The Big "Why" Behind Our International Lifestyle Expo

I've called Beijing home for 25 years, ever since arriving in 2000 to establish the company that grew into the Beijinger and our sister brand, Jingkids. That's long enough to watch the city's international community grow, shift, and reinvent itself more times than I can count. Some years felt electric—full of new faces, new ideas, new businesses. Other years, especially the last six, felt quieter as the pandemic and an economic slowdown took its toll. And as Beijing developed into the modern metropolis it is today, more areas of the city became livable — and the people who once crossed paths naturally in places like Sanlitun suddenly found themselves scattered across the map. It made me realize how much we've been missing a place where we can simply bump into each other again.

This idea has been rattling around in my head for six years. It started during the pandemic, when so many of us were stuck at home and noticing how strange it felt not to see familiar faces. That period made something very clear: we don't just enjoy community; we rely on it.

For 15 years, we at the Beijinger have been creating spaces for people to meet. We've organized big international school expos, food festivals, burger festivals… you name it. They were fun and successful, but they also taught me something I didn't expect. Yes, people wanted to find a new school for their child or try the city's best tacos. But they stayed to chat with someone they'd just met in line, to compare notes on neighborhoods, to laugh about the quirks of life here. They stayed because it felt good not to rush off for once.

These days at our festivals, I'm often greeted by young couples holding the hand of an adorable toddler. "Hey Mike — we met six years ago at your Burger Fest!" Moments like this are what make me happiest.

That's the spark behind Culturopolis. We didn't want to do another food fest or simply a school fair for a narrow audience. We wanted a place you might wish existed when you first arrived in Beijing — or one you're still longing for.

And to be clear, this isn't an event for foreigners. This is for Beijing's international community, including local Chinese.

I've never loved the word "expat" or "foreigner" — it draws a line that doesn't reflect the Beijing I know.

Our readership has long included a huge number of local Chinese residents, and at our festivals, more than half the crowd is always Chinese. When we talk about the international community, we mean something broader and more real: not just foreigners, but also internationally minded Chinese residents, returnees, people working in multinational companies, embassy staff, families who've lived abroad, travelers, and anyone who feels at home in a global conversation.

They're all part of the fabric of Beijing's international community, and they're all part of Culturopolis.

So here's what we're building: a community hub under one roof at Langyuan Station on Jan 31 and Feb 1.

You'll find trusted services, top international schools, global cuisine, handmade crafts, government resources, health and wellness options, and local sports groups.

But honestly, the booths are just the excuse. The real point is the connections and conversations that happen between them.

Whether you're a student in Haidian, an executive in Yizhuang, a family in Shunyi, or a diplomat in the CBD, we want this to be the place where the city feels a little smaller and a little warmer.

This is our first attempt at something like this, and we'd love to have you with us — as an exhibitor or simply as a visitor. Our vision is to make this a yearly or even seasonal tradition: a reliable gathering place where people can reconnect, discover something new, and feel a sense of belonging in Beijing.

So consider this a genuine invitation. Come join us. Let's take one weekend to gather in the same place and build the community we've all been missing.

Culturopolis: The International Lifestyle Expo will be taking place at Langyuan Station's Central Station from Jan 31 to Feb 1. Entry to Culturopolis is free with advanced registration. You can sign up now by scanning the QR code in the poster above.

Langyuan Station Central Station 郎园Station 中央车站
53 Banjieta Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区半截塔路53号

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Images: the Beijingers