Travel China and Beyond

Resources

On-line Maps:

Mapbar and Google Maps(Ditu)

Guidebooks:

FAQ

1) If I am visiting Southern China, should I learn Cantonese or Mandarin:

Yes, go for Mandarin. In places like Shenzhen (across the border from Hong Kong) you can already speak Mandarin in most places. The cities in the South already have tons of people from the North (who are primarily Mandarin speakers) so Mandarin is very useful. Additionally, if you come across people from different provinces of China, Mandarin will be again the common language.

2) What are the things I should Do and Not Do when dining with Chinese hosts:

DO NOT stick your chopsticks vertical in the rice bowl at the table. Make sure you place them on the chopsticks holder or across the bowl. Make sure they are not pointing towards any of the guests or hosts - this is considered rude. Most dishes in a Chinese meal are shared among all at the table. Make sure you take small amounts from each dish at a time. Do not pile up a bunch of food on your plate. If there are serving spoon or serving chopsticks with each dish make sure you use those, otherwise if there are none, you could use your chopsticks to get food from the shared dishes. If you need to serve yourself tea from the teapot on the table, make sure you first serve your neighbours at the table. Then pour yourself. If someone else is pouring tea for you, you could use two fingers and drum on the table (with the tips of the fingers) — this is another way to say “Thank you” without words (this custom comes from an old Emperor situation, send me a note /comment and I will email you with more details). If you are visiting the home of a Chinese host for dinner, it is polite to bring some fruit, or flowers, or some sweets. But this is a rapidly changing custom as China becomes more cosmopolitan and influenced by multiple customs.

3) Should I drive / take a bus for travel between Chengdu, Xian, Beijing?

By all means you should plan on flights between Chengdu - Xian and Beijing…. You can buy tickets locally in China. The hotels where you stay would have business center or travel agent that could help you.

4) Where can I find low cost eye glasses in Beijing (prescription glasses)?

Go on South 3rd ring road (south of Guo Mao) and take the Panjiayuan exit and the eyeglasses stores will be to your immediate right on the access road. (You can park (if you have a car with you) on the sidewalk) There are also other stores around town but the Panjiayuan area is good. Based on your prescription they could turn around your glasses in one day (few hours). I just want to point out that frames are definitely cheaper than the US and the process of adding the lenses, but the lenses themselves could be no cheaper than the US — it depends on what prescription you have…. You may be able to find basic lenses for lower cost than the US.

WiFi Locations Across Beijing:

The folks at CYTECH have put together a good list of free WiFi hotspots around Beijing: (source: http://www.wlan.com.cn/eng/didian/beijing/beijing.htm)

No	Cafe	Address	Tel	Map
1	SPR COFFEE ZHIXIN	Erlizhuang Chaoyang,Beijing	010-62396644
2	SPR COFFEE HUATING	Huating Club No.6 Beisihuan Zhong Lu, Chaoyang,Beijing	010-82840901
3	SPR COFFEE EAST GATE PLAZA	EA6C B1,East Gate Plaza,No.9 Dongzhong St., Dongcheng District,Beijing	010-64185718
4	SPR COFFEE JIANWAI	1/F,Bailian Building,Dongcheng,Beijing	010-65688338
5	Be There Or Be Sqaure Cafe	BB71,Oriental Plaza East,Dong Chang An Avenue,Dong Cheng District,Beijing	010-85186518
6	Be There Or Be Sqaure Cafe	Level 1, Landmark Tower,North Dongsanhua Road, Chaoyang District,Beijing	010-65906999
7	Be There Or Be Sqaure Cafe	Level 1, China Resources Building,8 Jianguomenbei Avenue,Beijing	010-85191818
8	Be There Or Be Sqaure Cafe	Beijing Capital Times Square, No.88 West Chang An Ave.Beijing	010-83914077
9	GL Cafe Restaurant	Shop L132,Level 1,China World Trade Center Shopping Arcade,1,Jianguomenwai Avenue,Beijing	010-65056868
10	GL Cafe Restaurant	Shop 198,International Club,19 Jianguomenwai Avenue,Beijing (Beside St.Regis Hotel)	010-65328282
11	Adria Restaurant	NO.16 Xinyuan Street Chaoyang Dstrict,Beijing	010-64663262
12	Adria Restaurant	Central Park Club 6 Chaowai Street Chaoyang Dstrict,Beijing	010-65970499
13	Pink Loft Food&Drink	No.6,Sanlitun South Street,Chaoyang District,Beijing	010-65068811
14	BAR BLU	Building 43, tongli studio sanlitun North st . chaoyang District,Beijing	010-64177715
15	HOLIDAY INN CENTRAL PLAZA BEIJING	92, Zaolinqianjie, Xuanwuqu,Beijing, China	010-83521161
16	SCULPTING IN TIME CAFE	7 Weigongcun Rd. Beijing (the south gate of Ins.of Technology)	010-68946825
17	SCULPTING IN TIME CAFE	Wudao kou 1,Building 12,Huaqingjiayuan (Wudaokou Cityrail Station)	010-82867025
18	Fruity Mix	1F Pacific Century Place 2A Gong Ti Bei Lu Chaoyang District Beijing	010-65392279
19	Handsome	Building 7 sanlitun North st. Chaoyang District,Beijing.	010-64178288
20	Lemon Grass	Jinzhiqiao Mansion A Layer Side Jianguomen Outside Street No 1. Beijing	010-65053855
21	INDIAN RESTAURANT	38 Maoer Hutong,DiAnMen Wai St. Dongcheng District Beijing	010-64011675
22	PASS BY BAR	South Luogu Alley #108, Beijing (Inside a Si He Yuan)	010-84038004
23	Riverside Cafe	10, Sanlitun Beixiaojie Chao Yang District,Beijing	010-64661241
24	Heaven and Earth Cafe	2 QianhaiBeiyanXicheng District Beijing	010-66571870
25	Ehing Pavilion Restaurant&lunge	76 Donghuamen Street Dongcheng District Beijing,China	010-65238775

Do you have questions? Send us a note…