Planning a Trip to Beijing

I've visited Beijing and passed through it a good number of times now and have yet to see a smog free day. Visit the wall (jinshangling or simitai are the best bits), wizz round the temple of heaven and the summer palace and get out of there. China is an amazing place with some beautiful scenery and historic sites, but Beijing is nowhere near the top of the list of 'must see' places in China in my books. Controversial?

The restaurant that i am went to was in Wangfujing. Make sure your get there before 2030 though as I believe that this was the last time that they would allow customers going in! I had duck (of course!) which was carved at my table, and battered fish in sweet and sour sauce. I would definitely recommend to visit here. It is supposed to serve the best duck in Beijing City. I would say it is more expensive here than eating in a 'normal' restaurant in Beijing, but the prices were match with what you get it here!

The new New York! We had a driver and a guide, who spoke very good English and was extremely knowledgeable about Chinese history, antiquities, Chinese art, and Beijing in general. They took us to the best places for great deals (we bought chops and art supplies mostly), ordered for us in restaurants - although this wouldn't have been a problem for us - and introduced us to local friends. Women, bring small packets of kleenex tissue just in case the toilets in out-lying areas are squat toilets and have no Handicap Toilet (i.e. Western). We've been all over the world, and China was our best, best holiday ever. We will definitely go back many times!

Beware of pickpockets while walking along Wangfujing Pedestrian Street. They typically prey on foreigners and work in groups. Best to know where your belongings are at all times.

In 2008, I decided I would travel to Mongolia. To get there, I decided to travel though Beijing. All of the travel sites recommended getting a transit visa. I thought that odd since I was only flying into Beijing and out the same airport. Because we lived in Washington, DC, I sent my wife down to the Chinese Embassy for the visa, and she came back saying the Embassy told her I didn't need one. I looked on the internet and discovered that the new terminal 3 (the largest in the world) was so far from terminal 2 that you had to go through customs. But, I also found out that you could go through customs without a visa, if you had a ticket out-bound, going within 24 hours. So I went to Beijing without a transit visa. At the Beijing airport, I asked how to get to my airline terminal to Mongolia, and the clerk checked his computer and announced -- "Sir, your flight has been cancelled." Fortunately, this was a temporary problem. I was going to be waiting the now cancelled flight for 7 hours, but there was another flight in an additional 5 hours later. I got the ticket and went through customs.
As I went through customs, I discovered a young lady from Venezuela (living in Miami waiting for regime change). She had also been scheduled for the now cancelled flight. So we began hanging aground together, watching each other’s luggage and so forth. Finally we wandered up to the internet cafe, and discovered we could surf all night and swill down all the green tea we wanted for $13 -- so we started surfing and swilling. I read the news and started reading my personal E-mail. One E-mail was from the US Embassy in Mongolia. I don't normally get E-mail like this, so I read it right away. I ran something like this -- " People are rioting in the streets, people are being shot and killed, buildings are being burnt. A curfew has been declared until 1000 tomorrow morning. Thank you for your interest in Mongolian tourism." I forwarded this E-mail to my tour company in the US and in Mongolia, and explained that my flight into the country had been delayed until 0400 tomorrow morning. I know they got it because I received a reply that inquired: "You mean 4am tomorrow?" I assured them I meant I was coming in at that time.
Now it occurred to me that maybe the flight that was cancelled, was cancelled because of the riots. The next flight might also be cancelled. But even if it came in, would the Mongolian airport stay open – and, even if open could my tour company pick me up and get me to my hotel? My hotel was the best hotel in Ulaanbaatar, the capitol of Mongolia. It had been built in Communist times for visitors from Moscow. The old Communist Party headquarters was right next door, and that was the building now on fire. If I got the hotel, would I suffer from smoke-inhalation ?

In fact, the plane arrived on time, and we landed at Ulaanbaatar, where my tour company did pick me up and they arranged for a different hotel, a few blocks away from the riots. As I got to that hotel, the sun was just coming up, so I did breakfast – but then wondered what to do during the curfew – you don’t want to go to sleep – although it had been about 36 hours since my last good sleep – I’d mess-up my circadian rhythm. So, I decided that I would break the curfew.
There were two museums downtown that I wanted to see, both just off the Mongolian version of Red Square. As I had come into town, it was raining, and I knew there are no riots in the rain. So I walked up to the Square. The old Communist Party headquarters was also just off the Square, and still smoldering. But it was just me and the police out on the streets. They took one look at me and decided I was not the problem. I checked the posted opening times for both museums, and found that one was to open at 0900, and the other at 0930. As it was still raining, I parked myself under the overhang of the museum that opened at 0900, and waited to see if it would open on time – since the curfew was until 1000.

