July-August Newsletter: A digital orientation guide for the Global Business Journalism program
- Rick Dunham
- Sep 6
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 7
GLOBAL BUSINESS JOURNALISM NEWSLETTER
July-August 2025
Summer is ending, and we are welcoming 17 new students as the incoming international Global Business Journalism class of 2025. Every year, new GBJ students face new challenges navigating their lives in China ... and many of the same challenges as previous GBJers. To help the new crop of Global Business Journalism reporters, we have put together, in digital form, an orientation handbook with tips and tools to ease their transition to campus and to life in Beijing. It contains articles written by co-director Rick Dunham and previous GBJ students. We hope it will be useful to the 2025 newcomers and to future GBJ students.
We will return to our regular newsletter format at the end of September.
App-solutely essential: Must-have phone apps for living in China
For anyone planning on their adventure to China let me offer you a piece of advice: preparation is everything. This is precisely why I'm here — to ensure your transition to life in China is as smooth as butter.
In a world where everything is digital, China has (nearly fully) embraced the “cashless” with open arms. To navigate this tech-savvy society, you'll need the right apps in your hands. Here are the must-have essential apps that will transform your life so you can live like a local in no time.
The 6 best places to relax on the Tsinghua campus
Tsinghua University has been selected as the most beautiful campus in Asia – and one of 14 uniquely beautiful in the world – by Forbes magazine. Everywhere you walk, there is a refreshing nook, an inspiring angle, a colorful corner. Students, faculty and staff often live stressful lives, but the natural beauty of the campus helps bring balance to their lives.
Here are six of our favorite places to relax on campus so you, too, can take advantage of them if you need to get away from the pressures of daily life. Enjoy!
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The best food on campus
Tsinghua students' favorite canteen? Zijing, for variety, location and price
You voted. We listened. Zijing Yuan (紫荆园) has been voted most popular canteen among Tsinghua University international students. In a survey completed by 80 Tsinghua international students, Zijing Yuan came in first place for favorite canteen. In second place came Qingfen Yuan (清芬园), followed by Taoli Yuan (桃李园) in third place.
9 delicious dishes from Tsinghua campus canteens
Tsinghua University is a place where academic excellence meets a vibrant culinary scene. Based on recommendations from fellow students, here are some top food choices around the Tsinghua campus that you shouldn't miss. We've listed the canteens where you can find our favorites and a description of the delicious dishes.
7 great comfort foods for cold weather dining at Tsinghua canteens
When it’s cold outside, nothing feels better than having some warm winter comfort food after a long day in frigid weather. For hearty dining, you can come check out these specialties that you can enjoy at Tsinghua campus canteens during winter season (or any time of the year).
How you can make latiao, the popular Chinese snack
If you've ever tried the popular Chinese snack latiao, you'll want to learn how to make it yourself. If you haven't, you will be interested in the reasons behind the popularity of this spicy, savory snack that is a favorite of students at Tsinghua University and across China.
In this video from the Global Business Journalism YouTube channel, GBJ reporter Li Ying describes how you can create latiao and explains the snack's enduring magic.
Coffee shops and cafés
Our favorite coffee houses and cafés on the Tsinghua campus
Whether you're pulling an all-nighter studying for exams, killing time between classes, catching up with friends, or simply in need of a quick caffeine fix, Tsinghua University has some amazing coffee spots you shouldn't miss.
Check out these five fantastic cafés on campus, each with its unique vibe and must-try drinks.
5 Beijing hutong coffee shops you should check out
Beijing has always been famous for its tea ceremonies, but more recently, it is also emerged as a speciality coffee capital. With local roasters and barista-led now in nearly every hutong corner, Beijing is officially rising on the world’s speciality coffee map. You can now grab a real cup of coffee while strolling in Beijing’s most picturesque area, take a seat in these full-of-charm new places to read a book, meet a friend, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee.
Here are five Beijing coffee shops where you can drink a cup and plan to linger.
Favorite courses of Global Business Journalism students
This is not a new list, but it's the last time GBJ students voted on their favorite classes. Here are the seven favorite courses voted by international GBJ’s 2020 entering class, listed in random order. The consensus of the 2020-2021 cohort is clear: If you are college senior or a young professional who might join Tsinghua University this September, you definitely should not miss these classes.
6 must-know medical care tips for international students at Chinese universities
Navigating healthcare in China can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you're an international student unfamiliar with the system. As a local student with many foreign friends, I've seen firsthand how confusing it can be. But don't worry — here are six essential tips to help you manage healthcare while studying in China's universities.
Beijing's best neighborhoods for international students living off-campus
We hope we can assist you in avoiding unnecessary hardships that detract from the truly awesome experience of studying and living in China. When preparing to study at the prestigious Tsinghua University (or another good university, or even Peking U, if you must …), one of the biggest decisions you'll face is where to live in Beijing.
Your choice of neighborhood will make or break your experience.
You must evaluate and analyze on a deeper and more fun scale to see through any language or legal barriers. Neighborhoods in China are just built different. I have been across a good amount of the nation so far – and whether it is a Tier 1 city or a Tier 5 city, humble homesteads stand next to luxury…
We are only students, so this balance is essential. We need relative access to factors like affordable housing, transportation, digital integration as well as roadmaps for easy WeChat use and then access to Western food… and then if lucky, English resources and international communities.
Beijing's top tourist attractions, from old standbys to the hidden gems
By RICK DUNHAM
In 12 years in Beijing, I've visited just about every museum I could find. As a history major and a journalism professor, I've explored dozens of sites with ties to Chinese history and some that even pre-date modern humans. I've hiked the Great Wall 40 times, from its western terminus in Gansu province to the Yalu River bordering North Korea.
I've seen domestic tourism explode in China and the number of museums in the nation more than doubled. Visiting cultural sites "has become trendy among citizens in Beijing," says Yin Li, secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee. Tourism is a much more user-friendly experience today than it was a decade ago, from ubiquitous QR codes to more modern toilet facilities.
Beijing boasts hundreds – yes, hundreds – of museums, cultural attractions, parks, historical sites and other locations for visitors to see. As Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO, said recently, "the city bears witness to more than 3,000 years of cultural history."
There's no way to see it all in a short visit. Or even if you are here for a year or two.
I hope this guide will help you to prioritize your adventures in China's capital city and environs. It's a wonderful place to explore. Enjoy!
Thanks for reading the GBJ newsletter. We'll be back with more news and updates from students, alumni and faculty next month. If you want to be the first to read each GBJ newsletter, subscribe here and receive an email notification when a new newsletter is published.
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