Beijing Travel Tips

Beijing is a pretty safe place, and you can enjoy a pleasant and secure time here. Indeed, as a foreigner, you will often be given special consideration and a certain amount of leniency. Of course, you have to abide by the law and respect the culture and customs, but in general you don't need to be afraid of this city.

Eating in Beijing ranges from the simple street stand, to the small family owned and run restaurant, to the big imported chains which are now springing up all over.

Mid-range restaurants
At the mid-range restaurant level 2 people can eat a good meal for between 90 RMB - 190 RMB. In this category, the cleanliness and hygiene usually goes up considerably. The chances of picking up some stomach problem from these restaurants is much smaller. Furnishings will be more upscale and a little English might be spoken by the wait staff, or very elaborate English menus or picture menus.

Top-end restaurants
The price range here is anything from 190 RMB - 400 RMB for a meal for 2 people. Even though extremely expensive by Beijing standards, if you convert this back to your local currency it is probably comparable to the price you'd pay at a normal restaurant back home. At this price level, the restaurant is likely to be very clean and all the staff likely have a very good level of English. Unfortunately, most of the restaurants in this category will likely not be serving Chinese food, but some other country's ethnic food.

Money
The money used in Beijing is the Chinese RenMinBi, or RMB for short. The Chinese call it Yuan or Kuai (in Beijing). There are approximately 6.8 RMB to the US dollar.

Transport
Taxi
Foreign visitors to Beijing can usually afford to take a taxi everywhere they want to go. Be prepared to have your destination written in Chinese characters to hand to the driver.

Subway
It costs 3 RMB to most destinations, with outlying suburbs costing 4 or 5 RMB, but this will change within the next few years. By 2008 there is likely to be 13 lines in Beijing covering the whole city and the airport. Right now, the subway is a great way to beat the growing Beijing traffic chaos.

Bus
This is for the real adventurous people out there. There are many different kinds of buses with prices starting at 1 RMB for a non-airconditioned crowded bus. 2 RMB might buy you some air conditioning and a few less people.

Safety
On the whole, Beijing is a pretty safe place. Your greatest dangers include crossing the road and paying much more than you should for your souvenirs.

Climate and Clothing
Beijing's climate is defined as "continental monsoon." The four seasons are distinctly recognizable. Autumn is the best time to be in Beijing; the temperature is mild and the sun is out a lot. The temperature in spring is nice, too, but it is very dry and winds whip sand around the ciyt.

Summer can be unbearably hot, and winter is equally freezing cold, assisted by winds blowing down directly from siberia. Beijing nice clothes for going out at night, but for touring during the day wear casual clothes and comfortable sturdy shoes.

In autumn, jeans and a sweater are usually enough. In the warmer months, T-shirts and light pants or shorts are the best bet. In the colder months, it is wise to dress in layers; long underwear and jeans, shirt, sweater and down jacket.,

Author/Editor By : HCT

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