Question, Questions! <BR> <BR>I'm a solo, female traveller. Need to know the following: <BR> <BR>1. Hotel reccomendations? How about the Chong wen men? <BR> <BR>2. How much would a good quality string of freshwater round pearls run at the market? I just need a target bargaining price. <BR> <BR>3. Best inexpensive eateries. Are street stalls a good bet? <BR> <BR>4. This is the most sensitive question. In my research, including a few guidebooks, I have come across SEVERAL warnings that as a black person, I may face some open discrimination. I'm not worried about people talking behind my back or staring, but about being refused a hotel room or not being served at stores and restaurants. Has anyone experienced or witnessed or even heard stories about this problem?

I'm afraid I can only help with a couple of items on your list. <BR> <BR>First of all, be prepared to get stared at, gawked at, pointed at, and giggled about. It happens to me all the time, and I'm a blonde-haired, blue-eyed caucasion. I think that unless you fully "blend in" ethnically and in manner of dress, you'll get stared at, regardless of your race/origin. <BR> <BR>But I have never heard of any cases of actual DISCRIMINATION against anyone of any race. I have never heard of anyone being refused a room or refused being served in a restaurant. <BR> <BR>Finally, for inexpensive eateries, you will have no problem finding them in Beijing. Street stalls will be unbelievably inexpensive (sometimes 50 cents for noodle soup or a main dish), but even in local restaurants it's pretty inexpensive. Just a week or two ago, four of us ate at a local restaurant, I had cokes and everyone else had beer, and we had numerous "appetizers" and main dishes (shrimp, pork, beef, veggies, etc.), and our total bill was about $22! <BR> <BR>Good luck!

Terry, <BR> <BR>1. Chongwenmen is a district. Is there a Chongwenmen Hotel? Generally, I think in Beijing, 200RMB(US$25) per night will get you at least an OK place with a comfortable room and private bath. The rates may be higher in summer. <BR> <BR>2. Don't know. But if you buy things in the flea market, bargain very aggressively. Make your initial offer 70% below the asking price. <BR> <BR>3. There are many restaurants almost everywhere in Beijing. Just go to the modest looking ones and their food and services could be just as good. Get some manus with both English and Chinese from Chinese restaurant here at home and use them in the restaurants in Beijing. You can get by for less than US$5 per day and still have genuine delicious Chinese food. <BR> <BR>4. I have to say that the warnings on the tour books(I read them too) do reflect some reality, but not the kind of open discrimination you mentioned such as being refused a hotel room or not being served at stores and restaurants. Chinese are better people than that. Black tourists may attract more staring than others mainly because there are so few of them visiting China so people are double curious. I traveled in China in March and I cannot recall that I met any black tourists. Even though I don't have first-hand experience, I cannot really see any problems. My suggestion is that you just ignore the "warnings", being friendly to the Chinese, and you will have a good time in China.

I have a suggestion regarding pearls. Check local stores in your area and see what the prices are. At least you'll have some idea on the top price you should pay . Fresh water pearls are very common in the area where I live in NY state, that it's so surprisingly inexpensive. If course, it depends on the size of the pearls, the quality, how perfectly round, and how good the color is.

Thanks for the info!! <BR> <BR>Yes, there is a Chongwenmen hotel. It is supposed to be very clean and rather reasonable. It's location is supposed to be the real draw however, steps from the subway and about 10-15 minutes' walk to Tianenmen.

4. I know a black female that travelled to China last year for about 4-5 weeks and she said that she had a wonderful time. She didn't mention any of the horrible racial incidents that you mentioned. She said that the Chinese were very friendly to her, and especially enjoyed when she attempted to speak to them in Mandarin. I'm not sure if this was just the children or just in the rural areas. I'm sure that if you just attempt to be friendly and speak the language, you shouldn't have any problems.

Terry, <BR>You'll have a great time. The Chinese do not discriminate and are very polite. <BR> <BR>For pearls: go to the Hongqiao Market across from the Temple of Heaven. I bought a string of pink pearls with earrings for $70 and a long string of fresh water pearls with earrings for $100. Stick to your price, they will not let you walk away. To make sure the pearls are real, rub the pearls together. There should be a white powder which is the calcium. <BR>The food is very inexpensive. The most expensive meal I had was $8 and that was for Peking duck with many side dishes. <BR>Make sure you go to the silk marker near the Friendship Store. Don't pay more than $12 for a silk robe. <BR>Good Luck

Terry, <BR>Please let us all know what answers you find to all of your questions. From reading your request, I would think that you are the type of person who would find the best in whatever you do, whoever you are. I am sure your trip will be a success. <BR>Good journey, <BR>Carol <BR>

Thanks for the reassurance. <BR> <BR>As I said, the threat of negative reaction never keeps me from travelling but I always like to know "the lay of the land." <BR> <BR>Unfortunately, I sometimes have to alter some plans, i.e. hotel according to what attitudes might be. <BR> <BR>I find that so many people of the world have really never encountered an african american. They always assume that I'm from africa. <BR> <BR>I'm pleased to say that I have only had a couple of obviously racist experiences and I won't let people who don't even know me determine who I am!!

Hope you have a good trip Terry. Just to add to what others have said, I spent a bit of time traveling with a school group that included a black male and a black female. Actually, it was a very diverse group with people from many parts of Asia, Latin America, and Europe. My wife and I spent quite a bit of time with them as a group of four, and I am sure they were on their own on some occasions. We visited Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Suzhou. They enjoyed the country, and I never heard any mention of descrimination. This was in 1994. The Chinese generally were vary interested to meet Americans, and we did get stared at a bit ourselves.

Have you tried www.lonelyplanet.com for travel information?