Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ucfvgirl]

My friend is planning to take a tour of China this summer. I would like to meet up with her on the last leg of the trip in Beijing. (I am traveling from Seoul) Does anyone have any suggestions on the best places to stay, how to get there, best travel agents, etc? I would prefer to stay in cheaper hotels and live on a budget while traveling.

[Boodleheimer]

Xi Jiao Bingwan, Haidian District, Beijing. i think they have a website somewhere.

it's right next to beijing language & culture uni (where i used to work), and it's near several other unis, so there are bars and there's even a light rail stop.

it'll be freaking hot in the summer. and the pollution will stop up your lungs.

edit: forgot to mention the light rail stop is Wudaokou. you can bargain the rates if it's low season

[RACETRAITOR]

I recommend the youth hostel in Wudaokou. You'll probably be the most comfortable in that area because it's a lot less touristy and a little more Korean.

There are really cheap tours to China, as low as 200 000 won for a full package.

[JZer]

I recommend that you stay in the Hutong area. It is interesting to stay in this traditional area.

[Boodleheimer]

[blynch]

[stevemcgarrett]

Lived in Beijing for seven years. While I remain very fond of it, the air pollution has worsened thanks to an unrestricted boon in car sales in the past few years, the influx of millions of migrant workers and the transport they use. The traffic is abysmal now. Even the main east-west avenues through the city are congested and the subway is inadequate. Keep that in mind.

The only humid, hot time of the year is the summer and the city is teeming with vacationing tourists. Not a pretty picture. I don't mean to discourage you but, well, it's the wrong season to be introduced to this great metropolis.

That said, Beijing has more history and culture than Seoul could ever hope for. The parks are wondrous and almost free and the street life is vibrant. While the hutongs are disappearing, you can still find enclaves of them. The bar street west of Hou Hai Lake is built up--too much for my taste but nonetheless with a thriving nightlife. And there's always expat row, otherwise known as Sanlitun Bar Street, bordering on the embassies.

Summer does have it relatively cheap outdoor park concerts, however, and it's teen scene, which is budding in more ways than one.

When you say cheap, I don't know if you mean hostel or not. Suffice it to say that staying in Chaoyang District in the east will be more expensive than anywhere else because of the embassies and foreigners in this vicinity, as well as the new business district and proximity to the airport. Best bet for getting away from the bustle is Haidian, the university district to the northwest and near west; cheapest and least touristy is YouAnMen on the outskirts of Xuanwu District in the southwest.

A 2 or 3 star hotel will not set you back much; hoof it to find one but bring your passport and visa to register.

Avoid the Great Wall at BaDaLing and rent a Beijing jeep to SiMiTai further north. Check That's Beijing online for drivers, or City Weekend, also online. You don't need to register to access either of these bi-weeklies.

Try the street food and unless you have an iron cast stomach be sure to bring lots of extra strength TUMS or that new expensive antacid because neither can be found in the city. You can buy dirt cheap diarrhetic medicine tabs locally at the Golden Elephant pharmacy chain and carry some with you at all times. The runs can come on at any time. And carry a roll of toilet paper--no freebies except in the best hotels.

PM me if you have any special requests. 5-0 is always here to serve the people.

[JZer]

[trubadour]

http://www.infohostels.com/weekend/city.php?citta=Beijing

the best (read: cheapest, most interesting, best location, most socialble) places to stay are around the hostel mentioned in the link. There's one just across the way - a chinese one - where you can bargin on room rates - we got a double for 60yuan a night, well, someone who knew someone who did - and passed it on! There's the yha and some other gaffs around too. There used to travelers and there's cool food and well resaonable bike hire - (IMO the best way to travel Beijing). If youre not used to travelers/backpakers or are going to winge 'cos its china or can't handle good stuff please go elsewhere!

[Boodleheimer]

if you've got a Korean salary, i don't see any reason to stay in a hostel... 3 star is still cheap.

[kangnam mafioso]

anyone who has to stay in a youth hostel in china is on a really meager budget.

[RACETRAITOR]

[rothkowitz]

Err.....that really looks like an ajumma visor.

A shame,as she still looks young.

[RACETRAITOR]

I know too well. She's about 20 years too young to wear it but she looks 30 years too young.