Examining the details...
by meteorologist1
Forbidden City consists of ancient Chinese architecture. You will find this architecture typical of ancient China. If you look closely on the edges of the rooftops, there's fine, detailed carvings of various things such as dragons or lions. Worth to take a close look.
Many a picture awaits you in...
by darthmilmo
Many a picture awaits you in Beijing. Above, I took this picture of some locals in a street on my way to the Temple of Heaven. Whenever possible, ask permission before taking a pic. Also, look for bike riders passing by in the middle of the pic :).
Blue Zoo
by mke1963
"Blue Zoo" is a small, but very well laid-out underground aquarium at the southern end of the Worker's Stadium complex.
The main feature is a huge marine tank, with a slow moving pedestrian walkway that goes through, round and back under this huge tank. It is a fascinating and exciting experience, and the kids absolutely love it. Strangely it inever seems to be crowded, but it is educational and makes a change from watching 'Shark Week' on Discovery Channel.
Cashmere, jewellery, furniture, interior decor
by mke1963 about The Orchard
The Orchard is separately reviewed as a restaurant, but it is also a place to buy very classy and very memorable souvenirs of China.
The owners have linked up with a number of small household producers in Beijing and Shanxi to offer a small collection of jewellery (A Taste of Jing), cashmere sweaters and scarves, traditiional and reporduction furniture and many other home accessories (candleholders, wooden boxes, etc).
This is all hand-made stuff, not mass-produced and would make superb gifts or souvenirs.
The Orchard is a long way from the centre of Beijing (say 30 minutes by taxi from the Kempinski area) but worth it if you really want tasteful gifts and a great meal.
I'm not going to try and explain the location (it's about 10 minutes off the Airport Expressway at Junction 4), so you should phone ahead and get them to fax you a map or speak to your taxi-driver. (The 944 bus goes past the gate but there are no signs outside to suggest that there is a top restaurant down the lane!) RMB900 for a cashmere jumper, 200 for a scarf and they look stunning. Or what about RMB3,500 for an original Beijing Municipal Government chair, believed to be from the 1950s, and reupholstered in cracked, creased burgundy leather?
Lots of jewellery...RMB50 and up.
Taxis are cheap
by ahoerner
If you want flexibility, one good option is to take taxis.
Fare begins at RMB 10,00 (US$ 1,2) with additional RMB 1,30 / km for the basic taxis (red coloured, usually small taxis), or RMB 1,60 / km for middle range taxis (green or blue cars with a golden stripe).
There is still a higher range of taxis, normally black sedans without any sign. They are around 50% more expensive than the middle range ones.
Be aware that you may also be caught in a tourist trap in the main tourist attractions...