Beijing--1st timer, any advice?
Oct 17, 2001 | 1:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: MI
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Posts: 613
Beijing--1st timer, any advice?
I am mulling over a milage run/5 day trip to Beijing early year, but I have never been there.
Anyone have some practical tips? How is the transportation--what is the best way to get from the airport to the hotel? Is language a problem? Is a visa required? Are there organized day trips that can be booked, and any recommendations if I only have 2-3 days? Any help from those who have done it much appreciated.
Anyone have some practical tips? How is the transportation--what is the best way to get from the airport to the hotel? Is language a problem? Is a visa required? Are there organized day trips that can be booked, and any recommendations if I only have 2-3 days? Any help from those who have done it much appreciated.
Oct 17, 2001 | 4:55 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Georgetown, TX
Posts: 326
I was in Beijing this summer. I have a very long trip report which I would be happy to send to you. If you contact me by email I can send it right out.
Regarding getting from airport to downtown; taxi. Easy and will cost 120-160 RMB (depending on traffic and where you are staying).
Language: Many Chinese speak some English. My ability to correctly pronounce anything in Chinese is not existent. If you travel off the beaten path it is very helpful to have a phrase book that has chinese characters in it so you can point to the words when pronunciation fails.
Lots of wonderful things to do in China. We had a blast and found the people we interacted with to be very friendly.
Regarding getting from airport to downtown; taxi. Easy and will cost 120-160 RMB (depending on traffic and where you are staying).
Language: Many Chinese speak some English. My ability to correctly pronounce anything in Chinese is not existent. If you travel off the beaten path it is very helpful to have a phrase book that has chinese characters in it so you can point to the words when pronunciation fails.
Lots of wonderful things to do in China. We had a blast and found the people we interacted with to be very friendly.
Oct 18, 2001 | 6:24 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: Lowly BA Blue. One of the original easyJet Flight Club members and still am.
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There are much easier locations to do a milegae run to!
The best bet is to have your hotel arrange to pick you up. Otherwise make sure you have a card with the name and location of your hotel written in Chinese characters. Even this does not gaurentee success as a lot of taxi drivers are illiterate. Language is a huge problem outside the tourist industry and hotels.
Day trips can be organised by your hotel. I did a one day trip to the Great Wall plus a City Tour. Reasonably priced.
You do need a sVisa. This has to be obtained from the Embassy or Consulate. I had to get mine in a rush so has to go to the Consulate in person. Took about 4 hours to process.
The best bet is to have your hotel arrange to pick you up. Otherwise make sure you have a card with the name and location of your hotel written in Chinese characters. Even this does not gaurentee success as a lot of taxi drivers are illiterate. Language is a huge problem outside the tourist industry and hotels.
Day trips can be organised by your hotel. I did a one day trip to the Great Wall plus a City Tour. Reasonably priced.
You do need a sVisa. This has to be obtained from the Embassy or Consulate. I had to get mine in a rush so has to go to the Consulate in person. Took about 4 hours to process.
Oct 18, 2001 | 9:29 am
#4
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The biggest hurdle, for me anyway, is the Visa. Unless there is an Embassy or Consulate in your home city, this process can take some time, costs money, requires documentation (and giving up your Passport), etc. I also needed a letter of invitation, but this was required for Business purposes. I did get a Visw in three days using an expediting service. As an aside, you can get a Visa in HKG in three hours (and it's cheaper), so in a pinch I have traveled there first. Organized trips are easy to find and schedule, the best bet is to use your hotel Concierge. I've found the ebst way to get from the airport to the hotel is to arrange this in advance with the hotel, although I have taken a taxi directly. Language can be a problem, but you can ask the hotel staff to write the details of your destination on the back of their card, which can also be used to get you back! Taxis are plentiful and cost-effective for getting around Beijing
Oct 18, 2001 | 12:27 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Georgetown, TX
Posts: 326
You can apply for a visa through the mail. The directions say to allow 6-8 weeks, but we actually got our passport back within 3 weeks. YOu can send a priority US mail envelope with the visa applicaiton so that your passport can be mailed back via a faster method (but not overnight). At this point in time for a tourist visa you do not need a letter/invitation. The form is one page and takes maybe 10 minutes to fill out. I can't recall the visa application cost, but I think it was around $30 USD.
Oct 18, 2001 | 3:45 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,218
It is true that there are easier places to do a mileage run, but the usual ones in Asia are pretty sterile compared to Beijing. Getting the visa is pretty easy. Will cost you about $35 plus handling fees.
