22 hours in beijing
Feb 6th, 2006, 06:52 AM
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22 hours in beijing
Hi everyone,
Just wondering if I have time to do or see anything meaningful in beijing. I arrive at 4 pm and leave the next day at 2 pm. Rather then spend the time in an airport hotel, I thought i could do some sightseeing. Any advice?
Just wondering if I have time to do or see anything meaningful in beijing. I arrive at 4 pm and leave the next day at 2 pm. Rather then spend the time in an airport hotel, I thought i could do some sightseeing. Any advice?
Feb 6th, 2006, 01:34 PM
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Parts of the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) are being renovated, but this is an ongoing activity - the official website is at
www.dpm.org.cn/english/default.asp
The Summer Palace, about a 30-45 minute cab ride from central Beijing, is a huge site and while there may be work there also, it's not conceivable that most of the complex won't be accessible. Our cab cost 60 yuan (US$7.50). See warnings about unlicenced cabs, and other tips and handy info, by running a search on this forum.
In half a day you can't see both of these attractions. I'd stay in a centrally located hotel, preferably in the Wangfujing area - touristy but convenient. Armed with a bilingual tourist map of the city, get an early start, and start walking. You'll have time to go through the Palace Museum (say 2 hours) and explore the areas around it, including Tiananmen Square.
Don't leave it too late to head back to the airport, as Beijing traffic can be overwhelming.
www.dpm.org.cn/english/default.asp
The Summer Palace, about a 30-45 minute cab ride from central Beijing, is a huge site and while there may be work there also, it's not conceivable that most of the complex won't be accessible. Our cab cost 60 yuan (US$7.50). See warnings about unlicenced cabs, and other tips and handy info, by running a search on this forum.
In half a day you can't see both of these attractions. I'd stay in a centrally located hotel, preferably in the Wangfujing area - touristy but convenient. Armed with a bilingual tourist map of the city, get an early start, and start walking. You'll have time to go through the Palace Museum (say 2 hours) and explore the areas around it, including Tiananmen Square.
Don't leave it too late to head back to the airport, as Beijing traffic can be overwhelming.
Feb 6th, 2006, 03:36 PM
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I agree with Neil. Get a hotel in the Wangfujing area. For the first evening, you can do a lot of dining and shopping in that area. Next day, get an early start and go to Tiananmen Sq and the Forbidden Palace. I think that's all you can do.
Feb 7th, 2006, 07:31 AM
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I'm curious, when will you have time for sightseeing? If you land at 4:00, by the time you clear customs, get luggage and take a taxi into the city, it should be close to 6:00. You could have a nice dinner, but not much to see at that time. And, you would likely leave for the airport around 11:00 or so to get there by noon. I guess you could sightsee in the early morning. To me, seems a bit rushed.
Beijing is one of the world's most fascinating places, but I don't think you'd see anything with the short time you have available.
If you can, you should add a day or so to your time in Beijing. You can see a lot in a full day.
Beijing is one of the world's most fascinating places, but I don't think you'd see anything with the short time you have available.
If you can, you should add a day or so to your time in Beijing. You can see a lot in a full day.
Feb 7th, 2006, 03:33 PM
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DO NOT GO TO THE FORBIDDEN CITY.
I've been twice and the main thing I remember about the first time is 007 guiding me through countless buildings telling me what happened in each building. ONLY go to the forbidden sity if you care about that sort of thing (cos you like chinese history classes at school or something). The second time I went all i can remember is that it took too many hours to walk through. Acually the best thing about the city is the gardens.
SUMMER PALACE: you can't do it. well you can but you can't because 3 hours is needed to appreciate it but 6 hours is needed to really enjoy it in a relaxing way.
TEMPLE OF HEAVEN: I would do this. its handy, the main building is being renovated but its also relaxing (despite a lot of walking).
TIANMEN SQUARE: across the road from forbidden city, nothing much to see but go there anyway.
HUTONG: haha this is abit of a joke but find a hutong anyway. You'll love it.
YONGHE lamasery: there's another easier name for it but i forget. its a bit of a dissapointment to me really but i still put it down as a sight to see. Oh i think its called the Llama temple or somehting. you'll see some "monks" there. or at least people dressed as such and you'll see the world's largest buddha carved out of one tree or soemthing like that. It was/is in the guinness book of world records.
BELL AND DRUM TOWERS: I don;t rate this highly but its interesting enough and you may be glad you went.
you can't see all of that but just pick out some.
OH and just a tip, if any "taxi" driver comes up to you then just walk away. Always get a taxi that is driving past. Always pay the meter charge and never some prearranged charge.
I've been twice and the main thing I remember about the first time is 007 guiding me through countless buildings telling me what happened in each building. ONLY go to the forbidden sity if you care about that sort of thing (cos you like chinese history classes at school or something). The second time I went all i can remember is that it took too many hours to walk through. Acually the best thing about the city is the gardens.
SUMMER PALACE: you can't do it. well you can but you can't because 3 hours is needed to appreciate it but 6 hours is needed to really enjoy it in a relaxing way.
TEMPLE OF HEAVEN: I would do this. its handy, the main building is being renovated but its also relaxing (despite a lot of walking).
TIANMEN SQUARE: across the road from forbidden city, nothing much to see but go there anyway.
HUTONG: haha this is abit of a joke but find a hutong anyway. You'll love it.
YONGHE lamasery: there's another easier name for it but i forget. its a bit of a dissapointment to me really but i still put it down as a sight to see. Oh i think its called the Llama temple or somehting. you'll see some "monks" there. or at least people dressed as such and you'll see the world's largest buddha carved out of one tree or soemthing like that. It was/is in the guinness book of world records.
BELL AND DRUM TOWERS: I don;t rate this highly but its interesting enough and you may be glad you went.
you can't see all of that but just pick out some.
OH and just a tip, if any "taxi" driver comes up to you then just walk away. Always get a taxi that is driving past. Always pay the meter charge and never some prearranged charge.
