Measles vaccines available citywide until October 8

A nationwide campaign to inoculate 100 million children against measles began last Saturday. From September 11 to 20, the local health bureau will dispatch thousands of medical staff members to 491 schools and kindergartens to vaccinate schoolchildren.

International Tourism Festival coming

The 12th Beijing International Tourism Festival will open this Sunday. Nearly 2,000 performers from more than 22 countries and regions will participate in a parade at the opening ceremony, which will be held at Qianmen Dajie.

Ask Beijing Today

I’m working on an installation made of cloth and I just ran out of my US-made dye. Do you know where I can find good dye in town?

Central bank launches integrated online banking

To cut time spent queuing at banks, an increasing number of Chinese people are using online banking to pay rent, utility bills and Taobao purchases.

Ask Beijing Today

I heard that China has ordered SIM-card buyers to register their real names beginning September 1. I have a friend who just arrived in town and was able to buy a SIM card off a newspaper stand without showing any identification. Can she get into trouble doing that?

Explore ‘water birth’ for less painful deliveries

Pregnant women who want to deliver naturally but are fearful of the pain can explore “water birth” – giving birth in a tub of warm water, which is supposed to be less stressful for both mother and child.

Ask Beijing Today

I’ve just returned from a trip to North Korea, where I fell in love with the food there. I heard that some North Koreans have opened restaurants in Beijing. Can you recommend one that also holds song and dance performances?

Private children’s libraries booming in Beijing

Chinese parents with school-age children take this saying very seriously: “It takes 10 years to grow a tree but a hundred years to cultivate a man.” The good news for Pa and Ma is that there are now at least 10 public children’s libraries in town to foster children’s natural curiosity and creativity. They are all products of the vision of a handful of mothers.

Sportaccord Combat Games open tomorrow

By Annie Wei
International athletes are streaming into the city for Sportaccord Combat Games, a high-level international tournament happening from tomorrow through September 4.
People can watch the games at three venues. The gymnasium of the National Olympic Sports Center will be hosting wushu, boxing, muay Thai and kickboxing matches. Judo, ju-jitsu, karate, taekwondo and kendo events [...]

Ask Bjtoday

We’re going to Hungary and Romania in October, and most car rental advice says to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave home, so I was wondering if there is any way to do it here in Beijing.
China does not have or recognize IDP. However, you can obtain a Chinese driving license first. [...]