Life in Beijing
Beijing: Overview
Materially, life in Beijing today is not much different than life in the United States. Consumer goods, from coffee and donuts, to designer jackets and cosmetics are all readily available in the city (if notably absent outside of the cities). So students today worry less about what they can bring and what can they find there. 
Getting around Beijing is similar to getting around New York. There are buses and subways and taxis, though they are a lot more crowded. And like New York, there are the same types of cultural activities that one would find in any large city, plays, museums, night clubs, historical sites, etc.
So, on one level, it’s not too different from living in the U.S., is it? But of course, it’s not really the same. It’s not as simple as that. None of that even begins to capture the flavor of China, the experience. Some things are universally true, however. Students tell us that they were often frustrated by an aspect of Chinese society; by pollution; by vestiges of bureaucracy or disorganization; by buses, subways and other infrastructure that was full to bursting. In the end however, they all tell us that over time they began to both understand “why” and “why it is important.”
Dense Population
Beijing’s total population has exceeded 22 million, a mark that is supposed to be surpassed a decade from now. According to Beijing’s latest “overall plan”, the city should control the number of population at 18 million by the end of 2020. However, the combined population of permanent and non-permanent residents currently already exceeds 22 million, with the latter standing at 8 to 9 million.
Environment & Weather
The temperature can reach as high as as 110 F in summer in Beijing. The summers are hot owing to warm and humid monsoon winds from the southeast bringing Beijing most of its annual precipitation. The summer months, June to August, are wet and hot with about 40% of the annual precipitation. It is really hot and humid in Beijing in the summer, so pack appropriately. Be ready to sweat and not have A/C everywhere.
Local People
The Chinese in Beijing are more relaxed and pleasant than the Chinese overseas on average. Beijing is a good place for people-watching. People seem fairly relaxed, not too serious, and the pace is reasonable. The people are very friendly so never hesitate to try and ask questions. Many on the PKU campus will speak English. Try to make friends with your fellow classmates once you get to china. Invite them to come out touring and to dinner with you. They are all super excited to meet you.
Relevant Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=485mPaLrPn0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGl4JGTyXwU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ81pbNx51w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uohf5bCx5LE&feature=related
