Overall

Beijing is a wonderful place for the cultural sites....Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven. The sense of history is palpable. Beijing is also sprawling, polluted metropolis where getting around can be tough. Stay in the Dongmen (city center) District for convenience. It is a third world city making the leap to first world...you'll see donkey carts in front of 60 storey complexes. It is also still a police state. The BBC was blacked out at the Kerry Center Shangri-la when they were about to run a piece on the unsettled Uigher minority. Frankly, I found the country oppressive. Booming, yet sad at the same time. Catch your guide (not a govt employee) in a private moment as I did and you will see. Most people are friendly, but some are wary of foreigners. Some are outright dishonest. I would buy nothing of value there, because some people will lie to your face and try to overcharge you mercilessly.The postings on the "practice English and art students" are all true. You will hear con jobs and sad tales designed to manipulate you. Don't buy it. It is part of the grab to get rich at all costs. Business is a zero sum game to them. Overall, it is a place one must see. Just remember all you see is not what it really is. Keep your wits and your objectivity and you'll be fine.

Atmosphere

Convenience

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Value

5 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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