Originally Posted by mduell

You guys are awesome.

I think we'll be OK without a phone. Hasn't been an issue in our past travels. Let me know if I'm missing something here.
Phone would be a good idea. Maybe moondog has a spare to lend?

I'm open to OTBP suggestions.
I'm brain-dead now. Will add to this thread later. Check site when you arrive in Beijing.

Chaoyang didn't look that big on Google Maps... we're at the St Regis.
Chaoyang District is huge. But St Regis is very central. No worries.

Peking duck is definitely on the to-do list, we were thinking of doing it as Thanksgiving on Thurs. Can you recommend any restaurants for northern homestyle cooking or dumplings? I love (the undoubtedly Americanized) dumplings in the states.
Thanksgiving: Beijing duck is a good option. Be advised that since you booked the CCC tour for Thursday which will get back 6:30-7:00 pm, you may have to walk-in and wait for a table. Duck restaurants will not take reservations for any seating after about 6:00 pm. Usually by about 7:30, the first wave of diners will be leaving. Some of the name-brand hotels will be doing traditional Thanksgiving also, if you prefer to do the duck on another night.
Dumplings: Lots of visitors like Din Tai Fung, which has a few branches in Beijing. A bit fancier and pricier. Dumplings are everywhere in Beijing!
Homestyle: One not far from St. Regis, reasonably priced, is Xiheyaju on Ritan East Road. It's too cold to be outside in the courtyard now, but I've never had a bad meal there. There are plenty of others but many are just neighborhood places.


Can you suggest an acrobat or kung fu show?
Acrobats: Chaoyang Theater I think every night 19:30/concierge can doublecheck for you. Legend of Kung Fu show which mixes dance and martial arts; Red Theater also I think 19:30 nightly.

Any Chinese movies out about stealing things? Treasure, vehicles, political offices etc. Oddly that's our favorite category of movies.
This entire country is about stealing things! Who needs a movie for that?! Hmm, I've been out of town so don't know what's playing, concierge can probably find out. Suggest first looking at what's on at Wanda Cinema or Sanlitun Village MEGA Cinema. They are nice and new. I think "Let the Bullets Fly" isn't playing anymore, that would be a good one. You could also rest up in hotel room and do something by DVD.

Turns out my companion's flight is at 1600, so we'll get there by 1400 and I'll hang out in the Air China lounge. Good plan.

Noted regarding the museums.
Booked the Thursday Ming Tombs/Mutianyu tour with CCC. ^ I think you'll find this a good experience and an improvement over what you could manage on your own.