Beijing Shi Travel Forum

Coming from brussels , (for french or deutch speaking people )
We are going to china end of april (2 persons)- starting with beijing - south of china then lhassa - return beijing.

1) do you think it is possible to organize such a trip by yourself (not knowing chinese except for a few words ? )

2) I realize we are going to be travelling in a period of chinese vacation (a week around mai 1st ) how about trains and flights bookings - not talking about hotels ? everything might be full.
Would it be possible to book trains and planes tickets via internet, not going through travel agencies ? Or could you recommand agencies that will not charge too much the toursits we are? Do you know any internet site in china that does it ?

3) we intend to go back from Lhassa to beijing : via the new train connexion : is it possible to book that train in advance ?
4) how about the visa to Tibet ? where to get it?

If any of you has already experienced such a trip - any information you could give us would be so precious !

thanks in advance !

my family of six intend to be in beijing for the summer olympics in august 2008. i read that venue tickets and accommodation are available for sale/reservation. however all the hotel reservation sites that i have accessed are not taking room reservations for the period. can anyone provide information. thnaks

tlk

Is there some special event in Beijing during early April? I am looking for a hotel for April 5-10 and the rates seem high and some hotels have no rooms avaialable at least on various internet sites. I was trying to book something in the Song He hotel since I have read good things about it. Thanks.

Will it be worth it to bring my laptop to China so that during dead time on the night train or hostel, I can catch up on some work? I mean, will I be able to plug it in. I have the converter for Asia, but are there electric outlets available for use. My roommate, who spent 2 years in China just two years back, thinks I will get robbed and perhaps killed if I show around my laptop. Sorry if I offend anyone with such a question.

Does anybody know of a beijing tour that brings you to the Great Wall and Ming Tomb without any "unscheduled" stopovers at souveniour shops or chinese medicine shop? Thanks.

Hello all'
first time in China I need to stay close too the two main collages Peking/ I think it is in the IT area of beijing and good hotels anyone can suggest in that area.
Also bringing my mother she has difficulty walking but would like to see Great Wall- any ideas? Thank you

Hello all'
first time in China I need to stay close too the two main collages Peking/ I think it is in the IT area of beijing and good hotels anyone can suggest in that area.
Also bringing my mother she has difficulty walking but would like to see Great Wall- any ideas? Thank you

what is the best time to visit a ski resort(family friendly) nearest to beijing, are they open throughout the year?? Planning to go beijing on march. Never had any encounter with snow . Any informations wilh be thankful.

hello....
i need some help finding car related shopping
something like car center/market....or accessories market, shops,

i heard about a car center shopping mall outside beijing... 2hours drive..
if someone knows the name of the center.... or a different center
i would be more then gratful

thank u.

Hi all

I want to buy a cheap-as-chips bicycle in Beijing when I go over there but I'm just wondering - how much do they cost? I'm looking to buy one thats brand new, but cheap.

Thanks

Matt

Hi,

I'll be in Beijing for 2 days before my tour starts and was wondering what people think I should do with those days. My tour includes before leaving Beijing the Great Wall at Mutinayu, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Basically I arrive at night on the Saturday night, have the whole of Sunday and Monday free then the Wednesday afternoon before I leave for Xian on the evening train.

Can someone please tell me which sites are a must see as well as realistic to do? I want to see the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and the Hutongs. I've heard that there are some great parks too. I also want to do a little bit of shopping but that's not that important. Is it easy to get to all these places? I'm staying near the Beijing train station.

Also, please tell me if it's safe for me to be wondering around at night by myself. I thought I might go down to the Wangfuqing Area at night - do they have the markets every night?

Many thanks in advance!!

Natalie.

What is everyone's experience for paying for day tours in China. If I agree on a price with a local tour guide, would I generally be required to pay upon pickup from the airport/hotel or at the end of the day when the tour is complete? I've read some require you to pay at pickup but not sure if this is the norm.

Also, what is the typical tip for local tour guide? Is there a standard percentage or amount per person per day?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Hey guys,
I want to visit Beijing, Shanghai, Lhasa, and if possible Xian, in nine days starting in Beijing. I want to do it all by night train. Is this at all possible? I am very athletic, traveling alone, and I travel very efficiently waking up at the crack of dawn and I don't spend more than an hour or two at any particular tourist spot. I don't need to see all the little details like little museums. I just want to see the big touristy stuff. I also want to get in the Great Wall of China. What do you guys suggest as my itinery? Thanks.

