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We do not deal with travel to and around Beijing,
however as long-term residents we can put you in touch with people
who do, and below you can find some basic travel information and
make restaurant and bar recommendations. We also recommend the
The Insiders Guide to Beijing – by far the best guide book
for Beijing – which is available for purchase on http://www.immersionguides.com/ or www.amazon.com
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In
a city where few people speak English and the best bits
are hard to find, Bespoke Beijing
specialises in affordable
local concierge services and arming you with all the tools
you need for things to run smoothly, including a local mobile
phone full of useful numbers and a completely personalised
guide book.
Contact Sarah info@bespoke-beijing.com www.bespoke-beijing.com |
On arrival
Where to stay
Restaurants & bars
Travelling around China
ON ARRIVAL
CHANGING MONEY ON ARRIVAL
There are ATM’s in the luggage pick up area and a money exchange
counter. As you leave the luggage pick up area there is a Bank
of China in the main arrivals foyer (to the right hand side of
your exit).
WARNING
Taxis that leave from Beijing airport will very likely try and
overcharge you. A journey into the centre of Beijing should cost
no more that 100 RMB including airport expressway toll (10RMB)
however being charged 400RMB has been known. Always take a taxi
that is in the official queue outside the airport- not from a tout
(someone asking you if you want a taxi). PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE
PRINTED OUT OFFICE MAP (go to our website CONTACT and download
from there) and your hotel name in Chinese characters and that
you have an idea where it is in Beijing- almost no taxi drivers
understand English. Check that the taxi puts down the meter and
that you know how much it registers before you arrive. If in doubt
ask the hotel to confirm you are not being cheated. Alternatively
you can ask the hotels to organise an airport pick up (around 120RMB
to 180RMB) or you can catch the airport bus for 18RMB.
WHERE TO STAY
All of the following hotels are located in the vicinity of our
office. If you want to look for hotels in other areas here are
some good discount hotel websites to try such as www.asia-hotels.com and
www.sinohotel.com
BUDGET
You Yi Youth Hostel
tel: +86 10 64172632 fax: +86 10 64156866
address: No 43 Bei Sanlitun (near the bar street,
5 min walk from our office)
cost: dormitory beds are RMB 70 and private rooms with twin beds
(not en suite but very clean) are RMB 180 per room (single or double
occupancy). All accommodation with breakfast and free laundry.
Internet is available. Check out the website and most importantly
print off the location map www.poachers.com.cn
Eastern Inn
tel: +86 10 65086611
address: No 6 Baijiazhuang, Sanlitun South Street
(about 15 min walk from our office)
approximate cost: single room RMB 200; double room RMB 280. There
is no website but rooms can be booked online at http://www.sinohotel.com/hotel/hotel.html?hid=1571
MID RANGE
Red Hotel
tel: +86 10 65007799
address: No 10 Taipingzhuang, Chunxiu Lu (10 min walk from our office)
approximate cost: single room RMB 300; double room RMB 350. We can help book
at room with slight discount or rooms
can
be
booked
online at http://www.red-hotel.com
City Hotel
tel: +86 10 65007799
address: No 4 Gongti East Road (5 min walk from
our office)
approximate cost: single room RMB 490; double room RMB 550. There
is no website but rooms can be booked online at http://www.sinohotel.com/hotel/hotel.html?hid=648
HIGH-END
Zhaolong Hotel
tel: +86 10 65972299
address: No 2 Gongti North Road (10 min walk from
our office)
approximate cost: single/double room RMB 1050. Check out the
website for more accurate pricing information and reservations
http://www.zhaolonghotel.com.cn/indexen.asp
Swissotel
tel: +86 10 65532288
address: No 2 Chaoyangmen North Rd
approximate cost: RMB 1000-1200 large efficient hotel on inner
ring road 20 min walk from our office or RMB 10 cab http://www.swissotel.com/beijing/
RESTAURANTS & BARS
RESTAURANTS
Beijing has these in abundance, Chinese
restaurants (of all different qualities) are on every street, as
a basic indicator
of quality look for one that has plenty of Chinese people inside
and when it comes to ordering don't be afraid to point at what
other people are having if it looks good.
BARS
We are located near the famous Sanlitun Bar Street,
however, we do not recommend any of the bars actually on that street
but there are some good ones nearby in the Sanlitun area. Other
areas with decent bars and restaurants are Houhai, Nan Luo Gu
Xiang and Chaoyang West Gate.
If you are looking for something in particular let us know and
we will be happy to make some recommendations. For listings of
what’s on please check out the following websites www.thebeijinger.com and
also www.cityweekend.com.cn
TRAVELLING AROUND CHINA
RECOMMENDED TRAVEL AGENTS FOR AIR TICKETS
We cannot arrange flights in, out and around China, however we
can recommend travel agents that can organise these for you. We
use these agents often ourselves and find them to be very reliable,
friendly and most important of all; they can usually find the cheapest
option for your trip.
We recommend Steven Zhang who speaks good English at China Nationalities
Travel service – if you mention our name he should give you
the best service: szhang@263.net.cn tel: +86 13401124800
Steven can also help you with train tickets – these are often
tricky to get hold of and tickets for most routes are only available
4 days before departure.
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For interesting trips around Beijing
and further afield, contact Caroline at WestChina - they
speak excellent English and their trips allow you to get
off the beaten track and experience the real China. |
If you want to book domestic flights yourself or just get an idea
of prices then good websites for domestic plane tickets include www.ctrip.com and http://ticket.9588.com/FlightTicket/Main_E.aspx
| ASIA
TRAVEL |
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TURKMENISTAN:
THE PERFECT NEXT-STEP AFTER DPRK
Simon Cockerell of Koryo Tours
also specialises in travel to Turkmenistan. A very
unusual and architecturally and scenically beautiful
destination.
Contact Simon@koryogroup.com or
see our Turkmenistan
website |
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MONGOLIA TRAVEL
Blue
Bandana Expeditions has been running active adventures in
Mongolia since 1999 and we are very happy to recommend them.
For fantastic horse riding, hiking and biking itineraries
have a look at their website www.activemongolia.com or
contact Peter, their director peter@activemongolia.com |
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Rent a
courtyard in Beijing
A
beautfiul bohemian traditional Chinese twin courtyard within
two minutes walk of the Forbidden City.
The courtyard can sleep
6 and comes with a maid who will cook western breakfast.
It
has to be the most romantic and beautiful accommodation in
Beijing- it is a private residence but let for certain times
of the year.
Euro 1,500 for 5 nights and they can provide a
driver if you wish at 60 euros per day.
Contact KORYO
TOURS for more information.
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