6 hours stopover in PEK
 

I am returning to YYZ from TAO with stopover in PEK for 6 hours.

Besides spending time in the *A lounge, is there anywhere to go during the short 6 hours around PEK? Good restaurants, an interesting street, or even a nice straight massage place will be nice...

You might want to check out these two threads:

9 hours layover in Beijing

10h layover in PEK- What to do?

Thank. I did do a search of "Beijing" and "Pek" but I guess I missed it...

BTW, I have spent a few days in 2005 in Beijing and have been to the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, WuanFuJing, etc., but it is my first time spending any time in PEK airport.

I didn't know there is subway connection from the airport, I will look into that. I arrive 12:30 pm and leave 6PM so a quick meal and a couple of spa is ideal...

It sounds like you might enjoy a quick visit to the Lido area (lots of good eating options, a Taipan, and a host of other massage places,.... some of which are a bit on the seedy side).

With a 6 hour layover I wouldn't use the subway unless you actually want to go to a destination served directly by the airport express. Connecting around will eat into your time too much. Take a taxi or follow moondog's suggestion

For example, if you wanted to go to Tian an men square, you would have to take the Airport Express to Dong Zhi Men, transfer onto line 2, then go to Jian Guo Men, transfer onto line 1, then go to Tian An Men...it'll take well over an hour from arrivals

nickyboy

Hmm, plenty of restaurants, what would you like to eat? Duck? Western Chinese? Sichuanese? Shanghainese? Yunnanese? Standard Chinese?

A nice drink at Houhai sitting by the lake is an idea.

Duck at Liqun followed by a quick little hutong stroll in the surrounding area too (the area's under active destruction/renovation and has been so for over 2 years - but still, last I checked, had a pretty active life buzzing about).

Keep things simple and take a cab to and from the airport. You can get addresses at the airport, online or from this board if you ask. I'd leave actual sightseeing for another time.

Duck at Liqun and a little hutong stroll sounds fine, which is my idea of culture. I have been to Beijing before and seen all the big tourist attractions but have not been to hutong.

I will take a cab; where about is Liqun and how far is it from the airport?

How far is Lido? What's a Taipan?

Can you suggest specific restaurant and a high-end luxurious massage place?

Liqun is south second ring road I believe around Qianmen Done Dajie (all of the cabbies know it and the Chinese address is easily found online). It will take (without traffic) about 45 mins each way I would say. Give it an hour.

You can be out of the airport and in a cab in 20 minutes (I've done it in 10 without VIP - never done VIP, and with the little terminal train coming right on time - but this is an exception to the rule).

Assumptions:

15 minutes to deplane
40 mins immigration, customs, getting into a cab (assuming bags are checked through - can and should lowered by 10-20 mins)
One hour to Liqun (it shouldnt be at 1PM-2PM)
One hour for eating (probably a bit shorter especially if you are alone)
One hour stroll around the hutong (probably more like 15-30 mins)
One hour back to airport (up to 1.5 - if there's traffic you can tell the cabbie to get to 4th ring road and go from there and you'll be fine).

I think I'm being pretty liberal with regards to timing estimates here and there is an hour to spare.

Lido will be easier on time, obviously (its essentially off the airport expressway) but nowhere near as cultural or interesting, IMO.

Another idea is 798 art district which is also essentially off the airport expressway, I believe (or in that area). Transport to and from will be easy, there are plenty of cafes to eat/drink and of course art. Lots of junk IMO, but also some nice pieces. I like the atmosphere in the area more than anything.

Moondog et al: If any of my assumptions are way off, please do make note of it and let me know...

Lido refers to the Lido Hotel (used to be a Holiday Inn; not sure what it's current flag status is) and the surrounding area, which is popular among foreign flight crews and increasingly livable (i.e. it's almost a city within the city).

Taipan is a massage chain that is owned by one of the tycoons' (Li Ka-Shing, I think) wives. While I'd stop short of calling it high end by western standards, it rarely disappoints. The Lido location has nice showers and allows you to watch your own DVDs (which you should have little trouble purchasing in the neighborhood).

I actually only have 5.5 hours and I have gotten stuck in Beijing traffic before so I don't think I will take a chance with a 40 minutes cab ride.

I think I will give Lido and Taipan a try. Any specific restaurant recommendation in Lido are?

How about Taipan's name and address in Chinese?

Which is more than fair enough, though if you're coming out of T3, it saves 10mins each way on the journey (I was thinking T2).

The key is that the 2nd ring is usually a mess and you'd avoid it and in rush hour (when you'd have to head back) 3rd can be bad too, hence the 4th ring suggestion. While it would be more money for cab fare you'd have no problems.

Then again, I'm known to be pretty aggressive with itins and though I think mine isn't pushing it, its certainly not a leisurely one. :D

Lido area has plenty of DVDs too...

Here's a link that should help get you to Taipan:

http://www.spachina.com/spa_massage/...lido_shop.html

Keep your eyes peeled for DVD shops as you get close.

They offer a decent selection of free snacks and fresh squeezed juices, which are nice to enjoy during a foot massage. I recommend a foot massage (plus hand/head) followed by one of the fancier full body massages,... or maybe they'll have some sort of package (they have an English menu, so no worries there). Even if you go crazy, you probably won't spend more than $50.

As far as food is concerned, there are lots of good restaurants in the area, including a few quality Korean places. Everything is within walking distance and the Lido Hotel (specifically, the Starbucks entrance) is the center of the area. You might want to print out an online map before your trip. Search thebeijinger.com for more info.

ETA: I just realized that you're originating in TAO, which means you could get the DVD buying out of the way there and therefore have more time to spend at Taipan.

I go to Guangzhou and HK 2 times a year for business the past 3 years and I will there before Qingdao as well, why is it I haven't notice ANY DVD shops you mentioned?

I have seen them in Shanghai but from what I remember, the quality on most of them is pretty bad. These DVDs are available in Toronto as well but again I find the quality so bad I wouldn't watch it to ruin the movie. Is it different now? or am I missing something?

Thanks for the link to Taipan I will give it a try. Definitely a foot massage and a full body massage.

Is this the Lido hotel you mentioned? http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/PEGCH

I feel compelled to post a follow-up re DVDs as they relate to the massage experience:

1) the majority of foot massage places in China that charge more than Y50 have DVD players and a decent stock of DVDs on hand
2) in most cases, it's possible to find something watchable on the house list, but I personally like to come armed with a movie of my choosing (particularly at Taipan, where foot massages run 75+ minutes)
3) at some locations, it's necessary to compel the staff to play your chosen DVD ---> there's no need to make it a hot button issue
4) during a layover of your variety, I'd probably be inclined to go for a full body treatment in lieu of the foot massage (though doing both would be nice), which would further downplay the relevance of DVDs (i.e. they'll still play them for you, but they are hard to enjoy when you're staring at the floor/ceiling)
5) quality is just fine as long as you don't go for the very latest releases
6) I'm quite sure you can still pick up good DVDs in Guangzhou and Qingdao; the shops may not be as easy to spot as they were 5 years back, but they are still there