The Apartments of the Beijing Hutong School are all located in recently built apartment buildings in central Beijing. These apartments are considered modern by Chinese standards and are indeed down-to-earth living quarters with their own charm:

Your compound

Most of the time, apartments in China are clustered together in compounds which can be accessed through guarded gates. It may be a strange sight to see a guard every time when leaving and coming back to the compound but do not worry: it is very likely that the boy in a uniform is more intimidated by you than you are by him.

Your apartment building

The building you live in may have an elevator depending on the number of stories (usually from eight stories upwards) in which case there may also be an elevator lady and sometimes even an elevator guy. Although this type of trade is disappearing rapidly, the purpose of this person is indeed to push the buttons for her/his guests. Suspicion has it though, that she or he works together with the compound’s management to "spy" on the tenants.

Your apartment

Your apartment will be your new home for the duration of your stay. All apartments have at least two bedrooms as well as a shared living room, kitchen and bath room. Chinese architects favour small kitchens which is why the fridge is standing in the living room in many cases.