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Beijing Adventure: Learning Mandarin & Living in China

WE MOVED TO BEIJING, CHINA (a new start)

Destination:ChinaCity:BeijingPopulation: 21.5 million
WE MOVED TO BEIJING, CHINA (a new start)
Matt and Julia20 min

WE MOVED TO BEIJING, CHINA (a new start). This was filmed by Matt and Julia. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

We moved to Beijing, China. Welcome to Beijing the capital of China, we have just moved here to start a new journey in our life. Starting from today, we are officially Chinese language students. We are going to be spending the net month in Beijing, learning Chinese (Mandarin) at LTL language school in the centre of the capital. We will be living with Chinese family throughout this month, in a typical area of Beijing. This is the start of a new series here from the capital of China, as we navigate our new lives as Chinese language students.

--- Matt and Julia
November 13, 2024, Autumn in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

After a six-week trip across China scouting locations for future group tours, Matt and Julia move to Beijing to study Mandarin. They arrive at Beijing West Station, settle in with a local family, and register with the police. Their first days include an introduction to LTL Language School, classmates and teachers, and the intensity of the language program. Matt and Julia describe local people as open and helpful and reflect on learning Chinese through daily interactions. They also share practical notes from their experience: long-term visitors may need to register at a local police office, and they say Beijing's smoggy season often begins in October or November and can last at least a month.

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WE MOVED TO BEIJING, CHINA (a new start)

Settling into Beijing

Matt and Julia arrive at Beijing West Station to begin a new period of life in China. They have just completed a six-week journey across the country, scouting places for future group tours. Now they plan to stay in Beijing, live with a local family, and focus on learning Mandarin. Their first days combine the excitement of a new city with the practical tasks required to settle in.

One of those tasks is police registration. Matt and Julia describe going to a local office to complete the process themselves and obtain the necessary documents. They also explain that people staying in Beijing for an extended period may need to register, based on their own experience. Their new home with a local family becomes part of daily life and cultural immersion. They say their hosts are lovely and that everyone is gradually getting used to one another.

Beginning Mandarin classes

The couple attend their first day of class at LTL Language School, where they meet teachers and classmates. The program is intense, with a lot of information to absorb during the first few days. Matt and Julia find the volume somewhat overwhelming at first but describe the teacher as supportive and say they are learning a great deal. The video shows the beginnings of their routine as students living in Beijing.

Interactions outside class are another part of language learning. Matt and Julia say local people have been open and friendly, often willing to talk and help even when the couple's Chinese is limited. The experience gives them opportunities to practice Mandarin in everyday situations and understand the city beyond the classroom.

Practical observations

The couple mention Beijing's smoggy season, which they say typically starts in October or November and lasts at least a month. They advise being prepared for possible air-quality problems during that time. Their comments reflect their experience.

Matt and Julia's move follows a six-week trip across China to scout locations for future group tours. Their video focuses on settling in, registering, attending language classes and adjusting to life in Beijing with a local family.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What's it like living with a local family in Beijing?
A: Matt and Julia say the experience has been very positive so far. Their hosts are lovely, the household is getting used to living together, and the arrangement feels like real cultural immersion.
Q: How is the Mandarin class?
A: They describe the class as intense and full of information. The first few days felt overwhelming, but they like their teacher and say they are learning a lot.
Q: What has been the biggest surprise so far?
A: They have been surprised by how open and friendly people are. Locals are often willing to chat and help, even when Matt and Julia speak broken Chinese.

Previous travel video:

Beijing Adventure: Learning Mandarin & Living in China

Matt & Julia's Beijing adventure: Learning Mandarin, living with a Chinese family, and embracing a new life in China's captivating capital.

Beijing Mandarin Immersion: A New Life in China

Matt and Julia embarked on a thrilling new chapter, moving to Beijing to immerse themselves in Chinese language and culture. Their month-long intensive Mandarin course at LTL language school in central Beijing promises a steep learning curve. Living with a local family offers an authentic cultural experience, far removed from the usual tourist trail. This exciting new series documents their journey, transforming them from curious newcomers into budding Mandarin speakers in the heart of China's vibrant capital.