I’m figuring this falls in the Mundane and Pointless category. Anyroads, my company, in it’s infinite wisdom, has decided to send me to Beijing for three weeks. This is basically to train the engineers over there to do my job as I’m outta here on the 31st of Jan next year (Woohoo for voluntary redundancy, although I may not be saying that when I’m still jobless in 6 months.)
The reason I’m posting this is for a wee bit of M&P advice from some of the learned dopers. I know some of you have been to China and some of you live there. Now I’ve talked to a few people that have gone before me and I’ve read up on some stuff and know most of what I need to know but I have a few questions that you may be able to help with.
Firstly I smoke, what is the attitude to smoking in China ? What’s the average price of a pack of cigs ?
Secondly any general advice, anything that you’d recommend going to see / doing. I particularly like doing stuff that’s not so tourist to get a really feel for the different culture (which may also help me understand how to do my job better over there. ) Anything I should really take ? Anything I should be worried about / look out for ?
Finally, and this is somewhat sad but I’m gonna do it anyway, I’m quite a bit of a wrestling fan and was wondering if you get WWE (formally WWF) programming in China, or any other sort of wrestling program. It’s not really that big a deal but it’s something I was wondering about and I don’t know how else to find out.
I’ll be in Beijing tomorrow and leave on Fri. Back again the first week of Dec.
You can smoke just about everywhere. This is a nation of serious smokers although starting to change in attitude. Costwise, anywhere from about 10 cents a pack to a $1.50 for Marlboro, although pirated/fake cigs abound. Hint, read the label for spelling errors
Wrestling wise, WWF has yet to make it big. But, depending on where you are staying, it may be on the foreign channels.
I quite like Lama temple, especially if you want to hear Tibetan buddhist chanting. Not many western tourists go there. The great wall is cool, I was just at Mutianyu, which is probably the least developed and least touristy. Certainly cool.
Other stuff I’m not very up on as I am just in Beijing on quick biz trips.
Beijing is pretty safe for China and on a global basis. Be prudent and watch your wallet/passport. Cake in the walk compared to NY. Have a good trip
Smoking - you’ll be in heaven. Smoke in the hotel lobby. Spit on the floor. No problem.
Wrestling… You’re serious??? Haven’t a clue on that one.
Your middle question - “doing stuff that’s not so tourist” - just wander around. It’s mostly a very dull town, but it’s their home. I would defininitely recommend a few hours walking around the Forbidden City. It really was a city. Quite amazing. Beats Venice. Bring a baseball bat to beat off the art students selling paintings, and you’ll be fine. The Summer Palace is great too.
Downtown, expect people wanting to “practice English” to wander up to you from time to time. Slight chance they’re not as innocent as they seem, so tell them you’re Polish or something.
Otherwise, just walk the streets and see how the people live among the bland concrete surroundings. It’s mostly a dull city. Jump in a cab and show the driver the name of your destination in Chinese (hotel, say) and you’ll be OK - it’s pretty civilized. Cabs with GPS!
I think the best thing to do with Beijing, to get the feel of it, is walk around. Walk around at different times of the day, early morning and night as well as during the day.
In the morning look out for staff doing exercises outside their work. And at night watch for people out in their pajamas.
Go off the main streets into the back streets to find the real culture of the place.
Also, when you are bartering for things, I was told always start at around 1/3 of the price they offer.
I got one of those really nice silky chinese dresses with flowers on for 50yuan, which is really good value. You can get great bargains. I also got a genuine adidas tracksuit for 150yuan (I may have been able to get a better price, but I think it was the first thing I bought).
You can get some pretty cute little souvenirs really cheap. They sell kites in Tiananmen Square (Tian’anmen Guangchang). I got one for 15 yuan.
Also, make sure you’re getting what you think you’re getting. My brother got a pair of pants with the legs sewn together! teehee
I recommend the great wall (Changcheng), it’s pretty amazing. I also liked the summer palace (Yiheyuan).
Oh, and remember drink only bottled or boiled water.
Thanks to China Guy, Hemlock and Blue Curls for your responses. Good advice just what I was looking for.
I’m flying out on Saturday and I was really expecting to be more worried about it, I hope I’m not going to collapse in a huge panic shortly. It should be fun, and I love wondering around places just soaking up the atmosphere so that should keep me happy.
And since I’m here …
yeah I was serious, I dunno why I really asked about that I guess figured if I got overwhelmed by being in a foreign country I could something that I often watch back here. Maybe I’m just a sad wrestling fan.
