Livin large in Beijing

[Don Corleone]

Hi guys,

I've got another business trip to China in a few weeks. I've never had much time to kill in Beijing, but it looks like I'm going to be there for at least several days, with at least one full daytime available for sightseeing.

So, my question is, what are some things to do? My hotel is at the southern end of Dong Cheng (about 3 blocks from the Forbidden City).

So, what kind of fun sights should I check out? Where's the best jewelry shopping? Can I make it to the Great Wall and still see some of the city in 1 day? Any restaurants that are 'must try'? And where is good night life (blues clubs, stuff like that)?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

[Beirut]

Hookers! "Me love you tremedously long time. Ten dolah not too beaucoup."

Also, there are places you can go and rent machine guns and assault rifles to play with. if you have the cash, they'll even let you fire RPGs and tank rounds. Not cheap, but legal. Just for the tourists.

[Don Corleone]

Okay, Mama Corleone is a better shot than I am, so the hookers are OUT! Besides, you don't have to look for them, just go to any Western themed bar or restaurant, like the Hard Rock Cafe. They come swarming like a plague of locusts.

Now, the machine gun, RPG rounds sound like a hell of a lot of fun. Any more info on this?

[Beirut]

Now, the machine gun, RPG rounds sound like a hell of a lot of fun. Any more info on this?

I read about it in Soldier of Fortune a few years back. It was outside of Beijing, run by the army and was open to tourists. Sorry, don't remember any more than that.

[Cha]

I'm unhappy that I missed those when I joined a Korean group tour in China. The tour guide wasted a lot of time taking us to shops that I had no interest in. I'm sure they work together.

[Procrustes]

I spent a month working there last spring - great city, had a great time. The great wall is a bit of a ride, but if you do it in the morning you will still have the afternoon/evening to hit the city. Also outside the city are some old Ming tombs that are fun to see. Take a walk through the Forbidden City - you can't see it all in a day, but it's fun. On the front side of the Forbidden City is Tianamen Square. Across from the square is a large hutong w/ all sorts of shopping/restaurants/etc - well worth a stroll through. On the other side is a large park that is a blast on the weekends - the locals gather and sing/play instruments/walk around with their families. Just walking around the great square is fun - lots of people will come and chat you up. I went to see Mao's tomb there, too (aka the “Peasant Under Glass” - they keep him in a crystal coffin they raise for viewing.) It’s only open in the morning, and the lines are long but they keep them moving. Be respectful…. On one side of the square is The Great Hall of the People (parliament), on the other is the National Art Museum, which is not very well kept.

You could spend months in Beijing and still not run out of things to do. I didn't look for any western entertainment, but if you can try to find a theater where they do traditional Chinese acrobatics - absolutely amazing. I went to the national military museum - what a trip! The exhibit on the Korean war was quite interesting - definitely not the same story you hear stateside. There are a couple of temples in the city that are quite amazing. The Summer Palace is stunning.

More than anything I hope you get a chance to chat up some locals. I loved the people I met while I was there – very friendly and open. The food was fantastic everywhere I went except in the western hotels. Prices are way cheap, but you have to negotiate everything. Decide what you want to spend – bargin as much as you want. Don’t get frustrated – it’s just the way everything sells there (except in government stores and resturants.)

Hope it’s all still there – there is tons of building going on in preparation for the Olympics – I think they are going to tear down a large part of that Hutong to make the roads wider and things cleaner – will be a shame. Have a blast!

[Don Corleone]

Thanks man. Wow, sounds like I've got a lot to look forward to. It's a shame I'll only be there for 3 days and nights, 2 days of which I have to work. I've been to Beijing before (passing through) and the hotel I'm staying at is on the corner of Tianamen square, so it sounds like I'll be right near where you're describing.

How is the Pearl Market? Worth going? I promised my father I'd get some really nice jewelry for my mom (from him) but I don't want to spend all day doing it. I'd prefer to just go to the best spot first. I went to the Pearl Market last time, and it was nice, but if there's something better....

How do you meet locals? If you go to the opera or gymnastics, you don't really talk, and at dinner, you're at your own table. What passes for bars over there? (Something I didn't get a chance to do last time). I would LOVE hanging around with locals, it's something I try to do every trip I go on.

Also, if you can remember some of your favorite restaurants, I'd love to hear about them!

Thanks!

[Somebody Else]

For pearls, go to a place called Hong Chow (at least, that's how to pronounce it) - go right up to the top floor (the escalators only go up to the 2nd highest floor - you'll need to find the stairs) out of the stairs, turn left and go straight forward - there's a big shop there (bigger than most others) which is awesome, plus, last time I went there, it gave me a 100% discount. But even so, it's really cheap for what you get - even if you aren't a frequent customer.

Bars - I'm afraid I only really know the ones the expats go to - but whilst out here, try to find a copy of that'sbeijing - a rather good magazine that lists just about anything worth doing in the city - all the bars, restaurants, events, theatres etc. etc. they have a website too.

The Wall you can do in a half day - I'd extend it to seeing the Ming Tombs and Spirit Way as well though, as Procrustes suggested. That'll likely take up most of the day, leaving late afternoon onwards free - do get up early if you can to make the most of it. Not sure how best to get out there though, your hotel might be able to provide a car for the day (with driver of course, no westerner drives in 'jing) or there should be a shuttlebus or something.

I do still live here, so any more specific questions, just ask.

[Don Corleone]

I do still live here, so any more specific questions, just ask.

Alrighty then, tell you what... you show me where these expat bars you name are on my free Saturday afternoon, and I'll make sure a few pints come your way. You game?

Thanks for the advice. The Hung Qiao, that's the Pearl Market. I've been there, that's where I got my wife's jade necklace. Gee, maybe I aint' quite so clueless. By the way, last time I was in Beijing, the political clime was a little tight, but not overly so. How are the people, and where's a good place to go for pub chat with native Chinese?