Beijing

Where To Eat

Temple Kitchen
No 171 Fuchengmennei St.
Tel: + 86 10 66171119/ 66181119 (resevations essential)

Green T House
No 6 Gongtixilu Chaoyang
tel 86 10 65528310 65528311 (reservations advised)
fax 86 10 65538750

Red Capital Club (see hotel address below)

Where To Shop

Xiushui Silk Market
off Jianguomenwai Daijie
(For cashmere, fake designer bags)

What To See - Top 5

1. The Forbidden City
2. The Great Wall
3. The Temple of Heaven Park
4. Tiananmen Square
5. 798

Where To Buy Art

798
(North East of the City - Dashanzi suburb. Get your hotel to write it down
and take a taxi)

Red Gate Gallery
Levels 1-4 Dongbianmen Watchtower, Chongwenmen
(10-5pm each day)
Tel: + 86 10 6525 1005

Where To Stay

China World Hotel
China World Trade Center
Jianguomenwai Dajie.
Tel: + 86 10 6505 2266
Fax: + 86 10 6505 0828

Commune By The Great Wall
The Great Wall, Exit No 16 at Shuiguan Badaling Highway,Beijing 102102
Tel: +86 10 81181888
Fax: +86 10 81181866

Bamboo Garden Hotel
24 Xiaoshiqiao, Jiugulou Street, Xicheng District
(near drum tower)
Tel: +86 10 640 32229 x 236 / 238 (resevations)
Fax + 86 10 640 12633 64034960

Red Capital Residence
Xinhongzi Kezhan
Tel:+ 86 10 6402 7150

Visa

Travel visas are now easily obtainable from the Chinese Embassy, visa
branch: 124 Euston Rd, London, NW1 2AL
Tel: 020 7388 8448
Allow 3-5 working days or pay double for an express visa.
www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/
Check on the internet for travel companies that can help you apply from the
comfort of your own home.

Vaccinations

One silver lining to Beijing’s cloud of pollution; you shouldn’t suffer from
mosquitos here. For a city break staying in reputable hotels, you don’t
require any specific jabs, but do check with your doctor for the latest
update several weeks before travelling. Check with your doctore for the
latest advisory about avian flu.

Currency

Renminbi (RMB) or “people’s money� is issued by the Bank Of China and can be
obtained at a reasonable rate at Heathrow Airport. ATMs work in China.
Hotels such as the China World charge a commission, but will helpfully
direct you to free-of-charge ATMs instead.

How To Get Around Town

Beijing has an efficinet subway service, frequently used by tourists and
safe. Directions are easy to follow. Cabs range from the very ricketty to
solid Mercedes, or get your hotel to hire a car, driver and guide for you
for the first few days. By day three, we scaled down to a car and driver
(without guide) and managed perfectly well.

When To Go

Autumn is the optimum time. Spring carries the risk of sand storms and
summer sees Beijing simmering in heat and pollution. Apparently Tiananmen
Square in the snow is a sight to behold, but winter temperatures can plunge
as low as -20C. Note, the “secret� Great Wall at Commune is inaccessible in
the depths of winter. If travelling beyond Beijing, avoid early May and
early October when national holidays mean Chinese travel in great numbers.

What To Do For A Longer Visit

Don’t stay in Beijing. If you have ten days, combine with Shanghai, the
showcase for modern China. For more specialist knowledge for a longer trip
to China, take in such treasures as the Terracotta army of Emperor Qin
Shihuang. Consult an expert such as Audley Travel. And do remember that
China is larger than all of Europe.
http://www.audleytravel.com/China
Audley’s China specialists can be contacted on 01869 276 217