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A guide to Beijing's hidden secrets A guide to Beijing's hidden secrets
(about 11 hours later)
By Jennifer Pak BBC News, Beijing Tips to get ahead in Beijing Here's the normal rule for exploring foreign cities: wander about a bit, get lost in alleyways, and you will stumble across the best nooks and crannies.By Jennifer Pak BBC News, Beijing Tips to get ahead in Beijing Here's the normal rule for exploring foreign cities: wander about a bit, get lost in alleyways, and you will stumble across the best nooks and crannies.
But do this in Beijing and you will just get plain lost.But do this in Beijing and you will just get plain lost.
In this city, you have to know exactly where to go to eat, drink and shop.In this city, you have to know exactly where to go to eat, drink and shop.
So let me give you some pointers.So let me give you some pointers.
TRANSPORTTRANSPORT
The best way to get around Beijing is by underground or taxi.The best way to get around Beijing is by underground or taxi.
The new airport express train is the fastest and cheapest way to get to and from the airport into the city.The new airport express train is the fastest and cheapest way to get to and from the airport into the city.
For 25 yuan ($3.65, £1.84) you can get to the city centre in 20 minutes.For 25 yuan ($3.65, £1.84) you can get to the city centre in 20 minutes.
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How to get to Beijing city centre from the airportHow to get to Beijing city centre from the airport
It connects to the city underground system. For two yuan ($0.30, £0.15) a trip, you can travel on any of the lines.It connects to the city underground system. For two yuan ($0.30, £0.15) a trip, you can travel on any of the lines.
You can also grab a cab. Take one straight from your hotel.You can also grab a cab. Take one straight from your hotel.
Cab drivers have been mandated by the Beijing government to learn some English phrases for the Olympics, but few can understand the names of important tourist spots.Cab drivers have been mandated by the Beijing government to learn some English phrases for the Olympics, but few can understand the names of important tourist spots.
After five minutes of repeating the words "Bird's Nest" - the commonly used name for the national stadium - and "Olympic Village" to one cab driver, I had to relent.After five minutes of repeating the words "Bird's Nest" - the commonly used name for the national stadium - and "Olympic Village" to one cab driver, I had to relent.
"Niao chao," I said. That's Chinese for Bird's Nest."Niao chao," I said. That's Chinese for Bird's Nest.
Taxi driver Ma Junhai said he was given a book by his company over a year ago, and was still learning phrases until last week.Taxi driver Ma Junhai said he was given a book by his company over a year ago, and was still learning phrases until last week.
"I can't remember much of it," he said sheepishly."I can't remember much of it," he said sheepishly.
Word of advice: always have a map handy with your destination circled and get hotel staff to write your destination address down in English and Chinese.Word of advice: always have a map handy with your destination circled and get hotel staff to write your destination address down in English and Chinese.
PRONUNCIATION: Niao chao - nyow chow; Key sound: -ow as in nowPRONUNCIATION: Niao chao - nyow chow; Key sound: -ow as in now
BARSBARS
Sanlitun Bar Street is lined with tacky bars on the main road.Sanlitun Bar Street is lined with tacky bars on the main road.
But like most places in Beijing, the good stuff is tucked away in nearby alleyways.Don't miss the Peking DuckBut like most places in Beijing, the good stuff is tucked away in nearby alleyways.Don't miss the Peking Duck
Jim Boyce writes a blog dedicated to the drinking scene in Beijing.Jim Boyce writes a blog dedicated to the drinking scene in Beijing.
Number one on his list for an ice cold beer is the Mexican eatery Saddle Cantina, equipped with a special ice tap that serves beer at -2C.Number one on his list for an ice cold beer is the Mexican eatery Saddle Cantina, equipped with a special ice tap that serves beer at -2C.
"The two things you want to order are Stella and Hoegaarden draught because you cannot believe how long it stays cold," Mr Boyce said."The two things you want to order are Stella and Hoegaarden draught because you cannot believe how long it stays cold," Mr Boyce said.
They also have good chicken enchiladas.They also have good chicken enchiladas.
The Tree is not one of the easiest bars to find. But they do have a great selection of Belgian beer and good oven-fired thin-crust pizzas.The Tree is not one of the easiest bars to find. But they do have a great selection of Belgian beer and good oven-fired thin-crust pizzas.
Lastly, the cheapest and best way to enjoy a bit of "old Beijing" is to buy a 600ml bottle of Tsingdao beer for 3 yuan ($0.43, £0.22) at local convenience stores.Lastly, the cheapest and best way to enjoy a bit of "old Beijing" is to buy a 600ml bottle of Tsingdao beer for 3 yuan ($0.43, £0.22) at local convenience stores.
