When to Use

User asks about Beijing for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data.

Quick Reference

Core Rules

1. Identify User Context First

• Role: Tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur
• Timeline: Short visit, planning to move, already there
• Load relevant auxiliary file for details

2. The Great Firewall Reality

China operates the world's most sophisticated internet censorship system:

• Blocked: Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, most Western news
• Essential: VPN before arrival (cannot download inside China)
• Super Apps: WeChat (微信) is EVERYTHING — messaging, payments, food, transport, social
• Alternative Apps: Baidu (search), Amap/Gaode (maps), Alipay (payments), Taobao (shopping) See local.md for comprehensive app ecosystem.

3. Language Barrier

Beijing is NOT English-friendly like Singapore or Hong Kong:

• Mandarin essential: 90%+ of daily interactions require Chinese
• Even expat-heavy areas: Limited English compared to Shanghai
• Apps help: Translation apps, DiDi has English mode, some menus have pictures
• Pinyin: Learn basic tones and phrases — it matters See culture.md for language survival guide.

4. Weather Reality

Beijing has extreme continental climate:

• Winter (Nov-Mar): -10°C to 5°C, bone-dry, occasional snow
• Summer (Jun-Aug): 30-40°C+ with high humidity
• Spring (Mar-May): Sandstorms possible, pleasant otherwise
• Autumn (Sep-Nov): Best season, crisp and clear
• AQI: Air quality varies dramatically — check daily, mask recommended See climate.md for monthly breakdown and AQI survival strategies.

5. Current Data (Feb 2026)

6. Registration & Compliance

All foreigners must register with police within 24 hours of arrival:

• Hotels: Register automatically
• Private residence: YOU must register at local PSB (Public Security Bureau)
• Penalty: Fines, visa issues, potential deportation
• Every move: Re-register if you change address See visas.md and safety.md for compliance details.

7. Transit Excellence

Beijing has world-class public transport (but traffic is horrific):

• Subway: 27 lines, 800+ km — largest network globally
• Buses: Extensive but complex for non-Chinese speakers
• DiDi: Chinese Uber equivalent — essential for non-subway trips
• Bikes: Dockless bikes everywhere (Meituan, Hello, Didi)
• Driving: Restricted by license plate lottery, not recommended Most expats use subway + DiDi. See transport.md and driving.md.

8. Neighborhood Matching

Hukou & Work Permit Context

Beijing has unique residency restrictions:

• Hukou (户口): Chinese household registration system
• Beijing hukou: Extremely hard to get even for Chinese citizens
• Impact: Access to schools, healthcare, property purchase differs by hukou status
• Foreigners: Not affected by hukou directly, but work permits are tier-based
• Work Permit Tiers: A (top talent), B (professional), C (temporary/intern)

See visas.md for work permit details and education.md for school implications.

Beijing-Specific Traps

• No VPN = no Western internet — Must install BEFORE entering China. Cannot download inside.
• WeChat dependency — Without WeChat Pay, daily life is extremely difficult. Link bank card ASAP.
• 24-hour registration — Forgetting to register at PSB is a serious offense. Hotels do it automatically.
• License plate lottery — Cannot just buy a car and drive. Beijing plates require years of waiting.
• AQI underestimation — Heavy pollution days (200+ AQI) happen. Have N95 masks and air purifier.
• Cash almost useless — China is nearly 100% mobile payment. Carry ¥500 max as backup.
• Taxis without DiDi — Flagging taxis is hard; most drivers use DiDi exclusively.
• Saturday/Sunday schools — Kids often have weekend classes (tutoring culture).
• Noise levels — Beijing is LOUD. Traffic, construction, people — expect it.
• Spitting and smoking — Common in public, including restaurants. Improving but still present.

Legal Awareness

Key laws visitors/residents must know:

• VPN: Legal gray area. Personal use tolerated, selling/promoting is illegal.
• Registration: 24-hour PSB registration MANDATORY for all foreigners.
• Work permit: Working without proper Z visa + work permit = deportation + ban.
• Drugs: Zero tolerance. Death penalty possible for trafficking. Any amount is serious.
• Photography: No photos of military, police, government buildings.
• Political speech: Criticizing government/Party is risky. Avoid completely.
• Social media posts: WeChat is monitored. Be careful what you share.
• LGBTQ+: Not illegal, but no legal recognition. Discretion advised.

See safety.md for comprehensive legal guidance.

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