| Beijing 2008 World Olympics in China, going?
Posted: 9/21/2007 7:22:49 AM | Hello travelers, I want to know what your expectations are for going to China for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Have you been to china before? What do you expect from the big buzz about the Olympics?
Are you going to be traveling in a group? If yes, I would be interested! The prices for hotels, tours, etc are going to be x 10 next year.
What is your plan next year? Let's talk about this soon. I am not going to miss out on this chance to go to the Olympics!
Cheers | |
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| Beijing 2008 World Olympics in China, going?
Posted: 9/21/2007 10:51:31 AM | I'm hoping to make it to Beijing next summer - but am working on arranging a home exchange, so that I will have my own appartment as a "home base" in order to avoid the dreaded hotel up-charge.
I figure that it will be an ideal time to visit China as there will be so many other events, etc. that will be occuring in concert with the Olympics. It would be great to hook up with some other English speaking folks to do some tours, etc.
My trip will hinge on whether or not my exchange partner is able to get a visitor's visa to come to Canada. Right now that can be a challenge, but Canada is fairly far along in the process of negotiating to receive Approved Destination Status from the Chinese government so I've got my fingers crossed! | |
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| Beijing 2008 World Olympics in China, going?
Posted: 6/16/2008 12:45:25 PM | Actually,
I was rather hoping to go to Beijing just prior to the Olympics but things didn't work out.
Not enough dancers to fill a stage. However a handful of us will be going to Western China in the Tibet Region to share cultural simularities.
I am currently working on the beading for my regalia and my daughters and I are working on doing a couple of our clan songs in harmony.
I understand that this area can be as high as 12,000 ft up so I'm a little concerned that I'm going to have breathing issues as I live at sea level. | |
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| Beijing 2008 World Olympics in China, going?
Posted: 6/19/2008 9:20:38 AM | I was in Beijing in 2006. Be very aware of the scams there. I am an experienced traveler and always network and learn as much as I can and was always shocked by the amount of travelers admitting to the face that they got sucked into the same tea house scams. Many Chinese are going to come up to you and want to speak english and ask if they can practice with you and after a bit of talking they will invite you to go to a tea house to chat. After the tea you will be given a huge bill ranging from $200-1000US.
On a tour of the Great Wall I asked everybody on our tour if they were taken by this scam and most of them shamefully put up there hands saying they fell for it and had to pay the $200us or so.
There are lots of scams with Chinese wanting to practice their english with you and I hate to say it but it is always a scam. THEY WANT YOUR MONEY!! If something is in chinese characters then don't buy it unless you see the price in numbers since they will lie to you and after you eat something will tell you it is 10 times whatever the actual price is. I like China but always like to warn others about the scams and traps that are widespread there.
Other than that, enjoy the Olympics and Beijing. | |
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| Beijing 2008 World Olympics in China, going?
Posted: 6/20/2008 5:43:35 PM | | Beijing is just like any other city around the world when it comes to scams or whatever. Just be careful and you will be fine. I live in Beijing for a little over six months and never had any problems with the people or the country. A few words of advice for traveling in China. Staying in western hotels will cost a lot more then Chinese hotels, but before you agree to stay in one, ask to see the room. This is a common practice in China. You can eat an entire meal in China for the equivalent of $3-4 US if you eat at some place local instead of the western tourist traps. I once had an entire duck and beer for $6 US. If you keep your eyes open and just look around, you will have a great time and experience so much more of China without having to worry about scams. Have fun and enjoy the Olympics. | |
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| Beijing 2008 World Olympics in China, going?
Posted: 6/24/2008 5:50:44 AM |
Beijing is just like any other city around the world when it comes to scams or whatever. ...If you keep your eyes open and just look around, you will have a great time and experience so much more of China without having to worry about scams.
like what pjahn13 said，scams happend in all the worldare not just in Beijing~
And now if you come,you will find Beijing is geting better and better.
I live here for more than 7 years, and my work made me konw a lot about BJ.
So if any one you guys wanna konw something about BJ or China just message me,I'd like to give you a hand.
By the way, Tibet is already much better than before,welcome you to have visit! | |
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TLC_
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Joined: 1/26/2008
Msg: 8 | |
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| Beijing 2008 World Olympics in China, going?
Posted: 7/4/2008 1:21:01 AM |
Beijing is just like any other city around the world when it comes to scams or whatever. ..
I agree with pjahn13.There r scams every where not just in China.Nowadays we know about current events by the media.As is known to everone,the media is somewhat the mouthpiece of every goverment.Some media report r more real and deeper..some r not..That's common. | |
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| Beijing 2008 World Olympics in China, going?
Posted: 7/4/2008 3:16:12 PM | Hello. I will not be going to the olympics however have spent a fair amount of time in China over the past 3 years. Beijing is a wonderful city, yes there are scams but if you have traveled before you should be able to identify them and get away before its too late. There are many wonderful parks in and around Beijing most have a small fee to enter and use typically no more than a dollar or two.
You can easily visit the great wall in a half day or full day tour, it is definitely a highlight however with the olympics im sure it will be very busy.
Hotels can range from about $60/night up to $400 for some of the nicer places. Personally I prefer the Shangri-la or traders hotels they are priced in the mid range but i would expect to pay a premium anywhere you stay over the olympics.
Food is inexpensive and as long as you use some caution in what you order it can be some of the most interesting culinary experiences you will encounter.
IF your going to china i would highly recommend visiting other parts of the country. If your stuck in and around Beijing Take a trip to Tianjin or some of the beaches to the north. If not Xi'an is one of the most beautiful cities i've visited and well worth spending a couple days in. Guangzhou is an experience in itself, it is very close to hong kong and most people can speak a little english, as well there are many things to do and see as it has been a little more developed than other areas. Shanghai is a great city but as far as tourism maybe a day or two is all you would need to spend there. | |
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goodol
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Joined: 10/14/2004
Msg: 11 | |
| Beijing 2008 World Olympics in China, going?
Posted: 7/12/2008 12:05:30 PM | Concerned about hotels? You need to read this article. http://www.wtop.com/?nid=393&sid=1428741
I found the article rather interesting and unexpected. I know first hand that Chinese VISA restrictions are tough, but I was shocked that it has been made even tougher for the big coming out of the Olympics.
If this article is correct and the low occupancy is true I bet the prices will be dropping by now. | |
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ils99
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Joined: 5/30/2008
Msg: 12 | |
| Beijing 2008 World Olympics in China, going?
Posted: 7/19/2008 4:55:08 AM | I absolutely agree with pjahn. Yes there are going to be scams occuring in China, especially during a time when tourism will be at its peak during Olympic season and the Chinese will want to take advantage of that, but then you get scams everywhere you go, even to the corners of the Earth. When you're out on the streets among stores, you just need to use your common sense. If something seems a little too expensive to you, then its likely to be a scam. In a place like China, there should be plenty of stalls that sell items, foods and drinks at very cheap prices.
As for hotel prices, so far we can't be too sure of what will happen. The Olympics is still a few weeks away, although now that cost of everything is rising, people are probably put off the thought of having to pay not just for the tickets, which I imagine will NOT be cheap, but also accommodation, living costs and travel. Who knows, there might be a sudden wave of visitors arriving in Beijing in the very last week? lol | |
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