I posted a trip report from a recent trip to Beijing over on another forum -- if you're interested, it's at http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...g-Beijing.html

What a great report!

I really believe that the best TR's are written by modern day Marco Polos!

The "cheery" tomatoes was very funny! And the food descriptions were great. Best of all were your descriptions of your bargaining. Good job!!!

Thanks so much for sharing!

Fantastic report.

Thanks.

Thank you for taking the time to post such a detailed report. We are planning our first trip to China and have consistently heard from previous travelers that food was the biggest challenge.
I especially appreciate your tips for bargaining!

Bargaining tips were great! When it comes to food in China, I find that pointing works well. Maybe not so much in Beijing, but walking into the kitchen and pointing to ingredients will get you a good stir-fry. Otherwise, try pointing at what others are eating that looks good. This can lead to some surprises, but you will get variety!

Wonderfully interesting report with so many details on the food and the art of shopping. Many thanks for posting it!

Loved your report! You have a good primer on bargaining for the uninitiated. I always enjoy bargaining - it's part of the social discourse - and it looks like you learned to enjoy it as well.

I also enjoyed your description of the grocery store expereince. I always try to visit grocery stores as well as open-air food markets wherever I go. I find they give me a little slice of the local culture that I wouldn't get otherwise.

Thanks for a fascinating report.

You walked your tail off, the day that you went to the ToH. Wowser.

I bought Jade, but nowhere near the price of the $2500 bangle. Too rich for me! Yikes. $13 is a better price!! I did go to the same little market (maybe and maybe not) that you spoke of before the Ming Tombs (yawn). I agreed with you there. We did the Ming Tombs before the jade shopping.

Truely an enjoyable report, I want to print it so that it will help me remember my trip in burrrrrr, March 07.

If we do have Chinese food for the next sf gtg in July or Auguest (or even if we don't eat Chinese) you should come and share pictures!

Thanks for the nice feedback, everyone!

roslaire: Yes, it was a lot of walking that day. But I usually do a lot of walking when I'm traveling in a new city -- it's the best way to actually see the city, I think. I was pretty pooped by evening, though.