While I waited, all the police in the world, dressed in riot gear, were forming up in front of the museum, many seeking the same overhang space I was using. They looked at me, and I looked at them. Then I noticed something. They were dressed in the same Black Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) trousers that I was wearing. They might have thought I was one of them (kind-of). Sure I don’t look Mongolian, but I could have looked like a visiting policeman. It turns out, the museum was being used as the police headquarters for controlling the riot.

I waited under the overhang, during the rain, waiting for the museum to open, either at 0900 as posted, or at the end of the 1000 curfew. The museum opened at 0900, as posted and an hour before the end of the curfew. I was their only customer, and it was the cleaning lady and me going through the exhibits. Life is good.

This had to be one of the best riots I ever attended.

If you want to talk to Chinese in Beijing you have to speak Chinese or have a guide book with chinese signs, for example: if you ask a Chinese where is toilet, show her/him chinese word in your guide book. Because for now they do not speak english. But don't panic! This people are very friendly.

the silk market or opposite the holiday inn lido for your knock of gear, north face , bags, trainers etc Bar street (I know!) for your bar after bar nightlife, cheap and lively, just make sure you not squemish with toilets.

Do bring your own sanitary tissue papers when getting in toilet there. Chinese-English conversation book coz local people don't speak English at all.

The new New York! We had a driver and a guide, who spoke very good English and was extremely knowledgeable about Chinese history, antiquities, Chinese art, and Beijing in general. They took us to the best places for great deals (we bought chops and art supplies mostly), ordered for us in restaurants - although this wouldn't have been a problem for us - and introduced us to local friends. Women, bring small packets of kleenex tissue just in case the toilets in out-lying areas are squat toilets and have no Handicap Toilet (i.e. Western). We've been all over the world, and China was our best, best holiday ever. We will definitely go back many times!

Go to the Lee Family Restaurant in one of the Hutong's. You need to make a reservation about 2 -3 weeks in advance but its marvelous imperial food. Local name is Li Jai Cai, 11 Yangfang Hutong, deshengmen wai hutong, Beijing telephone #86-106-618-0107

In 2008, I decided I would travel to Mongolia. To get there, I decided to travel though Beijing. All of the travel sites recommended getting a transit visa. I thought that odd since I was only flying into Beijing and out the same airport. Because we lived in Washington, DC, I sent my wife down to the Chinese Embassy for the visa, and she came back saying the Embassy told her I didn't need one. I looked on the internet and discovered that the new terminal 3 (the largest in the world) was so far from terminal 2 that you had to go through customs. But, I also found out that you could go through customs without a visa, if you had a ticket out-bound, going within 24 hours. So I went to Beijing without a transit visa. At the Beijing airport, I asked how to get to my airline terminal to Mongolia, and the clerk checked his computer and announced -- "Sir, your flight has been cancelled." Fortunately, this was a temporary problem. I was going to be waiting the now cancelled flight for 7 hours, but there was another flight in an additional 5 hours later. I got the ticket and went through customs.
As I went through customs, I discovered a young lady from Venezuela (living in Miami waiting for regime change). She had also been scheduled for the now cancelled flight. So we began hanging aground together, watching each other’s luggage and so forth. Finally we wandered up to the internet cafe, and discovered we could surf all night and swill down all the green tea we wanted for $13 -- so we started surfing and swilling. I read the news and started reading my personal E-mail. One E-mail was from the US Embassy in Mongolia. I don't normally get E-mail like this, so I read it right away. I ran something like this -- " People are rioting in the streets, people are being shot and killed, buildings are being burnt. A curfew has been declared until 1000 tomorrow morning. Thank you for your interest in Mongolian tourism." I forwarded this E-mail to my tour company in the US and in Mongolia, and explained that my flight into the country had been delayed until 0400 tomorrow morning. I know they got it because I received a reply that inquired: "You mean 4am tomorrow?" I assured them I meant I was coming in at that time.
Now it occurred to me that maybe the flight that was cancelled, was cancelled because of the riots. The next flight might also be cancelled. But even if it came in, would the Mongolian airport stay open – and, even if open could my tour company pick me up and get me to my hotel? My hotel was the best hotel in Ulaanbaatar, the capitol of Mongolia. It had been built in Communist times for visitors from Moscow. The old Communist Party headquarters was right next door, and that was the building now on fire. If I got the hotel, would I suffer from smoke-inhalation ?

