Potrait of Chairman Mao
by SLLiew
You cannot miss this giant portrait of Chairman Mao Ze Dong (1893-1976) which hangs in front of Tiananmen.
Chairman Mao no doubt has left behind a historical legacy for modern China as a great revolutionary leader.
So as China progresses towards a fast growing manufacturing factory of the world, it is constantly under the watchful eyes of Chairman Mao at Tiananmen.
A photo opportunity not to be missed.
Tipping at restaurants is a...
by tidyboy
Tipping at restaurants is a way of appreciation, but the best way of showing your appreciation is calling the owner (or, manager) and saying him/her SHI SHI (thank you) while clapping your hands in front of your chest and half nodding your head. Be polite, never try to fool or cheat people. Avoid to make nervous gestures.
I will never forget their sicere hospitality..
A Church
by solopes
Being in a package has its advantages but also some inconveniences. From Tienanmen square I noticed an interesting church, maybe Russian, eventually Byzantine, that I would visit if we weren't "pushed" towards the Forbidden City.
A pity!
Once back home I tried to read about it, but till now I couldn't identify it. Any help?
New Laitai flower market
by mke1963 about New Laitai flower market
The new Laitai flower market is one of the biggest non-clothes markets on the east side of Beijing, although yu can find plenty of clothes in the huge underground market below it!
Lai Tai is a good place for particulary cold days, as the huge range of flowers, plants and orchids is interesting, even if you are not buying.
At the back of the building, and on the right hand side, there are about 20 shops selling aquariums and aquarium equipment.
Note that the best area for cut-flowers - at cut rate prices - is hidden away behnd those aquarium shops in a long hall running along the northern side of the building.
The Chinese love their flowers and love their aquariums, so this is a good place to see Beijing people haggling over the prices of both. It's certainly a good couple of hours people-watching!
Note that the ol, smaller Lai Tai still exists behind Durty Nellies on the south side of the Liangmahe, opposite the Lufthansa Centre. Orchids, house plants, cut flowers, outdoor plants (at the southern side), and fish - for watching, not eating.
Some of the more esoteric species here include huge discus fish, sharks, jellyfish, rays and lionfish.
Taxi in Beijing not a luxury
by vickss
I would say taxis are pretty much ok in Beijing. There are 3 types of taxis with tags of 1.2, 1.6 and 2 on any of the window panes which indicates the price in remnibi(Chinese currency) per km. The meter starts at RM 10 if I remember correctly and then moves on depending on what kind of cab uv boarded.
1.2 ones are usually the local made cars .. Xialis. not the most comfortable car but passable....all deep red in colour
1.6/2 ones usually gets u a Citroen or a Volkswagen which are in much better shape than the Xialis.
BTW all taxis have an electronic meter and drivers give u print out of the ride charge.
When ur coming from th airport it wld roughly cost u anything between RM 70-100 yuan including toll taxes etc.
Most important thing is that 97.27%(don't take the figure seriously..but i guess even this is an underestimation) of drivers speak english.
Though most of them are honest.
Its an imperative to carry the name/ address of the place u want to go written in Chinese.. which is what they understand or can understand!!