The 16 day China trip is about to begin
 

Tomorrow I leave for the long anticipated 16 day trip to China. Hard to believe I started planning this trip over a year ago, and now it's here. I will post on FT as I go if I have any more questions or observations. I will also write a review of the trip when I get back and will be reviewing the hotels I used on TA.

I have to give tremendous thanks to all the regulars here who gave me such great advice. I know this trip will be very special, thanks to you. I started out thinking of taking a tour and ended up with an independent adventure.

I look forward to meeting those of you will be at the to-be-announced-place meet up in Beijing on Sunday, Oct. 9. See you soon.

Xie Xie, Susie

PS-one last question-how much should a metered taxi from PEK to Cap Ren Hotel in Chaoyang be? I want to have the yuan ready to pay the driver.

Susie: see "gathering" thread for my latest post. In a few minutes I'll send my local mobile # to your email, keep handy for when you arrive in BJ. I already know where you will be.

Taxi cost: Not more than total RMB 100, probably closer to 90. In addition to what you see on meter, there will be RMB 10 added for expressway toll and RMB 2 added for fuel surcharge. Tipping is not expected. If the bill is close to a natural breakpoint (i.e. RMB 97), I'll often just hand him a 100 note and tell him to keep the change.

susie, safe travels and enjoy. Sorry I will miss you by about 1 week.

Have fun! My wife and I will be doing a 2 week+ trip soon through china as well.

My husband and I just got back from our 2+ week trip! Have fun, and watch out for those pavements in Beijing and Suzhou- the streets are trying to kill you! (I wasn't even wearing heels and I tripped numerous times) Oh, and pay no attention to the traffic lights and crosswalks- the drivers don't! :D

observations while in China
 

I'm still jet lagged, waking up at 3:00 in the morning, but I'm going to srat pos
ting some observations/ comments as I travel through China.

Beijing
Where are all thee old people? everyone here is so young. I thing Bob and I at 62/57 must be some of the older people we've seen. The seniors definitely don't ride the subway.

OMG, I have never seen such bad air polution. being in the air filter industry, selling them, I see business opportunities everywhere everyday!!!

Go to a park early in the morning, and you'll see them in droves, exercising. Or come to Haidian -- despite being a student district, it's full of 'people of experience'. I think university staff must retire with full benefits and housing, since most of the people we see (that aren't students/faculty/staff) are greying a bit.

Re: air pollution and business opportunities -- if only you could scrub the outside air!

tb

PS nice meeting you both on sunday!

I think your observation answered your question.

Although, ironically, life expectancy has been going up recently, in line with* the pollution.

tb

* I don't mean at the same rate

Remember to vote Shanghai > Beijing. :D

Oddly, I saw lots of old people and the polllution was not nearly as bad as I had expected it to be. Maybe I visited a different Beijing? :D

Unfortunately for susiesan, this week turned particularly bad in Beijing - the 10 days before were fantastic, just in time for the Golden Week hols with sun and blue skies. You were quite lucky!

Polution/fog/dust whatever it is, has never been so bad in Beijing since 2008, SCMP reports.
The whole country seems to be fogged in; I couldn't believe it in Jinan yesterday, Chengdu is the worst I've seen in years and Hong Kong -at least last week- was pretty bad for October, too.


Oh, and Susie, enjoy your trip. I really regret not having been able to join the Beijing meeting last weekend!

I missed that sun and blue skies. I was in Shanghai by then, and had mostly cloudy/rainy days! (Luckily, they have a terrific museum there. Don't miss it, Susiesan!)

Shanghai usually has better weather than Beijing.

But that Shanghai museum has super long lines...have to get there right at opening time if u dont want to queue.