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. Before you leave for abroad, get your Chinese driving license translated and notarized.
It helps you apply IDP or a temporary license in other countries easier. Or even in some countries, you can just drive with your Chinese driving license and its translated document.

I’m starting a new business in Beijing and I need to build a website. Do you have any good leads on companies that can help with building, hosting and running a simple website?
Try 126data.com. It is one of the most reliable website builders in town. They also provide services like domain name registration, domain appraisal, online file storage and security socket layer certification (ssl). They have talented graphic designers and experienced technicians who won’t let you down. Call 400 600 2616 for more information or visit their website to see samples.

I have a Honda CB400 and I think riding a motorbike in Beijing is great, but doing it with other riders is better. Do you know of any bike club that arranges outings and races and where I can make friends?
You can try Sunny-Club, one of the city’s biggest motorbike clubs with more than a hundred members. It organizes events such as motorbike races and rides out of town. You can find out from co-members the most interesting bike routes in the city and the best motorbike repairmen. Its office is located at 63 Lengquan Donglu, Haidian District, Tel. 6249 5953.
 
I keep hearing about China’s hukou system in the media but don’t really understand how it works. Can you recommend a website where I can get more information? I’m really curious about it since it seems to play a big role in people’s lives.
Hukou, or the household registration system, has a huge influence on Chinese people’s life and work. It has something to do with one’s housing job, social welfare and children’s education. For more information, contact China Culture Center (CCC), a Chinese cultural event organizer, which held a lecture on the topic several days ago. They can provide you with a recording of the event or introduce you to the speaker Jin Tao. Jin can give you some reading references. Call CCC at 6432 9341.
(By Liang Meilan)