advice re: Dong Wang Zhuang

[Madot]

Hi, all! A friend has found a 2-bedroom flat in Dong Wang Zhuang for us to share. (2450 RMB/month EXCLUDING electric, water, gas, internet, phone and cable TV). Any advice about this accommodation and/or price would be very much appreciated.

What's the area like? I understand it's close to BLCU (YAY!), but is anyone familiar with it? Saw a picture on the net but what are the flats like? From a Westerner's perspective, are they comfortable?

Anyone? (Quickly, please, as I leave tomorrow!) Thanks in advance.

Mado

[sissi]

It's a little expensive if it's not well decorated.Maybe 2000 is appropriate.

Dose it have a whole set of furniture ,such as bed,chairs,sofa,desk etc?

Dose it have a whole set of electronic equipment,such as television,refrigerator,air conditioning etc?

[imron]

I lived in Dong Wang Zhuang back in 2002-2003 renting a room in a 3 bedroom apt for 900RMB a month (everything included). DWZ is directly adjacent to the north side of BLCU, so depending on where the flat is, it will probably take you 5-10 minutes to walk from your door to BLCU. As for whether the price is a good deal, it would depend on the condition and size of the flat and whether it's furnished or not. 2 bedroom could mean 1 bedroom and another tiny room that that the landlord decided could squeeze a bed in to. Back then, I had friends renting a 2 bedroom place for about the same price (also not including electricity/gas/etc). Apartments in Dong Wang Zhuang aren't as nice as those in the nearby "big pink towers" (i forget the name, but you can't mistake them), but prices are cheaper, and (at least back then), Dong Wang Zhuang had less foreigners around.

If you end up living there, there's a restaurant near the north gate that serves a mean 大盘鸡, be sure to check it out.

[Madot]

Thanks SO much! My Chinese friend will supply any linen, bedding or kitchen equipment which is missing and she says that it is fully furnished and quite nice so I'm feeling very optimistic now. Thanks so much for your comments. By the way, however, my Chinese is at beginners' level-- what was it you recommended at the nearby restaurant?

Mado

[imron]

It's a dish called 大盘鸡 da4 pan2 ji1, which literally means big plate of chicken :-) It's more or less a whole chicken chopped up into small chunks and cooked in a spicy sauce with potatoes and served with big thick noodles. It's made differently in different places, but this restaurant does it really well.

[samjet]

It's an average price for that area. I'm studing in Beijing Forestry university, just north of DongWang Zhuang for about 2 minute's walk. So I'm quite familiar with this area. Given Dong Wang Zhuang is so close to BLCU, so many foreigners choose to live there. so, the rent is a little expensive than near by blocks.

Dong Wang Zhuang is not far from Wu Dao kou, a really culture center in the district, where you can enjoy different kind of food from both China and other countries. Foreigners often have parties or some other kinds of gatherings in some bars there.

If you are going to stay in Beijing for more than 1 year. You can live in Dong Wang Zhuang for one or two month, when you get familiar with the environment nearby, i'm sure you can find some flat much cheaper and more comfortable than that, in nearby blocks.

as to language practice, i can provide some help if need ~ wish you good luck~

[Madot]

Thanks so much, Samjet! Looking forward to meeting you, and everyone, at the Forums meet-up on Friday.

Mado