2 months in Beijing? I can't even spell it.

[Anais Dahl]

I discovered today that my soon to be husband has business next May in China. His associates have offered to host us for two months in Beijing (am I even spelling it correctly?) China.

I don't know anything about the place and I will certainly research it, but I wonder if any of you have been there and can tell me your impressions?

 

[Guest]

What an oppotunity!

Just enjoy the culture shock.

Early morning Tai-chi for older people. What a calming view.

Chinese are generally warm and friendly people. Ask about local hot spots for cheap and wonderful food. Forget about turegide books' recomendation. Do what the locals do.

Oh, do be careful with the tide of bicycles.

 

[Bindii]

Wow you lucky thing!

I have billetted a few Chinese students over the years...all from Beijing and have found them very friendly polite people.

You'll have a wonderful time.

 

[SINthysist]

DON'T DRINK THE WATER!

The Opera is great. The acrobats. The sites.

The heat sucks. The dust sucks.

After the first week and you've seen everything, Beijing sucks. Especially the traffic. But it has all the stuff you need for a home fix, Mickey D's, A&W, Planet Earth...

 

[Coolville]

A wonderful city.
Spend an entire day wandering through the Forbidden City.
Take the train up to the Great Wall. They have renovated a section of it, for tourists. But do as I did, and walk up/along the wall, away from the main entrance, up to the highest tower you can see. Few tourists make it up there, as the climb is considerable. But it is so quiet and the view is magnificent. I slept up there with some friends.

If you're feeling daring.... I continued walking along the wall. It gradually becomes much less renovated (taking hiking boots) but you are soon away from any one selling you postcards or soft drinks. If you walk for a couple of hours, you end up at another train station, where you can ride back to Beijing.

Get away from Beijing. Shanghai is even more amazing.

 

[Guest]

Shanghai is even more amazing.

Spot on!

How'bout Hong Kong?

Is the Forbidden City in Beijing?

 

[freshrope_69]

I discovered today that my soon to be husband has business next May in China. His associates have offered to host us for two months in Beijing (am I even spelling it correctly?) China.

I don't know anything about the place and I will certainly research it, but I wonder if any of you have been there and can tell me your impressions?

I have been to Beijing, China.

I was treated very well and enjoyed the city a great deal. You will notice that there are a lot of foreign people there.

At the airport, it is sad but true, many and I do mean many babies leaving the country. I was shocked when I saw this.

Also, don't just walk up to a soldier at the LOST CITY for a photo opportunity...it is a NO-NO. If you do visit the LOST CITY, go in early morning for it does close at 5 or 6 pm.

One more thing, DO NOT exchange US dollars for Chinese paper money, you may get counterfeit money in the exchange. That is a very bad problem all over China.

If you want to buy items to send home, I suggest the street vendors and you can talk them down on their prices, but remember the item you want may be cheaper anyway just a block down the street.

Negotiating is a way of life for the Chinese, use it to your benefit.

Also, if dinning out- order fish, it is a great meal and when it is served don't be put off when the head is pointed at you- it is in honor of you.

PM me if you would like to know more. I lived there as well as in Chonging, China.

 

[scrymettet]

GO, just GO.
I was there 3 weeks ago. The city is incredible. The forbidden city, the moon temple. You can hang on a crossroad and stare at the bicycles.
Forget about driving.
And take a chance to go on the Yang tze cruise. It really worth it and the gorges will be floaded in 300 days. So go by all means.

 

[Coolville]

Spot on!

How'bout Hong Kong?

Is the Forbidden City in Beijing?

The Forbidden City is in Beijing, yes. At one end of Tiannamen Square. Look for the big ass portrait of Mao. Can't miss it.

Hong Kong... I lived there before the changeover, but it is electric. A total buzz, just sitting in your hotel room, you can feel the hum of the city.

Shanghai... the skyline changes daily. The wildest, craziest, most impressive collection of skyskrapers since NY in the 30's.
Go to Renmin Park (People's Park) on a Sunday and find English Corner. It's a long standing tradition that the locals meet there and speak English together every Sunday. Back in the day it was the staff of the foreign households but now it's everyone. You stand there speaking English for hours with charming, interesting and interested people.

 

[Coolville]

GO, just GO.
And take a chance to go on the Yang tze cruise. It really worth it and the gorges will be floaded in 300 days. So go by all means.

GOD YES! Take a river cruise down the Yangtze while it still has the gorges, before their flooded!

It's a long train ride from Beijing, but well worth it.

 

[Velius]

That would rule to go to China. Or Japan for that matter.