Beijing Globalization: A glimpse of Beijing's diversity and globalization

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02:47

What city is the most globalized? New York, London, Melbourne? All are good choices, but Beijing is catching up. According to a recent study it's now the 4th most international city in the world. To test this out, CGTN's Nathan King, born and bred in the UK and a reporter with our Washington DC bureau hit the streets of China's capital.

It's not even nine pm on a Wednesday night in Beijing. But Soul Shake has this place rocking.

Beersmith is one of the growing number of hangouts that cater to a diverse and international crowd in Beijing. Soul Shake is their house band – Danny Dunn on Guitar and Tom Knight on keyboards both sing and both are from opposite ends of the planet - The UK and New Zealand. But both love being in Beijing.

DANNY DUNN, TOM KNIGHT SINGER, SOUL SHAKE "It's such a big city man it's growing so much, so many bars popping up. For us we're in a hub that's growing full of people like us. It's a crazy City, it doesn't sleep- there's always something different on every corner and every now and then something pops up you have no idea what it is. I've met people from every inch of this world."

The patrons are a mix of Chinese and international, drawn by special events, and by the fact that Beersmith is a brewery too. General manager Clifford Weiner shows off the beers including a very unique one.

CLIFFORD WEINER GENERAL MANAGER, HOTEL JEN "So Tangerine, Jasmine Flowers and Purple Rice were part of the ingredients. Very Chinese, Very Chinese."

NATHAN KING BEIJING "So this is the Lucky lantern, local Chinese ingredients but a pint that's recognizable around the world."

Watching Soul Shake strut their stuff is Kaleb Brown, a 23 year old English teacher from the US state of Indiana. He's only been here 5 months and is impressed at how open and livable Beijing is.

KALEB BROWN ENGLISH TEACHER "Everyone here has been very generous - if I need help translating anything people will go out of their way to help me and I wasn't expecting that."

Speaking of translations- Kaleb's students had problems pronouncing his name so he had it tattooed in Chinese characters on his arm. They now have a special way to remember him.

KALEB BROWN ENGLISH TEACHER "They call me Kai Luo Bo which is what my tattoo says and they find it the funniest thing in the world as it translates into Triumphant Turnip."

New, fun, exciting - Beijing's natives and its foreigners may have their differences but all are dancing to a similar tune. And here at Beersmith, Soul Shake provide the soundtrack.

Nathan King, CGTN, Beijing.