Beijing Travel Forum

Visiting Beijing March 20-25, first time to China and have few questions. I booked a budget hotel (Far East Hotel: www.fareastyh.com) via web.

We are three people, shall I accept Hotel offer for 180 RMB Arrival pickup OR take a shuttle (which No???) to main station and then take local taxi?

Does the hotel (hostel) has self kitchen? I couldn't get a a clear answer so far? I need kitchen due to my vegetarian eating habits.

Is the tab water in Hostel/Hotel/China drinkable?

How far is Silk Market from Far East Hotel and how to go?

Sorry for lots of Qs and Many thanks for answers in advance :)
Regards

Don't drink the tap water! Chinese people don't.

180 is a bit over the odds, but it saves you a lot of hassle - airport bus is around 22 per head, and local taxi might be another 20. I don't know where the Far East hotel is.

Hotels don't usually have self-catering. Vegetarians are just about tolerated, but not understood. I'm sure there are vegetarian restaurants in Beijing.

What time are you arriving?
No, the tap water isn't drinkable unless you boil it.

i can only answer 1 of your questions . most hotels in china provide you with a flask of clean drinking water everyday in your room.

if you have many luggage, accept the hostel's 180rmb offer. After all, a round trip from the fareast hostel to airport could cost nearly that price. if don't have much luggage, you could take the shuttle to Xidan, then take one taxi, cost around 3*16+20=68rmb, and save a lot money.
From the hostel's chinese website, I cannot find it has self kitchen.
Tab water: Generally for each room hostel provide electrical heater to make water boiled.
I estimate it is about 20rmb from hostel to silk market by taxi.

Hi!

I'm currently writing a guide for a website on the Beijing vegetarianism topic. It 'll probably not be ready til you arrive in Beijing but if you send me an e-mail on carina_westman@live.se I can give you some tips on vegetarian dishes and restaurants.

/Carina

no matter what, DO NOT accept whatever offer they make! run the meter!

I have experienced twice (TWICE) overcharged taxi. once was from the airport, a lady approached us by offering us 500 rmb to the hotel which we had no idea how roughly it's gonna cost us to the hotel. then we said no.. she offered 400 .. we said no.. okok.. 350 last price.. we were like.. ok, it's more or less the same back home. then we asked our business partner in the hotel, he told us he was charged like 80 rmb.. what a joke... ! always run the meter, otherwise dont take it!

I visited Beijing last weekend and though it will be good to share the information that I was looking for before going:

Far East Hotel / Hostel: It was nice hotel, but surrounding is quite old so not a good feeling while approaching. The building is good and our room was OK, 280 RBM, with three bed, 2 chair, TV and bathroom. The hotel has a basement with hostel option. The basement has small self kitchen where you can get boiled drinking water (from small boiler). So you need to figure out where to store that boiled water so that it gets cool and you can drink. The Kitchen has microwave, and one small hot plate.

Hotel charged me 150 RMB for Airport pickup and drop (each) that was good with family.

The nearest train station is around 15 minutes walk, and Forbidden city will be minimum 30 min walk.