In fact, the plane arrived on time, and we landed at Ulaanbaatar, where my tour company did pick me up and they arranged for a different hotel, a few blocks away from the riots. As I got to that hotel, the sun was just coming up, so I did breakfast – but then wondered what to do during the curfew – you don’t want to go to sleep – although it had been about 36 hours since my last good sleep – I’d mess-up my circadian rhythm. So, I decided that I would break the curfew.
There were two museums downtown that I wanted to see, both just off the Mongolian version of Red Square. As I had come into town, it was raining, and I knew there are no riots in the rain. So I walked up to the Square. The old Communist Party headquarters was also just off the Square, and still smoldering. But it was just me and the police out on the streets. They took one look at me and decided I was not the problem. I checked the posted opening times for both museums, and found that one was to open at 0900, and the other at 0930. As it was still raining, I parked myself under the overhang of the museum that opened at 0900, and waited to see if it would open on time – since the curfew was until 1000.

While I waited, all the police in the world, dressed in riot gear, were forming up in front of the museum, many seeking the same overhang space I was using. They looked at me, and I looked at them. Then I noticed something. They were dressed in the same Black Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) trousers that I was wearing. They might have thought I was one of them (kind-of). Sure I don’t look Mongolian, but I could have looked like a visiting policeman. It turns out, the museum was being used as the police headquarters for controlling the riot.

I waited under the overhang, during the rain, waiting for the museum to open, either at 0900 as posted, or at the end of the 1000 curfew. The museum opened at 0900, as posted and an hour before the end of the curfew. I was their only customer, and it was the cleaning lady and me going through the exhibits. Life is good.

This had to be one of the best riots I ever attended.

If you are a light-haired westerner, do not be surprised if Chinese locals come up asking to have a photo taken with you! I am blonde and was asked to pose with families, children, infants, and individuals quite often. I found that people wanted the most photos around the Tianamen Square area.

Do not buy the photo books inside the forbidden city. Once get out the forbidden city, you can get the bargains.

If you're going to the Great Wall go to the site at Mutaiya, it's less crowded and once you walk on it and take your photos you can tabagon down to the bottom again!!!! Brilliant - a little bit of fun after looking at a fantastic historic site!!!

The police harassed me every time I walked from the center to the bookstore through Tiananmen square - they would stop me and ask a bunch of questions, such as "what is your religion?" because I was a white guy... I speak fluent Chinese, so I responded that I did not have one - they then asked what I thought about Falun Gong to which I responded I never think about those zombies doing yoga outside the consulate in NY. They noticed my Taiwanese visa and asked what I thought of Taiwan - my answer was always "In Taiwan noone stops you on the street to ask what is your religion!" - I laughed when I said it and they let me go, but Beijing feels really like a police state compared to the more outlying areas of China which are almost pure anarchical capitalism everywhere, which is awesome, but I advise staying away from Beijing and Shanghai which are not very interesting and very much less fun than the smaller cities...

The restaurant that i am went to was in Wangfujing. Make sure your get there before 2030 though as I believe that this was the last time that they would allow customers going in! I had duck (of course!) which was carved at my table, and battered fish in sweet and sour sauce. I would definitely recommend to visit here. It is supposed to serve the best duck in Beijing City. I would say it is more expensive here than eating in a 'normal' restaurant in Beijing, but the prices were match with what you get it here!

