We’re so excited to welcome to our new freelance writer Tara Fegelein to the jingkids team. Tara has led an amazing life that’s taken her all around the world, and we’re absolutely delighted to have her voice representing jingkids. We can’t wait for you to share the treasures she discovered during her adventures in Beijing
Tell us a bit about yourself and what brought you and your family to Beijing.
Dajia hao, Beijingren! I am Tara (淘淘) by way of the US, Germany, and Iran. Our family of three moved to Beijing in the Fall of 2024 and has been intensively exploring our new city! My husband and I are both international development professionals and career expats, living and working the past 25 years in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Munich, London, and most recently, Washington, D.C.
What do you do to keep yourself busy?
Things that occupy me outside of work and parenting are being active in nature, wellness practices, yoga retreats, travel (90+ countries), gastronomy, contemporary art and architecture, the performing arts, and all things kid-centric. Since becoming a Beijinger, I have also kept busy by learning Chinese with a fierce commitment to “好好学习，天天向上 (hǎo hǎo xué xí, tiān tiān xiàng shàng)”!
What are your top 3 favorite things you’ve discovered since moving to Beijing?
Three favorites things I’ve discovered here are 1) buying local by finding premium brands for everything from furniture to athletic gear, including indie labels by young designers, 2) eating at 200+ restaurants to find my top 20 go-to restaurants, from fine dining to hole in the walls, and 3) participating in various communities, including Girl Scouts, LEGO League, and local charities.
What can jingkids readers expect to see from you?
Together with my 6-year-old pixie, Leili, we will cover activities for kids around the city, STEAM education, nature adventures in the great outdoors (hiking, fishing, wild swimming, camping, skiing, etc.), kids’ shopping, dining, performances, cultural celebrations, and more! We look forward to discovering ever more facets of our brilliant Beijing and sharing these with the jingkids community.
Stay tuned for Tara’s first article, coming out later this week.
Images: Tara Fegelein
