Beijing What to Expect

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.

Beijing does a very good job at portraying the history of china. Beijing is all old school unlike Shanghi, from the square to great wall to forbiddin palace. Great place for single males as all the restraunts have "entertainers" and because of the exchange rate living expenses there is really low. Watch out for the kid beggers though, they hug on your leg and gets really annoying.

If a street vendor tries to sell you something, ask for 10% of the price they stated. I'm not kidding- 10%. Then they'll go for 60% of what they said, then offer 20%. Don't ever pay more than 40%- that's a safe bet. And walk down the street- they all have the same stuff, and you can find better bargains that way. Don't miss The Great Wall if you miss everything else:)

Sui Yuan Shi Ke. This is a informal Si Chuan eatery across the street from the Silk Market and behind the Jian Guo Hotel. Service is quick and food is good. Try the Mongolian beef, cold chicken noodles, spicey squid kabob, or rice in wooden bucket. The menu has pictures and badly spelled English. The sign out fron used to say Sichuan Homely Bishes. (Should have been Home Style Dishes), My kids call the place Homely Bishes now. It is in a small alley behind the McDonnalds.

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.

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.

my home..I love Beijing.

One of my verey happy memories visiting Bijing. I live threouh history smell it see how mancan do to change his life. Hope to retern back to this great city

German Policlinic - great for foreigner's health needs

Dont take trav.cheques, waste of time. just use ATM's and take hard currency... Beijings subways are very cheap however as in any situation be street savvy as they can be notorious for pick pockets particularly when it comes to westerners... Besides the chronic air pollution Beijing also has severe sand storms with chocking sands blowing down from Mongolia so be prepared in case.

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!