Michael,
It's obviously been quite a while since you were last in China. FECs are no more. Take cash - US$ - you can convert to Rmb at the hotel you're staying. Rates are fixed, since the Rmb is not truly convertible. All hotels, dept stores and large restaurants accept credit cards.
If you're visiting Tienanmen Sq, and you have a couple of hours to spare, visit the forbidden city (Gugong). You can also go to the rostrum (for a fee) where Jiang and Co will be waving to the masses on parade (I hear it will include a military parade this year). If you're in the mood for clothing shopping, go to Silk Alley (off Jiangguomenwai, about half a mile west from the China World hotel), much more fun than shopping in the Dept Stores in the main tourist precinct.
Other obvious destinations: The Temple of Heaven (Tientang), the Great Wall - go to Mutianyu, not Badaling, and the Summer Palace.
Use taxis for transport, they're metered, although many meters are suspect. Most taxi drivers don't speak much English, though. Tariffs depend on size of taxi, the cheapest being the "mianbaoqe (sp?)", or small vans -like a loaf of bread, hence the name.
Best,
Steve Yeo |
