Looking for info on internet access in major cities in China--Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Fuzhou...

Will I be able to find wireless hotspots? Should I bring a wired network card or rely on dial-up? Appreciate any info!

Bambooo

With all the hype on China as a Mega Economic Force to reckon, I am dismayed to admit that public internet connectivity is still in its infancy.

Most hotels are equipped with pay per use broadband services but Wi-Fi hot spots are as rare as hot springs in downtown Manhattan !

So I am not sure whether your cards & reliance on dial ups will take you far beyond the Chinese borders !

Internet cafes are sprouting but difficult to identify & access for foreigners like us.

So your best bet is your hotel and do politely request your host (friend or business) to access their intenet if you find one in the area of your cultural and/or business exchanges.

Bytes to chew.
Rickshawdriver

Grandmas Kitchen in SOHO (best Phiily cheesesteak in BJ)and GL Cafe (next to the St. Regis and 24 hours)and Bookworm (in Le Petit something or other...Sanlitun) all have wifi for their customers. Check out thatsbj website for exact addresses.

Internet "bars" as they are called here are available, but are the subject of sudden closures since it the new target of all that is evil here. If you are staying at a hotel, they will have access (for a price) and if you are staying in a hostel, other back pakcers can point you in the closest direction.

BChen:
Need the address for Grandmas Kitchen - my son LOVES Philly cheesesteacks and it will be brilliant if we suprise him with a place in Beijing!

Grandmas Kitchen is at
B/0103 Jian Wai Soho
#39 East Third Ring road (directly opposite China World). call 5869-3055 and have them tell your concierge the address in Chinese and write it down so you can hand it to a taxi driver.
And don't forget to get a peanut butter milkshake with the cheesesteak.

Thanks very much BChen --- we'll go for the cheese steaks but unfortunately, my daughter's boyfriend is allergic to peanuts/nuts, so we'll need to stay away from the milkshake - sounds good though!