To the uninitiated, life in Beijing can often feel unforgiving; support networks can be hard to access, the familiarity of home is far away, and vices are all too easy to come by. That’s why we’ve dedicated the first issue of 2018 to organizations and individuals that go out of their way, not only to provide help to newcomers and old-timers alike but also services to the Beijing community at large. Such commitment to aiding others takes many forms, including the mental health resources and NGOs, LGBT groups, animal welfare charities, and advocates of the zero waste lifestyle that we’ll cover here alongside a look at China’s charity through the ages.

Once you’re familiar with the city’s benevolent associations, you’ll want to feast on some of 2018’s top food trends courtesy of Robynne Tindall before exploring Beijing’s newest restaurants such as Arcade and Queenie’s as well as longtime favorite Transit, which has resurfaced following an extended refurbishment. Meanwhile, Will Griffith guides us through the sounds of the new Mao Livehouse in Wukesong and GJ Cabrera scopes out Red Gate Gallery’s new digs in 798.

In our Get Out section, Tracy Wang drinks us under the table at five of Beijing’s best brewpubs to have opened in past 12 months; I show you the sights of South Korea’s quaint city by the sea, Busan; and Robynne Tindall leads us through the flavors of Malaysia’s George Town. Finally, Tautvile Daugelaite meets the women behind the capital’s best female-only theater troupe, Beijing Broads, and Kyle Mullin speaks to the enchanting American songstress Julie Byrne as well as Mr. Xicheng Dama himself, Terry Crossman.

In all, we hope that this issue can act as a guide through some of the harder times in Beijing, when you’re not out and about making the most of one of the best cities in the world.

Read the issue via Issuu online here, or access it as a PDF here. Otherwise, grab a hard copy at your favorite outlet around town in the coming days!

Photo: Uni You