Taxis to/fr the airport are a cinch. No problem, even if you don't speak any Mandarin. It would be wise though to brush up on a few key phrases.
The issue you may want to consider though is timing. Did you say you wanted to do the trip in early 2002? It is cold in Beijing in the winter, so if you only cared about miles, Singapore would be a better option.
If you are worried about things to do in Beijing, then I would consider going through a tour agent. I haven't used these guys but others have and the prices are really attractive
http://www.pacificdelighttours.com
Taxis to/fr the airport are a cinch. No problem, even if you don't speak any Mandarin. It would be wise though to brush up on a few key phrases.
The issue you may want to consider though is timing. Did you say you wanted to do the trip in early 2002? It is cold in Beijing in the winter, so if you only cared about miles, Singapore would be a better option.
If you are worried about things to do in Beijing, then I would consider going through a tour agent. I haven't used these guys but others have and the prices are really attractive
http://www.pacificdelighttours.com
Oct 18, 2001 | 8:42 pm
#7
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I can strongly recommend Pacific Delight Tours' Beijing SuperValue package. When I went to PEK in March, the whole shebang came to $1000 (r/t air on NW, 6 nights at the Great Wall Sheraton w/breakfast daily, and daily sightseeing). I had a wonderful time in Beijing visiting the sights, getting excellent bargains, and literally turning heads wherever I went (FWIW, I kinda felt like a star. 
) If you end up using Pacific Delight, try to get Catherine Cao as your tour guide. She cut through alot of red tape for our tour group, and is one class act.
The weather in March was very cool/cold, but being from New Jersey, I'm used to it. One word of caution, though: Beijing's air pollution problem is most severe during the winter time. On the day I arrived, the air was also permeated with a smoky smell, when thankfully went away the next day.
[This message has been edited by avek00 (edited 10-18-2001).]
) If you end up using Pacific Delight, try to get Catherine Cao as your tour guide. She cut through alot of red tape for our tour group, and is one class act.The weather in March was very cool/cold, but being from New Jersey, I'm used to it. One word of caution, though: Beijing's air pollution problem is most severe during the winter time. On the day I arrived, the air was also permeated with a smoky smell, when thankfully went away the next day.
[This message has been edited by avek00 (edited 10-18-2001).]
Oct 19, 2001 | 12:52 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: here and there...
Posts: 4,360
I've been studying here in Beijing since the end of August so I'll let you know that the air is often really awful. I read somewhere that Beijing has the second worst air pollution of any city in the world; we are cleaner than Mexico City and more polluted than New Dehli. If it rains, we will get a day or two of blue skies and clear weather, but otherwise it is smoggy. I'm sure things will clear up by 2008, though.
fallinasleep had a really good point about the timing of the trip. It is already starting to get fairly cool overnight (plus it is dark by 1730hrs, since China has one timezone). Since most of the big tourist attractions (Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Silk Alley) are predominantly outdoors, you could get really cold.
Otherwise, China is wonderful. I really suggest that you memorise a number of phrases, especially if you would like to get away from touristy, western restaurants and live like the locals. If you are going to take a taxi anywhere (they are really inexpensive) get someone at your hotel to write down the destination in characters or have them tell the driver where you would like to go, or things could get hairy. The subway (although not too extensive) does go to many attractions and gets you out of the traffic, so its worth considering.
I just can't say enough good things about the Chinese people. Although they may sometimes appear to be a little pushy etc. they are so wonderful and so eager to learn about your country. You will feel a little bit like a star. If you have any more specific questions, you can e-mail me and I will *try* to help you out.
zaijian
fallinasleep had a really good point about the timing of the trip. It is already starting to get fairly cool overnight (plus it is dark by 1730hrs, since China has one timezone). Since most of the big tourist attractions (Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Silk Alley) are predominantly outdoors, you could get really cold.
Otherwise, China is wonderful. I really suggest that you memorise a number of phrases, especially if you would like to get away from touristy, western restaurants and live like the locals. If you are going to take a taxi anywhere (they are really inexpensive) get someone at your hotel to write down the destination in characters or have them tell the driver where you would like to go, or things could get hairy. The subway (although not too extensive) does go to many attractions and gets you out of the traffic, so its worth considering.
I just can't say enough good things about the Chinese people. Although they may sometimes appear to be a little pushy etc. they are so wonderful and so eager to learn about your country. You will feel a little bit like a star. If you have any more specific questions, you can e-mail me and I will *try* to help you out.
zaijian
Oct 20, 2001 | 4:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 648
Makin'Miles is absolutely right-on in bringing up the weather issue. Practically, weather will be your greatest constraining factor, as it will more than likely be brisk and blustery during your "early next year" visit.
