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Spurs in China

Rob

The Boss
Admin
Jun 8, 2003
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I'm off to Beijing for work in a few weeks. Any tips considering I don't speak or read the language at all?

Also any must do things I should add to the itinerary?
 

InOffMeLeftShin

Night watchman
Admin
Jan 14, 2004
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Where in Beijing are you staying and how long are you there for? Like most major cities in China now, most of the signs also have pinyin as well as the characters so you might be able to pick up place names relatively easily. They have a metro system which makes getting around the city pretty easy although the stops are a bit more spaced out than in London so it can be a bit of a walk if you aren't close to a stop.

There are obviously quite a lot of touristy things you can do there but it really depends how much time you have. If you just have evenings free then chaoyang circus is worth a look and Lao shi tea house as well.
 

yawa

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2005
12,589
9,414
I'm off to Beijing for work in a few weeks. Any tips considering I don't speak or read the language at all?

Also any must do things I should add to the itinerary?

The Ming Dynasty tombs were for me the most impressive thing I saw while I was there. More than the Great Wall or forbidden city. It's a little way outside Beijing but worth a visit.
 

Rob

The Boss
Admin
Jun 8, 2003
28,014
65,116
Where in Beijing are you staying and how long are you there for? Like most major cities in China now, most of the signs also have pinyin as well as the characters so you might be able to pick up place names relatively easily. They have a metro system which makes getting around the city pretty easy although the stops are a bit more spaced out than in London so it can be a bit of a walk if you aren't close to a stop.

There are obviously quite a lot of touristy things you can do there but it really depends how much time you have. If you just have evenings free then chaoyang circus is worth a look and Lao shi tea house as well.

Cheers guys.

Visiting the Chinese Academy of Sciences and only there a few days. We have one day on the itinerary for sight seeing though.
 

Rob

The Boss
Admin
Jun 8, 2003
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Oh and any tips on dos and don'ts would be handy.
 

InOffMeLeftShin

Night watchman
Admin
Jan 14, 2004
15,104
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Oh and any tips on dos and don'ts would be handy.

There aren't that many do's and don'ts really, this is China where pretty much anything can happen at any time. A few obvious ones, don't criticize the Chinese regime and don't go proclaiming your love for Japan at any time (I am pretty sure you wouldn't do that anyway). If you go for dinner and a Chinese colleague offers to pay, don't try and split the bill with them, they take that as an offence. Instead just invite them to dinner the next day and offer to pay then instead. Don't use their first names unless they have invited you to do so. Don't drink the tap water, even when cleaning your teeth. Oh and if you aren't a fan of spicy food (some of it can have a bit of a kick) that make sure you tell the waiter or waitress 'bu la de' (boo lah duh), which means not spicy.

Other than that I can't think of too much else other than superstitious stuff like don't put your chopsticks inside a bowl or don't point the teapot spout at someone but most people don't really care about that stuff.

With just one day you are going to be hard pushed to see much in Beijing at all. It really depends on the weather as to what you do with that day. If you get a really nice sunny clear day then I'd definitely suggest going to the Great Wall and Ming tombs (you can do all in one day as the tombs are on the way to Badaling. The wall is pretty spectacular is you are into amazing feats of engineering. In the evenings again i'd suggest Lao Shi Tea house and Chao Yang circus. Or you can just wander around the shopping streets at Wang Fu Jing. Oh and if you want to do some bargain shopping and bartering then head to the Silk Market which is in Chao Yang district.
 

Rob

The Boss
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Jun 8, 2003
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Cheers :)

What's the weather typically like at the minute? (I'll obviously check the forecast before packing)
 

Chinaspur

Well-Known Member
Oct 1, 2005
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Do you like penis?...if you are a fan then you should head to Guolizhuang Restaurant. The mixed plate of assorted penises is only £70 or so.

I can second Chaoyang circus - is really really good (although there are no penises on offer).

Silk Market is good fun shopping, but you should be looking to pay one tenth of the first offer. Walking away lowers the price rapidly (also not much penis for sale).

North of the forbidden city is a park (very very cheap entry fee) with a hill in it with great views over the forbidden city and the rest of Beijing. You could also join in a game of Jian zi with the locals. (Again I've not heard of penis on offer here)
 

Chinaspur

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Oct 1, 2005
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I live in Taiyuan, which is pretty similar to Beijing in weather. So right now it's about 15 degrees. Warm in the sunshine, chilly in the shade. Cooling down lots at night.
 

InOffMeLeftShin

Night watchman
Admin
Jan 14, 2004
15,104
9,113
I live in Taiyuan, which is pretty similar to Beijing in weather. So right now it's about 15 degrees. Warm in the sunshine, chilly in the shade. Cooling down lots at night.

Will feel much warmer in Beijing. I was there this time last year during golden week and it was in the low 20's but felt much warmer.
 

Rob

The Boss
Admin
Jun 8, 2003
28,014
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Will I just need a plug adaptor or will I need a transformer?

Edit: Seems like the voltage is fine but they have both 3 pin (like Australia) and 2 pin (like US) sockets?
 

Chinaspur

Well-Known Member
Oct 1, 2005
2,913
5,279
Boots sells an adaptor which has two flat pins for the two pin sockets or which can be moved to be at an angle and fit 2 of the 3 holes in the 3 pin sockets (ignoring the earth).
 

numaz

Member
Oct 1, 2005
84
79
Rightio - I'm in Shanghai for a conference this weekend. Where's the best place to watch or where are fellow spurs supporters watching?
 

iGi.Jaydee

I'm Going In
Jun 15, 2012
185
9,424
Rightio - I'm in Shanghai for a conference this weekend. Where's the best place to watch or where are fellow spurs supporters watching?

You can go to O'Malley's Irish Pub. It's a nice place. Some spurs fans there.
Sorry for late reply...
 
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