Kelly - Post 5 - Tips for visiting Beijing and Shanghai

Tips for visiting Beijing
It is hard to clearly define Beijing culture because it is a mixture of traditional and contemporary values. Beijing’s history as a city dates back to 350 BC and it has undergone many changes as rulers have come and gone. The city has been the capital of the country for four dynasties and has been called Ji, Zhuojun, Youzhou Nanjing, Yanjing, Zhongdu, Dadu and Beiping.

Beijing’s People
The people in Beijing are quite friendly but have the unnerving habit of staring at foreigners. Although many people shake hands, it is still customary to join your hands and bow when greeting one another. It is important that you do not lose your temper in public or cause anyone to experience public shame; even contradicting someone in front of others should be avoided. If you must complain, do so calmly and privately. Punctuality is very important in China, so make sure you arrive for a meeting with plenty of time to spare. You may want to learn to eat with chopsticks prior to your Beijing tour as it is the most common eating utensil used in China. Forks are rarely used and are only given in more modern restaurants. Also remember that tipping in China was strictly forbidden and until recently and is typically frowned upon.

Beijing China Weather
Beijing weather has four distinct seasons. Spring which lasts from February to April is dry and windy, summer is hot and rainy. Autumn which lasts from August to October is the best season to visit Beijing as the temperature is mild, the sky is blue and the air is crisp and clean. This is also the peak tourist season in Beijing and tends to be very crowded. Winters are very cold due to the Siberian winds that come from the north. Most travelers avoid traveling to Beijing during the winter.

Beijing Shopping
There are numerous shopping districts in Beijing with something for everyone. Located near Tiananmen Square, Dachilan is the best place to buy silk during your Beijing tour. Also found here are many clothing stores, restaurants and department stores. Jianguomenwai is another popular Beijing shopping spot featuring the Youyi Shangdian (the Friendship Store) that sells everything from souvenirs to everyday items. Also in Jianguomenwai are more famous clothing stores like Gap and Prada. Liulichang has some of Beijing's oldest antique shops where you can find many unique artifacts. Remember to bargain and make your purchases carefully because you can be cheated. Sanlitun has a smaller clothing market and is less crowded than the other shopping areas.

Here tourists can find good China silk and clothing, as well as enjoy a quick drink at one of the many local bars. The most popular shopping area in Beijing is Wangfujing with the city’s first super mall, the Xindong Plaza. The markets Panjiayuan and Hongqiao are two of the most popular markets in the city. Panjiayuan is a weekend market, and the Hongqiao is a 3-storey market that sells nearly everything. You can buy anything from antiques to fake designer products from here.

What to Wear in Beijing?
You can wear whatever you feel comfortable in during your Beijing tour since Beijing is not as conservative as it once was. If you come to Beijing in spring, a thin sweater or coat will be needed. In summer, the climate gets quite hot so you will want to opt for casual clothes. In the winter, you will likely need a heavy sweater and a long coat. It is important that you remember to dress appropriately when visiting temples and sacred sites during your Beijing tour.

Travel Around Beijing
When traveling in Beijing, always carry a map (which is available at bus and railway stations and at the airports) and be sure that you know exactly where you want to go because most people do not speak or understand English very well. Traveling by taxi is the easiest way to get around Beijing. They are available in front of hotels, train stations and the airport. Always make sure the taxi driver turns the meter on when you get inside; unmetered taxis are illegal.

Buses are everywhere in Beijing, unfortunately for some travelers, they are very crowded and the signs and stops are only in Chinese. The subway is another great way to get around Beijing. The Circle Line, East-West Line, and Fuba Line connect all major streets in Beijing. The trains run every 10 minutes, and have a fixed fee of ¥3.

Beijing Nightlife
Beijing’s nightlife and entertainment scene are rapidly evolving. There are many nightclubs, discos, karaoke bars and pubs all over the city. Most clubs are open all night and charge an entrance fee of about ¥100-200. The most popular bar is Sanlitun, in the northeast section of the city. It is pretty lively and frequented by foreigners. Situated in Tuanjiehu Park, Sanlitun is the popular Old Poachers Inn.