PRONUNCIATION: Sanlitun - SAN-lee-TUUN; Key sound -uu as in bookPRONUNCIATION: Sanlitun - SAN-lee-TUUN; Key sound -uu as in book
Tsingdao - Ching-dow; Key sound -ow as in nowTsingdao - Ching-dow; Key sound -ow as in now
CHINESE FOODCHINESE FOOD
The best place to eat in Beijing is open 24 hours a day.The best place to eat in Beijing is open 24 hours a day.
It is known in Chinese as Guijie, which directly translates as "Ghost Street" because the red lanterns that line the street make it look like a horror movie set. It is known in Chinese as Guijie, which is known to foreigners as "Ghost Street".
There are many stories as to how the name originated, including the fact that the red lanterns that line the street make it look like a horror movie set."
The street is a haven for spicy food lovers. Most of the restaurants serve spicy crawfish and hot pot. AdvertisementThe street is a haven for spicy food lovers. Most of the restaurants serve spicy crawfish and hot pot. Advertisement
Guijie or "Ghost Street" in Beijing is home to many restaurantsGuijie or "Ghost Street" in Beijing is home to many restaurants
A great restaurant that serves home-style cooking is Huajia Yiyuan.A great restaurant that serves home-style cooking is Huajia Yiyuan.
It is set in a quaint old-styled Chinese courtyard. This type of housing has been mostly replaced by skyscrapers and apartment buildings in the city.It is set in a quaint old-styled Chinese courtyard. This type of housing has been mostly replaced by skyscrapers and apartment buildings in the city.
The signature dish is Peking duck.The signature dish is Peking duck.
The combination of crispy skin with lean duck meat wrapped with veggies and a seafood sauce in a rice tortilla is worth a try.The combination of crispy skin with lean duck meat wrapped with veggies and a seafood sauce in a rice tortilla is worth a try.
Good Peking duck can easily be found in other local Beijing restaurants.Good Peking duck can easily be found in other local Beijing restaurants.
If the restaurant serves the crispy duck skin with fat still stuck on it, then you're in the wrong place.If the restaurant serves the crispy duck skin with fat still stuck on it, then you're in the wrong place.
PRONUNCIATION: Guijie - GWAY-ji-E; Key sound -e as in betPRONUNCIATION: Guijie - GWAY-ji-E; Key sound -e as in bet
Huajia Yiyuan - KHWAA-ji-aa YEE yue-ann: Key sound - kh as in lochHuajia Yiyuan - KHWAA-ji-aa YEE yue-ann: Key sound - kh as in loch
MARKETSMARKETS
The best place to get knickknacks is still the Panjiayuan antique market.The best place to get knickknacks is still the Panjiayuan antique market.
"You know there are very few antiques at that market," my cab driver said."You know there are very few antiques at that market," my cab driver said.
True collectors go at the crack of dawn on weekends.True collectors go at the crack of dawn on weekends.
This place is great for Mao memorabilia, pearls, jade, imitations of famous modern Chinese paintings and old books. AdvertisementThis place is great for Mao memorabilia, pearls, jade, imitations of famous modern Chinese paintings and old books. Advertisement
Panjiayuan antique market is recommended for shoppingPanjiayuan antique market is recommended for shopping
Most people hate the cut-throat business of bargaining. But take my father's advice: no business person sells under cost.Most people hate the cut-throat business of bargaining. But take my father's advice: no business person sells under cost.
Bid 10 to 20 yuan lower than you are willing to pay, and move up incrementally. This way you are giving the vendor a bit of respect or "face".Bid 10 to 20 yuan lower than you are willing to pay, and move up incrementally. This way you are giving the vendor a bit of respect or "face".
I often get asked by visitors: "How do I know if I've been ripped off?"I often get asked by visitors: "How do I know if I've been ripped off?"
The only way to know is to ask locals.The only way to know is to ask locals.
My favourite purchase at Panjiayuan was an old vintage suitcase that looked like it came straight off a 1930s Shanghai movie set.My favourite purchase at Panjiayuan was an old vintage suitcase that looked like it came straight off a 1930s Shanghai movie set.
A book vendor nodded towards my purchase as I was leaving the market.A book vendor nodded towards my purchase as I was leaving the market.
"How much did you pay for that?""How much did you pay for that?"
"180 yuan," I said timidly."180 yuan," I said timidly.
He nodded.He nodded.
"Bu cuo [not bad]," he said."Bu cuo [not bad]," he said.
Striking a good deal definitely gives you a high.Striking a good deal definitely gives you a high.
PRONUNCIATION: Panjiayuan - PAN-ji-aa-yue-ANNPRONUNCIATION: Panjiayuan - PAN-ji-aa-yue-ANN
Bu Cuo - Boo tswaw; Key sound -ts as in bitsBu Cuo - Boo tswaw; Key sound -ts as in bits