Hi,
Looks like I can stop in Beijing on this trip I'm planning, rather than BKK or Singapore. I fancy a change.

I have been there before and managed to see quite a lot - Summer Palace, Heavenly Pagoda - I think that's what it was called - in a park quite close to the city centre. And wandered a lot, went to the silk market, Chinese opera one night; got my hair cut - now that was an experience!!.

But, can you believe it, I didn't visit the Forbidden City! That's why I want to return given the chance I have.

But time is at a premium, isn't it always?
So my question is, should it be two full days or three? This is for the city only - no intention of travelling outside on day trips.

What else would you recommend? No guide book to hand. Was there some amazing museum or gallery I missed first time around?

And, the inevitable question - any reccos for budget accommodation? Last time I stayed in a dorm in the bowels of some hotel somewhere - now thinking a little more upmarket - but small, and don't need tour desk or a/c.

Your feedback would be much appreciated.

Thx.

be warned that EVERYTHING is under construction including the forbidden city where several buildings were covered. all attractions that we visited had some degree of construction (some to the point where it comprimised the visit). the hutongs have shrunk down to such a degree that they almost feel like the few left are museum pieces with more tourist rickshaw touts than residents. this is, of course, an exageration but i think you get the point.

sorry to be negative. beijing of course is an interesting place to visit no matter the factors that i mentioned. however, if you were there a long time ago, you might not find as many charms as last time.

Thx walkin,

I should have thought of that (with the Olympics coming up) and there has been some current affairs coverage here of people evicted from family homes or compounds - which I assume would be in the hutongs - to make way for beautification projects, hotels, athlete facilites, whatever. Sad and uncomfortable watching.

My only visit was 9 years ago.

Appreciate your reply.

fuzzylogic- How long did you stay the first time you were in Beijing? I am just starting to plan a 2008 (non-olympic timeframe) trip. I am trying to decide how long the first visit should be and because we are going in 2008, should we go just after the Olympics in October or before the olympics in May? We prefer going to two places and really getting to feel comfortable - we like apartments vs hotels, and our own kitchen vs eating every meal in a restaurant. I am leaning toward a week to even see a glimpse into Beijing. Any advice anyone? lynclarke

Lyn - hi,

I spent five days there on my first, and only trip so far. I had already visited the Great Wall on the way so those 5 days were just for the city.

I guess I was a little worn out after a long overland trip and so it was usually mid-morning before I got out and about.

I'm also seriously addicted to just tramping the pavements. I "waste" loads of time doing just that, at the expense of the "must sees". I always think I have more time than I have, if you know what I mean!

I suspect 5 days is enough if you are organised. But can't help on time of year. I was there in late August and the weather was good. But the pollution was noticeable even 9 years ago.

I stayed at a pretty cheap hotel called the Home Inn. It's a chain budget hotel and the rates are standard. I believe it costs around US$25-30 for a double room. The room was clean...it had wooden floors, decent bed and also has a bottled water dispenser.

The location is near the Temple of Heaven, but to get to the Imperial Palace (or anywhere in city center) is only a US $3-4 taxi ride (10-15 min).

If you're intereted, I'll dig up the address and other info.

I really felt that the Forbidden City shouldve remained forbidden.
Honestly, I was just fed up with more of the same- old same - old same!!!
It went on and on and on!!!
I kept thinking -"When do we get out of here?"
Call me a Philistine if you want , but I just didnt find it interesting. We had been on a 2 week tour of China and maybe were a bit fed up by the time we saw the F.B!

Caryl - good on ya for speaking from the heart. Sounds like the two week tour was enough for you. Was it an organised tour or did you do your own thing? Suspect former, and suspect you were shuttled around with no time to just explore, and were exhausted by the time you got to Beijing. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I do "waste" a lot of time - but for me that is as worthwhile as rushing around the sights.

All relative!!

Thx for the tip mmyk72 - I would definitely be interested in the details if you have the time to look them out.
Could you also say if it had anything like a garden or balcony? And did you just find it on a walkabout, or did you book in advance?

Happy travels, all.

I met some new friends while in Beijing and they told me about the Home Inn. They stayed there several nights before and recommended it(They even gave me a discount card that they bought, I think it's 10% off). I didn't book in advance and just walked in. The rates are posted and depends on room size.

There are several Home Inn's. I stayed in one that's nestled in a non-tourist neighborhood (although it's next to another big hotel). Don't expect it to have fancy marble lobbies, water fall gardens, etc. In fact, as with any other hotels that has a lot of Chinese customers, smoking in the lobby is horrible (but the room itself has lots of windows to air out). The front desk does have staff who spoke English. There is a restaurant at the lobby (I didn't eat there so can't comment). There are also restaurants outside the hotel, and as you may already know, eateries are almost everywhere in Beijing and getting around by taxi is cheap.

I'd say it's really good value for someone who spends most of the day out siteseeing and just need a clean, comfy and quiet place to sleep and wash up. I'm pretty picky about cleaniness and this place impressed me.

This is the specific one I stayed in:
Home Inn Beijing BeiWei Road Inn

Look at this website:
http://english.ce.cn/Life/social/200...880262_1.shtml

It lists all the other Home Inns and location as well.

http://www.homeinns.com/outweb/resv/...hotelcd=010013

That's the website for the specific one I stayed in. You can also look through the others and see where the other locations are. Helps if you can read Chinese, use the English page if you don't but it doesn't have as much detail about each hotel.