China Travel Forum

[Baldwin]

My tour will be arriving in Beijing from western USA on 4/14/06, and we stay at the New Otani Hotel for about 4 nights. Does anyone have any tips/cautions/suggestions (i.e., best room locations, quiet rooms, time to go down to restaurant for breakfast, where to go locally to buy bottled water, walking around outside the hotel at night, etc.) about the hotel and close environs to be aware of while residing at the hotel.

[Golden]

You are close to the Second Ring road right smack in the middle of tourist and Central Biz District area. Prices are a bit jacked up in that area.

There is a SILK MARKET that is sort of within walking distance or a 10 RMB cab (on same road) near you where you can go and buy all kinds of stuff (usually at a 25 to 30% of the price they quote you...try walking away, getting the sellers insulted or pissed off at the price you suggested...I don't dig it as I hate fighting over a 2RMB difference (20 cents US hehe) but I have friends here who will fight for that 2 RMB.

This British girl I know here is especially good at getting the right price.

Anyway, there are some decent foot massage places near you...decent, they serve food, drinks, other strange Chinese treatments...no happy endings...and of course you are near the forbidden city, Tiananmen Square, People's hall, etc. It is now Spring so maybe the roof top terrace bar is open at the DELUXE beijing hotel.

Go there before sunset and get a drink while looking into the forbidden city is fairly decent. Go to BED bar near the old Drum tower street. It's pretty cool. Get yourself a That's Beijing magazine...usually that has a lot of local food/events/bar info for you.