BEST OF BEIJINGBy Madelyn MillerThe first question of every visitor to the magnificent city of Beijing is: "How much can be seen and done in two/three/four days?" If you truly can't stay longer, stay at the China World Hotel. The ideally located hotel itself is a haven for the traveler, complete with a range of exciting recreational, dining and business facilities. SHOP TILL YOU DROP!To begin with, why not get a head start on the shopping frenzy in: * Friendship store, Jianguomenwai Avenue - where a whole range of all things Chinese can be found at rather reasonable prices (no bargaining there!). * Silk Alley, Jianguomenwai Avenue - Mainly silk clothing items, some bags and quilts are a good buy there. This is a MUST BARGAIN place! How low can you go? Someone once said,"If they spit in your face, then you have gone too low!" * Hong Qiao, opposite Temple of Heaven - these shops used to be 'flea market' types, that hugged the outer perimeters of the Temple of Heaven, but are now housed in a 3-story building. A bit of every-thing there! Go to the 3rd floor for fresh water pearls, antiques, handicrafts and curios, and have a super time bargaining! * Yuan Long Silk Store - For the widest range of silk material, this is the place to check out. * The Weekend Dirt Market (Jinsong Mkt) - Only open at weekends, the best time to go is when everyone else is in dreamland! But it's still fun at a reasonable hour of the morning or afternoon. Be prepared to get covered in dust while searching for the bargain of your life! * Beijing Curio City - Perfect for old or antique artifacts. Anything from gold buttons to restored bridal beds! * Chow Wai Market - One of the original sites for antique furniture and knick-knacks, but vendors are slowing relocating to make way for development. Now, only one section remains, in a warehouse environment, mainly dealing in furniture items. * Shops at the China World Trade Center - Level 1 and Basement 1- Great for clothes and fashion accessories of the more pricey and medium price ranges. Do you want to see....?* What Beijingers do in the early mornings? Take a brisk early morning walk to RITAN PARK. Great sights to behold and to remember always! * What the nightlife is like in Beijing? Check out the cafes/bars/pubs at Sanlitun (formerly an exclusive Embassy domain) for a taste of Beijing at its cosmopolitan best! * Beijing Opera at its best? Make it a point to visit the Zheng Yi Ci Theater, the oldest Opera House in China with a real history behind it! DO YOU WANT TO TRY....?* The memorable experience of enjoying a tasty Beijing Roast Duck served at your table, in a delightful Chinese ambience? Check out the Summer Palace restaurant at the China World Hotel. *Great American food and drinks in the city loaded with fun performances in a cozy American memorabilia-filled place? Take a short stroll to Henry J. Bean's Bar & Grill located within the complex. *The simple pleasures of home-style Chinese cuisine? Dine at The Oriental restaurant at the Traders Hotel. MUST SEE PLACES ARE:...*The Great Wall (preferably Mutianyu section) TheForbidden City (if without a guide, rent a taped guided tour, recorded by the likes of Peter Ustinov and Roger Moore) Tiananmen Square (just across from the Forbidden City), the vast Summer Palace (to take in the splendor of Empress Dowager's retreat) Temple of Heaven The MUST DO TOUR is a ride through the Hutongs in a trishaw! (Extra special on a wintry afternoon, with the setting sun descending over a frozen lake on which children ice-skate, disappearing behind silhouettes of bare trees along a tree-lined lane). SIGHTSEEING FEVER?Though there is precious little time, short tours can be arranged with the help of the CITTS travel desk in the China World Hotel lobby. REST & RELAXATIONTo unwind and relax after a hard day's work or sightseeing, check out the Fitness Center at the China World Hotel for: * A dip in the pool * A stint on the many fitness machines at the gym * A relaxing massage * Cleaning of the pores at the Steam/Sauna rooms, followed by a dip into the Jacuzzi * Or a session in the Alpha-capsule? * Perhaps a game of squash is what you need? Or head for the Hotel's Tennis & Golf Center for: * A round of two of golf at our Golf Simulators, or .. * An invigorating game of Tennis? If you like to bowl, there is a 12-lane Bowling Alley too! CHANGING MONEY ....Always change at the Hotel's foreign exchange counter. It is safest and no different to the bank's rate. WHEN LEAVING THE HOTEL..NEVER leave the hotel without your 'hotel address card' in Chinese and English!!!! WHEN LOST IN BEIJING....The best idea is to go to the nearest Hotel or Department store, from where there are lots of waiting taxis. Then tell the doorman (or if in the store, any kind soul who speaks English) that you wish to go CONCLUSION.......There is never enough time to do everything suggested. So the next best thing to do is to COME BACK, to explore the many facets of this amazing city. CHINA WORLDSHANGRI-LA HOTELS AIR CHINA -Updated 1-14-99- |
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