Beijing Travel Forum

Hi, I'm heading down to Beijing next week with my family and we'll most probably be staying at the NobleTimes Hotel (not Novotel hotel), is this hotel alright? It's some tour promotion and this was the hotel allocated to us.

How's the weather there like now? What clothings should I bring over?
Any nice shopping areas (for the ladies?)
Any good eating spots? Preferably chinese food?

Thanks for helping!

You must realise that this is China and there's no "Chinese" food around. Chinese cuisine has many regional specialties eg Shanghainese, Cantonese, Huaiyang, Sichuan, Hunan etc.
Also realise that you're in the capital of China which will have plenty of aforementioned restaurants. Without a price range or any other pointers, I don't think it's useful to list down all the "good" places to eat.
Try Gui Jie (near Yonghegong Lamasery) for food; and Xidan, Wangfujing etc for shopping.
Look on http://weather.msn.com/local.aspx?wealocations=wc:CHXX0008 and http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/54511.html for weather information.

You can hardly go to Beijing and not eat Peking Duck. The most famous Peking Duck restaurant in the whole world is Quanjude
http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_madeinchina/2006-02/20/content_79498.htm
guests have included Nixon and Kissinger

It is an enormous place, on three floors (at least). No need to book.

Another good place to visit is Lao She Teahouse. This one you do need to book. Basically it's a kind of cabaret with snacks served.
http://www.wcities.com/en/record/,56825/78/record.html

It will be a little cool in Beijing in March so you will need some warm clothes but too heavy. It probably will be reasonably dry though. I suggest you can buy clothes, food etc on Wangfujing Street - the main shopping area in Beijing.