Beijing General Tips by ntm2322

Favorite Thing: If in your trips (either in a holiday trip or in a business trip) you need to have closer contacts with Chinese people, there are a few points you should keep in mind:

- Drinking is a demonstration of hospitality and sincerity. No matter what, you must drink, especially if you are doing business. The Chinese are very sensitive and pay a great deal to friendship, thus giving face is tremendous important.

- Don’t give your Chinese friend a clock or a pair of shoes as a present (gift).

- Eight is a good number in south of China and four is not a lucky number.

- Chinese don't like to open gifts or presents in front of you, they will do it in private.

- Children are treasured in China and a good topic to start a friendship. Start with your own kids or your friend's kids and don't ask these questions when there are lots of people surrounding you.

- A profound respect to the elders is a great Chinese virtue that doesn't mean the same in western countries.


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Favorite Thing: Coming to China is a great opportunity to buy some good tea leaves (forget the tea bags).

Tea is one of the best, healthy and cheap drinks one could ever have. It not only keeps you in good shape but it also might retard the process of aging. The best tea for one’s health is green tea.

I drink almost everyday (between meals) one, two cups in the utmost. I like it light in order to keep my iron levels at a satisfactory state.

Three years ago I was drinking tea in Gongbei and the girl who was waiting on me said something (in Chinese, of course) that I will never forget, "People who like to drink tea are people who have a good heart".

I am not going to explain to you what she meant by those words, however, what I can tell you is that having a cup of warm tea in our hands, drinking it slowly, sip by sip, enjoying it, appreciating it, makes you smile and it is indeed one of the most peaceful moments we can enjoy in our lives.


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Favorite Thing: Several weeks before leaving home research the Internet for data concerning the place you will be heading to.

Since you will be visiting unfamiliar places and folks, possessing beforehand some valuable data will help you make the most out of your trip. Otherwise you might waste hours trying to find something that you could have known earlier if you had done your “homework” back at home.

And it applies especially to Beijing because is a huge city. Getting the wrong directions or places you would like to head to it could you cost many precious hours or even the entire day.


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Favorite Thing: If you are planning a trip to Asia but you aren’t sure when to come, avoid coming between May and August. It is not because it is hot, it is because it is indeed too humid.

When you arrive and get off the plane you will promptly feel the humidity and you will never forget that soft and warm puff of humidity on your face for the rest of your life.

Well, in Europe is also hot but bearable because there isn’t almost humidity.
The period between September and December is the best time to come to Asia, you will feel very comfortable, just like in Quebec, Canada, where part of this period, the so-called “Indian Summer” is the best time to visit.


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Favorite Thing: Whenever you come to Asia (even in winter time) don’t forget to carry all the time a bottle of water with you.

Unless you are one of those who like to spend all day drinking soft drinks. No matter what, you will be walking a lot, therefore, having a bottle of water at your side will help you to cope with the humidity.

Besides, during those days you are in Asia, if you feel the humidity is too high, then you should drink more water than usual, sip it a little bit every 10, 15 minutes.

Warning: even if you don’t feel thirsty, drink! (for your good sake).


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Favorite Thing: While traveling in Asia have at hand the following items:

Water, plenty of it. Don’t stick to sweetened soft drinks like soda and sports drinks.

Vitamins and minerals (Centrum), one a day, since you will encounter new foods (and probably don’t know if they are or they aren’t more nutritious than the ones you are used to). Well, just to make sure you get all the essential ingredients while away from home.

Paper and wet tissues (or even a small wetty cloth will do).

Sugarless gum that’s sweetened with xylitol because at traveling time we sometimes can’t brush the teeth afterwards.

Tea leaves or coffee bags.

Small and light thermos (when I travel I always bring one with me for tea). You can use it for water, milk, juice, etc. Drinking tea after eating can help destroy the germs that cause cavities and refresh your breath.

Light clothes and footwear.

White short-sleeve 100% wool t-shirts: this is definitely a must, especially if you are kind of hairy person. You should bring along several of them, you won't be sorry because they will retain most of your perspiration. You can use them alone or under your shirts.


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Favorite Thing: Tiananmen Square is located at the center of Beijing and has an area of 440,000 m2. Here you can visit the following:

Tiananmen Tower (situated at the North end, built in 1417),

Monument to the People's Heroes (situated at the center of the Square, built in 1952),

Great Hall of the People (situated at the West of the Square, built in 1959),

Mao Zedong Memorial Hall l (situated at the South side of the Square)

China National Museum (situated at the East side of the Square, built in 2003, it is a combination of Chinese History Museum and Chinese Revolutionary Museum)

Flag-raising ceremony (between 4.45 and 5.00 am)

Flag-lowering ceremony (between 7.00 and 7.50 pm)

In Tiananmen Square you can also stroll or relax all day long, flying kites, taking shots, chatting with friends, shopping in all those shops nearby, etc.

Tiananmen Square has also witnessed a great number of important events such as

The May, 4th Movement of 1919

The proclamation of the People’s Republic of China in October 1st, 1949

Mass rallies during the Cultural Revolution

Students protests in 1989

The 1984 and 1999 military parades celebrating the 35th and 50th anniversaries, respectively, of the People's Republic of China

Fondest Memory: Stay right in the middle of Tiananmen Square and take a deep breath, look at the majestic places surrounding Tiananmen. This square breathes history, makes you broaden your mind.

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