Going Places – Beijing

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(Continued)

Health and safety issues
For foreigners, Beijing is a very safe place to visit. As long as you are accompanied by a licensed tour guide or are part of a tourist group, you should have no troubles getting around safely. The constant presence of police, both in uniform and plain clothing, may feel a little intrusive at first, but it can also give you a sense of security. As I mentioned before, we were able to take photographs and videos everywhere we went, including Tiananmen Square, but we were always closely watched by the authorities.

Finding safe food to eat is never a problem. Most upscale hotels cater to an international clientele and offer different types of restaurants on their premises, including French, Italian, Japanese and Thai. For Westerners who can’t live without their burgers and fries, there are McDonald’s and other fast food joints in almost every part of town, including the Olympic park. However, I suggest you make the most of your visit by indulging in traditional Chinese cuisine as much as possible. One of the best places to explore the local fare is the legendary Peking Duck restaurant or Quanjude, which is named after the city’s signature dish. Of course, there are countless other places, all with their own culinary specialties and traditions.

Street food is extremely popular and can be a fun experience. We could not resist trying some of the more exotic specialties (don’t ask), but our stomachs rebelled not long thereafter. So, if you are not used to street food, you better go to a regular eatery.

The Chinese are known for eating fast. Pacing yourself is not always easy when you dine out, especially during lunchtime. If you are a light eater, you may want to stick to vegetarian dishes, and even they ca be quite fatty.

Unfortunately, Beijing has high levels of pollution, which is reflected in the poor quality of both air and water. You should not drink tab water. Even hot beverages are only safe if made with bottled water. If you are not sure about the quality of your drinking water, use carbonated soda – at least you know it hasn’t been tampered with. Alcoholic beverages are all fine, including the locally produced ones, especially beer, which is quite good.

No vaccinations are required for China. A health declaration entry card must be filled out as part of customs clearance. Visitors who suffer from serious illnesses, like tuberculosis or AIDS, are generally not allowed into the country. If you get sick, most tourist hotels can offer basic medical assistance. Some even have a pharmacy on their premises. In serious cases, transfers to hospitals where English is spoken can be arranged. You should also know beforehand where to contact your embassy in an emergency situation (e.g. www.usembassy-china.org.cn).

Summary
Beijing is definitely worth visiting. It is, and will be even more so in the future, one of the great metropolises in the world. Picking the right time of the year – spring and fall – can make your stay more pleasant. An itinerary of five to seven days for sightseeing just within the city limits and a trip to the Great Wall is not too long. I recommend you take it all in at a slow pace with plenty of time for leisurely dining, spa treatments and rest. Beijing has all the necessary accommodations and facilities in spades. Enjoy.


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