A Help-Me! suggested list:

[underscorex5]

I think we could use a thread that compiles the research and energy that we have all done into a thread to each other. So, what have been your best resources?

As far as books go, most seem to be a compilation of background on China followed by a lot of information you can find on the interent, and some basic Mandarin/Cantonese epressions. I have, however, found two books that I love to bits!

Subject: Sweet,concise, excellent Phrasebook!

Chinese at a Glance "Phrasebook & Dictionary for Travellers, 2nd Edition.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764112503/sr=8-1/qid=1149452558/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6132273-7436031?%5Fencoding=UTF8

This book is excellent! It is small and lightweight and organized in an actually usable fashion.

For example: the subsection "Shopping" is divided into sections like "jewlery" "clothing" "colours" "types of fabric" "at the supermarket" ...etc. within each of these many sections there are some very important phrases and then a list of nouns that would be helpful for this situation.

Subject: Great insider insight to Beijing

Pocket Guide[ Beijing/B] A Discovery Channel Book

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9812582010/qid=1149453155/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-6132273-7436031?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

This book is good if you don't really know Beijing (like me). This book gives you an insider's look at Beijing in a very concise fashion.Divided into 10 day trips, Pocket guide gives you information about various locations including it's hours of operation and how much it costs to visit or eat or whatever you need at a that location. Also, for major events it gives you a brief history and insight on the significance of say Tian'anmen Square. This way, when you go to visit, you know about what you are going to visit.

Oh, there is also a really good map that can be taken out of the book. It is colourful and detailed (but not too detailed) and definatly geared towards those who do not know Beijing well.

Subject: Website with traveller insight to Beijing

Virtual Tourist Website

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/China/Beijing_Shi/Beijing-1024960/TravelGuide-Beijing.html

Lots of information here, packing tips, warnings, must-see suggestions. All written by fellow travellers to Beijing who are providing their know-how to those who plan to travel to Beijing.

The site included lots of quaity information but was difficult to use sometimes.

Subject: Housing in Beijing

That's Beijing Website

http://beijing.asiaxpat.com/

This website is good for finding long-term or short-term affordable housing.

Anyways, that's what I have for now, there is also a map book that is excellent for Beijing that I have forgotten the title of. I'll add it later.

Hope some of this helps!

Angela

blueicelight@hotmail.com

[underscorex5]

soo, any other resources out there? Any feedback out there??

[doumeizhen]

We spent some time a while ago compiling a list of "best of", which was then boiled down to a list of online study tools, which you can find here:

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/8195-best-of-chinese-study-tools-studying-chinese-online-and-off

These were cut off the list:

Language Programs and Scholarships

G http://www.csc.edu.cn/en/ [Chinese Scholarship Council website. Includes lists of scholarships, universities that accept foreign students, and visa information]

Travel

G http://www.travelchinaguide.com [General information]

G,I www.ctrip.com [For booking local and international travel]

G http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/index.htm [Train timetables]

G www.cyclechina.com [bike tours in China]

Living and Jobs

G www.chinese-forums.com [Anything you ever wanted to now]

G www.thatsbj.com [An expat magazine with classifieds for Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou]

G http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/ [beijing's official government websites, with information on almost everything]

A www.sina.com/ [Classified listings of local apartments]

[doumeizhen]

That, and pestering Roddy, of course.