Tourist Attractions in Beijing

I travelled in a group of four guys, and as we were walking through Tiannamen Square, a group of English Students, two women and a guy, approached us. They said they wanted to practice English. I was weary of this approach, as it is a common setting for a scam. But, they didn't pitch us any products or art, and seemed genuinely nice. They showed us around the houtongs for quite some time (2 hours), and then asked us if we wanted to see a traditional tea ceremony. Hindsight 20/20, but our guard was already down. They took us to a tea house, where we had a private room and a woman who made several types of tea. Of course, looking back we should have been leery when told we could not take pictures in the tea house because the room was ceremonial (it just appeared like a new room with wallpaper). We had about 8 different types of teas. The bill was over $300 USD!!! Unfortunately, we didn't know what else to do but pay the bill. The english students appeared sad and surprised the bill was so expensive, and offered to take us out for peking duck to make up for it. Unfortunately, the lesson is that you have to becareful of even the genuine Chinese you meet in Beijing, especially the touristy areas.

Unique Suggestions: My credit card receipt read: Baofulai

I just got scammed last evening. Same old style: so called students start walking along with you, taking you to a tea tasting shop and at the end pulling up 1000s of RMB bill. Didn't realize I was being fleeced and paid only my part 575 RMB on Amex. Got back, googled, and figured the whole thing is a scam. So, went back to the same shop this evening along with my two chinese coleagues, we argued with them about their scam, threatened them we'll report to the license authority and call the police. They got scared and returned my 575. We didn't have to yell at them, just a threat at normal tone level. I'll also dispute the credit card charge and if I am lucky, Amex will ding them even more. Bastards! they deserve it.

So, don't feel stupid for falling for the scam and keep quite. Go back, preferably with a chinese friend, threaten them and get your money back.

If befriended by some locals, you might want to decline going for traditional tea ceremony or a beer....I did and was charged USD$180 !

Usually 2 cute girls are the bait.

Unique Suggestions: Don't go! These blood suckers will drag you anywhere they can rip you off. Art Studios, Tea, Bars whatever.

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Although I consider the Summer Palace a must-see, it does has a tourist trap aspect to it. It seems that every large tourist attraction in China is exploited in some manner by way of a tourist trap and the Summer Palace is no different. Here it is in form of the Little Suzhou, located just inside of the North Gate, Little Suzhou is a recreation of the Suzhou built on a large pond. Now I know many a traveller who did not like Suzhou, so I guess this place will leaving feeling somewhat indifferent. Most of the buildings flanking the "canal" are just tourist shops full of bored shopkeepers. The only reason I entered Little Suzhou was that admission was included on the ticket and I thought that I might find a place to eat here.

Unique Suggestions: I did manage find a good place to eat noodles here and the beer was good and cheap too.

The Qianmen archery tower in Beijing, the gateway consisted of a gatehouse proper and an archery tower, which forms a large barbican.

Unique Suggestions: The gatehouse was, and is, the tallest among all of the gates of Beijing.

Behind (that is, to the North of) the Qianmen once stood the Gate of China, followed by the present Tiananmen, and the Meridian Gate, which is the front entrance to the Forbidden City. Because of its grandeur and unique design, the Qianmen was long seen as the symbol of old Beijing.

If you go to Beijing, you have to buy some souviniers from the hawkers. But be warned, they will give you ridiculously high prices.

Unique Suggestions: Here are the ultimate bargaining tips:
Always start lower than you want, at least a fifth of the original price
If your bargaining doesn't work, start walking away slowly. The hawkers will call you back and ask for a lower price
Wave your arm in a random direction and say they sell it cheaper there
Just grab the item, give them the money without change and walk off
Most importantly, don't be embarresed to bargain! They expect you to!
It is also a good idea to bargain with their calculator

Do not even think about using the credit card option which let's you place a phone call using your credit card from public telephones at Beijing airport. I just recevived the bill, a 20-second call ( I left a message on an answering machine) to a number in Europe cost me 28,42 Euros.

The telephone company running this scam is infona.com (http://www.infonaa.com) and their "service" is charged using a number 800 99461355 on your credit card bill.

Anna

Fun Alternatives: My tip: Buy a telephone card from a mashine even if it cost ten euros and you will use only part of the credit it will surely be cheaper than using your credit card or just use coins if you have them.

most gym s will scam you esspecially dont go BODY BALANCE,BALLY TOTAL,FUSION INSIDE BLCU..usually gym mebership for one year shouldnt exceed 2500 in NIRVANA FITNESS,1500 in body balance and bally..they will try to cheat you..dont fall in trap..,,just reject

Unique Suggestions: dont talk with the girls trying to sell membership to you..

Fun Alternatives: go to NIRVANA OR CALIFORNAI FITNESS again u must bargain a lot,,,