Livin large in Beijing

[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?

[DemonArchangel]

The Art Museum isn't THAT bad, and it has some truly interesting contents that are worth seeing.

And visit the Great Wall, it's about an hour away.

[Don Corleone]

Well, I only have 1 day for daytime activities. I think I'd shoot myself if I didn't see the wall, but my family will shoot me if I don't bring presents home. So, I'm thinking I'll get up, hit the Great Wall, then do my shopping in the afternoon. If anybody has a lunch place they can recommend, or any good night spots, that should leave me all set.

[King Edward]

There is a great Jaltza Resturant on the corner of wan fu jing (Big shopping street a few blocks down from the forbidden city) and the street that the night market is on. The night market is also a must to wonder down, esp if you want to try all sorts of wierd and wonderful food, (Cow testicles, silk worms, litte whole birds, all on kebab sticks are a couple of examples). The Xinjang Lamb kebabes are excellent, and the squid is good too.

Wan fu jing is quite commercialised, but in the small allys that lead off it you will find more 'local' style shops and resturants.

I went to the great wall at Simitai (Sp) but it was a whole day trip. I went there because the wall in in a much more natural state than the tourist traps the sctions nearer to Beijing have become.

You'll have a great time Don, i know i did!

[Somebody Else]

As I said - don't know all that much about interacting with the locals. As for politics, to be honest - like anywhere else, I've never had it really affect me.

Where to go on a Saturday night... depends on your tastes really - but the San Li Tun area's rather active, all week... Also, check to see if there are any theme nights on - they're always good for a laugh - the Alfa 80s nights are generally pretty good from about 11pm til 4 - earlier, and no-one's there earlier anyway. Also in that area are some meat-market nightclubs aimed at younger crowds (Vics, Mix), and some more decent establishments (Tree, Kai, Bar Blu...)

For a quieter drink, go to Ho Hai - there are some good bars there - eg. No Names.

Of course, tastes may differ...

For lunch, if you go to the Wall, you may be pressed for time, especially if you visit the Tombs - may have to eat whilst there...

[Procrustes]

The Art Museum isn't THAT bad, and it has some truly interesting contents that are worth seeing.

And visit the Great Wall, it's about an hour away.

Sorry - I didn't mean to sound that harsh. It is a good museum and had some stunning pieces. Some parts of it were shut for renovation when I was there, so I didn't get to see it all. I think one of the tragedies of China has been that many wonderful pieces of art and archeology were taken out of the country during all the years that it was under control of the colonial powers. And to compound it more many more things were destroyed by fanatics during the cultural revolution. China is trying to recover from all that now, and has made great progress.