Beijing Map
by Lemonita
As Beijing is an everchanging city, I think it's very useful to have a map. Generally, it's quite easy to get around and Beijingers tend to give indications by saying directions (North to that building, East to ... etc.)
Also, the map contains all the bus routes that operate in Beijing although it's all squeezed in a part of the map making it hard to read.
Maps usually cost 2 RMB (I bought my first one at 4 RMB from a street vendor!!) and can be bought everywhere, from newspaper stands to people selling them on the streets.
Public Toilets
by nepalgoods
Seems, that some things have definitedly change to good in Beijing since I visited first time in 1988. Public toilets are now wortha visit: At least around the tourist spots they are very clean, do not smell and have private cubicles. This one even has a solar cell for electricity on the roof.But still: Do not forget to take your own toilet paper with you!
For the bookworm
by ghweeh
Passed by this building a couple times! Finally managed to get the name ~ it's a library in the college. Wished I could stop at middle of the roadside and think they would allowed me to go in to take a look?? ;)
Genuine copies
by MickeH about Hongqiao Market (Pearl Market)
At the pearl market you will shop 'til you drop. Clothes, shoes, watches, DVD's, silks, pearls, electronics... And almost everything is genuine copies.
But the quality is good and the price is right.
If you know how to bargain for it that is. And bargain you must. For absolutley everything.
The whole place have three stories jam packed with everything you never knew you wanted.
But even you you didn't know it yourself, you can be sure that the salespersons know.
And they will let you know it. Try to walk by a stall and they will grab something, anything, and try to convince you that this is what's missing in your life. Some will even grab your arm to make sure you will come look at their goods.
Loads of good deals can be made here, and if you like to shop, no not miss it! Buy clothes, lots and lots of clothes.
But everything is available here so you don't have to limit yourself to anything. Depends on you bargaining success.
The ever so easy subway!
by sugarpuff
Subway, Metro, Tube...however you like to call it....it's got to be the easiest transportation mode in Beijing. Of course there are buses which take you everywhere in the city, but at present all bus stop signs are solely written in Chinese which means your average tourist cannot read it! I wonder if that will change for the Olympics?! I regress.... And the subway station signs are in chinese characters, and chinese pinyin, making one's life far more bearable!
At present there are just three lines in operation, but by 2008, there plan to be around another 5 or 6 lines, totally 8 or 9 i think! So jump on the 'tube' for just 3yuan and go anywhere you fancy!
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View from Bridge to highest pavillion
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