In 2008, I decided I would travel to Mongolia. To get there, I decided to travel though Beijing. All of the travel sites recommended getting a transit visa. I thought that odd since I was only flying into Beijing and out the same airport. Because we lived in Washington, DC, I sent my wife down to the Chinese Embassy for the visa, and she came back saying the Embassy told her I didn't need one. I looked on the internet and discovered that the new terminal 3 (the largest in the world) was so far from terminal 2 that you had to go through customs. But, I also found out that you could go through customs without a visa, if you had a ticket out-bound, going within 24 hours. So I went to Beijing without a transit visa. At the Beijing airport, I asked how to get to my airline terminal to Mongolia, and the clerk checked his computer and announced -- "Sir, your flight has been cancelled." Fortunately, this was a temporary problem. I was going to be waiting the now cancelled flight for 7 hours, but there was another flight in an additional 5 hours later. I got the ticket and went through customs.
As I went through customs, I discovered a young lady from Venezuela (living in Miami waiting for regime change). She had also been scheduled for the now cancelled flight. So we began hanging aground together, watching each other’s luggage and so forth. Finally we wandered up to the internet cafe, and discovered we could surf all night and swill down all the green tea we wanted for $13 -- so we started surfing and swilling. I read the news and started reading my personal E-mail. One E-mail was from the US Embassy in Mongolia. I don't normally get E-mail like this, so I read it right away. I ran something like this -- " People are rioting in the streets, people are being shot and killed, buildings are being burnt. A curfew has been declared until 1000 tomorrow morning. Thank you for your interest in Mongolian tourism." I forwarded this E-mail to my tour company in the US and in Mongolia, and explained that my flight into the country had been delayed until 0400 tomorrow morning. I know they got it because I received a reply that inquired: "You mean 4am tomorrow?" I assured them I meant I was coming in at that time.
Now it occurred to me that maybe the flight that was cancelled, was cancelled because of the riots. The next flight might also be cancelled. But even if it came in, would the Mongolian airport stay open – and, even if open could my tour company pick me up and get me to my hotel? My hotel was the best hotel in Ulaanbaatar, the capitol of Mongolia. It had been built in Communist times for visitors from Moscow. The old Communist Party headquarters was right next door, and that was the building now on fire. If I got the hotel, would I suffer from smoke-inhalation ?

In fact, the plane arrived on time, and we landed at Ulaanbaatar, where my tour company did pick me up and they arranged for a different hotel, a few blocks away from the riots. As I got to that hotel, the sun was just coming up, so I did breakfast – but then wondered what to do during the curfew – you don’t want to go to sleep – although it had been about 36 hours since my last good sleep – I’d mess-up my circadian rhythm. So, I decided that I would break the curfew.
There were two museums downtown that I wanted to see, both just off the Mongolian version of Red Square. As I had come into town, it was raining, and I knew there are no riots in the rain. So I walked up to the Square. The old Communist Party headquarters was also just off the Square, and still smoldering. But it was just me and the police out on the streets. They took one look at me and decided I was not the problem. I checked the posted opening times for both museums, and found that one was to open at 0900, and the other at 0930. As it was still raining, I parked myself under the overhang of the museum that opened at 0900, and waited to see if it would open on time – since the curfew was until 1000.

While I waited, all the police in the world, dressed in riot gear, were forming up in front of the museum, many seeking the same overhang space I was using. They looked at me, and I looked at them. Then I noticed something. They were dressed in the same Black Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) trousers that I was wearing. They might have thought I was one of them (kind-of). Sure I don’t look Mongolian, but I could have looked like a visiting policeman. It turns out, the museum was being used as the police headquarters for controlling the riot.

I waited under the overhang, during the rain, waiting for the museum to open, either at 0900 as posted, or at the end of the 1000 curfew. The museum opened at 0900, as posted and an hour before the end of the curfew. I was their only customer, and it was the cleaning lady and me going through the exhibits. Life is good.

This had to be one of the best riots I ever attended.

Always carry a card with the name of your destination and name of your hotel written in Chinese to show taxi drivers. Almost none of them will speak English.

You gotta see the Forbidden City and venture out to see the Great Wall. It might be better now, but when I was there 5 years ago nobody spoke any English and everyone wanted to take pictures of us cause we looked so different. It can be a bit off putting at the start but you find out that the locals are really friendly. I recoomend finding an English speaking local tour guide and get them to introduce you to people. After that it's great!

Always barter, unless in a proper shop. A great way to get the price you want is to show them the money you want to pay. Money talks

Place must go-- The Great Wall (长城) The Forbidden City ( 紫禁城) Tian'anmen Square (天安门广场）The Palace Museum (故宫）Summer Palace (颐和园）Temple Of Heaven (天坛公园）The Ming Tombs (明13陵）Lamasery Of Harmony of Peace (雍和宫）Big Bell Temple (大钟寺）Gardens (北京园林）

If you are a light-haired westerner, do not be surprised if Chinese locals come up asking to have a photo taken with you! I am blonde and was asked to pose with families, children, infants, and individuals quite often. I found that people wanted the most photos around the Tianamen Square area.