See the Districts articles for individual listings.
Most of the international business offices are in Guomao, Dawang, Wangfujing around the Eastern 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyangmen. The Central Business District CBD is centered around Guomao. Many technology companies have offices in Zhongguancun, Haidian.
Like all of China, finding a job teaching English in Beijing is relatively easy for native speakers. In fact, if you are of European descent some employers may assume that you are already qualified enough to teach English to Chinese students. However, more prestigious employers especially universities and high-end language schools will generally require an English teaching qualification and a Bachelor's degree normally in any discipline, although sometimes specifically in English/linguistics.
Be aware: There has been explosive growth in the English teaching industry in recent years. This has brought the expected attendant problems with unregulated schools failing to deliver on their contracts with teaching staff. Before the Olympics it was common for teachers in Beijing to get by with business F visas and working as outside contractors for the schools. Similarly some teachers worked on tourist L visas. However, there was a government crackdown on this illegal practice in the run-up to the Olympics. To ensure your employer runs a licit operation, you are strongly advised to check with existing teachers before signing a teaching contract with an unknown school. All reputable schools will assist in securing a work Z visa and a Foreign Expert Permit for their teachers.
May to August 2012 have been declared as 100 days of extra-strict police control of foreigners' working visas after a widely published story of a drunken British citizen allegedly sexually assaulting a woman on Sanlitun bar district. Keep a copy of your passport and visa with you.
See also: Teaching English.
theaters and concert halls
National Centre for the Performing Arts in Xicheng District was finalised in 2007 and finally gave Beijing a modern theater complex covering opera, music and theater. This is worth a visit even if you do not go to a performance.
The Beijing Opera is considered the most famous of all the traditional opera performed around China. This kind of opera is nothing like western opera with costumes, singing style, music and spectator reactions being distinctly Chinese. The plot is usually quite simple, so you might be able to understand some of what happens even if you do not understand the language. Some of the best places to watch Beijing Opera are found in Xuanwu District including Huguang Huguang Theatre and Lao She Teahouse. There are also a number in Dongcheng District including Chang'an Grand Theatre.
Acrobatics shows are also worth a visit if you want to see some traditional Chinese entertainment. Some of the best shows are found in Tianqiao Acrobatics Theatre in Xuanwu District and in Chaoyang Theatre in Chaoyang District.
Drama plays has had a slow start in Beijing and is still not as widespread as you might expect for a city like Beijing, and you will most likely not be able to find many Western plays. However, some good places for contemporary Chinese plays do exist including Capital Theatre in Dongcheng District and Century Theater in Chaoyang District.
Classical music has got a much stronger foothold in Beijing than drama plays. Some of the best places to go are the National Centre for the Performing Arts and the Century Theater both mentioned above as well as Beijing Concert Hall in Xicheng District.
universities
Beijing is the center of higher learning in China. In fact, Beijing University and Tsinghua University have been consistently ranked among the top universities in the world in recent times. As such it attracts the top talents from across China and is the destination for thousands of foreign scholars each year. Most of the universities are clustered in Haidian District in the northwestern part of the city. Nearly all of the universities in Beijing accept foreign students. Most foreign students are on Chinese language programs which can last from a few weeks to a couple of years. If you have a sufficient HSK level (http://hsk.org.cn/english/) you can enroll in programs to study other subjects.
Walks and rides
The Great Wall of China
é¿å chã¡ngchã©ng about a 1 hour train trip or 1.5 hour bus ride from the city be aware of bus scams. see great wall for general information on the great wall and see the suburb article for individual listings. the badaling section is the most famous, but also over-restored and crowded. jinshanling, huanghuacheng and simatai are more distant but offer a better view of the wall away from the crowds. as of march 2011, simatai is closed for restoration. it is expected to re-open in the 2012-2014 timeframe mutianyu has been restored, but is far less crowded than badaling. crowds are a definite issue with the great wall: at popular sections at popular times, it becomes not the great wall of china, but rather the great wall of tourists. it is possible to rent a taxi for â¥400-800 for the round trip including waiting time. you may want to bring a jacket against the wind or cold in the chillier season - in the summer you will need lots of water, and it will be cheaper if you bring your own.
Rent a bicycle
Traverse some of the remaining hutongs. There is no better way to see Beijing firsthand than on a bicycle but just be very aware of cars Chinese driving styles may differ from those you are used to. See above for bike rental information.
Other
Foot massage
Have a highly enjoyable and relaxing foot massage and/or pedicure etc for a fraction of the price in the West from any of the respectable and professional offerings in central Beijing in the vicinity of the Beijing Hotel for example.
Debate!
If you find yourself a very argumentative person, look for intellectual exercise or just meet people you should attend at least one of the meetings of "The Beijing Debate Society" DBS (http://www.beijingdebate.com/). DBS is a not-for-profit, non-religious, non-political organisation that seeks to improve argument-building skills. DBS is governed by the British Parliamentarian Debates rules. The debating language is English.