🇨🇳 China · City guide
Moving to Beijing: Language & First Steps
The political and cultural capital, with deep history and major universities.
Living in Beijing
The political and cultural capital, with deep history and top universities; expats gather in Chaoyang, Sanlitun and near the university district in Haidian. Police registration is required, and Mandarin is valuable for daily life.
To settle into Beijing you'll need Chinese — and the practical kind: your residence permit and registration of temporary residence at the local police station (PSB) within 24 hours of arrival, opening a bank account, and seeing a doctor. Here's what to do first and the phrases to learn.
Sources: Language Lab's Chinese curriculum & culture notes; city/official processes vary — confirm with Beijing's local authority. · Join the beta →
What to do in your first week in Beijing?
- Register your address / residency — your residence permit and registration of temporary residence at the local police station (PSB) within 24 hours of arrival.
- Open a local bank account so you can get paid and pay rent.
- Register with a local doctor (GP) and sort health insurance.
- Get a local SIM / mobile plan and set up any required digital ID.
- Learn your transport options — tickets, passes and routes.
Chinese phrasebooks for Beijing
For the full country picture, see our guide to moving to China.
Arrive in Beijing ready.
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