Parts of the Great Wall can in fact be seen as a day trip, but put together winter + mountains + wilderness, and you start to get the picture.
Finally, I'm a little piqued about what some have said here about "illiteracy" among the Chinese population being a "problem." Statistically and anecdotally, the Chinese are actually among the most literate of all populations on the planet, on the one hand. There may be huge dialectic variations of the vernacular, but that does *not* equate to a "major problem" with illiteracy among urban taxi drivers or countryside populations.
On the other hand, the writers expressing such sentiments are in fact supporting their own point of view - *they themselves* apparently don't know a lick of the language, and therefore contribute to the illiteracy rate while they're present among the population! With the undeniable rise in power and influence of China on the world scene, it might do us well to learn some functional Mandarin!
"What do you call someone who speaks three languages? > Tri-lingual.
Someone who speaks two? > Bi-lingual.
And what do you call someone who speaks only one language? > American/English!" :O
Parts of the Great Wall can in fact be seen as a day trip, but put together winter + mountains + wilderness, and you start to get the picture.
Finally, I'm a little piqued about what some have said here about "illiteracy" among the Chinese population being a "problem." Statistically and anecdotally, the Chinese are actually among the most literate of all populations on the planet, on the one hand. There may be huge dialectic variations of the vernacular, but that does *not* equate to a "major problem" with illiteracy among urban taxi drivers or countryside populations.
On the other hand, the writers expressing such sentiments are in fact supporting their own point of view - *they themselves* apparently don't know a lick of the language, and therefore contribute to the illiteracy rate while they're present among the population! With the undeniable rise in power and influence of China on the world scene, it might do us well to learn some functional Mandarin!
"What do you call someone who speaks three languages? > Tri-lingual.
Someone who speaks two? > Bi-lingual.
And what do you call someone who speaks only one language? > American/English!" :O
Oct 21, 2001 | 8:44 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: here and there...
Posts: 4,360
I believe that there was only one response that used the word 'illiterate'. I believe that all others were commenting on the fact that very few taxi drivers etc. speak English. This, in fact, is our problem.
An efficient way of dealing with this problem is having your destination written down in Mandarin characters (not Pinyin) or having someone from the hotel explain the destination to the driver, so that you are sure to get where you are going. This is not a knock against the Chinese people whatsoever. Instead, it is a helpful tip to remember whenever you are visiting a place where few people speak your own language, whether it be Paris, Nairobi, or Beijing.
An efficient way of dealing with this problem is having your destination written down in Mandarin characters (not Pinyin) or having someone from the hotel explain the destination to the driver, so that you are sure to get where you are going. This is not a knock against the Chinese people whatsoever. Instead, it is a helpful tip to remember whenever you are visiting a place where few people speak your own language, whether it be Paris, Nairobi, or Beijing.
Oct 22, 2001 | 2:09 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,708
When I go, I was planning on contacting Tony per Scigirl's recomendation here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/005074.html
I was kind of hoping to just keep him on call for the few days we'll be there if it didn't end up being cost-prohibitive.
-David
http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/005074.html
I was kind of hoping to just keep him on call for the few days we'll be there if it didn't end up being cost-prohibitive.
-David
Oct 23, 2001 | 11:40 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 140
LIH Prem,
If you have a US passport, you do need a visa to go to Beijing. The process to get a tourist visa without participating in a tour group is not very easy. You can check out the Chinese Consulate website for visa information. You need an invitation letter from someone in China in order to get your visa. You best bet if you are interested to travel to Beijing for a short miles run is to get a tour package. NW is doing a sale right now. If you prefer other airlines, try an asian travel agency. They usually offers great deal for discounted short tour to Beijing including airfare. There is taxi and there is also Air China airlines shuttel buses at the airport going to downtown Beijing and makes several stops along the way depending where your hotel is. It is good idea to have a print out of the hotel name and address in Chinese handy when you arrive in Beijing (not all taxi drivers can understand English). There is usually a long line for taxi at arrival. Within the Beijing city taxi is convinient and quite reasonable (most the places you want to go cost less than $2 as long as you stay in the city. older Hotels in the city is more reasonable and has better locations than the new ones outside the city walls (no walls any more).
