Beijing newcomer checklist: what to do before and after arrival
A practical first-year checklist for foreigners moving to Beijing, from documents and registration to housing, payments, healthcare, and renewals.
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Topic
Daily Life
Payments, SIM cards, transport, apps, food, etiquette, public services, and the small systems that make Beijing easier.
Beijing first-month quick start guide
A simple first-month guide for newcomers covering login, phone, banking, housing, transport, shopping, food, etiquette, holidays, customs, and pets.
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Getting around Beijing: subway, bus, taxi, and trains
How newcomers should use Beijing's subway, buses, ride-hailing, shared bikes, railway stations, and airport links, in a practical order.
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Leaving Beijing: a departure checklist for foreigners
What to close, cancel, and keep when you leave Beijing: work permit, housing, tax, social insurance and housing fund, banking, and a final-week checklist.
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Driving in Beijing as a foreigner: license and rental
What foreign residents and visitors need before driving in Beijing: the Chinese license rule, provisional permits, license conversion, and car rental timing.
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Accommodation registration in Beijing: official online entry
What foreign newcomers should know about Beijing accommodation registration, including the official online service entry and first-week checklist.
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Bringing pets to Beijing: entry rules and dog registration
Bringing a dog or cat to Beijing: customs entry rules, the 30-day quarantine default and its exemptions, dog registration, and the annual check.
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Cross-border banking and large payments in Beijing for foreigners
How foreigners in Beijing handle larger sums: foreign-currency accounts, exchanging currency, sending money abroad, and the paperwork to prepare first.
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Payments, SIM cards, and banking in Beijing
A practical setup guide for newcomers who need phone verification, mobile payments, bank access, transport, and daily spending to work quickly.
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