Money Matters

ATM Unlimited

Very quietly in June the government raised the daily limit for ATM withdrawals. Even though you are still limited to a couple grand per transaction, now you can extract up to ¥20,000 per day. The purpose is to alleviate lines at banks. Be extra careful with your card password or you could end up losing more than you bargained for.

Bar News

Nanjie on the Move

The chips keep falling in the parking lot across from Gongti. First Red Ball went down, then Yugong Yishan and now Nanjie. Word on the bar street is that Nanjie will be moving down to Sanlitun proper, taking up new digs across from Salsa Caribe.

Coffee Talk

Off with His Foam

The Forbidden City has issued an Imperial edict whereby all business located inside the once off-limits city must now be under its authority. In response, Starbucks, whose presence there has been criticized for years, decided to end its lease agreement.

Travel

Trouble Getting Up?

Good news for all frequent fliers out there. Researchers in Argentina found that hamsters who take Viagra before crossing times zones (or having researchers turn the light on early, the hamster equivalent of international travel) recovered from jetlag that much quicker.

Phone Fun

Nowhere to Run

Sure it only costs one kuai a minute to call home with 12953, but wouldn’t it be nice to have your parents call you for a change? A little known secret is that they can use Skype to call your cell phone for free. Just go into your settings, activate forwarding to your mobile number, and the next time they Skype you, even if you are offline, they’ll be connected.

Food News

Packing up the Spurs

Tim’s Texas BBQ is packing up the spurs and riding off down Guanghua Lu where they will be re-opening shop in the Silk Street 2 building.

Bar News

Hooters!

In case you’ve been on a Himalayan trek, you’ll have noticed that Beijing is getting a Hooters in the new complex next to The Den. Word is that they are currently interviewing for waitresses. Look for a full review, including interviews with successful candidates, in a few weeks.