Capital of China, Beijing, is magnificent, busy, second largest city of China. She is also cultural center of China. Beijing, in northern China, covers an area of about 16000 sq km with a population of about 12 million. Beijing had several names in the past after King Wu chose the place as the capital in 1057. Since 1421, this place is known as Beijing as named by a king of Ming Dynasty. Chairman Mao declared the formation of the People’s Republic of China in October 1949 since than Beijing maintained its status of Capital. Peoples Municipality of Beijing manages Beijing. For more information one may visit – https://beijingpage.com/
Time = + 8.00 hours GMT = + 2 hours 30 minutes IST
Currency is RMB. Buying rate of $ in the first week of Dec-03 was 8.26.
My Experience
I was there in a business tour but spared sometime to explore the city. Growth rate of China is highest in the world but I never thought that Beijing is on a par with many cities of west. Let me share my experience with you.
Immigration –
I reached there from Bombay by Singapore Airlines via Singapore. Almost 11 hours total flying time and one hour transit time at Changi is just sufficient. So, at Changi, one has to be quick to catch the flight no. SQ 815. At Beijing, one has to fill a form to declare oneself free from SARS and pass through a temperature detector before immigration. Travelers suffering from fever have to pass through other tests. Immigration procedure is very simple.
Inside the airport building one cannot make out outside temperature. I walked out bravely wearing a heavy pullover and received a chill blow the minute I came out of the airport building. Immediately took out all available woolens to cover me except the nose and eyes. Temperature in first two weeks of Dec-03 was ranging from 5 to –7 degree Celsius. Someone said winter is yet to start – so I am back to my warm nest in India. Atmosphere is very chill when sky is clear and windy.
Mode of transport -
At the exit door of the airport one person approached me to drop me at my hotel for 300 RMB. However, I preferred to stand in the queue for taxi managed by some policeman and it took about 5 minutes to get one. Very few people can understand English so it is better to carry the hotel name and address in Chinese – fortunately; I was carrying one such card. As per the meter, I have paid RMB 59 and received a printed bill. So, be careful.
Most of the taxies are Sonata from Wolks Wagon and do not have a huge dickey so travel light. Buick from Shanghai GM are also available in plenty from car hire services of course at cost. Chinese like big cars so you will find very few smaller one like Alto – Alto, in China, looks like Maruti 800.
It is a rich country so latest models of cars can be seen in plenty. For economic travel within the city, I preferred Metro, which is very well managed. I have not traveled by city buses but buses look clean and tidy and no one hang out of the door.
Hotel, Restaurant and Food –
I stayed in Jinglun Hotel (3 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing 100020, PRC
Tel: +86 10 65002266), about 10 minutes by taxi from Tian’anmen Square. There are ample of hotels to suit your pocket – $ 60 package of Novotal seems to be a good deal.
I could locate an India Restaurant very easily near my hotel. This restaurant, Taj Pavilion, is near the China World Center by the side of KFC. There are many outlets of McDonald, Pizza Hut and KFC in Beijing.
To test typical Chinese food it is better to go with locals. Beijing Duck is one such special item. Chinese food in China is not like Chinese food we get in India.
When in a group, Chinese prefer a round table with a turntable at the center with lot of food mostly I have never tested. They drink a lot so be prepared to drink lot of Chinese Wine in small 10 ml chinaware wineglass without any dilution (made out of rice - about 39% alcohol) and beer. At the end of the dinner, normally they toss a lot for some flimsy reasons – so be slow at the beginning.
Telephone –
Chinese operators manage cell phones (seem to be state owned) and my “!dea” do not work there. So, before going there it is better to confirm status of cell connection.
One can buy phone cards from airport and there are enough booths through out the city. Phone charges seem to be very reasonable.
Shopping –
Shopping is in the agenda of anyone who visits China but you must be good enough in bargaining otherwise you will be looted. Many warned me so I was careful in negotiating price. For example, I paid RMB 15 for an ordinary watch for kids when the label on it was asking for RMB 35.
DVD – Good quality and very cheap if you bargain from pavement vendors. I have paid RMB 5 (around Rs.30) for a DVD of Nemo. You must be able to negotiate.
For Chinese silk, you may go to “Rui Fu Xiang Fabric Store” behind Tian’anmen Square (Add no-5, Dashilanjie, Qianmenwal). It is a very old store having huge collection.
Pearls are cheap if you can spot the right place. It is always better to take help of local friends. Pearls seem to be cheaper in Shanghai.
It is difficult to avoid buying leather shoes due to its superb quality and elegant designs. Better buy from small shops or look for sale. Imported brands of Chocolates, perfumes, drinks are Cheaper than Singapore airport but Mumbai is still cheaper.
There are huge shopping malls and most of them are costly if you compare cost of Chinese article in Mumbai even in case of toys. So, I preferred to ventures in small lanes and could buy few things.
Sight Seeing –
There are great places in and around Beijing. But most famous are Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square. Whole city glitters after sunset. A very senior French Executive of our parent company said “Arrival of Holiday Season is more visible in Beijing than Paris”. Sight seeing tours are there but I preferred to go alone to suit my mood.
I spent a full day on Great Wall - a lifetime experience. That was a very chill day, very windy. On such day, one requires heavy woolen to cover every inch of the body, and a goggle helps a lot. Entrance fee was RMB 40. I was feeling warm and good when I started walking through the wall.
There are many souvenir shops but costlier than the city. I purchased few small miniature of great wall after bargaining a lot. There are food counters where you can buy chicken fries and coffee but for vegetarians it is difficult to find anything other than Chinese noodles and you may not like the taste.
For Forbidden City minimum half a day is required if you want to go fast otherwise a full day is not enough. Entrance fee is 40 RMB.
Tian’anmen Square is a huge square known for many famous events. 122 acre is good enough to accommodate half a million. Great Hall of the People, Museums, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and Forbidden City are around Tian’anmen Square.
Lot can be written but there is limitation so can go through the website I have mentioned before.
Night Life –
Not like that of Amsterdam or Paris but there are Acrobatic shows and Operas. These shows do not cost much. Pub, Night Club culture is growing fast however no personal experience.
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