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| Beijing Travel Tips |
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Souvenirs, fakes, cheap clothes......
By ELCABRON | 9/14/2005 9:02:20 AM
If you are looking for calligraphies, porcelain, antiques you have to go to the PANJIAJUAN market in Beijing. It is only on the weekend and you have to go there early, but it is the biggest market in Beijing. The size is about 4 football fields filled with people selling everything possible. And because there is such a big offer the prices are fine. Of course you have to keep in mind that there is a tough bargaining necessary. It`s part of the Chinese culture (like in Morocco or many other countries). A simple rule for a beginner is always less than half of the price they offer to you as a foreigner or lowai they say in Chinese.Advanced traders knock prices down to a third of the original price, it depends(keep in mind that vendors try to get moonprices so actually it is often just a tenth of their original price). Bargain is a part of Chinese life, it is not offending towards the trader. Everything is negotiable in China. As long as they still sell it to you, you can be sure they have a good profit. And it actually is big fun for you and the trader.
An example:
A handpainted calligraphie with a size of 190x70cm, with so called silkpaper and a wooden roll, sometimes covered with porcelaine endings should be less than 80 kuai. Check with hands and eyes that it is no print!!!
Without wood roll you get the same size for 20 Kuai!
When they pretend that they don? want to sell it for a certain price - leave them. They will come after you to bargain again. If you do this process two or three times you will get the right price!
For a good bargain you need time. Never be in a hurry.
(Chinese friends checked prices, too. They didn? get it much cheaper)
How to get there:
Take Metro Line 1 from the ForbiddenCity/Tiananmen for 5 stations and get off at GUOMAO Station. Outside the station take Bus No. 28 for 20-25 minutes to the market. Just ask people on the bus, they know the market.
If you are looking for cheap clothes, technical equipment and fakes you should try the HONGQIAO market which is inside a big building with three or four storeys. It is situated closer to the Temple of Heaven. From there it is easy to reach by bus, changing lines once.
An example:
A "real" fake of Lacoste or Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt should cost under 30 or 40 Kuai in the end, never pay more than that!
Oh, and never believe something is real;-)
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Train Tickets During Festivals
By PRVNK | 1/30/2005 5:39:42 PM
Generally its hard to get train tickets during festival season.
Check for other ways of getting train tickets from you chinese friends. Sometimes you get tickets by paying some extra amount. I dont know if this is reservation or some other thing.
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Digital Products
By KINGDEE | 1/25/2005 11:21:04 AM
CyberMart Digital Square, Yayuncun branch, Beijing
Address: No.4 East Hu Xin Road (Hui Xin Dong JIe)
This shopping mall is very famous throughout the country, it has branches in many cities. You may find all kinds of digital products, PCs, mobile phones,etc, with a reasonable price. Sometimes you can bargain with the sellers.
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Christian Churches in Beijing
By PRAYINGPOLARBEAR | 1/12/2005 12:21:07 PM
Chongwen Men Church
Add.: No.2, Hougou Hutong, Chongwenmennei
Tel: 010-65133549
Service: Sunday 9:30
Kuanjie Church
Add.: no.50 Dongda Street, Di An Men, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010-64032592
Serviced: Sunday9:00
Haidian Church
Add.:No.10 Zhuaishuihu, Haidian District
Tel: 010-62551392
Serviced: Sunday9:00
Zhushikou Church
Add.: No.129, Qianmen Street
Tel: 010-63016678
Serviced: Sunday7:30 10:00
Waigangshi Church
Add.: No.57, Xisi Nanda Street
Tel: 010-66176181
Serviced: Sunday7:30 9:30 13:00 19:00
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Badaling Great Wall
By COLLINS | 1/11/2005 10:08:59 AM
Badaling Great Wall is the most complete and well-preserved section of the Ming Dynasty.
Just as a Chinese saying goes, "He who does not reach the Great Wall is not a true man".
Here, both south and north parts of the Badaling Great Wall are strongly recommended, for either part has its own characteristic.
Remember:
Whenever you visit the Great Wall, please be sure to take a bag for collecting the rubbish and take the rubbish away, because pollution in areas around the Great Wall is very serious.
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Tips for the tours
By INTIANJIN | 8/8/2004 11:40:43 AM
When you go on a tour to see the sites remember the license plate of your bus because thats how you know which is yours. Get a tour only to the places you want to see. If you get the '5 places tour' then you're going to end up at fascinating places like shoe markets, mineral exhibits, or which ever locations you guide has cut deals with.
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Peking duck
By INTIANJIN | 8/5/2004 5:42:20 AM
Peking Duck (Beijing Duck) is Beijing's most famous food. I was told there are only restraunts which serve it. One is located just outside of Da Zha Lan street and costs 68RMB for a small plate. You'll notice it because inside the entrance are pictures of presidents and other famous people who have eaten there.
The Peking Duck isn't amazing or anything but it does taste good.
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Hotels around Tiananmen Square
By INTIANJIN | 8/5/2004 5:45:31 AM
Two Beijing hostels I found online ended being hotels. The price is generally 180RMB/night and up for rooms.
Around Tiananmen Square there are lots of hotels. They start as low as 110RMB and go up. On Da Zha Lan Street and adjoining streets are lots of hotels. The one I stayed in was HengYe Hotel (180RMB/night for 3rd floor. I got 180RMB for 2nd floor by haggling) and I'll stay there again if I go back to Beijing. The phone number is 010-63179178 or 010-63179132. Its location is great because its on Da Zha Lan Street. Tiananmen Square is walking distance and the hotel is surrounded by markets and in an old style area.
When you are getting a hotel ensure you check the locks on the door. If you can credit card the lock then don't stay there. Also check the windows. I was advised by a Tianjin man to not stay in the same hotel two nights in a row. I stayed in HengYe Hotel for 7 nights and it was very secure and clean. They had many employees working each night and had someone on each floor at a desk.
Choose hotels where the locks require a key card. If the hotel only has 1 person working then its not going to be secure.
Many smaller hotels aren't star rated but will accept you. China has a law that states foreigners can't stay in less than 3 star hotels. I believe the law will be abolished. It is for foreigner's protection though.
And it doesn't matter where you stay; its always good to lock your valuables in your bag when you leave them in your room.
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