Hello
I have read nearly every post on this forum about the shuttle bus and I am still not sure if the airport shuttle bus stops at our hotel.(xixi friendship hotel) We will be flying in from Xian at about 12 noon. If it does could someone please supply me with the number bus and how long does it take to get there. We are two adults traveling in March and will only have one bag each. Would it be better to get a taxi??
Thanks in advance
Diedre

I will be traveling to Beijing in late March on a tour with a chamber of commerce group from California. It is my first experience with China and we will be in Beijing for 3 nights on to Hanzhou and Suzhou ending in Shanghai over the course of 7 nights, a whirlwind trip. My question is regarding the weather as I understand it should be cold, what about rain at that time of year and any other weather related information. Also is it worth waiting to get a new digital camera in China or best purchased at home, any great savings. Any tips or information would be helpful.

I am planning a trip to thailand and I would love to make a stop in Beijing. I am wondering what is the cheapest way to get to beijing from either thailand or other southeastern countries?

After reading some of the other postings I have a few more questions for my trip to China in April.....We don't fly often and have never locked our luggage or used the tie things people talked about in a posting....should we lock our luggage/or use the cable tie things? and if so why? Also does anyone know much about the China World Hotel? What are the Pearl market, Silk factory? How would I find out if the rooms at the China World Hotel provide blow dryers?

We are going to Beijing in April. We are wondering what ist he best way to purchase things....credit card,cash, travler's checks? Also, according to our travel plans we fly into Peking, but are staying at the China World Hotel in Beijing...how far is it between Peking and Beijing?

I'm looking to do a bit of shopping in Beijing, what are the prices like for designer clothing / electronics (looking for a samsung cell phone maybe, or a new video card) / watches (Tissot)

What are the prices like when compared to american/canadian dollars? I'd imagine electronics are quite cheap but I want decent names.

We are going to Beijing in May. Does anyone know anything about the Far East Youth Hostel or Hotel? The web site is beautiful and I've heard it's very nice but I've also heard it's not... And is there a hotel and a hostel?
I'm confused. The rates on the site were given as: "cost" and then the next column was "real cost."
And does anyone have an idea for an overnight trip from Beijing?

Thanks,
Nancy

I intend to travel from Beijing to Lhasa on the train. Any advice on how to book ticket in advance? How long does it take and how much does it cost? thanks for any info. provided

Hi---I am a student planning on staying in Beijing for the latter 2 months of the summer. I really need help on planning travel/food/living expenses to make this hope a reality---but as I have never been to China in my life--I am utterly lost.

Can anyone give me advice on reasonable (appropriate for students) costs of living: FOOD, Commutes within city, cheap but safe housing...

I am planning on staying in Beijing for 2 entire months.

Thanks! ANy sort of tips/advice is hugely appreciated!

Hi I am going to Shenyang from Singapore via Bejing and arrive in Bejing Aiport early in morning 0620hr and next connecting flight to Shenyang is 1330hr. What can one do in Bejing Airport, please enlightened. Thanks

Hi all,i will be working in beijing for 3 months starting from march. What are the drop dead essentials to bring along and what to take note of?
ie Weather,people,living standard,clothings especially,business & casual attire etc
Thanx!

I will be in Beijing during the Chinese New Year.
Will the markets (Silk, Pearl etc) be open .
Will my shopping be affected?
Thanks , Friskee

Hi all VTs!
Wanted to know what is it like to live in Beijing..what r the prime areas to look for an apartment in the city..r these areas safe for children? What would b the monthly expenses for a family of 4? i would have to factor in accomodatn when i consider my package from my new company. Are the rents negiotiable? And do v go throu an agency/broker?
How expensive is education for a 4 year old there..considerg we opt for an IB school..
appreciate any feedback.
Thanks
Ally

Hey guys,
I've seen good reviews about night trains from Beijing to Shanghai in littles bits on other web sites, but I wanted to see what you guys think about this approach to save hotel and time. I don't want to get to Shanghai and have to sleep anyway because the train ride was that rough.

Hi

It's my first time in China. I'm planning a trip to Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an and maybe HK. How many days would you advice is good enough for a good trip to Beijing?

thanks in advanced

also, could someone help me in suggestions on what the best route is if I start in Shanghai.

are there any one day cooking classes in beijing for tourists?

Hey guys,
I am going to Beijing for a week or so and traveling alone. I was wondering if hostels in Beijing or China in general are safe and clean enough. Also, how are the bathrooms. Appreciate any comments or specific recommendations. I wouldn't mind a hostel where I could meet other travelers.