

Cliff
@Ottontarion
Canadian expat in China
Forum posts
16
Contacts
6
About me
Canadian
Lives in Beijing
Speaks English and bits of french, less spanish and learning Mandarin
Registration: 23 July 2010
Activity


Shopping for household necessities by AnewWorld-DDS
Hi There, I have been in Beijing for 4 days now. IÂ’m still trying to get my feet on the ground or find out which way is up... IÂ’m looking for a place where i can buy household linen like: Bedding- sheets, pillowcases Bathroom bits - towels, bath ...

For bed sheets and pillow cases... If your close to the Euro Plaza, there is a store inside (4th floor I think) with some pretty reasonable discounts on bedding. I would only attempt it if your close to the Shunyi area because the colours may ... Read More


They're offering 130,000RMB / month....what do you say? by spiribizki
Hi friends, I have been offered to relocate to Beijing for 3-4 years with my three kids and wife (family of 5). The company would be paying for the house and the international school and 130000 RMB per month after tax (plus the trip back home once ...

It sounds like you will be fine with that salary depending on how you and your family spends money. I Beijing you could spend 1k (extrapolating based on experience) a day in food with a family of 5 if you eat out as much as I did when I arrived. ... Read More


Wangjing District?? by gemsoady
Hey everyone, Im due to move over to Beijing in 5 weeks time. Originally I was going to be living in Beijing but the school im working for has had to find alternative accommodation. Im now movin to Wangjing District. Any info people can give me ...

Assuming its the Wangjing in Beijing, I am familiar with it. I have lived and work around that area... also cabs tend to drop me off at the wrong places (likely my bad directions) so I get a chance to do lots of sightseeing :) What can you say.. ... Read More

Most Useful IPad or IPhone Apps
Hi, Just starting a thread on IPad or IPhone apps that help with life in Beijing. You would think that after being here for about a year I would have gathered a large number... but nope :) So far what I have found useful is: Beijing Taxi Guide - ... Read More


Web search that has directions in chinese for stores and markets by Ottontarion
Does anyone know of a good web site designed for mobiles that I can use to search for shops, stores, markets, etc.. and has addresses written in Chinese that I can show a taxi driver? Big request I know :D I am currently using localnoodles.com to ...

I really like the send to mobile phone option from mobilenative.com especially the English and Chinese directions. Read More


Web search that has directions in chinese for stores and markets by Ottontarion
Does anyone know of a good web site designed for mobiles that I can use to search for shops, stores, markets, etc.. and has addresses written in Chinese that I can show a taxi driver? Big request I know :D I am currently using localnoodles.com to ...

Thanks for the links. I'll give them both a dry run this weekend :) Read More


Web search that has directions in chinese for stores and markets by Ottontarion
Does anyone know of a good web site designed for mobiles that I can use to search for shops, stores, markets, etc.. and has addresses written in Chinese that I can show a taxi driver? Big request I know :D I am currently using localnoodles.com to ...

I think I found one that matched my criteria - the same one I used when visiting Beijing. cityfu.com/beijing/ I have tried this with a few more basic stores and it worked :p The only issue is that its not so comprehensive but it has a search, ... Read More

Web search that has directions in chinese for stores and markets
Does anyone know of a good web site designed for mobiles that I can use to search for shops, stores, markets, etc.. and has addresses written in Chinese that I can show a taxi driver? Big request I know :D I am currently using localnoodles.com to ... Read More


Software Package for Learning Mandarin by Ottontarion
Can anyone recommend a software package for learning Mandarin Chinese? I have seen high praise for Rosetta Stone. I would like to take a course but will probably need to wait a few months before I can make the time for some night lessons.

Rosetta Stone is ok, I bought it before I came to Beijing. I have completed all 3 levels 2 times through, I would say its a good way to get an introduction, but I'm not very impressed as far as being able to speak. It helped sure, but I think ... Read More


Software Package for Learning Mandarin by Ottontarion
Can anyone recommend a software package for learning Mandarin Chinese? I have seen high praise for Rosetta Stone. I would like to take a course but will probably need to wait a few months before I can make the time for some night lessons.

If you are in Guangzhou, I could teach you! way much better than those apps. haha... :D:) I would learn much more that way too but the 200 trillion kms between Beijing and Guangzhou would be a killer commute :P Read More


what to bring vs. what to buy in beijing? by Liainasia
Hi, all, I am moving to Beijing from the U.S. at the end of August, and I'm trying to determine what things I need to pack and bring with me, versus what to buy when I arrive. Should I bring, for example, linens and towels, or wait to buy them ...

A couple of other things to think about bringing: 1) good map of Beijing in English 2) cell phone with gps that is not locked to a carrier (iphones are available in china but lack wifi right now) or a gps with maps of Beijing 3) Coffee if you can - ... Read More


Software Package for Learning Mandarin by Ottontarion
Can anyone recommend a software package for learning Mandarin Chinese? I have seen high praise for Rosetta Stone. I would like to take a course but will probably need to wait a few months before I can make the time for some night lessons.

Any recommendation on an electronic english to mandarin dictionary and where I could pick one up would be welcome as well. Read More

Software Package for Learning Mandarin
Can anyone recommend a software package for learning Mandarin Chinese? I have seen high praise for Rosetta Stone. I would like to take a course but will probably need to wait a few months before I can make the time for some night lessons. Read More