Language
No one uses terms RMB or Yuan for the Chinese currency. On the street you will hear people using "kuai".
Bargaining
Bargening is part of Chinese culture.
Be ready to bargain hard in markets! If you go places like Pearl or Silk market then the rule is to take away last “0” from the end and to let the price even more down, so you have some space to come up:) Things in China are cheap. Don’t let pull yourself by sellers talk, stay confident and enjoy the process!:)
Be ready to bargain hard in markets! If you go places like Pearl or Silk market then the rule is to take away last “0” from the end and to let the price even more down, so you have some space to come up:) Things in China are cheap. Don’t let pull yourself by sellers talk, stay confident and enjoy the process!:)
When to visit?
Fall is the best time to visit Beijing (September-November). During these months the climate is still warm and it hardly rains.
Winter can be extremely cold in Beijing, with freezing winds from the North. Spring is nice but very short and due to dry season and strong winds you might face sand storms. Wind brings down sand from Gobi desert from Mongolia and covers Beijing with yellow dust. Summer is extremely hot and it is no pleasure to walk around in this temperature.
Winter can be extremely cold in Beijing, with freezing winds from the North. Spring is nice but very short and due to dry season and strong winds you might face sand storms. Wind brings down sand from Gobi desert from Mongolia and covers Beijing with yellow dust. Summer is extremely hot and it is no pleasure to walk around in this temperature.
Avoid holidays
Try not to schedule your trip during the Chinese holidays!
Golden Week (Sept 30 – Oct 7 2012) - this is the time when millions of Chinese are travelling and you find it impossible to get any train, bus or plan tickets and it is extremely exhausting to fight with the Chinese tourist groups.
Spring Festival (January) – The Chinese New Year and the most important holiday of the year. Again, millions of people on the road going back to their families. Beijing will stay empty and many businesses are closed for one week. Since it is the only time of the year when fireworks are legally allowed in China, Beijing with constant fireworks and very few people on the streets looks like a warzone.
Check also dates for less important holidays:
Tomb- sweeping Day (April)
Labor day (May)
Dragon Boat Festival (June)
Golden Week (Sept 30 – Oct 7 2012) - this is the time when millions of Chinese are travelling and you find it impossible to get any train, bus or plan tickets and it is extremely exhausting to fight with the Chinese tourist groups.
Spring Festival (January) – The Chinese New Year and the most important holiday of the year. Again, millions of people on the road going back to their families. Beijing will stay empty and many businesses are closed for one week. Since it is the only time of the year when fireworks are legally allowed in China, Beijing with constant fireworks and very few people on the streets looks like a warzone.
Check also dates for less important holidays:
Tomb- sweeping Day (April)
Labor day (May)
Dragon Boat Festival (June)
What to buy as a gift
Here are some suggestions for gifts:
tea
silk
fabric
A tea thermos, which looks like a camera lens (for people who are interested in photography)
Local snacks (Tried Beijing duck snack)
Clothes
tea
silk
fabric
A tea thermos, which looks like a camera lens (for people who are interested in photography)
Local snacks (Tried Beijing duck snack)
Clothes