Full Description
With details concerning major attractions, off-the-beaten-track spots, drinking and nightlife venues, and restaurants and hotels/hostels from all over the city, Panda Guides Beijing is the most complete guide of its kind. Written by a team of expats who live in and know China's roaring capital, our Beijing title is the first guidebook to offer local discounts to readers, as well as an opportunity to win a free trip through China by purchasing the book. Apart from all the money readers can save by following the Panda, this edition of Beijing also comes with a pullout map of the city, while individual maps can be found inside for key tourist attractions, and mini-maps are provided for every local business (hotels, hostels, bars, and restaurants) that show all major cross streets and the nearest subway station(s). What's more, we've made the travel experience even easier by placing each attraction's vital info (i.e. transportation details, opening hours, admission, phone number, website, etc.) in clearly marked orange boxes at the beginning of every listing.This volume is also packed with sample itineraries, a Mandarin phrasebook, a user-friendly index, sections on culture, history, art, music, and movies, full-color pictures (to give you an engrossing feel of a destination before the reader even goes) and much more!Plus, the Hot Topics section will reveal what life on the ground is like with coverage of fascinating themes such as Air Pollution, Food & Water Safety, Traveling with Kids, Scams, Travel, Culture Shock, Taboo & Etiquette and others. For all this and more, Panda Guides China isn't just a guide, it's an experience. For more on our books and maps, and to get updated information concerning travel news and special events throughout China, check out www.PandaGuides.com.
Contents
Beijing Overview 8 Getting Prepared 31 Transportation 40 Top Attractions 49 The Great Wall 50 The Forbidden City 62 Summer Palaces & University Area 71 Temple of Heaven & the Prayer Altars 78 Tian'anmen Square & Surrounding Area 86 Shichahai Area 98 Beihai Park 107 Hutongs 110 Lama Temple Area 116 798 Art District 123 Olympic Legacies 127 Other Attractions 131 Sleeping 193 Eating 205 Drinking & Nightlife 243 Shopping 252 Distractions 263 Side Trips from Beijing 266 Tianjin 267 Pingyao 270 Beidaihe 273 Chengde 275 Travel Stories 278 Hot Topics 290 Sample Itineraries 290 Air Pollution in Beijing 301 Food & Water Safety 305 Toilets in Beijing 307 Smart-phone Apps 309 Scams 312 Culture Shock for Travelers 318 Etiquette & Taboo in Chinese Culture 323 Internet & Phone Access 327 Traveling with Kids 329 Beijing on a Budget 334 Mandarin Phrasebook 336 Glossary 345 Travel Resources 347 Index 350
