| My first trip to Beijing | |
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| Jul 2, 2004 10:00 |   |
 | I have many questions but I will try to narrow it down to just a few. Tell me what to expect from the minute I get to Beijing Airport...will I have problems getting around because I speak no Chinese? Are the people friendly and helpful to Americans? What's the best transportation from the airport to my hotel? Is the water safe to drink? And, do you serve ice with drinks? What are my chances of getting robbed or mugged? Please don't laugh but I guess I am a little scared because I am a female traveling alone and this will be my first trip to China, and my first trip to a country where I don't speak the language. Thank you for any help. Danielle |
| Jul 2, 2004 10:02 | #1 |
| just use your common sense. Try to keep safe and keep your belongings at sight. 1- From the airport to the city you have wo basic ways to go. You can take a shuttlebus that will take you to the Beijing International Hotel. It is around 10-15 Yuan. You an take a Taxi from the airport. No cheating they put the meter on and of they go. Traffic jams are a big problem there so be patient. It should be around 70-100 Yuan. 2-Not knowing Chinese is a problem, well it is always a problem never to speak the local language. But Beijingers are very warm hearted and will be willing to help you. 3-Move around the Embassy area and Sanlitun area where you'll be able to mingle with some other foreigners. I think the rest will be pretty easy. Have fun!  |
| Jul 2, 2004 10:46 | #2 |
| Hi Danielle. The water isn't safe to drink. Drink bottled water. Some restraunts will serve boiled water which is safe. If you have your hepatitis shots then don't worry about eating ice. If you don't have your shots then only eat ice from trusted places like McDonalds, KFC, and quality hotels. The people are very civilized here compared to other asian countries so being mugged and robbed isn't a problem. There are alot more people walking around you with bigger bank accounts to target. When you get off the plane it will be hot. Breath onto your arm real close and feel the heat. Thats what its going to feel like. If you are from the hot part of America then it won't be too much difference. At the airport you'll walk off the plane, get your visa checked and passport stamped, temperature taken by thermal imaging and then you'll get your luggage and be free to walk out to where tonnes of people are waiting. You'll see drivers holding signs for whom they are picking up. There is always someone who speaks english working at the airport. You'll find that the style of buildings in China look similar to those in other western countries. You'll see more bikes then you can imagine and you'll also notice its much dirtier and the smells are different. Traffic may seem terrifying at first but its safe. If you need to cross a busy street just stick real close to other people crossing, like right beside them. There are two kinds of restraunts and stores. Those which are in buildings and those which are on the street. The street food is fine to eat. The meat on the stick is common and great to eat. It costs 1RMB for 2 sticks. Ensure to drink extra water if you are in the heat all day because dehydration can sneak up on you. |
| Jul 2, 2004 11:15 | #3 |
| There are four shuttle bus from the airport to the center of Beijing. Tell me which hostel do you live in, then I can tell you the right bus. The price of the shuttle bus is about 2 dollars. It can rich most big place of Beijing. Further questions, be free to email me. hotmail.com|henryz059 |
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