary at Brian McKenna’s The Courtyard.

Favorite Family Restaurants Din Tai Fung for great dumplings, high chairs, kid-sized cutlery, a playroom and decent bathrooms; Baoyuan Jiaozi Wu for multi-coloured jiaozi; and Hatsune for tempura.

Family Ritual Every Sunday, we have a big breakfast at home with croissants and pretzels from Michael’s German Bakery, Nutella, and homemade strawberry jam.

Best Autumn Activities The Great Wall at Mutianyu or somewhere closer, like Fragrant Hills

Rainy Day Activities Rain doesn’t affect our outdoor activities, but poor air quality does.

We build a fortress out of our sofa, blankets, and pillows, or go to Indigo Mall for books and lunch.

Weekend Activities Swimming at the local pool, monthly museum trips (e.g. Beijing Capital Museum), bike rides around Shunyi, and walking in the hutongs around Confucius Temple.

Favorite Places to Shop Hongqiao Market – you can get almost anything there. We also love Page One bookstore.

For decent quality kids’ clothes that last more than three washes, we shop at H&M and Gap at Indigo Mall.

Best Places to Play Outdoors: In our garden, Olympic Park, Ritan Park, or Chaoyang Park.

Indoors: At home, a friend’s house, or a family-friendly museum like the Beijing Railway Museum.

New Discoveries Obentos in Wangjing.

They have super tasty bento box options and our kids love the salmon.

photo: mitchell pe masilun

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