Other bars can be found on Xinjiang Kou. Durty Nellie’s a great bar with live music. Sgt. Pepper’s, the Goose and Duck Pub, The Pig and Thistle, the Holiday Inn Lido and the Jichang Lu are also popular bars. Beijing’s most chic club is JJ’s, Xinjiekou Bei Dajie. Kiss Super Club, 35 Xue Yun Lu, is another popular place frequented by young foreigners.

Beijing Business
Beijing is a bustling city with a population of about 12 million people. It is a major force in China’s tourism industry, accounting for a quarter of the country's tourism income. Many Chinese are still involved in agriculture and farming but are regularly setting up small shops and stalls in the city. Many people work in the hotel industry because it pays very well. Locals are also opening bars, pubs and restaurants on a small scale to cater to the many tourists in Beijing.


Tips for Visiting Shanghai

Shanghai is an exciting and exotic city by the sea that has beckoned travelers for over a century. At the heart of China’s economic revival, Shanghai offers its visitors fun, excitement and entertainment like no other place in the world. With its own unique take on Chinese traditions and Western culture, Shanghai is definitely a place to visit for vacation.

Shanghai culture can be traced back to its roots as a tiny fishing village on the Chinese coast. After colonization by the British, the French and the Americans, Shanghai exploded onto the map as a great place to go to visit, work and learn. With its often-mystical Chinese traditions, Shanghai was mysterious and alluring to people which lead to its becoming rather colorful and decadent as an easy stopover for sailors and merchants. However, by 1950, communist rule came into force and most foreigners left the city. It remained dormant until the 1990’s when it was once again revived to spearhead China into the new millennium.

Shanghai is once again a great place for business and at the very core of China’s economy. The handshake here is now an accepted form of greeting, as is the exchange of business cards. Cards and gifts should be always presented, and received, with both hands. When invited to someone's house it is important that you never go empty-handed; always take a gift, even if it is just some fruit. Also, remember to take off your shoes at the entrance of a house, as shoes are considered to be unclean. The Chinese are very hospitable and often take guests and business colleagues out to dinner, so it is important that you learn to use chopsticks.

Weather in Shanghai
The best time to visit Shanghai is in the autumn, when the temperature is mild and it is less likely to rain. Shanghai's weather is moderate with an annual average temperature of about 15° C (59° F). The weather in Shanghai can be divided into four seasons: a warm spring, a hot summer, a cool autumn and a cold winter. Shanghai also receives plenty of rainfall from July to September; thunderstorms and torrential rain occur frequently. Summers in Shanghai are hot and humid with July and August as Shanghai's hottest months. January is the coldest month in Shanghai.

Shopping in Shanghai
Shanghai has a great city for shopping. From ancient Chinese artifacts to trendy western wear, Shanghai has it all. Western-styled shopping malls, huge department stores, street stalls, shops and colorful open-air markets can be found all over Shanghai. Most shops are open daily from10 am - 10 pm, with weekends, especially Sunday being the most hectic and busiest day to shop. Shanghai has some of the best antiques in mainland China and is known for its variety of Chinese silk. Jewelry, especially jade, gold, silver, and freshwater pearls can be found at bargain prices. As with most Asian cities bargaining is a must while shopping. Popular items on sale include: ceramics, hand-made embroidery, teapots, painted fans, handbags, carpets, lacquer ware, painted snuff bottles, and peasant paintings.

The best place to shop in Shanghai's is Nanjing Lu, which has many modern shopping malls and department stores. The Nanjing Lu Pedestrian Mall on Nanjing Dong Lu downtown is a popular shopping mall. Also popular is Huaihai Zhong Lu conveniently located parallel to Nanjing Lu. The Huaihai shopping area runs from the Huangpi Nan Lu Metro Station to the Changshu Lu Station. For the best in fashion and accessories, the Maoming Lu/Changle Lu area is the best. Taikang Lu has some of the most fashionable boutiques in the city with everything from designer handbags to expensive silks. Another major shopping street is Hengshan Le and Shanghai's Old Town Bazaar is a good place to shop for local arts and crafts and antiques. In Pudong, shopping is mainly east of the riverfront and south of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The Super Brand Mall in Lujiazui has plenty of shopping and Maison Mode, Raffles City and Plaza 66 are all great department stores. Shops like Taikang Ar Factory, Xintiandi and Yu Garden Bazaar are the prefect places to buy local crafts and wares.