Good luck and enjoy your trip,
If you have a US passport, you do need a visa to go to Beijing. The process to get a tourist visa without participating in a tour group is not very easy. You can check out the Chinese Consulate website for visa information. You need an invitation letter from someone in China in order to get your visa. You best bet if you are interested to travel to Beijing for a short miles run is to get a tour package. NW is doing a sale right now. If you prefer other airlines, try an asian travel agency. They usually offers great deal for discounted short tour to Beijing including airfare. There is taxi and there is also Air China airlines shuttel buses at the airport going to downtown Beijing and makes several stops along the way depending where your hotel is. It is good idea to have a print out of the hotel name and address in Chinese handy when you arrive in Beijing (not all taxi drivers can understand English). There is usually a long line for taxi at arrival. Within the Beijing city taxi is convinient and quite reasonable (most the places you want to go cost less than $2 as long as you stay in the city. older Hotels in the city is more reasonable and has better locations than the new ones outside the city walls (no walls any more).
Good luck and enjoy your trip,
Oct 24, 2001 | 12:37 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2001
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by CBflyer:
LIH Prem,
If you have a US passport, you do need a visa to go to Beijing. The process to get a tourist visa without participating in a tour group is not very easy. You can check out the Chinese Consulate website for visa information. You need an invitation letter from someone in China in order to get your visa. You best bet if you are interested to travel to Beijing for a short miles run is to get a tour package. NW is doing a sale right now. If you prefer other airlines, try an asian travel agency. They usually offers great deal for discounted short tour to Beijing including airfare. There is taxi and there is also Air China airlines shuttel buses at the airport going to downtown Beijing and makes several stops along the way depending where your hotel is. It is good idea to have a print out of the hotel name and address in Chinese handy when you arrive in Beijing (not all taxi drivers can understand English). There is usually a long line for taxi at arrival. Within the Beijing city taxi is convinient and quite reasonable (most the places you want to go cost less than $2 as long as you stay in the city. older Hotels in the city is more reasonable and has better locations than the new ones outside the city walls (no walls any more).
Good luck and enjoy your trip,</font>
LIH Prem,
If you have a US passport, you do need a visa to go to Beijing. The process to get a tourist visa without participating in a tour group is not very easy. You can check out the Chinese Consulate website for visa information. You need an invitation letter from someone in China in order to get your visa. You best bet if you are interested to travel to Beijing for a short miles run is to get a tour package. NW is doing a sale right now. If you prefer other airlines, try an asian travel agency. They usually offers great deal for discounted short tour to Beijing including airfare. There is taxi and there is also Air China airlines shuttel buses at the airport going to downtown Beijing and makes several stops along the way depending where your hotel is. It is good idea to have a print out of the hotel name and address in Chinese handy when you arrive in Beijing (not all taxi drivers can understand English). There is usually a long line for taxi at arrival. Within the Beijing city taxi is convinient and quite reasonable (most the places you want to go cost less than $2 as long as you stay in the city. older Hotels in the city is more reasonable and has better locations than the new ones outside the city walls (no walls any more).
Good luck and enjoy your trip,</font>
I'm going to China as a tourist (next week, actually), without being in a tour group of any sort, and had no problem getting the tourist visa from the Chinese Consulate in SFO.
Oct 24, 2001 | 10:22 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: brooklyn
Posts: 40
quote: This hasn't been my experience.
I'm going to China as a tourist (next week, actually), without being in a tour group of any sort, and had no problem getting the tourist visa from the Chinese Consulate in SFO.
I concur. I went to beijing about 6 weeks ago as a tourist (part of an RTW trip) and I got a visa same-day at the consulate in new york...that part was easy. Beijing itself wasn't so pleasant (I got robbed in the cab from the airport) but the visa was quite easy to get.
I too highly recommend getting the hotel's business card...about half the cabdrivers in the center city knew where the Sheraton Great Wall was; the other half just stared at me inscrutably. I should have learned more mandarin before I went.
[This message has been edited by sambailey (edited 10-24-2001).]
I'm going to China as a tourist (next week, actually), without being in a tour group of any sort, and had no problem getting the tourist visa from the Chinese Consulate in SFO.
I concur. I went to beijing about 6 weeks ago as a tourist (part of an RTW trip) and I got a visa same-day at the consulate in new york...that part was easy. Beijing itself wasn't so pleasant (I got robbed in the cab from the airport) but the visa was quite easy to get.
I too highly recommend getting the hotel's business card...about half the cabdrivers in the center city knew where the Sheraton Great Wall was; the other half just stared at me inscrutably. I should have learned more mandarin before I went.
[This message has been edited by sambailey (edited 10-24-2001).]