Andrew Tremel may only be 5, but he has already lived in three countries. Born in Greece, he lived in Italy before his American family moved to Beijing in 2006. Andrew lives in Shunyi with big sister Alexandra (13) and baby sister Addison (4 months). Dad Mike and mom Melissa share their family favorites. Tania McCartney
Chinese Purchases
Chinese art, pottery or traditional pieces. We only buy what we love and try to support young local artists, so there is some sentimentality to our collection.
Budgeting Tips
Cheap days out are hiking trips, jaunts to parks, cooking as a family using local ingredients, or hanging at home just being together. We do far more as a family here than anywhere else we’ve lived in the world.
Place to Take Visitors
The Great Wall at Mutianyu. We lunch at the Schoolhouse – they have a glassblower at work, and there are beautiful pieces to buy.
Where to Buy Stuff
We like to shop at Decathlon – they have so many things and the prices are great.
Splurge
We want to travel to Vietnam, Malaysia and Philippines. In China, we’d love to go to Xi’An, Pingyao and Harbin.
Beijing Daytrip
A hike along the Great Wall from Simitai to Jinshanling, which
takes four hours.
Favorite Weekend Activities
Mike likes to cycle and the kids go to swim or soccer practice. We run errands, then love to meet up at Starbucks for a juice, a coffee and a catch-up.
Best Beijing Snack
The kids absolutely love the sweet battered pumpkin sticks (zha nan gua tiao’r) at the Great Wall restaurant near Lufthansa Center.
Would you like to share your Beijing Favorites? E-mail editor@tbjkids.com.
