Beijing Suggested Trips

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.