Best of the Blog: May/June 2017 Edition


Every issue we tally the hits from theBeijinger.com and bring you the most viewed blogs from our website. Read on to see which blogs were the most popular.

1. Laser Egg’s Creators Make Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List; Rebrand as Kaiterra

Liam Bates and Jessica Lam, the masterminds behind the bestselling Laser Egg AQI monitors, are two of several Beijingers ranked in the prestigious new Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia: Consumer Technology list. Ever the savvy marketers, Bates and Lam are now maximizing their time in the spotlight by launching a new product and rebranding. As of April 14, Origins is officially Kaiterra, with a new focus on not only AQI monitoring but also achieving broader, loftier aims.

2. Beijing Subway Passenger Bloodied by Expat Sparks Angry Backlash Against Foreigners

Days before the news about a “Chinese” passenger being forcibly dragged off a United Airlines flight caused massive outrage in China, Beijingers were already angry over an incident of their own in which a Chinese man was victimized by yet another foreigner. Allegedly, the male expatriate made a “wanton” attack upon a Chinese commuter on Beijing Metro Line 10 during morning rush hour.

3. Allergies Begone! Beijing Promises to Fix Its Out-of-Control Catkins Problem by 2020

Beijingers looking for a reprieve from the smoggy skies of heating season won’t find any relief with the arrival of spring, bringing with it millions of flying catkins along with thousands of runny noses and red, irritated eyes. However, there’s hope yet for residents with allergies as city authorities have promised to fix Beijing’s notorious catkin problem in just three short years.

4. The First 100 Chinese Character Every Beginner Needs to Know

Learning Chinese is pretty tough, and while not everyone agrees on what the first 100 Chinese characters you really need to know are, we put together some to get you started based on research across different platforms. This should give you a kick-start in mastering this rather difficult language.

5. Security Restrictions at US Embassy in Beijing Have Created a Thriving Industry for ‘Bag Holders’

Would you be willing to give a total stranger all of your possessions, let alone pay him for the pleasure? What sounds like the last thing you’d want to do is actually a thriving cottage industry right here in Beijing.

Due to a longstanding ban on personal items that include cell phones and handbags for visitors to the US Embassy, street hawkers have been earning a living by temporarily holding onto other people’s possessions as they wait in line to process non-immigrant visas.

6. Vineyard Café Shuts Down, to Set Up Open Delivery Kitchen

After 11 years of serving tasty Western fare in Wudaoying Hutong, Vineyard Café announced that it was closing its doors on April 13. However, all is not lost given that management are already preparing to open up a delivery kitchen in Chaowai Soho.

7. Expat Recommended: Beijing’s Best Tour Companies

Beijing is a pretty easy city to get around for visitors, even for those who don’t speak Chinese, but taking a tour can still improve your overall experience. The tour companies we list in this blog offer something to suit all tastes, whether you are a first timer to Beijing or a repeat visitor who wants to get more in-depth information about Beijing’s fascinating sights.

8. A Year and a Half On and Nuo Brunch is Still One of the Best Buffet Hotel Brunches in Beijing

When you think buffet, ‘good quality’ is not necessarily the first thing that jumps to mind, but Nuo Hotel’s N’Joy buffet brunch most certainly overcomes that negative stereotype.

Our initial visit to N’Joy was when it first opened almost a year and a half ago, and we’re happy to report that the quality remains excellent and is most certainly worth saving your pennies for. They’ve since updated the brunch and added caviar to the delicacies on offer, making the spread that more lush.

Photos: Sohu, sensiblechinese.com, Xinhua, courtesy of Kaiterra, Beijing News, swiss.com, courtesy of Beijing Sideways, Margaux Schreurs, Dave's Studio