Staying in touch with home and new friends is obviously going to be very important, and this section tells you how to do it. Beijing is a modern city and communications are not going to be a problem. Method of choice for many people nowadays is the internet, but for some hearing a voice over the phone is the only way to do it. Sending postcards and parcels home is something else you'll need to do at some point, and you'll need a mobile to keep yourself available for job and drinking opportunities.
