pumpkin

Hi! Earlier I posted a question regarding what to wear, but the one and only answer was not as specific as I would have liked.

BTW, we will be in Beijing the 25-31st of March. Jeans? (although I seldom where them I'm looking for how casual) Skirts or pants? How dressy for evening? Is the city pretty dirty so that I should be concerned about what I wear in that respect?

Thanks for any details you might impart!

OJudy

I was in Beijing last November and wore jeans, turtle neck sweaters and a down jacket the entire time. My clothing seemed appropriate everywhere I went - including an acrobat show and dinner in a variety of restaurants. I am going back to Beijing in a few weeks, and plan to take only casual clothing - jeans, lightweight jacket, dark no-wrinkle tops, etc. The city is a little grimey, so I don't plan to take any light colors. I'm not taking any skirts or dresses, but maybe a pair of nice pants. Or maybe not!

When I was there in November, I noticed a lot of attractive young Asian women who were dressed very fashionably, but not tourists. I remember seeing Russian women in their full length mink coats hangling over the price of cashmere sweaters in the street markets!

You will probably be spending a lot of time outdoors, a lot of time walking around in the elements. Plan for comfort! Don't forget good walking shoes. (Incidentally, I am 50ish - I was unsure about jeans, although I do wear them at home, but there was no problem!)

One more idea - A few people on this site have photos of their trips posted on line. If you can locate them, be sure to notice what the people are wearing.

kayb1

since you sound like China expert, can you tell me if I can take tea with me when I leave and waht is the departure tax?

OJudy

We paid 90RMB each at the airport upon leaving (about $10) There is also a departure tax which is included in the price of the ticket, but that is something else. I don't think you should have any problem taking back tea. We took all sorts of goodies home with us, reported them to customs, and they waved us through. We didn't have any tea, however, so I don't know if there is a problem with tea specifically.

Patty

The 'airport management & construction fee' is 50 yuan per person for domestic departures and 90 yuan per person for international departures. There aren't any restrictions on bringing tea into the US that I know of. I do it all the time.

pumpkin

Gee, I got so excited that there were more details about "what to wear" and I see that this thread has turned into tea. Yes, you can bring it back.

Now what about clothes? Thanks OJudy for your input!

gard

Hi

My wife and I went to Beijing in March last year. When we were there it was pretty cold in the mornings and evenings so be sure to bring something warm. Yes, the city is pretty dusty and dirty...you'll see it when you blow your nose after walking around the city all day And what to wear: is there a specific answer to that? I think that you can wear more or less what you want these days.

I have posted a long trip report with picture and links on my personal homepage www.gardkarlsen.com Maybe you can find some useful info there. Have a great trip to China...I'm sure you will love it

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

Cicerone

While generally you should not be prohibited by US Customs from bringing tea leaves into the US, the rule is are that every single plant product must be declared to the Customs officer and must be presented for USDA inspection. Take a look at the guide put together by the US Customs Services at www.customs.ustreas.gov. Click on "Travel" on the main page and then "Know Before you Go" . Some tea leaves may have been treated with pesticides that are not permitted on food items sold in the US, or may even be from endangered plants. The chances are slight of course, but no one should mess around with importing food stuffs into the US without declaring them.
Also don't forget that the tea plus all your other items which you purchase are your trip could be subject to customs duty if your total purchases exceed your exemption, which is $800 per person or $1600 per married couple.