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.
Forecast I've got says pretty clear first half of week then cloudy and a little cooler rest of week. No precipitation. Assume temperatures will be around freezing, a little above and a little below.
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 can help you out with suggestions for the OTBP (off the beaten path) if you want.
We're staying in Chaoyang, which seems pretty central/convenient.
Um, that like saying "we're staying in Delaware." But as long as you are not too far out, everything is workable.
Restaurant suggestions? I like to try local food. Or great places for some foreign cuisine.
Peking duck should be at least one of your dinners. I think a lunch or dinner of just plain northern homestyle cooking would be good. Lots of visitors like to do dumplings.
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.
This is moondog's territory. The nightlife I mean, not the scamming.
It sounds like Mutianyu is a good place to see the Great Wall.
Yes. This time of year, I wouldn't go to any of the more distant crumbly sections of wall, and it's too cold to be out there exposed for a full day. There won't be that many tourists this time of year.
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.
Barber of Seville Opera at "The Egg" (Ntl Ctr for the Perf Arts)? Acrobat or Kung Fu Show? See a Chinese movie (English subtitles)?
Return flight departs PEK at 1825, I gather this means I need to arrive at the airport no later than 1600? Not checking bags.
16:00 is a good target, could push it to 16:30.
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
Skip the National Museum and the Natural History Museum. A far better Museum if you are in the mood is the Capital Museum.
Wednesday - Great Wall
China Culture Center has an all-day on Thursday going to Ming Tombs and Mutianyu, their stuff is always good, culturally-oriented and there are no factory/shopping tours. If you were going to the expense of a private car to take you to there, this might be an even better value for you. You'd need to email or call as soon as you get in and sign up. Also look at their Wednesday offering which is very good and includes the Forbidden City. You may wish to scramble your days around. http://www.chinaculturecenter.org/ca...11&Month=11###
Thursday - more sightseeing, maybe Summer Palace
Friday - meeting up with a friend
Saturday - last minute sightseeing, evening departure
Thanks FT!