In recent years there have been an increasing number of English language stage shows, a welcome addition to Beijing’s nightlife for many expats. Such as the Northern Broadside Theatre Company’s production of the ‘Tempest’, a touring theatre company from the UK and the popular local production ‘I Heart Beijing’.

It is claimed that the history of acrobatics in China dates back to the Neolithic period over 5,000 years ago where the demonstration of self-defence skills manifest into a performance art. A Chinese acrobatic show is a must when in the city and an important part of Beijing nightlife.

Beijing Opera (or Peking Opera) has existed over two hundred years and is often regarded as one of the highest expressions of Chinese culture. It is estimated that there are thousands of different types of Chinese Opera, the vast majority being local operas that dominate small regions within provinces.

Wudaokou is a neighbourhood in the Haidan district in North West Beijing, approximately 10 km from the city centre between the fourth and fifth ring roads. The area is extremely popular with students, especially international which is reflected by the high number of bars and clubs.

The Sanlitun entertainment area used to only comprise a few small streets of bars. Now, it has developed into a large entertainment district incorporating approximately 60 clubs and bars and over 100 restaurants, a fundamental component of Beijing nightlife.

Beijing boasts a vast array of fashionable nightspots to enjoy and it’s very common, especially for young people, to go out in the evenings. Beijing Nightlife consists of numerous bars, nightclubs, theatres, restaurants and cinemas. However, twenty years ago the word ‘nightlife’ wasn’t even used. In recent years Beijing Nightlife has seen an escalation in themed pubs, trendy bars and clubs not only attracting the local foreign residents but many young Chinese.

The Chinese construction industry is booming. While many countries are enjoying a building frenzy none can compete with the largest building site of all. China is using half the world’s concrete and a third of its steel for its numerous ambitious projects.

The China Construction Bank was founded in 1954 and has grown to become one of the ‘big four’ banks in China. The bank has 13,977 branches and sub-branches in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China as well as branches in Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Frankfurt and Johannesburg, and representative offices in London and New York.

China Unicom is China’s second largest mobile phone and telecommunications provider, second only to China Mobile. The company was established in 1994 to bring competition to a monopoly market dominated by China Mobile Communications. Through China Unicom Telecommunications Ltd the company provides mobile phone services to thirty provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China. As well as nationwide domestic and international long distance calls and internet services. As of the end of 2006 China Unicom was the third largest mobile telecommunications provider in the world in terms of subscribers.

Air China is China’s largest airline operating a fleet of over 200 Boeing and Airbus craft to more than 250 domestic and international destinations. No other airline offers so many flights to the Chinese capital Beijing, or onward flights to regional points in China. The airline’s main operations hubs are located in Beijing, Shanghai, and the western Chinese city of Chengdu. Air China is largely state owned (approximately 66%), through the China National Aviation Holding Company. The airline is the only one to carry the PR China flag on all the aircraft in its fleet.