Originally Posted by mduell

I'm using the "jiejie method" of doing as little advance preparation as possible, but the night before departure it's time to figure out some things.

I'll be in BJ this week. Please comment on any of the following statements/questions, or if I've missed closure days, or if there's a thread I should read (DCC and Tea House scams I've well covered!), or anything.

Looks like good weather Mon-Weds and thunderstorms/rain later in the week.

My MO is to travel the world and see what it's like: hit up the major sightseeing attractions and a few places off the beaten path when the opportunity presents. One of my favorite examples of the latter so far was Aberdeen on HK island; the harbor was incredibly scenic and from the open stares I in the town square I figured it wasn't a big tourist spot.

We're staying in Chaoyang, which seems pretty central/convenient.

Restaurant suggestions? I like to try local food. Or great places for some foreign cuisine.

I'd like to see what the nightlife is like, any suggestions for nightclubs or bars? For some irrational reason I'm particularly concerned about being scammed or worse here.

It sounds like Mutianyu is a good place to see the Great Wall.

I'm open to any event suggestions. I've read the MBZ and MC arena schedules and "Beijing Update" (some ezine I subscribed to from a link here) but haven't seen anything too exciting. In no small part because I don't recognize any of the acts.

Return flight departs PEK at 1825, I gather this means I need to arrive at the airport no later than 1600? Not checking bags.

Schedule looks something like:
Monday - arrive
Tuesday - sightseeing near hotel/Dongcheng (Palace Museum/Tianamen Sq/Great Hall/Natl Museum), Temple of Heaven/Natural History Museum
Wednesday - Great Wall
Thursday - more sightseeing, maybe Summer Palace
Friday - meeting up with a friend
Saturday - last minute sightseeing, evening departure

Thanks FT!