Been to Beijing briefly and it is a wonderful city with a cheap subway system. People go out in the evening to walk the dog and dance on the sidewalk, all age groups. If they don't have a partner they dance alone. This is cool. They are interested in foreigners and some will strike up conversations. Beijing is very modern but will always be dusty. The dust comes in from the Mongolian desert all the time and people get tired of cleaning. Watch your expenses and take health precautions with water etc., avoid rush hour, and you will learn a lot in a year. Start learning the language. Makes a big difference. See the movie Beijing Bicycle, one of my all-time favourites.