What to Wear in Shanghai
The people of Shanghai have a reputation of being not only the best dressed in China, but in the world. Fashion conscious and stylish, most trends in the country usually originate from Shanghai. The best items of clothing are the ones you are most comfortable in because it is extremely hard for a tourist to out-dress a local. Jeans, t-shirts and shorts are the way to go and business wear is similar to the styles of the West.

Travel Around in Shanghai
Unlike many other Chinese cities, Shanghai has a great public transportation system with buses and a new metro (subway). All three metros take you almost anywhere in the city with all the information provided in English. Tickets range from ¥2 - 3. Taxi drivers here usually do not speak English, so be sure to bring the address written in Chinese. Most rides inside the city cost between ¥10 - 25. During rush hour, buses are extremely crowded and it is not a recommended to use them. Taxis are the most efficient, inexpensive way to travel in Shanghai. If you prefer to drive, a driver’s license can be obtained by surrendering your existing license. Be careful when walking around in Shanghai, as traffic can get quite hectic during rush hour; always try to cross the street in a group of pedestrians.

Health Services in Shanghai
Shanghai has the most advanced medical facilities in all of China. Most high-end hotels have an in-house or on-call doctor and always refer guests to dentists and doctors. The following hospitals provide international standard services:
World Link Medical and Dental Centers, Nánjing Xi Lù 1376
Shànghai Centre, Suite 203, Unit 30
Mandarine City, Hóngxu Lù 788, Hóngqiáo District (offers 24-hour emergency services)
World Link Inpatient Center at Dànshui Lù 170 on the 3rd floor.
The Foreigner's Clinic at Huá Shan Hospital, in Jìng An District on the 19th floor
The First People's Hospital International Medical Care Center, near the Bund (offers 24-hour emergency assistance)
Watson's Drug Store (which has branches throughout the city) is the best place to get medication
Shanghai Nightlife
Shanghai had a notorious nightlife in the late 1800’s and early 20th century. Gambling dens, opium joints, nightclubs and glamorous theatres were found everywhere in old Shanghai. However, with the communist revolution, Shanghai was cleaned up and now the entertainment is more respectable. Acrobatics, musicals, opera, dance and theatre performances can be found all over the city. Performances by Yo-yo Ma, Luciano Pavarotti, Diana Krall and the Kirov Ballet have been held in Shanghai. There are also plenty of nightclubs and bars in the city with live music. The Shanghai International Jazz Concert Series is held in the second week of November each year in Shanghai.

Shanghai has some of the best dance clubs and discos in China. Pu-J's Big Top in the Grand Hyatt Hotel is a great dance club. Maoming Lu is another trendy bar on the rise. The Ark Live House, Dr Bar, Le Club at La Maison, Soho Pub and TMSK are all great places to visit and party until the wee hours of the morning.

Dining Out in Shanghai
Shanghai has many great restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés and coffee shops to dine out in with family, friends or on a business lunch. The Darling Harbour Xin Gai Nian Chuan Cai, Wen Hao Za Liang Shi Fu, the Atrium Café, Huang Cheng Gen Er and the Roxy Bar & Grill are some great places to eat at. For more expensive and classic meals, the T8, Shintori Null II, Yongfoo Élite, M on the Bund and Quan Ju De are excellent. The more reasonable restaurants include Hot Pot King, Simply Thai, Nooch Noodle Bar, and Grape.

Shanghai Business
Shanghai is a thriving metropolis that has plenty of business ventures to keep most local and foreign businesspeople intrigued. Shanghai and the surrounding area all have Special Economic Zones which offer different tax incentives for the business executive who wants to open a business in Shanghai. The best way to get this information is to contact your respective consulate in Shanghai or the Chinese embassy. Pudong is the new financial and industrial center of Shanghai and has the best bets for tax incentives. Though China is still restrictive when it comes to setting up businesses, the government is keen to attract foreign investment; most businesses have a joint venture from of organization. From telecommunications and media to imports and exports, Shanghai is the best place to do business in China.