Korean Job Discussion Forums

[I-am-me]

We are going to Beijing in Sept. Anybody have tips on what to avoid doing or seeing there? I hear of so many parts of the wall to visit but which one is worth seeing? Taxi's, buses, bicycles...whats best? Thanks

[newintown]

just wondered who you booked through? are you going with a package or did you book independenly?

[I-am-me]

Independent. Got pretty good fare too.

[newintown]

any more info?

[sojourner1]

I understand it is common for college aged women who speak English to befriend you to get you to go out for coffee, tea, and a fruit plate. The fruit plate will cost $100 or more and she gets a cut while claiming to not be able to pay for half of it. It would appear some people in the streets collaborate with business people of many sorts to snare tourists as is common in many destinations. I was reading one travelors story that this college girl fruit plate scam is highly illegal in China by death sentence, but is common. He yelled at the hotel restaurant manager that he would call the police if he didn't cancel the bill. They then wanted to charge him like $20 for coffee. He then screamed at them again telling them he was not paying and they let him off paying like $5 for the coffee.

There are many taxi scams too involving overcharging. It is true that many Chinese will over charge you on rooms, food, taxi, and retail sales for being a foreigner and are not honest or fair one bit. Go with a tour on this trip unless you're experienced.

I have been strongly advised by several long termers in Korea to buy a tour package from an agent in Korea to eliminate the stresses and risks solo Beijing travel presents. Get a package that includes air, hotel, ground transporation, meals, etc. which appear to be standard fare, though a bit pricey at 850,000 Won (50,000 more for Americans' visa) for something like a 4 night tour this summer. I wanted to do it myself, but I feel it's unreasonably expensive so I am waiting it out for Chuseok or next Winter.

[alinkorea]

A bit over the top the last post. There are scams involving tourists in all poor countries, but Beijing isn't that bad (I've lived there). Insist taxi turns on the meter, (99.9% do it automatically) and bargain at markets. The same rules apply there as anywhere. As long as you're not very naive you'll be fine.
Most people I know who visited on a tour hated it. Very hectic, get on bus, quickly look around, back on bus, go to a market ...ad infinitum.

[I-am-me]

[thebomb]

In addition to the tea girls, another common scam is to invite you to an "Open Gallery", I got roped in, but never lost anything, just wasted my time. Some of the art work was nice, but the lads were trying to tell me that the guy was really famous in China, and so the stuff was stupidly priced, I told them I was a backpacker and had no money

Regarding things to do, the Forbidden Palace is a must see, but start as early as possible, before the tour groups turn up, if you turn up early you can normally stay ahead of them. Thr tour groups are horrendous they plough through like a hurricane.

The silk market, evening is good, is a nice place to wander through. they sell mainly clothes/textiles but some nice things can be picked up cheaply, but you MUST bargain like a bast ard. Offer them 20/25% of their opening price, you can up in small increments and they end up dropping low, but the key is to make it fun and keep a smile on your face, they are just trying to make living, a little bit a a friendly repoire goes a long way.

I found that the best section of the wall is from Jinshaling to Simatai, it's a little futher out of Beijing but a majority of it is still in good condition, and because it's further away it can be a little quieter.

[winnie]

I did it on my own a couple of years ago.

The tours seem to be easier but you can't see things at your own pace, and they will take you to a lot of factories and overpriced showrooms.

I did everything on my own, with the exception of the great wall...I booked a tour through my hotel just b/c it was so far out, and I didn't want to do that on my own. We stopped at a ceramics factory for about an hour, and by the time we got to the wall, they said we had 30 mins there, and rushed us back onto the bus! Not good

I found that taxis would not pick me up at all. It's best to ask someone at your hotel to flag it down for you and tell them where you want to go. I had written my destinations in chinese, but could never get anyone to pick me up. I took a couple of those mini taxis(basically a box on the back of a motorbike...they are a greenish colour). However, they will rip you off, no meter...but it is an experience. I did take the subway a few times to access the markets, and that was good:)

And definitely bargain hard!! It will take you at least 20-30 mins to get a good deal, and it is exhausting. Some people would hover around and then ask me what I got something for, and demand to get the same price I got without doing all the work. Smart idea....but annoying for me, since I did all the work!

I don't think I paid more than 10.00 for any one item, even though starting prices were sometimes over 100.00 dollars. They will get angry at you, call you crazy, but just walk away....they will call you back.

[Stann]

One of the biggest problems about visiting Beijing is getting from one destination to another. The traffic congestion is insane.

I strongly advise that you hire a single cab for the day. Find a cabby that will take you around the city for 300-400 RMB. Pay him $100 at the start of the day and the remainder at the end of the day.

That's my two cents.

Cheers,

[the1andonly]

I loved Beijing and had no problems. Sure people bug you and get you to try and go to shit you don't have time for, just stick to your own plan and don't fall for any of that BS.

We found the college 'art' students to be the most annoying, every street corner, trying to get you to go to a museum. Eeesh.

[rpcvjkc]

Hey, does anyone have any tips for good hotels/hostels to stay at. And do you need a hostel card to reserve a room?

[Boodleheimer]

Art Students!! they prey on foreigners walking around Wang Fu Jing. 'hello, would you like to see some paintings?' then they take you to their gallery where their professors' famous blahblahblah do you want to buy?

San Li Tun'r was going kinda crap when i was there. Lotus Lane was getting really great!

[holiday72]

Red lantern Hostel baby, you cant beat it. Just do a search, you can thank me later.

[I-am-me]

Any estimate of one night rates at youth hostels in beijing?